Program Overview
The Postgraduate Certificate in Advanced Family Law offers a comprehensive understanding of family law in Ireland, including family property, legal family relationships, and emerging family forms. Taught by experts in family law, this part-time program provides students with both theoretical and practical knowledge through seminars and legal clinic participation. Graduates are well-prepared for careers in family law, including legal professionals, government agencies, and NGOs.
Program Outline
Degree Overview:
The Postgraduate Certificate in Advanced Family Law is a part-time program that provides students with a comprehensive understanding of family law in Ireland and internationally. The program aims to equip students with specialized knowledge in legal issues related to families, including family property and emerging family forms. Students will gain valuable insights into the practical application of family law through interactions with social workers, legal professionals, and other stakeholders. The program is taught by scholars with a strong track record of research in legal issues related to families.
Outline:
The program consists of 30 credits, which can be earned by taking modules from the following:
- LW6507 Comparative Family Property Law (5 credits): This module explores the legal frameworks governing family property in different jurisdictions, including Ireland and other common law countries.
- LW6568 The Family and the Law (10 credits): This module examines the legal framework governing family relationships in Ireland, including marriage, cohabitation, and parenthood.
- LW6603 Legal Regulation of Cohabitation and Emerging Family Forms (5 credits): This module focuses on the legal regulation of cohabitation and other emerging family forms, such as same-sex relationships and surrogacy.
- LW6614 Family Law Clinic (5 credits): This module provides students with practical experience in family law through participation in a legal clinic.
- LW6592 Mental Capacity Law (5 credits): This module explores the legal framework governing mental capacity and its implications for family law. The part-time option is taught during weekday working hours over one year. Classes are held in a seminar format, which is interactive and participative. Students receive advance reading lists and materials for each seminar. Seminars take place in two-hour blocks between 9 am and 6 pm, Monday to Friday. Arrangements may be made for courtroom observation in the family courts.
Assessment:
Students are assessed through continuous assessment throughout the year. Individual module assessments can be viewed in the Book of Modules.
Teaching:
The program is taught by the School of Law, which has a strong faculty with expertise in family law. The teaching methods are interactive and participative, with a focus on seminar discussions.
Careers:
Graduates of the Postgraduate Certificate in Advanced Family Law are well-equipped to work in various roles within the family law sector, including:
- Legal professionals specializing in family law
- Government departments and agencies
- Non-governmental organizations (both nationally and internationally)
- Other bodies that work with families
Other:
The Postgraduate Certificate in Advanced Family Law builds on the School of Law's expertise in family law. Graduates can advance their studies in Family Law by building on the Certificate to complete a Postgraduate Diploma in Law (Children's Rights and Family Law) or an LLM (Children's Rights and Family Law) (provided they get an honors mark in their Certificate).
