The Diploma in Judicial Skills and Decision-Making provides participants with case-management, leadership skills and practical training on how to run a case in any forum.

Starting on 19 October, this diploma aims to prepare participants for adjudicatory and tribunal, and roles, and will explore the skills needed to preside over various forums. Practical workshops on arriving at a determination, drafting judgments will be facilitated by means of case studies and roleplay sessions. An interactive online module on mediation will take a look at the challenges arising from integrating the mediation process with the legal system, examine key mediation skills and give students an insight into how the Mediation Act 2017 affects traditional court-based proceedings. The diploma also features a distinct module on awareness and sensitivity training and dealing with vulnerable witnesses and clients.

Modules

• Module 1: The exercise of judicial skills and decision-making

• Module 2: Mediation, managing proceedings, and administering justice

• Module 3: Written judgments and decision-making skills

• Module 4: The social context of law

What our past students say

"As a litigation solicitor, I am very interested in judicial decision-making. The course was well-run and covered a wide range of relevant topics from judicial independence to unconscious bias, the duties of boards and drafting. Lectures were delivered by existing and former members of the judiciary and these were both engaging and insightful. Much of what I learned about the judicial and quasi-judicial decision-making process has already benefitted me in my litigation practice in the CSSO."

Kate Roseingrave, Chief State Solicitor's Office

More information

• Apply for the Diploma in Judicial Skills and Decision-Making

For further information on the course and application process visit the Diploma Centre pages on our website or contact the team by emailing diplomateam@lawsociety.ie.