The core curriculum runs from December to December each academic year and combines essential legal subjects with practical skills training to prepare you for life as a solicitor.

• Core Subjects include Business Law, Land Law, Dispute Resolution, Criminal Law, Family Law, Probate, Taxation, Legal Practice Irish, Law as Business: Managing a Legal Practice Professional Responsibility
• Skills-Focused Courses include Advocacy, Commercial Drafting, Interviewing and Advising, Legal Research, Legal Writing, Negotiation, Presentation Skills, The Complete Lawyer.

Trainees will also explore evolving areas of practice, such as the role of AI in legal services, and develop broader professional capabilities in leadership, legal technology, project management and finance.  The focus is on equipping each trainee with the legal and practical tools needed to navigate real-world challenges and build a successful start to their career.

In-office training remains a vital component of solicitor qualification. This 24-month period begins 14 days after the final core PPC exam.

For example, PPC 2024 trainees completed their final exam on 10 December 2025, and their in-office training period will commence on 24 December 2025.

• Trainees may be eligible to receive up to 4 months' credit for work-based experience gained before starting the PPC.
• Up to 5 months' partial credit may apply for work during the Hybrid course (if relevant criteria are met). 

Please discuss all work/training overlaps in advance with your training solicitor.

Trainees who are employed in their training firm while completing the PPC Hybrid should note that, if Friday is part of their normal working week they may need to be paid for the hours spent training on that day.

• Under section 8 of the National Minimum Wage Act 2000, trainees who are paid close to the minimum wage must be compensated for any training hours that fall within their usual working hours.  This ensures that when training time is included in the total hours for a reference period (up to one month), the trainee’s average hourly pay remains at or above the national minimum wage of €13.50 per hour.

Guidance for Training solicitors:

• During the core PPC Hybrid, it is recommended that trainees work a four-day week. While not every weekend involves Hybrid sessions, allowing one day off each week will greatly support their learning and wellbeing.
• Provide study time before the PPC Hybrid examinations.
• The course is intensive, with trainees expected to engage in evening and weekend study. Where possible, adjust workloads so trainees can leave the office on time and avoid additional evening or weekend work.
• If trainees take all Advanced Electives with the Law Society in May and June 2025, they should expect increased onsite attendance during those months.

Attendance is an essential part of success on the PPC Hybrid.  Tutorials and lectures are designed to build on each other, so missing sessions can seriously affect progress.  Trainees are required to attend all live lectures (whether onsite or online) and to review any pre-recorded material in advance of tutorials.  Attendance at tutorials is compulsory, with at least 80% attendance required for each course.  Those who fall below this threshold may be required to repeat missed sessions, complete additional work or re-attend part of the course before being eligible to pass.  For online sessions, cameras should remain on to support interaction and engagement.

The full Hybrid PPC 2025 Timetable is available to download as a PDF. Trainees will also receive access to a digital iCalendar during the iPad induction sessions iPad induction sessions on the first day of the course. This calendar will update automatically if any changes occur.

An initial timetable is usually shared in the preceding December to assist with planning. Once elective selections are confirmed and fees are paid, any necessary adjustments will be made and updated calendars will be issued via iCal.

All trainees are assigned to a fixed tutorial group and a fixed skills group for the duration of the core PPC.  These groupings determine your schedule for tutorials, workshops and some lectures.

Group assignments are generated via an automated scheduling system to ensure fairness and balance. All trainees follow the same curriculum and receive equal support, regardless of group.  The latest Core Group Inforation will be available for download early January 2026.

• Core Course fees (December to December) are €11,850.
• Advanced Electives fees will be confirmed closer to selection time.  Trainees who choose multiple electives with the Law Society will benefit from bundled pricing.

For full details on fees, funding supports, and financial assistance schemes - including SUSI, tax relief and the Access Programme - please visit the Fees and Funding section of the website.

All trainees are required to log in and confirm their iPad selection for the upcoming PPC. The course fee includes the iPad 11-inch (A16) Wi-Fi 128GB, which is the standard model provided to all trainees.

Trainees who wish to upgrade may do so during the selection process.  Upgrade options are available at an additional cost and must be selected before the deadline of 1pm on Friday 21 November 2025.  Changes cannot be made after submission.

How to select your iPad

1. Select your iPad. If required, log in using the Law Society account that you used to access FE-1 examination results. Passwords can be reset via the login page if needed.
2. Print off your receipt as proof of purchase

We recommend checking the Apple website for model specifications before making a selection.

Getting your iPad

• Your iPad will be given to you on the first on-site day of your PPC course.
• Trainee iPad deployment and setup will take place on-site. Attendance at these sessions is compulsory.
• Bring your iPad receipt as proof of purchase as you will be asked for this before the iPad is given to you.
• You will need your Apple ID username and password to setup your iPad. If you do not already have an Apple ID you can set one up online. If you already have an Apple ID then you can check that you know the username and password.
• Read the Apple Customer Privacy Policyand Apple Terms and Conditions.

Please note: New iPads now ship with a USB-C to USB-C charging cable only (no power adapter), in line with EU sustainability regulations. Trainees should bring a compatible power adapter for onsite charging.

For iPad-related queries, please contact ipad@lawsociety.ie.

To access the Law Society campus, all trainees must upload a digital photo for their student ID card.  The digital ID card will be issued during Induction Week but the photo must be uploaded by Wednesday 14 January.

You can upload your photo by following these steps:

1. Visit 'personal details' in your lawsociety.ie dashboard.
2. If needed, log in using the using the Law Society account that you use to access FE-1 examination results.
3. Click on 'Upload a Photo' and follow the on-screen instructions (maximum size: 4MB)

Need help? See a step-by-step guide to uploading your photo and accessing your Digital Student ID Card

Lockers are available to rent for a fee of €55 and are allocated on a first-come, first-served basis.  A limited number of premium lockers - located near the main lecture theatre - include built-in USB chargers.  Keys can be collected from reception during Induction Week.

• Book a locker

Lockers purchased by the Mon, 25 August before the course begins will be available for collection on Day 1 of Induction Week.