Certificate in Public Law

The law is steeped in tradition, but is also an ever evolving field which impacts on everything that we do. This is no more apparent than in the function and work of public sector bodies, many of which are created and regulated under statute and subject to special legal principles and rules which are loosely known as public law. Knowledge of the key principles and rules of public law is critical for all public administrators, who need to be versed on the rules and principles that apply to public administration in Ireland.

For organisations in the public sector, there are special rules concerning access to the documentation and materials on which key decisions are taken as they affect the delivery of public services or key policy and legislative decisions. The Freedom of Information Acts and Data Protection Acts provide an additional mechanism for securing access to documents that are generated by prescribed bodies. There are also special rules that apply to the giving and receipt of legal advice by public bodies with specific types of legal privilege that only apply to public sector bodies. Recent court decisions have also clarified the extent to which legal professional privilege attaches to advice provided by in house counsel within organisations.

Public bodies exercising regulatory or prosecuting functions also encounter the issue of legal professional privilege in the context of document disclosure and seizure of documents, particularly electronic documents.  There are also certain principles that underpin how public bodies must conduct themselves in their decision making functions. Issues such as constitutional justice, fair procedures and legitimate expectation are an important backdrop to how public administration is delivered.

An awareness and understanding of the key legal rules that apply to public administration and the delivery of public services is central for all public servants.   

Following the successful completion of the course, delegates will have acquired knowledge or refreshed their understanding of the following:

• The different sources of law in Ireland
• Introduction to Irish Constitutional Law
• The powers of the Legislative, the Judiciary and the Executive arm of government
• The personal rights under the Constitution
• The principles of constitutional justice
• The judicial review process
• Public Law Doctrines
• The issues that arise for the state as defendant
• Vicarious liability and its implications
• Different types of damages
• Different types of privilege and when it arises

This course is accredited by the Institute of Commercial Management (ICM). Delegates will receive an ICM continuing professional development (CPD) certificate on successful completion of the course including a single assessment after the taught aspect of the course has ended.  Public Affairs Ireland is an ICM accredited Professional Development Training Centre and is authorised to deliver ICM approved training and development programmes leading to CPD Awards accredited by the Institute of Commercial Management.