Module: The Irish Legal System

Latest Module Specifications

Current Academic Year 2025 - 2026

Module Title	The Irish Legal System
Module Code	LAW1007 (ITS: LG131)
Faculty	Law & Government	School	Humanities & Social Sciences
NFQ level	8	Credit Rating	5

Description

The aim of this module is to enable students to develop their critical awareness of the economic, social and political context in which law operates. The module aims to explore the functions of law within society and how law both shapes, and is shaped by, wider social forces. On completion of the course, the student will be aware of the main foundations and features of both the common law legal system and the basic principles of Irish law.

Learning Outcomes

1. Identify the role of law as a social, economic, cultural and political phenomenon
2. Critically appraise the key components of the Irish legal system, its connection with EU membership and its interaction with the international legal system.
3. Identify the key principles of Irish law and locate and explain the sources of Irish law.
4. Identify the main ways in which law is reported and describe the roles of the people working in the legal system.
5. Display critical judgment regarding the application of legal principles to factual problem situations.

*Type*	*Hours*	*Description*
Workload	Full time hours per semester
Lecture	24	No Description
Independent Study	53	Reading for lectures
Independent Study	48	Exam revision
Total Workload: 125

Section Breakdown
CRN	10879	Part of Term	Semester 1
Coursework	0%	Examination Weight	0%
Grade Scale	40PASS	Pass Both Elements	Y
Resit Category	RC1	Best Mark	N
Module Co-ordinator	Tanya Ní Mhuirthile	Module Teacher	Adam Mcauley

Type	Description	% of total	Assessment Date
Assessment Breakdown
Formal Examination	End-of-Semester Final Examination	100%	End-of-Semester

Reassessment Requirement Type
Resit arrangements are explained by the following categories; RC1: A resit is available for both^* components of the module. RC2: No resit is available for a 100% coursework module. RC3: No resit is available for the coursework component where there is a coursework and summative examination element. ^* ‘Both’ is used in the context of the module having a coursework/summative examination split; where the module is 100% coursework, there will also be a resit of the assessment

Pre-requisite	None
Co-requisite	None
Compatibles	None
Incompatibles	None

All module information is indicative and subject to change. For further information,students are advised to refer to the University's Marks and Standards and Programme Specific Regulations at: http://www.dcu.ie/registry/examinations/index.shtml

Indicative Content and Learning Activities

Indicative topics
Introduction to the Irish Legal System & The Role of Law in Society. The Legal Profession. The Court System-Civil and Criminal Procedure and Jurisdiction. Redress, Reform and Access to Law. The Legislative Process. The Doctrine of Precedent. The Constitution- Interpretation and Rights. Introduction to European Union Law. Introduction to International Law.

Activities
Students will be expected (via the guidelines, links and suggested readings on Moodle) to read case law and legislation, academic articles and core texts; participate in class discussions and keep abreast of ongoing developments in this area of law.

Indicative Reading List

Books:

Byrne & McCutcheon: 0, The Irish Legal System (latest ed),
Higgins & Tatham: 0, Successful Legal Writing (latest ed),
Bradney, Cownie, Masson, Neal, & Newell: 0, How to Study Law (latest ed),

Articles:
None

Other Resources

Website: courts.ie; irlgov.ie; bailii.org; europa.eu.int,
Journals: The Law Society Gazette; The Bar Review; Judicial Studies Institute Journal,