Module Details

Module Code: LAWS C1R13
Module Title: Legal Practice and Procedure
Title: Legal Practice and Procedure
Module Level:: 6
Credits:: 5
Module Coordinator: Eileen Doyle
Module Author:: Margaret Crowley
Domains:  
Module Description: The aim of this module is to guide the learner through a course of study, which should enable her/him gain knowledge of the principal methods and forums of litigation practice and to assist the learner to develop the analytical skills required to apply their legal knowledge to various scenarios.
 
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this module the learner will be able to:
# Learning Outcome Description
LO1 Comprehend and explain how the courts work.
LO2 Demonstrate an understanding of the basics of civil practice and procedure in the Irish Court system from the perspective of both plaintiff and defendant in civil matters.
LO3 Demonstrate an ability to act autonomously in relation to processing a litigation file and respond appropriately as a member of a litigation team.
LO4 Demonstrate an understanding of the basics of criminal practice and procedure in the Irish Court system from the perspective of both prosecutor and accused in criminal matters.
Dependencies
Module Recommendations

This is prior learning (or a practical skill) that is recommended before enrolment in this module.
No recommendations listed
Co-requisite Modules
No Co-requisite modules listed
Additional Requisite Information
No Co Requisites listed
 
Indicative Content
Introduction
Civil and Criminal Procedure Compared and Contrasted; burden of proof
Criminal Procedure
• Offences & Jurisdiction Summary Offences (with particular emphasis on the Road Traffic Act, 1961 (as amended)) Indictable Offences Offences dealt with in the Special Criminal Court Criminal Appeals Procedure Case-Stated Procedure • Summons, Arrest & Detention Summons Arrest a) With warrant b) Without warrant Record of Arrest Right to Consult a Solicitor Questioning Role of Solicitor in Garda Station Searches Fingerprinting and DNA Identity - ID parades Charge sheets and the Right to Silence.- Criminal Justice Act 2007 as amended • Remand & Bail Remand a) In custody b) On bail Procedure for Application of Bail Criminal Justice Act 2017 a) Grounds upon which bail may be granted or refused b) Independent sureties • Preparing the Book of Evidence Contents of the Book of Evidence Serving the Book of Evidence S.9A of the Criminal Justice Act (1999) The Taking of Depositions Legal Aid Witness Orders & Summons • Trial on Indictment Drafting the Indictment The Arraignment a) Pleas in Bar b) Nolle Prosequi c) Applications for Separate Trials Jury selection The role and function of Counsel
Civil Procedure
• Jurisdiction-where to issue proceedings • Statute of Limitations -When to issue proceedings and consequences of being ’out of time’, • Initiating a Civil Action How to Stamp Issue File and Serve Proceedings in each Court MIBI High Court Pleadings The Plenary Summons( damages other than PI) /PI Summons/Special Summons(eg s.117)/Summary Summons(Liquidated amounts) The Affidavit of Verification-perjury Indorsement of Claim Appearance Statement of Claim ,Defence Counterclaim Pleadings Closed Reply and Further pleadings Pre-Trial Remedies Setting down for trial Circuit Court – Civil Bill, Notice for Particulars, Replies, Defence. District Court – Civil Summons Compromise or Settlement-the concept of -‘without prejudice’ Warnings around Solicitor Undertakings in Civil Litigation -
Procedural Matters
The Distinction between a District, Circuit etc The Master’s Court, the High Court Central Office & the County Registrar Preparing a case for trial. Preparing booklets for trial. Subpoenas and witness summons. • Interlocutory Applications Notice of Motion Discovery-new e-discovery rules Preparing an Affidavit and a booklet of Discovery. Interrogatories Lodgements/tenders Joining a Co-Defendant Joining a Third Party • Licensing applications Annual Licensing
Enforcement of Court Orders(non debt collection)
Contempt of Court •Debt Collection Practice and Procedure Judgment through the office Motions for judgment Attachment Committal Garnishee Instalment order Sheriff Liquidation
Personal Injuries Assessment Board
Classes of claims considered Form A Medical Report Personal Injury Guidelines replacing the Book of Quantum
Module Content & Assessment
Assessment Breakdown%
Continuous Assessment100.00%

Assessments

Full Time

No Continuous Assessment
Project
Assessment Type Project % of Total Mark 100
Timing n/a Learning Outcomes 1,2,3,4
Non-marked No
Assessment Description
A project consisting of a combination of written work and an oral presentation to address all learning outcomes
No Practical
No End of Module Formal Examination
Reassessment Requirement
Coursework Only
This module is reassessed solely on the basis of re-submitted coursework. There is no repeat written examination.

SETU Carlow Campus reserves the right to alter the nature and timings of assessment

 

Module Workload

Workload: Full Time
Workload Type Workload Category Contact Type Workload Description Frequency Average Weekly Learner Workload Hours
Lecture Contact No Description 12 Weeks per Stage 3.00 36
Estimated Learner Hours Non Contact No Description 15 Weeks per Stage 5.93 89
Total Weekly Contact Hours 3.00
Workload: Part Time
Workload Type Workload Category Contact Type Workload Description Frequency Average Weekly Learner Workload Hours
Lecture Contact No Description Every Week 1.50 1.5
Total Weekly Contact Hours 1.50
 
Module Resources
Recommended Book Resources
  • Maura Butler. (2016), Criminal Litigation Law Society of Ireland Manual (4th Edition), Oxford University Press.
  • Colette Reid. (2012), Civil Litigation Law Society of Ireland Manuals(3rd Ed), Oxford University Press.
  • Rowan and Good. (2021), Irish Civil Litigation update ebook, Bloomsbury Professional.
Supplementary Book Resources
  • Byrne & Mc Cutcheon. (2021), Irish Legal System (7th Edition), Bloomsbury.
  • Henry Murdoch & Others. (2009), Murdochs Dictionary of Irish law (5th Edition), Bloomsbury.
  • Genevieve Coonan & Kate O’Toole. (2011), Criminal Procedure in the District Court, Round Hall.
  • Brendan Savage. (2009), Civil Procedure in the District Court, Round Hall.
  • Karl Dowling. (2008), Civil Procedure in the Circuit Court, Round Hall.
  • Hilary Delaney& Declan Mc Grath. (2005), Civil Procedure in the Superior Courts, Round Hall.
  • Prof. Dermot Walsh. (2002), Prof. Dermot Walsh, Round Hall.
  • Melody Buckley. (2004), Civil Procedure & Practice, Round Hall.
  • Constance Cassidy. (2010), Cassidy on the Licensing Acts(3rd Edition), Clarus.
  • Rules of the Superior Courts.
  • District Court Rules.
  • Circuit Court Rules.
  • Kenneally & Tully. (2013), The Irish Legal System, Clarus Press.
  • Mark Tottenham,Emma Jane Prendergast,Ciaran Joyce,Hugh Madden. (2019), A Guide to Expert Witness Evidence, Bloomsbury Professional, p.440, [ISBN: 9781847667175].
  • Paul A McDermott. (1999), The Law on Res Judicata and Double Jeopardy ebook, Bloomsbury Professional.
  • Benedict Ó Floinn. (2008), Practice and Procedure in the Superior Courts, Bloomsbury Professional, p.1801, [ISBN: 9781847660589].
  • Alice Harrison. (2019), The Special Criminal Court Practice and Procedure, Bloomsbury Professional, [ISBN: 9781526506962].
  • Cathleen Noctor,Richard Lyons. (2012), The MIBI Agreements and the Law, Bloomsbury Professional, p.388, [ISBN: 9781847669926].
  • Oisín Clarke,Matthew Kenny,Mark O’Sullivan. (2018), Woods on Road Traffic Offences, Bloomsbury Professional, p.1104, [ISBN: 9781784512057].
  • Liz Heffernan. (2006), Scientific Evidence, Bloomsbury Professional, p.279, [ISBN: 9781904480549].
Supplementary Article/Paper Resources
  • McKenzie Agnes. Practitioners Court Guide, Practitioners Court Guide 2011 Agnes Mc Kenzie BL www.courtguide.ie.
Other Resources
Discussion Note: