Note: Grant funding comes from Skillnet Ireland through the Irish National Training fund, and, as a result, is ONLY available to residents of the Republic of Ireland who work as a sole trader, or for a private or semi-state commercial company registered in ROI. If you are not eligible for the discount, you will still have the option to enrol by paying the full course fee. Please read Eligibility Criteria.
Barrister–at–Law graduates and King’s Inns Subscribing members are eligible for an additional 10% discount. If this applies to you, please reference this in your enquiry.
1. Ensure that you meet the Eligibility Criteria at the top of this page
2. Select ‘Enquire Now’ or email us at training@greentechskillnet.com to register your interest
3. We will provide you with the details you need to apply for the programme on the Kings Inns website
This course provides participants with a comprehensive practical knowledge of Planning and Environmental Law, which will be relevant to professionals who are involved in advising on planning and strategic infrastructure applications, enforcement issues, development plans and strategic planning, waste management and climate resilience and adaptation.
This Advanced Diploma is aimed at planners, engineers, architects and construction managers, An Bord Pleanála, inspectors, those working with NGOs, local authority professionals, consultants, barristers and solicitors in general practice who would like to diversify into the area of planning and environmental law, and anyone working in the planning and environmental area.
The diversity of the student body allows participants to learn from each other, especially during tutorials and Q&A sessions.
On successful completion of the course, participants will be better able to:
- Explain and apply relevant statutory, common law and other provisions;
- Use relevant legal terminology competently and correctly;
- Apply appropriate legal principles to a range of factual scenarios;
- Solve problems within this area of law;
- Communicate legal arguments based on relevant legal principles;
- Conduct legal research independently and in groups;
- Evaluate, criticise and defend legal arguments on matters of planning and environmental law.
The topics covered on the course are:
- Introduction to the Course and Development Plans
- Strategic Environmental Assessment
- “Meaning of Development“
- Planning Applications
- Grant of Planning Permission
- Planning Appeals
- Strategic Development
- Planning Enforcement
- Live tutorial
- Aarhus Convention / Access to Information on the Environment
- Judicial Review
- Environmental Impact Assessment
- Nature Conservation
- Maritime Planning
- Substitute Consent
- Waste Management
- Water Management
- Industrial Emissions
- Climate Change
- Environmental Crime
- “A View from the Bench”
This is a professional development course and it is accredited independently by The Honorable Society of King’s Inns. The skills and competence gained in studying at King’s Inns are transferable, portable and recognised internationally. It is a valuable qualification delivered by distinguished lawyers, members of the judiciary, legal and other practitioners specialising in legal education.
To be awarded the Advanced Diploma, a participant is required to successfully complete one assessment. The assessment methodology for this course is under review for 2025-2026 learners. It is possible that learners will be required to undertake an in-person examination at King’s Inns. We will update this webpage once arrangements are finalised.
This course takes place in an online format only, live via Zoom, with recordings of lectures available after class is over. Interactive elements such as class discussions / tutorials will not be recorded and will be cast live only.
The course takes place over approx. 22 weeks from October to May, with lectures on Thursdays from 8.30 am to 10 am.
Classes are recorded using eLearning software and made available to students for streaming via our Virtual Learning Environment (Moodle). This means that, while all students are welcome to attend class live via Zoom, most of the sessions will be recorded so that students who are unable to attend can catch up on the material by streaming the video in their own time.
All class notes are available to read through our Virtual Learning Environment. Online tutorials and IT support are available to help students navigate their way through our library and legal resource databases.
King’s Inns is built on networking and engagement. Over the year, we invite students to attend and participate in various social events, fireside chats and talks. Events take place either online or in–person. All of this contributes to the learning experience that is King’s Inns.
As with all King’s Inns advanced diplomas, this course has its own course coordinator, who is a practising barrister with experience of planning and environmental law. The learning material is delivered by multiple different subject matter experts who are barristers, solicitors and a judge with extensive knowledge of the subject matter under discussion. As always at this time of year, we are currently reviewing bookings of teaching staff for the upcoming year.
