Course Details

Course Code(s):
LA4081
Available:
Part-Time
Intake:
Autumn/Fall
Course Start Date:
Autumn 2025
Duration:
1 Semester
Award:
University Certificate of Study
Qualification:
NFQ Level 8 Minor Award
Faculty: Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences
Course Type: Professional/Flexible, Online
Fees: For Information on Fees, see section below.

Contact(s):

Name: School of Law
Email: Law@ul.ie Telephone: 061 202344

Express Interest

Register your interest here for more information or to be notified when applications are open.

Brief Description

The Family Law module focuses on the key aspects of the law which relate to family life in Ireland, from the rules relating to the rights of children and parents to each other’s company and protection to the rules which regulate the recognition of adult intimate relationships.

APPLICATION INFORMATION

Please ensure you enter the Module Code above when applying for this module. Applications without this cannot be processed. You may apply for more than one module under the same application.

For information on the application process, please contact Kathryn O'Sullivan (contact above) or GPS@ul.ie.

The Family Law LA4081 module focuses on the key aspects of the law which relate to family life in Ireland, from the rules relating to the rights of children and parents to each other’s company and protection to the rules which regulate the recognition of adult intimate relationships.

Participants Learn To

  1. Appreciate the ways in which Irish law and court processes can operate to protect the institution of the family in the event of relationship breakdowns.
  2. Summarise the important aspects of family law, including Guardianship, Custody, Access Disputes, Domestic Abuse, & Aspects of Marriage Termination.
  3. Outline the key ways in which a marriage may be dissolved or terminated and the consequences of such dissolution or termination.
  4. Differentiate between the rights of married and unmarried parents and their children.
  5. Critique the treatments of the family unit within the Irish legal system, and identify the concept of the family unit at constitutional and legislative levels.

How It Works

The module is taken over 12 weeks (one semester), The module will be delivered on a blended learning basis; that is to say, mostly online, but with at least one face to face workshop. The online element of the module will incorporate a combination of self-instructional materials, including online lectures, student guide, interactive learning elements, core readings and reflections. There will be regular tutor led interactions, tutor feedback and discussion boards, with use of current statistics and sociological research on family life in Ireland.

Introduction to Family Law The Rights and Duties of Non-Marital Cohabitants
The Family and the Irish Constitution Exam Skills Workshop
Guardianship, Custody and Access Disputes Formalities and Trends in Marriage Formation
Safeguarding the ‘best interests’ of the Child Marriage-Nullity; Judicial Separation and Divorce
Domestic Abuse: Civil Law Responses Ancillary Relief in Judicial Separation and Divorce
Domestic Abuse: Criminal Justice System Responses Student led Questions/Review/Revision

This course is aimed at those working in the area of family law or advocacy/advisory body, or anyone with an interest in Family law. CPD Credit: A solicitor practising on a full-time basis and undertaking this course, can claim a maximum of 10 hours eLearning

€750.00

Please click here for information on funding and scholarships.