LL.B. (Hons) in Commercial Law
Course Overview
Study an LL.B.(Hons) in Commercial Law with Ireland’s Leading Private College and Unlock a World of Opportunities.
This three-year Honours degree is available on a full-time and blended learning basis.
Why study an LL.B. (Hons) in Commercial Law at Griffith?
Students will study core subjects and pick electives, which will allow them to tailor their degree to focus on key areas of interest.
- Smaller class sizes and a Faculty “Open Door” Policy to support your progression.
- An exciting range of extra-curricular opportunities to enhance your profile.
- An Award-Winning Faculty with accomplished lecturers comprising of both experienced academics and legal practitioners at the ‘coal-face’ of law.
- A choice of flexible study modes to suit your lifestyle and commitments.
Course Highlights
- The Programme covers all core modules needed to progress towards a professional legal qualification at the Honorable Society of King’s Inns or the Law Society of Ireland.
- An opportunity to attain recognised specialisation at undergraduate level through a range of dedicated modules in the important and rewarding field of Commercial Law.
- Learners attain a high level of academic knowledge and all-important practical, clinical legal skills suitable to a range of employment and further graduate study.
- The Programme offers a range of modules with a significant international focus to prepare learners to operate in the corporate world both globally and nationally.
- A flexible range of study modes allows learners to take the programme full-time on campus, part-time on campus (Griffith College Cork only) or, for mature learners, a choice of two different blended learning options.
Intake Dates
- Cork - Part-Time - September 2024
- Dublin - Blended - February 2025
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Check out our CAO HUB for everything you need to know about applying through the CAO!
Course Codes
- Dublin: GC419
Course Details
September Intake:
The LL.B. is three years in length. Students will study core subjects and pick additional subjects ("electives"), allowing them to tailor their degree to their interests and needs. This allows the student to focus on key areas in which they are interested, such as criminal law, human rights law, or corporate law.
* Students pick three electives in year two and three to four electives in year three, depending on the subjects chosen. Elective choices may require full-time students to attend classes from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
February Intake:
The February Intake of the LLB (Hons) is designed to allow learners to complete the Programme in 3.5 academic years. This allows learners to take their Year 1 Modules over 1.5 academic years.
Stage 1
This is a Mandatory Module
This module allows learners to understand the key distinctions between civil and criminal law and is an essential foundational module of the programme. Key philosophical and theoretical concepts in Criminal Law are introduced to the learners and examined, including due process and complicity. The Module also aims to provide learners with an understanding of the nature and elements of a crime both in strict legal terms and its wider social context.
This is a Mandatory Module
This module aims to develop the learner’s understanding of the fundamental doctrines and principles of the law of contract and to equip the learner with the ability to identify and explain practical problems that arise in contracts. It also has as a principal objective to instil knowledge of contractual obligations, particularly their creation and enforcement, and the discharge of liability. In addition, it will enable learners to comprehend and apply the appropriate remedies for breach of contract. Finally, this module aims to develop awareness in learners of contemporary industry practice surrounding the drafting of contracts.
This is a Mandatory Module.
Law of Torts offers learners key learning and skills in their foundational year. The Module aims to introduce learners to the origins and functions of Law of Torts. Learners are enabled to distinguish between the theoretical and practical underpinnings of Law of Torts compared to other areas of law, including Law of Contract and Criminal Law. The module is designed to provide learners with a broad perspective by examining all key areas of Law of Torts including negligence, defamation, occupiers’ liability and trespass. Learners are equipped to understand and address the practical effect of Law of Torts on day-to-day life including the handling of psychiatric injury claims and employer liability. Learners are also familiarized with the defences and remedies available in Tort actions, including contributory negligence and damages. Finally, the module’s aims to enable learners to apply Law of Torts principles to different factual scenarios.
This is a Mandatory Module.
Introduction to Law and Legal Skills aims to provide learners with a core understanding of the structure and function of the Irish legal system and to provide learners with a core understanding of the rules and principles that underpin the Irish legal system. This module is designed to outline how, in particular, the system of law developed and is developing and to inculcate knowledge of the hierarchy of legal sources and to analyse forms and types of legal rules. Learners will develop a practical awareness of dispute resolution mechanisms as well as an appreciation of the role of law in society.
This is a Mandatory Module
This module aims to develop learners' skills in effectively employing digital technologies and resources to support academic research. Course content will develop in learners an ability to evaluate digital tools to provide practical solutions to underpin their studies. In addition, it aims to develop learners’ capabilities in ICT skills necessary to operate in a legal and business environment.
Stage 2
This is a Mandatory Module
The Module aims to provide the learner with a detailed knowledge of the rules of land law, both statutory and common law. It aims to develop, in the learner, an understanding of legal and equitable interests in property and how they developed over time. It aims to provide the learner with an understanding of legal and equitable interests in property. It aims to provide the learner with knowledge of the rights and liabilities that arise within property law. The Module aims to illustrate to the learner the legislative developments and assist them in getting a firm understanding of how these have impacted the field of Land Law. Finally, it aims to provide the learner with an understanding of the practical operation of land law.
This is a Mandatory Module
In this Module, learners are able to engage in the theory and practice of Company Law. The Module incorporates a broad range of learning allowing learners to become familiar with important ingredients of Company Law, from both a common law and statutory perspective. Opportunities for reform of Company Law are also explored, for example in relation to the treatment of corporate manslaughter in Ireland.
The Module places significant emphasis on the effects of the Companies Act 2014 while also placing this Act within the context of established common law practice and principles. The core principles and philosophical underpinnings of Company Law are presented, discussed and applied to factual scenarios.
This is a Mandatory Module
This module aims to provide the learner with a detailed understanding of fundamental principles of constitutional law and the rule of law as well as to familiarise the learner with the fundamental principles and substantive rules of Irish constitutional law.
This is a Mandatory Module
This module aims to impart in learners written and oral advocacy skills which are central to legal professional training and to enable learners to prepare mock cases and argue the law on behalf of their clients. Following a series of introductory classes, learners will be required to complete a case brief on a module that was picked by the Faculty. Learners will then be asked to draft a written memorial of legal submissions, and then undertake a moot at the conclusion of the module. The module serves to train learners in analysing legal issues and to communicate well about them and to increase learners' abilities to solve problems and to see the practical application of law. Learners get opportunities to demonstrate an understanding of the ethics required to work with the legal sector and the importance of confidentiality and candour, identifying situations in which ethical behaviour and confidentiality apply.
The module will require the learner to reflect on their development since the commencement of their studies on the programme but mainly on their time in this module to ensure that the learners have achieved what the module intends to achieve with the learners in preparing them for working in the legal profession following their completion of the programme.
This Module aims to provide the learner with a knowledge of the historical development of administrative law and judicial review in Ireland. The Module develops within the learner an understanding of the sources of administrative law and grounds for judicial review and their interaction. The procedure for Judicial Review is also examined. Learners are provided with an understanding of the main principles and rules of administrative law and judicial review, including the doctrine of administrative unreasonableness. The Module also provides learners with an understanding of the practical operation of administrative law and judicial review.
The Module allows learners to understand and identify the tenets of the law of evidence in respect of criminal trials and civil hearings. Learners also analyse the relevant statutory instruments, legislation and common law governing the rules of evidence. The Module enables learners to discuss and evaluate the differing perspectives arising from the application of the rules of evidence by State authorities and defendants and identify potential reforms in the Law of Evidence. In this Module learners also develop the ability to appraise and apply the relevant rules of evidence to hypothetical factual scenarios. This includes the ability to research information from library and online sources, including case reports and scholarly research, and to formulate and deliver an effective legal opinion in writing.
This module will engage in a critical reflection on the legitimacy, efficacy and justice of the international system as it is currently configured. The principal goal of the course is to give both foundational knowledge and analytical tools that will equip learners to think deeply and rigorously about the role of law in the contemporary global system. This module introduces learners on how the public international law system addresses problems related to global interdependence and integration; to this end, challenges to the international legal order are crucial for the world order, such as the use of force and conduct of war through a post-colonial lens.
This module comprises a specialized focus on patents, copyright, trademarks and industrial designs and the principles and legislation and caselaw regulating each. In focus also will be the common law intellectual property rights of passing off and confidential information (and related caselaw).
Learners critically analyse the law from both a practical and theoretical perspective in the context of a wide range of communications and commercial activities, both traditional and online.
This is a Mandatory Module
This module affords learners an opportunity to undertake specialized learning relating to an important area of commercial practice in Ireland. The module provides learners with a knowledge of the historical development of Revenue Law and seeks to familiarise learners with a number of specific taxes including income tax, capital gains tax, capital acquisitions tax, corporate tax and VAT. Learners are further familiarized with the jurisdiction and administration of taxation law in Ireland. The module also examines the concepts of tax avoidance and tax evasion and the legal treatment of each. Finally, the module enables learners to employ research, analytical and communication skills to address hypothetical, factual scenarios.
This module enables learners to compare the international (United Nations) human rights law system and regional (e.g., European, Inter-American, and African) human rights law systems in conjunction with Irish domestic legal protections. They evaluate the various mechanisms and procedures for human rights law enforcement incorporating the legal skill, vocabulary and terminology acquired in the course.
The Law and Ethics in Healthcare module introduces learners to key ethical and legal concepts underpinning a specialised examination of global healthcare. Learners analyse and reflect upon the impact of legislation and case law, including the effectiveness of informed consent in the role of medical decision-making. Learners are also enabled to analyse a range of issues within their legal, ethical and Constitutional Law context, including human reproduction, termination of pregnancy and end of life decision-making. The Module also seeks to develop within the learner an appreciation of the ethical dimension to healthcare decision making, including the role of the State and professional bodies as we all as an awareness of the dissonance between theory and practice. An introduction to the Principles of Bioethics and role of autonomy in healthcare will also be incorporated. Finally, learners develop key technical skills relating to research and communication and are enabled to discuss and apply their knowledge to hypothetical, factual scenarios.
Stage Three
This is a Mandatory Module
The Module aims to provide the learner with a knowledge of the historical development of the law of equity and trusts and to develop within the learner an understanding of equitable doctrines and remedies. The Module also aims to provide the learner with an understanding of the concept of the trust, including its creation (both implied and express) and the roles of trustees, and an understanding of the main kinds of trust. Learners will be provided with an understanding of the practical operation of the law of equity and trusts.
This is a Mandatory Module
This module aims to provide learners with a historical and political perspective on the development of the European Union and its impact with the domestic legal system. The module familiarises learners with the EU legal system and the operation of the Court of Justice of the European Union, as well as the language and concepts peculiar to it.
This is a Mandatory Module
This module aims to provide the learner with a holistic understanding of the concepts of traditional Jurisprudence, thereby encouraging the development of a critical, insightful and philosophical mind-set in the learner. It also aims to build the capacity of learners, in the light of their studies, to develop a critical perspective on other law subjects and to develop their skills in formal debate and reasoning.
This module aims to impart to the leaner an appreciation and understanding of criminological theories and their applicability and operation in practice as well as an awareness of crime as a social construct, which is impacted on by the varying nature of society. It also seeks to provide the learner with a specific and detailed understanding of how crime is affected by different social and environmental factors; the ability to evaluate the various theories of crime and punishment and the skills to effectively research and present, both written and verbal, on aspects of criminology in an in-depth and coherent manner, displaying critical analysis.
This module aims to enable learners to learn from the experience of researching and writing a substantial work on a legal topic. Further, it aims provide the learner with an opportunity to develop research questions and to provide them the skills to source relevant information to answer these questions. Finally, it has as primary objective to facilitate learners in sharpening their analytical and critical thinking processes through a systematic approach to presenting a unique analysis of the research question posed.
This module aims to develop in the learner an understanding of the causes of miscarriages of justice and how they can be prevented and rectified. It will prepare them the learner for legal practice through experiential learning and clinical legal education.
This module aims to inspire in learners a passion for justice and human rights. Educate learners in responsible clinical practice. It further seeks to develop a political, theoretical and practical understanding of the causes of miscarriages of justice.
This is a Mandatory Module
This module seeks to give a comprehensive overview of the regulation structure in Ireland as well as a number of other key jurisdictions such as England and New York. From there the objective for the lecturer will be to discuss the important points surrounding self-regulation and the protections in place in law for whistle blowers.
The module aims to assist the learner in investigating the corporate enforcement mechanisms in place under the Company Law Act 2014 along with the different types of white-collar crime that are often found when auditing corporations: bribery, corruption, money laundering and terrorism financing. Following this the discussion will turn to the mechanisms that are in place in relation to reporting on compliance in relation to the relevant EU Directives in this area.
This is a Mandatory Module
Typical international commercial transactions involve numerous contracts over national boundaries. The objective of the module is to make participants familiar with the key contracts and institutions in international commerce. Learners examine private international law (conflict of laws) issues, international contract terms (INCOTERMS), and the United Nations Convention on Contracts for the International Sale of Goods (CISG) and UNIDROIT principles as they apply to international contracts. Attention is paid to the role of the WTO as it is considered one of the most important developments in the history of international trade law.
This is a Mandatory Module
The Module covers a key area of specialized legal knowledge with significant importance for the operation of commercial and non-commercial organisations, both conventional and online, across the European Union. The Module aims to provide learners with a focused knowledge of privacy and data protection law with a particular emphasis on the General Data Protection Regulation and subsequent regulations and pieces of legislation. Learners are enabled to understand the importance, scope and hierarchy of privacy and data protection requirements, including the concept of consent and the scope of the remedies and penalties for non-compliance. The Module builds upon this knowledge by enabling learners to understand, examine and apply the protective, administrative practices necessary to comply with the law. Finally, learners are enabled to apply their learning to address a wide range of practical issues and to offer solutions to hypothetical, factual scenarios.
The aim of this module is to provide a detailed understanding of the complementary systems of alternative dispute resolution as a forum for dispute resolution and the practical skills involved, while considering the role of the courts in alternate dispute resolution.
This module aims to provide learners with the ability to identify the fundamentals of different modes of alternative dispute resolution: Mediation, Arbitration and Conciliation and where each sits in the dispute resolution spectrum.
Learners develop both an understanding of the primary aims of mediation, arbitration and conciliation within dispute resolution. Learners will learn about the underlying ethos of mediation, arbitration and conciliation through encouraging the removal of obstacles.
The aim of this module is to provide you with a detailed and comprehensive knowledge of the legal challenges related to Artificial Intelligence, with particular emphasis on the UK as well as current international agreements. This will provide you with the opportunity to develop your knowledge surrounding how AI works, its role in society and how the law can regulate its use or how the law will incorporate the impact of AI into the pre-existing legal tests that currently exist. Another objective of this module is to familiarise learners with how AI will be impacting areas of law such as Intellectual Property Law. The module will also help the learner analysis new concepts such as rights of AI personhood. Finally, the module enables learners to employ research, analytical and communication skills to address hypothetical, factual scenarios.
Environmental Law and Sustainability module introduces learners to fundamental principles of environmental law (national, within the EU and internationally) from formation to termination including remedies, reforms and application of the law to a diverse range of practical situations developing the skills of research critical analysis evaluation and application. The module will begin with bringing the learners through the development of environmental law and sustainability to date. The module seeks to provide a fundamental understanding of new measures under the heading of law relating to Environmental, Social and Governance guidelines from the EU. This module will provide the necessary grounding of administrative structures, statutory instruments and applications necessary in the implementation and achievement of environmental objectives. This module also wishes to illustrate to the learners the basis for current litigation and show how this has developed off precedence already in existence.
The aim of this module is to bring together academic rigour and practical knowledge and skills in the field of peacebuilding and reconciliation. The crucial relationship between the concept and practice of reconciliation, and the broader fields of peacebuilding, conflict transformation, human rights and development will also be examined. The module offers an introduction to the study and practice of reconciliation, with the work and experience of Glencree Peace and Reconciliation Centre informing its design and delivery. The programme explores the essential skills, tools, processes and frameworks required for building relationships across differences and divides. Throughout the module, learners will be encouraged to draw on their own experiences of difference, division and relationship building, and reflect on how these inform their ideas and views about reconciliation methods and techniques, and their motivation for studying this module. The module will place an emphasis on the insights into reconciliation that can be drawn from different cultural, spiritual and faith traditions around the world.
The Module introduces learners to a range of matters they may encounter within a Private Client civil legal office or practice. The Module aims to develop in learners the practical skills needed for taking instructions from clients and advising on key areas of law relevant to private practice including principles of employment law, family law, succession law and probate. The Module builds upon learning undertaken in Law of Contract, Tort Law and Introduction to Law and Legal Skills and aims to develop skills of fact analysis, identification of client goals, research, problem solving, presentation and basic drafting.
Course Contact
John Eardly
- Dublin Main Campus
Timetables
How to Apply
Entry Requirements
2 H5 and 4 O6/H7 grades, to include a language (English, Irish or another language).
English language
Griffith College is accepting the online Duolingo English Test (DET) as valid proof of English proficiency.
How to Apply
Applicants under 23 years of age:
Applicants under 23 years of age on the 1st of January of the year they wish to enter must apply through the CAO. Please consult the CAO website for information on important dates for applications.
CAO Code
- GC419
Applicants over 23 years of age (Mature students):
If you are 23 years of age on or before the 1st January of the year you want to enter, you may apply as a mature student. Mature students must apply to Griffith College directly online using the Apply Online facility on the website homepage or the button below. Mature applicants will be asked for a copy of their passport.
Fees
For purposes of fee calculation, residence is counted from time of application.
Please note that not all study modes may be offered at all times; for confirmation, refer to the Intake dates on the Overview tab.
Tuition Fees
Study Mode: Full-Time
Dublin : EUR 7,200.00
Study Mode: Part-Time
Dublin : EUR 6,350.00
Cork : EUR 6,350.00
Study Mode: Blended
Dublin : EUR 6,350.00
Study Mode: Full-Time
Fee: EUR 7,000.
Study Mode: Full-Time
Dublin
Non-EU living in Ireland or abroad: Please refer to our Non-EU Tuition Fees section.
Non-EU students: a Student Services and Administration fee of EUR200 is payable each academic year in addition to the fees quoted below.
An Academic Administration Fee of €250 is payable each September at the start of term. For students starting in the January/February term, €125 is payable in February, and then €250 will be payable each September from then onwards.
Flexible payment options
Students wishing to pay their fees monthly may avail of our direct debit scheme. Please view our Fees information page for more information and assistance.
Sponsorship
Is your company paying for your course?
They will need to complete a Griffith College Sponsorship Form and send this to the Student Fees Office:
- Post: Student Fees, Griffith College Dublin, South Circular Road, Dublin 8
- Email: [email protected]
Cork
- Post: Student Fees, Griffith College, Wellington Road, Cork
- Email: [email protected]
2% Learner Protection Charge
All QQI accredited programmes of education and training of 3 months or longer duration are covered by arrangements under section 65 (4) of the Qualifications and Quality Assurance (Education and Training) Act 2012 whereby, in the event of the provider ceasing to provide the programme for any reason, enrolled learners may transfer to a similar programme at another provider, or, in the event that this is not practicable, the fees most recently paid will be refunded.
QQI Award Fee
Please note that a QQI Award Fee applies in the final year of all QQI courses. To find the relevant fee for your course level, please see the Fees page.
Progression
Griffith College degrees are acknowledged worldwide for their quality and academic rigour.
The Griffith College law degree (LL.B. (Hons)) holders are eligible to sit the Law Society of Ireland, Final Examinations (Part 1).
The Griffith College law degree (LL.B. (Hons)) is also a law degree recognised by the Honorable Society of Kings Inns.
If you hope to enter a legal profession outside of this jurisdiction (Republic of Ireland), you should check the local requirements for legal practice and admission. It is your responsibility to find out the extent to which they will recognise the Griffith College law degree.
Progression
On completion of this Programme, learners can proceed towards professional training for the legal professions, to post-graduate education to level 9 and 10 or pursue employment in the public or private sectors, particularly in those areas where a specialisation in corporate and commercial law is a distinct advantage.
Academic Progression
The Law Faculty at Griffith College offer a number of postgraduate study options including:
- LL.M. in International Commercial Law
- LL.M. in International Law
- LL.M. in International Human Rights
While the Professional Law School offers entrance examination preparation courses for both Law Society of Ireland Honorable Society of Kings Inns:
- Final Examination (Part 1 - FE1) Preparation Course, Law Society of Ireland
- Entrance Examination Preparation Course, Honorable Society of Kings Inns
You can contact our admissions team to discuss what progression options are available to you.