Law - Environmental & Planning Law

Programme objectives

On completion of this training programme, participants will be able to:



Demonstrate a clear understanding of the overall structure of environmental and planning law in Ireland and the role of the organisations entrusted with overseeing the implementation of same;

Describe specific areas of environmental law such as waste management law, climate change, and air and noise pollution;



Explain the planning application procedure, the determination of a planning application and the appeals process, and the impact that environmental law has on planning;



Illustrate the legislative framework and regulation of planning law in Ireland;



Analyse litigation in the area in light of recent judicial decisions,

Understand the issues pertaining to climate change and international obligations relating to same.



Programme structure and approach to learning

This diploma course aims to provide a comprehensive practical overview of the current legislative framework in the environmental and planning realms. The overall objective is to assist practitioners in determining what planning and environmental legislation applies and what the exposure is for clients arising from this.



This course will examine topical issues including environmental problems, the interplay with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), planning control, developments in waste law, recent European law and Irish legislation, recent case law, issues of environmental liability in insolvency, enforcement, trans-boundary environmental issues, the impact of environmental law on planning, and the nature of development. It also examines the topical issue of climate change.

Modules

The programme is based on the following modular scheme and covers key themes as listed below:



Module 1: Environmental law, the overall structure and recent developments

Overall structure and recent developments in environmental law,

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA),

Role of the local authority; Irish Water – an overview; green energy and climate change,

Environmental enforcement.



Module 2: The legislative framework and regulation of planning law in Ireland

Planning law in Ireland,

Planning applications,

Environmental impact assessments,

Impact of environmental law on planning.



Module 3: Litigation and interface of environmental law and planning

Environmental issues in corporate and property transactions,

Judicial reviews of An Bord Pleanála and EPA,

Environmental liability – criminal and civil liability,

Environmental directive and transposing directive.



Module 4: Climate change

International obligations,

Climate legislation/regulation,

Climate change litigation.



Workshops

Workshops are interactive sessions that focus on group problem-solving and are designed to revise all modules covered to date and to consolidate the participant’s knowledge.



1 Key emphasis on the application of environmental law to common scenarios encountered in practice



2 Key emphasis on the application of planning law to common scenarios encountered in practice



3 Key emphasis on litigation in relation to environmental law and planning



4 Examination Preparation

Who should attend?

This course is suitable for the following:



Public sector, private sector and in-house solicitors working in the areas of conveyancing and planning and environmental law,



Trainee solicitors and students seeking to expand their knowledge of environmental law,



Barristers who practice in the area of environmental law,



Civil servants and those working within a local authority in environmental and planning departments, and



Other suitably qualified professionals, such as environmental agents and town planners who have an interest in environmental law.



We welcome applications for this course from suitably qualified non-members. Please explain your interest and set out any relevant experience in a cover letter and a brief CV. Such applications are subject to a supplemental fee of €335.

The closing date for applications for this course is 10 October 2023. To apply please follow the instructions on the course webpage - link below.

Delivery Method

Online lectures Tuesdays, 6.00pm to 9.00pm and four interactive workshops online. Lectures available to view on demand.

Start Date Tuesday 24 October 2023 at 6:00 PM