Diploma in Family Law Assignment Questions 2026 | The Law Society of Ireland

Diploma in Family Law Assignment Questions

1500 words excluding footnotes.

these questions relate to Irish law:

Question 1

Heidi and Jonathan have been in an on/off relationship with each other since 2010. They never married but have three children together – Molly born on 4 March 2015, Jayden born on 12 May 2021 and Kellie born on 14 September 2023. Heidi and Jonathan lived together from January 2020 to July 2025. The relationship between the parties ended in July 2025 when Heidi secured a barring order against Jonathan. Since the grant of the barring order, Jonathan has been struggling to maintain his relationship with his children as Heidi has not permitted him to have access with the children except for occasional telephone calls with the children. Jonathan comes to you for advice about his rights as a father, and in particular, wants to secure regular access to his children and access to information about their welfare.

(i) Advise Jonathan on whether he holds guardianship rights over his three children, and if not, what steps he should take to establish such rights. (15 marks)

(ii) Advise Jonathan on the factors which will be considered by a court in determining what access arrangement is appropriate between Jonathan and the children (15 marks).

Total (30 marks)

Question 2

Lara and Claire commenced a relationship in February 2016. In July 2019, the parties decided to commence living together. Claire moved into Lara’s property in Cork, which was held in Lara’s sole name and was unencumbered. At the outset of their relationship, both parties were working, Lara as a recruitment consultant and Claire as a nurse. In March 2024, Claire suffered significant injuries in a road traffic accident and was unable to return to work thereafter. Since this time, Claire has been in receipt of disability benefit. In January 2026, Claire comes to you seeking your advice in relation to the following matters. Claire tells you that her relationship with Lara has become increasingly strained since her injuries. The parties have had regular arguments and Claire feels belittled by Lara’s name calling and her constant references to Claire’s inability to work. Matters escalated over the Christmas period when Lara returned home on a number of occasions from parties in a very inebriated state. Rows which had previously been verbal only progressed to a physical altercation between the two ladies on 4 January 2026 when Lara threw a glass ornament at Claire causing her to suffer lacerations and bruising to her face. Claire tells you that she is walking on egg-shells and is afraid that Lara will engage in further violent outbursts. Claire tells you that she is considering leaving the relationship but she is concerned about her future circumstances where she has become reliant on Lara’s greater financial resources, particularly since the occurrence of her injuries in March 2024. Claire asks you if there would be any redress available to her following the breakdown of her relationship.

(i) Advise Claire on any immediate options that are available to her under the Domestic Violence Act 2018. (10 marks)

(ii) Provide a letter of advice to Claire in relation to whether she would be entitled to claim redress under the Civil Partnership and Certain Rights and Obligations of Cohabitants Act 2010, and the types of remedies which might be available to her pursuant to that Act. (20 marks)

Total (30 marks)

Diploma in Family Law

COURSE OVERVIEW

This course is designed to provide participants with a comprehensive understanding of family law in this jurisdiction and will examine recent cutting-edge developments in core areas of family law and practice. The objective of this diploma is to provide practitioners with an essential overview of the many recent developments in family law and the implications for day-to-day client advice, practice, and procedure.  

Recent legislative initiatives to be considered will include the Children and Family Relationships Act 2015, the Domestic Violence Act 2018 (which brings in significant changes to reliefs available to those in an intimate relationship), and the Assisted Human Reproduction Bill 2017. The course also focuses on topical family law issues, such as family breakdown, child custody, and the increasingly practical issue of enforcement of orders abroad. Other matters reviewed will include parentage, surrogacy arrangements, and the law relating to guardianship, custody of, and access to children.

PROGRAMME OBJECTIVES 

On completion of this training programme, participants will have:

• A comprehensive and in-depth understanding of family law;
• An enhanced knowledge of recent judicial decisions and legislative and procedural developments;
• An ability to assess the impact of recent developments on practice and procedure in the family law arena;
• A critical understanding of the family law process.

MODULES

Module 1: Course introduction and advising clients

• Advising clients and taking instructions in family law matters,
• An overview of practical issues and concerns,
• Types of relationships; spouses, civil partners, cohabitants.

Module 2: Prenuptial agreements, nullity and separation agreements

• Prenuptial agreements and enforceability,  Void and voidable marriages,
• Terms of a separation agreement.

Module 3: Judicial separation, divorce and recognition of foreign divorce decrees

• Grounds for judicial separation; ancillary relief on judicial separation,
• Grounds for divorce; case law and divorce practice and procedure,
• Recognition of a foreign divorce decree,
• Enforcement mechanisms abroad,
• Alternative dispute resolution in family law.

Module 4: Maintenance, ancillary orders, pensions on separation and divorce

• Maintenance provision: an overview of the current framework,
• Ancillary relief on judicial separation and divorce,  Pensions on separation and divorce,
• Tax implications of marriage breakdown.

Module 5: Domestic violence and child law

• Remedies available for domestic violence,
• The Adoption Act 2010,
• Child abduction,
• The Children and Family Relationships Act 2015.

WHO SHOULD ATTEND?

This course is suitable for the following:

• Solicitors, trainee solicitors, paralegals, and other suitable professionals who wish to expand their knowledge of the family law arena with a view to moving into the area;
• Solicitors, new and seasoned family law practitioners, who wish to gain an additional academic qualification and enhance their career opportunities in this dynamic area;
• Solicitors and other suitable professionals who wish to familiarise themselves with family law in Ireland; and
• Social workers, mediators, or relevant professionals who work in this area and who wish to gain a more comprehensive knowledge.

If you are interested in applying for a future offering of the course, please subscribe to our Interested List.

Note: The information is this document is subject to change as course content and modules may be adapted.