Certificate in Company Secretarial Law and Practice (Ireland)

Summary

The Companies Act 2014 required company directors of all companies appoint a 'suitably qualified' individual to the company secretary position. The Chartered Governance Institute has partnered with the Law Society of Ireland to deliver and jointly award a Certificate in Company Secretarial Law and Practice. Through this partnership, we are able to bring together the educational infrastructure of the Law Society of Ireland and the professional expertise of members of the Irish Region branch to prepare ‘suitable qualified’ individuals who are delivering, or expecting to deliver, company secretarial services in Irish organisations.

About

The Certificate in Company Secretarial Law & Practice offers a practical insight into company secretarial requirements in Ireland and provides students with a comprehensive understanding of the company law framework and key corporate governance provisions under the new Companies Act.

Under the expert guidance of a faculty of leading legal practitioners and company secretaries, the course will begin with an overview of Ireland's company law framework. With the opportunity to engage in interactive workshop sessions, all areas of company secretarial practice will be examined in detail and will guide practitioners through precedents, practical tips and checklists. The course will also focus on the procedural requirements of company secretarial practice, with practical sessions on making statutory and other filings to the Company Registration Office and the procedures to be followed to ensure compliance with statutory requirements.

On completion of this training programme, participants will:

• Identify the scope, role, and functions of the company secretary, and apply them in the employing or client organisation;
• Critically evaluate the role of company secretary as an advisor to the board;
• Ensure effective communication and dissemination of information to and from the board, both internally and externally, for the optimum benefit of the organisation;
• Discuss and report on the law and best practice in key functional matters (for example, meetings and share capital management);
• Identify required actions arising from statutory obligations and best practice in terms of financial, compliance and governance reporting and disclosure;
• Apply statutory requirements and good practice in relation to shareholder related communications;
• Ensure compliance with CRO filing requirements;
• Explain the company law framework in Ireland as governed by the Companies Act 2014 as amended.

Participants will also benefit from a one year professional subscription commencing at the beginning of the course.

Entry

This certificate is for company secretaries and their teams, as well as suitably qualified corporate governance and compliance professionals looking to develop their legal knowledge and practical skills in this area.

The course will also attract solicitors who offer company secretarial services or who advise clients in this area. In addition, it will appeal to in-house lawyers and to those looking to develop their company secretarial skills and knowledge with a view to developing new opportunities and offering new services to existing clients.

Content

The course will cover five key modules as follows:

Module 1: Company law, the secretary, the board and members

• The role and legal duties of the company secretary
• The Companies Act – structure and key provisions
• The company incorporation process

Module 2: Corporate compliance

• Maintaining the statutory registers
• Types of members’ and directors’ resolutions
• Annual returns and financial statements
• Corporate governance

Module 3: Corporate compliance 2 - shares

• Summary approvals procedure
• Share capital – allotment, variation and transfer
• Redemption and buyback

Module 4: Corporate compliance 3 - wind up

• Types of company wind-up
• Strike-off and restoration

Module 5: Public limited company

• An introduction to the company Secretarial requirements of a PLC

Assessment of this qualification is through a three-hour written examination.

Study

This course is delivered on site at the Law Society of Ireland and will also be webcast

Fees

The fee for this qualification is a one-off payment of €1,725, payable to the Law Society of Ireland. This fee includes one year's professional subscription commencing at the beginning of the course. 

Apply

Find out more about the benefits of studying this course and apply.

MORE INFO

For more information about how to apply, please contact the Course Leader, Geraldine Rafferty.

In partnership with