Fire Safety and Building Control: Regulation, Investigation and Prosecution
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Building Control: Regulation, Investigation and Prosecution
This 4 module course is designed specifically for officers working in the area of building control.
1,590
Online / In Person
4 days
About this course
Building control officers will gain a clear understanding of the governing legislation, offences that may be prosecuted and the powers officers are afforded in this area. Officers will gain a good working knowledge of the notices that may be served, how to draft documents to best practice standards, how to undertake a successful investigation from start to finish including how to give clear effective evidence in court.
Why choose this course
The legal training is designed to give practical guidance to building control officers and to instil in them the confidence and ability to collect, write and if necessary, give effective evidence in legal proceedings. The course can be tailored according to the authority’s needs whether their officers are involved in investigations or have a regulatory role under the Building Control Acts.
Course syllabus
The four module training course will enhance the officer’s knowledge and understanding of the legislation they work under. It will ensure the officers have a clear understanding of what powers the legislation affords them, what notices they can serve under the various acts and what offences they can prosecute under the legislation. The training will also teach best practice in written evidence (note taking, prosecution statements and reports) and give delegates an insight into the way in which lawyers scrutinise the evidence and challenge it under cross- examination.
Delegates will learn how to insulate their evidence and how to deal with the lawyers questioning techniques confidently and effectively during a mock court hearing. This legal training highlights the importance of distinguishing between facts and inferences and the sources of different types of evidence. The course can also develop knowledge of criminal law, evidence and the best practice procedure necessary for effective investigations and prosecutions under the Building Control Acts.
Module 1
- Introduction to Building Control and the BCMS
- Building Control legislation
- The role of Building Control authorities
- Building control enforcement
- Powers of an authorised officer
- Requests for information
- Understanding the legal system
- Understanding Building Control offences and prosecutions
- Who to prosecute
- Evidence and the rules of evidence
- Disclosure
- How to draft an enforcement notice
- Penalties
- Judicial Review
- Licensing of outdoor events
- Funfairs
Module 2
- Interviewing
- How to interview a witness
- How to interview under caution
- The Peace method of interviewing
Module 3
- Contemporaneous notes
- Writing statements
- Report writing
- Preparing a file for prosecution
- Determining jurisdiction
Module 4
- Understanding the role of the authorised officer in court
- Preparing for Court
- Understanding cross examination
- How to give evidence effectively
- Role play cross examination
Meet the team – Judy Peters
Solicitor and Training Consultant
Judy Peters is a highly experienced lawyer and legal trainer with a distinguished career spanning over four decades. She was admitted as a solicitor in England in 1979, in Northern Ireland in 1983 and...
Read BioPractical training with small groups to ensure quality.
Our training sessions are not lectures—they're practical, interactive experiences. The small group format allows every attendee to ask questions, take part in discussions involving practical exercises and role-plays.
This method of training allows attendees to put the skills learned into practice immediately. Course participants benefit from the focused attention and guidance of an independent expert.
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FAQs
The Building Control Regulation: Investigation and Prosecution course provides practical training on investigating breaches of building control regulations and preparing cases for enforcement or prosecution. It focuses on investigative procedures, evidence gathering, and the legal framework governing building control enforcement in Ireland.
This course is designed for building control officers, local authority enforcement staff, regulatory investigators, and legal professionals involved in enforcing building control regulations.
Building control regulations establish the legal requirements for building design, construction, and safety standards. Local authorities are responsible for ensuring that buildings comply with these regulations and may investigate potential breaches.
The course explores investigative procedures, evidence collection, documentation, enforcement powers, and the legal processes involved in prosecuting breaches of building control regulations.
Investigations typically involve inspecting premises, gathering documentary and photographic evidence, reviewing compliance with building regulations, and documenting findings in preparation for potential enforcement action.
Evidence gathered during an investigation must meet legal standards to support enforcement action or prosecution. Proper documentation and investigative procedures help ensure that cases are strong and legally defensible.
Yes. The training is particularly relevant for staff working in local authority building control departments who are responsible for monitoring compliance and investigating regulatory breaches.
Participants will develop skills in conducting regulatory investigations, collecting and documenting evidence, understanding enforcement procedures, and preparing cases for prosecution.
The course uses practical examples, case studies, and expert-led instruction to help participants understand how building control investigations and prosecutions are managed in practice.
