In light of the current Level 5 restrictions, public health guidance and the high incidence of the Covid-19 virus in the community and pursuant to the Notice of the President of the High Court Justice Mary Irvine in relation to the conduct of Civil Business in the High Court, all business of the High Court Family Law List that was scheduled for the weeks commencing the 8th 15th and 22nd of February 2021 and 1st of March 2021 has been cancelled.
Matters that were listed for Monday the 25th of January 2021, the 1st , 8th , 15th , 22nd of February 2021 and 1st of March 2021 will be listed en bloc for mention on Monday the 8th of March 2021 – along with previously adjourned Monday Lists from this term - with a view to scheduling said Monday Lists in chronological order from Tuesdays – Fridays once it is considered safe to proceed with such Lists.
Cases that were listed for hearing for the weeks commencing Tuesday the 26th of January 2021 up to Friday the 5th of March 2021 all now stand adjourned to a list to fix dates to be held on Monday the 15th of March 2021 – along with previously adjourned cases listed for hearing this term - with a view to assigning hearing dates. It is not possible to say as yet when physical hearings can resume.
Remote hearings for High Court Family Law have commenced. Please see Notice re Remote Hearings from 1/2/21 on www.courts.ie After the 15th of February 2021 it is hoped to expand on this facility to include short contentious matters of no longer than 2 hours duration if the parties consent to a virtual hearing. It is intended that the facility of virtual hearings will be expanded in time. The parties must present soft copy papers in an organised and paginated and indexed fashion so that the virtual hearings can run smoothly. Numerous attachments in a piecemeal fashion are unworkable and litigants should avail of software packages available to present Booklets.
The situation will be kept under review and any applications for remote or physical hearing in respect of urgent matters as they arise can be made to Mr Justice Jordan by contacting the Registrar responsible for the management of the Family Law List Ms Angela Brennan angelambrennan@courts.ie
It should be noted that this does not affect the Special Care Lists which are proceeding as already directed for the moment and subject to strict compliance with current Covid-19 public health guidance and High Court Practice directions. It is hoped to introduce a remote hearing facility for this list in the near future.
Thursday 4th of February 2021