Before starting this morning’s list, I would like to comment on one matter. You may all be aware that, in February of this year, some three months ago, a facility for the on-line filing of applications for leave to appeal to the Supreme Court was launched. That project was facilitated by the adoption of new Rules of Court and new statutory practice direction. Those measures were put in place in the context of a widespread perception that access to justice and the efficient administration of justice would be enhanced by a significantly greater use of IT in the courts system.
The initial stage of the project involved a facility for solicitors’ firms to register so as to enable the Supreme Court Office to verify that applications are genuine. After registration such solicitors’ firms are entitled to file any application for leave to appeal through the on-line system. It is intended to extend the system to all litigants as soon as appropriate verification measures can be put in place.
My understanding is that, to date, 16 solicitors’ firms have registered but the Court has not yet received any on-line applications. I would encourage solicitors to pre-register for the use of the system on the Courts Service on-line service which is called CSOL. Information on how to do this is provided on Courts.ie and is also available from the Supreme Court Office. By registering a solicitor who has an application to file and wishes to do so on-line is able to complete the application with the minimum of delay. Waiting until a solicitor has an actual application for leave means that the registration has to take place under the pressure of the time limits for leave applications. The Court would also like to strongly encourage the greater use of on-line applications.
Frank Clarke
Chief Justice