Statements in respect the arrangement of Courts – 13th March 2020

1. The Court will adjourn on consent any appeal that is listed for hearing between now and the 3rd April next. The position will be reviewed at that time.

2. New dates will be fixed for hearing next term or when the situation sufficiently improves. 

3. The court will adjourn any appeal where there is not consent to do so, unless particular urgency can be demonstrated. Parties who contend such urgency should set out their reasons in writing by email addressed to the Registrar at supremecourt@courts.ie.

4. All such adjournment applications will be dealt with remotely and all communications should be addressed by email to the Registrar.

5. To maintain the administration of justice in public all judgements will be delivered by a single judge and the parties will not be required to attend delivery. 

6. Copies of judgments will be published on www.courts.ie and will be made available to the parties and members of the press at the time of delivery. 

7. All case management issues will be dealt with remotely unless it is absolutely necessary that there be a hearing. All communications in this respect should also be addressed by email to the Registrar.

8. The Office of the Supreme Court will  remain open, parties and their representatives may also continue to communicate with the Office by telephone and by email and may also send necessary documentation by email or by post as required.

9. The Chief Justice and members of the Court will continue their work on existing cases and prepare for those cases that are adjourned.

1. The Court will adjourn on consent any appeal that is listed for hearing between now and the 3rd April, the end of the current legal term. This includes any call-over lists, lists to fix dates, and the directions/management lists. 

2. New dates will be fixed for hearing at the earliest possible available opportunity when the situation sufficiently improves. 

3. The court will adjourn any appeal where there is not consent to do so, unless particular urgency can be demonstrated. Parties who contend such urgency should set out their reasons in writing by email addressed to the Registrar at courtofappealcivil@courts.ie or courtofappealcriminal@courts.ie whichever applies. 

4. All such adjournment applications will be dealt with remotely and all communications should be addressed by email to the Registrar.

5. If any judgments are to be delivered by the Court during this period the parties will not be required to attend. Copies of such judgments will be made available to the parties and members of the press at the time of delivery and will be published on www.courts.ie as soon as practicable thereafter. 

6. All case management issues will be dealt with remotely unless it is absolutely necessary that there be a hearing. All communications in this respect should also be addressed by email to the Registrar.

7. The Office of the Court of Appeal will  remain open, parties and their representatives may also continue to communicate with the Office by telephone and by email and may also send necessary documentation by email.

8. The  members of the Court will continue their work on existing cases and prepare for those cases that are adjourned.

1. Habeas corpus

2. Extradition

3. Bail applications

4. Injunctions and their enforcement

5. Wardship matters

6. Urgent judicial review applications

A. Ongoing jury trials to continue to conclusion

B. No new Jury trial will commence for the remained of this term.

C. Custody Sentencing cases to be dealt with as usual or by video link depending on the application. 

D. Non-custody cases to be mentioned as usual and remanded to appear on date after 10th June 2020.

E. Defendants’ Solicitors to inform their clients they need not attend if on bail.  For unrepresented persons the Circuit Court offices will advise the litigants directly.  Gardaí to be advised to caution the defendants of the adjourned date. Office of the DPP/defence solicitors to inform witness summonsed for Circuit Court matters (save for ongoing trials or sentences) that they do not need to attend.  A Judge will be available to sit on each Circuit to hear urgent applications.  

1. Parties with non-urgent cases are no longer required to attend court. 

2. The District Court will continue to hear urgent matters only in all District Court Districts throughout the country.

3. Urgent matters are:

a. Cases where the accused is in custody and cases where people are charged with new offences. It does not include criminal cases where the accused is on bail or is not in custody.

b. Remands where the accused is in custody should be dealt with by video-link wherever possible. 

c. New applications for protection orders or interim barring orders and return hearings of interim barring order cases. If safety order hearings are being adjourned interim protective orders will be extended to the new date. 

 

d. Extension of interim care orders and emergency care orders and exceptional or urgent interim care orders.

4. If your case is not included in the description of urgent matters above, then it is a non-urgent matter and parties do not need to attend court. 

5. Solicitors are to inform clients that they do not need to attend where their case is a non-urgent matter.

6. Non-urgent cases will be adjourned, and parties will be told of their new court dates by ordinary post or by their solicitor or barrister where one is present.

7. All District Court Civil matters are considered to be non-urgent and will be adjourned to a new date. Parties will be told of their new court dates by ordinary post or by their solicitor or barrister where one is present.

8. A case which does not come into the defined urgent category can be treated as urgent if a good case can be made. A party can email the relevant court office setting out the reasons why the case should be considered urgent. This should be on notice to the other side who must be given a chance to set out their position.