In accordance with the order made by the President of the Circuit Court, in pursuance of the powers vested in her, dated the 24th February 2021 and having regard to the current provisions of the Health Act 1947 (Section 31A -Temporary Restrictions) (Covid-19) Regulations 2020, certain changes now apply in relation to the sittings of the Eastern Circuit Court scheduled to take place in the month of March 2021. The below is the resulting position in relation to Wicklow Circuit Court business for March 2021: -
Sittings of the Circuit Court
General: The overall situation will be reviewed on a weekly basis from 15th March 2021. Parties are advised to check the website at www.courts.ie on or after this date for further updates.
1. Circuit Court Criminal Sittings
No jury trials will commence on the Eastern Circuit during the month of March 2021. There will be a review on 15th March 2021 regarding the date of recommencement of jury trials. All other criminal matters will be heard as usual including sentencing hearings, arraignments, bail applications subject to weekly review and strict compliance with public health guidance and the Court’s own guidance in relation to face coverings.
In all cases where the accused person is in custody and is listed for a new mention that appearance shall be done by way of video link, where possible. A Judge will be available to hear all urgent applications.
2. District Court Appeals
These are to be listed as usual and will be adjourned to a date for hearing. A Judge will be available to hear all urgent applications. The following will apply to the week of District Court Appeals scheduled for Wicklow Circuit Court, the week commencing the 23/03/2021:
- Judge Quinn will sit at Bray on the 23/03/21 and the 24/03/21 to call-over matters previously adjourned into this week and hear any urgent matters – staggered individual lists will be published in course for each day
- No new appeals will be listed for this week other than a case for urgency is made by one of the parties
- Sentencing matters may be heard, on notice by the parties to the office
3. Circuit Court Civil sittings
(b) Any Civil matters listed are adjourned to a date to be fixed in the Circuit Court Office and new hearing dates will be published on the Legal Diary in due course. The civil sittings for the weeks commencing the 02/03/21 and the 09/03/21 stand adjourned to a date to be notified
A Judge will be available to rule settlements, infant settlements and take applications.
Judge Patrick Quinn will sit at Bray on the 11th March 2021 for urgent matters, consents and rulings
4. Circuit Court Family Law Sittings
Family Law matters listed for the month of March are adjourned, to a date to be fixed in the Circuit Court Office. There were no specific weeks fixed for Wicklow Circuit Court for family law in March.
Consent orders such as consent divorces may be heard where both parties are legally represented. Remote hearing may be facilitated, if necessary. Any requests to list matters on these dates or to seek a remote hearing must be emailed to braycourtoffice@courts.ie with a letter of consent from the other party.
A Judge will be available to hear all urgent applications. Judge Patrick Quinn will sit at Bray on the 11th March 2021 to hear urgent matters, rule settlements and make consent orders:
Urgent applications may be heard remotely where appropriate.
County Registrars lists for March 2021 – please see the separate notice issued and published on the website at www.courts.ie
Any requests to list matter on the basis of urgency on these dates must be emailed to the below address, at the earliest possible opportunity braycourtoffice@courts.ie
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