Chief Justice and Court Presidents have issued announcements regarding the gradual opening of courts over the coming months.

You can read full announcements here including access to statements by Justice and Presidents of each court.

Family Law Cases

In terms of family law, read summary below:

Summary of announcement by President of District Court – H. Judge Colin Daly

The President of the District Court, his Honour Judge Colin Daly, has announced that:

1. Parties with non-urgent cases are not required to attend court at this time.

2. The District Court will continue to hear urgent matters in all District Court Districts throughout the country as before, and will resume hearings of certain other urgent matters.

3. Urgent matters are now extended to include more areas in Criminal, Family, and Child Care Law.

In the area of Family Law the President announced changes for matters which can be dealt with include;

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 protection orders will be extended to the new date.

Applications and hearings for breach of maintenance or access that have occurred during the emergency period or applications and hearings for temporary guardianship orders.

Remote call-overs and hearings may be conducted in some courts.

Consent orders that do not require the hearing of evidence may be applied for by email by the applicant’s solicitor exhibiting consent in writing from the respondent’s solicitor. Following consideration by an assigned Judge orders will issue from the Court Office as appropriate without the need for the parties or their legal representatives to attend court.