Notice From President of the Circuit Court Re March Sittings

Please note the following notice regarding March sittings of the Circuit Court:

I, Patricia Ryan, President of the Circuit Court, in pursuance of the powers vested in me by Section 10 of the Courts of Justice Act, 1947, and by other powers conferred on me, and having consulted the permanent Judges of the Dublin Circuit, do hereby Order the following:

That the sittings of the Dublin Circuit Court scheduled to begin for the month of March 2021 shall be dealt with as follows:

That:

  1. Criminal Cases

(a) No jury trials will commence on the Dublin Circuit during the month of March 2021.There will be a review on 15th March 2021 regarding the date of recommencement of jury trials.Defendant solicitors to inform their clients they need not attend if on bail, and wherever possible an appearance of an accused person in custody to be by way of video link, where possible.For unrepresented defendants the Circuit Court office will advise them directly. 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.

(b) District Court Appeals to be adjourned.  Details of adjourned dates to be listed later this week. A Judge will be available to hear all urgent applications. 

(c) The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions/Defence Solicitors may inform witnesses summonsed for Circuit Court matters (save for sentencing of defendants) that they do not attend for the matters listed for the month of March 2021.

(d) 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.

This Order should be read in conjunction with the Notice issued by Pat Moynan, Manager Dublin Circuit Criminal Court.

A Judge will be available to hear all urgent applications.

  1. Family Law

Family Law matters listed from 1st March 2021 to 26th March 2021 are adjourned to a date to be fixed in the Circuit Court Office.

Family Law matters may be listed for hearing remotely, if possible.

A Judge will be available to hear all urgent applications.

  1. Civil matters

(a)Personal Insolvency matters will continue to be listed and all applications and hearings will be heard remotely.

(b) Civil matters listed from 1st March 2021 to 26th March 2021 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.

A Judge will be available to rule settlements, infant settlements and take applications.

Urgent applications to be heard remotely where appropriate.

A Judge will be available to hear all urgent applications.

The situation will be reviewed on a weekly basis from 15th March 2021.

This notice is also available to read on the Courts Service website here.