DISTRICT AND CIRCUIT COURT OFFICE DUBLIN The District and Circuit Court office is now operating normally as per pre Covid arrangements. Accordingly, it is no longer necessary to make an appointment by email. In addition to the return of normal opening office hours, in relation to any motions which were
adjourned during Covid before the County Registrar, it is possible between 9.45am and 10.15am any morning to have a motion listed ex parte, by stamping and completing an ex parte docket in the office, and the matter will be called that day on or after 12pm before the
County Registrar. This will be either to fix a date if the matter is urgent, or in the event that it is possible to do so, to deal with the matter on consent. Barra O Cochlain, DSBA Litigation Committee
SUPREME COURT PRACTICE DIRECTION SC 21 Documents to be filed for appeal hearings 1. This Guidance is issued in accordance with paragraph 1 (b) of Practice Direction SC 21. The Court has experienced delay in the filing of books of appeal which has had a detrimental effect on the Statement of Case procedure provided for in paragraph 5 of Practice Direction SC 21. The Court is mindful that parties may experience difficulties in filing documents in the current circumstances. However, if such difficulties are anticipated parties are advised that the case management judge or the Office of the Supreme Court should be appraised in good time such that dates fixed for appeal hearings are not jeopardised. 2. Paragraph 24 (a) of Practice Direction SC 19 requires that appeal booklets are filed within 12 weeks of the filing of the notice of intention to proceed. Where a date has been fixed for the appeal hearing, and if not otherwise directed by the case management judge, the appellant is required to file complete books of appeal in the form required by paragraphs 19 to 25 inclusive of
Practice Direction SC 19 in hard copy (8 copies), and electronically, within the said 12 week period or not later than 21 days before the date fixed for hearing, whichever date is the sooner. 3. Parties are reminded of their obligation to constructively engage with each other to agree only materials which genuinely require to be included in the books of appeal and to do so in sufficient time to allow the appellant to file the books by the date required in paragraph 2. 4. In particular, parties are reminded of the detailed requirements for the format and content of booklets of authorities provided for in paragraph 22 (a) of Practice Direction SC 19. It is only necessary to include materials in the booklets of authorities which are relied on in the substance of the written submissions and/or which may be referred to in oral argument. It is not necessary that all authorities which are merely referred to in written submissions should be included.
5. If the parties agree that it is appropriate that more limited core books be utilised at the appeal hearing (if necessary incorporating the core booklets provided for in paragraphs 21 (c) 22 (a) and 23 (b) of Practice Direction SC 19) this matter should be raised in sufficient time with the case management judge and should be identified in the joint document to be filed not later than 48 hours before the first case management hearing as required by paragraph 3 of Practice Direction SC 21. The case management judge may, of his or her own motion, direct that core books be filed in the particular circumstances of the case. If the filing of core books is directed by the case management judge 8 hard copies of those books should be filed by the date provided for in paragraph 2 hereof. In addition, an electronic copy of the complete books of appeal in full format should also be filed by the same date. 6. A failure to file books of appeal by the date required may result in the Court adjourning the appeal.
HIGH COURT CENTRAL OFFICE UPDATE Please find below the list of acceptable applications that an appointment in person can be obtained for: • Summonses that have an imminent statute issue; • Applications that have time restraints; • Motions or filings pursuant to Court order where time is an issue; • Amended Summonses pursuant to Court Orders; • Setting downs; • Bail applications; • Judicial Review applications; • Article 40s; • Special Care applications; • Affidavits, Appearances, Notice of Change/ 58 the Parchment
Appointment in cases which are listed before the Court in next fortnight and documents could not possible be returned in time by post/DX The list is not exhaustive and neither is it intended to be an invitation to include something which appears to be omitted. What is urgent or not, or whether an appointment is necessary or not, depends on a consideration of all of the circumstances pertaining to a particular matter. Both of the Registrars attached to the public office maintain a high visibility during opening hours and are available to give consideration as to whether an appointment can be given in the event that a difficulty should arise.
