Jurisdiction
The Circuit Court is a court of limited and local jurisdiction. The work can be divided into three main areas: civil, criminal and family law. Cork, Dublin and Limerick have continuous Circuit Court sittings throughout each legal term. In all other parts of the country, there is a calendar for Circuit Court sittings.
A- Civil Business
The civil jurisdiction of the Circuit Court is a limited one unless all parties to an action consent, in which event the jurisdiction is unlimited. The limit of the court's jurisdiction relates mainly to actions where the claim does not exceed €75,000 and the market value does not exceed €3,000,000.
B- Criminal
In criminal matters the Circuit Court has the same jurisdiction as the Central Criminal Court in all indictable offences except murder, rape, aggravated sexual assault, treason, piracy and related offences. This jurisdiction is exercisable in the area where the offence has been committed or where the accused person has been arrested or resides. However in Circuit Courts outside Dublin, the trial judge may transfer a trial to the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court on application by the prosecution or the defence and if satisfied that it is not unjust to do so. Criminal cases dealt with by the Circuit Criminal Court begin in the District Court and are sent forward to the Circuit Court for trial or sentencing. Trials are conducted by a single judge sitting with a jury of twelve people.
C- Family Law
The Circuit and High Court have concurrent jurisdiction in the area of Family Law. The Circuit Court has authority in a wide range of family law proceedings, (judicial separation, divorce, nullity and appeals from the District Court). In hearing such cases, the Circuit Court has authority to make related orders, including custody and access orders, maintenance and barring orders. Applications for protection and barring orders may also be made directly to the Circuit Court. Applications to dispense with the three month notice period of marriage are also dealt with by the Circuit Court.
Composition
The country is divided into eight circuits with one judge assigned to each circuit except in Dublin where ten judges may be assigned, and Cork, where there is provision for three judges.
Appeals from the District Court
Decisions of the District Court can be appealed to the Circuit Court with some exceptions. Appeals proceed by way of a full rehearing and the decision of the Circuit Court is final.
The Circuit Court also acts as an appeal court for appeals from the decisions of the Labour Court, Unfair Dismissals Tribunal and the Employment Appeals Tribunal.
For more information on the procedures of the court and initiating a case, click here for civil cases and here for criminal cases