The Annual Report of the Courts Service was launched today and shows a marked increase in civil cases coming before the District Court.
Notable statistics:
- 547,445 new cases come before the courts in 2022
- 39% increase in new civil cases before the District Court since 2021
- 5% increase in Divorces granted (4,915) against 2021
- 25% increase in cases before Central Criminal Court since 2019
- 15% increase in domestic violence applications coming to the courts since 2019
There was also a noted reduction of less serious crime coming to the Courts.
- Road traffic offences 24% reduction since 2019
- Drug offences 10% since 2019
- Sexual offences down 11% since 2019
- Larceny/robbery/fraud matters down 18% since 2019
Welcoming the report, Minister for Justice Helen McEntee said:
“I welcome the publication of the Courts Service Annual Report 2022. It provides a detailed insight into how our Courts Services have effectively managed both new and outstanding cases in a post pandemic context.
“It was always evident that the return to a full working environment after Covid would hold its challenges, but the Courts Service has met this challenge. And it is especially important that we make permanent the often transformative changes in how we worked during the pandemic. These include greater use of digital technologies, and the Courts Service has shown how this can improve the administration of justice.
“I look forward to working with the Courts Service to drive more reforms to better serve the public."