Covid-19 Update Notice
Courts Service continue to provide access to justice as all areas of the country move to Level 3 on Government National Framework
Tuesday 6 October 2020; Following the Government’s announcement to move the country to Level 3 on the National Framework for Living with Covid-19, the Courts Service confirms the continued operation of Courts to ensure access to justice. The Courts Service has undertaken a review of the Government’s Resilience and Recovery 2020-2021 Plan, and under the restrictions announced for Level 3, the protective measures the Courts Service has in place allow for the business of the Courts to continue.
Court users are reminded to adhere to public health guidance: wearing face coverings when in Court buildings/courtrooms, as directed in yesterday’s Statement from the Judiciary, maintaining a 2-meter distance, practising good hand and respiratory hygiene at all times and not attending Court with symptoms associated with Covid-19.
Staff who can work from home are advised to do so and only those required on-site should attend Court houses and offices. If changes to Court sittings or lists are required, for any reason, that information will be available on www.courts.ie and on Twitter @CourtsServiceIE
Only those who have business in Court buildings and those summoned for jury duty should attend. The Courts Service video demonstrates what is expected of Court users during the current pandemic. Please click this link to view the video - https://www.courts.ie/covid-19-response-updates
The Government’s plan recognises as a key priority the need to keep Courts open to maintain critical services particularly for those in vulnerable situations such as domestic violence, child custody, insolvency and debt cases. The Courts Service continually reviews Government and public health advice and adapts its protective measures or ways of working to ensure adherence with that advice. The Courts Service will be able to remain open if the protective measures in place are adhered to by all Court users;
- Respect guidance given by staff and the signage in place, keep a physical distancing of 2-meters from others, to avoid congregating and respect capacity numbers in the different court rooms.
- Continued use of alternative methods for limiting the numbers attending court houses and offices such as remote hearings, eLicensing online and Revenue’s new online system for filing an electronic version of the Inland Revenue Affidavit (Form CA.24), called the “Statement of Affairs (Probate)” (Form SA.2). This project was launched last month with the Probate Office.
Further Information
- For queries relating to Jury Summons please contact the number provided on your summons.
- Media queries should be sent to the Courts Service media relations office: Mr Gerry Curran, at Gerry.curran@courts.ie