Office of the Legal Costs Adjudicators. Framework for Living with Covid- 19 - Level 5 Restrictions Extension - 5th April 2021
The extension of Level 5 of the Framework for living with Covid-19 and appropriate restrictions lasting until April 5th, 2021, will have an effect on the conduct of business within the Office of the Legal Costs Adjudicators.
The overarching principle of implementing these measures is to protect the health and safety of staff and users of the Office.
The General Office will be closed to members of the public, save by prior appointment and then only for the conduct of urgent business.
Telephones will operate as normal during office hours, email, post and Dx facilities will likewise operate as normal. Email, correspondence and telephone inquiries will continue to be dealt with along normal lines.
Drop Box facilities are available in Merchants House, to facilitate the physical submission of documents. This is currently located to the side of the main reception desk.
The e-filing platform for the lodgment of Applications for Adjudication will continue to operate as normal through CSOL for registered users.
A remote call over of cases, which is held each Thursday at 9.30am during the law term, will continue to take place. This will call over cases listed for the following week. Any applications concerning matters listed for the following week will be dealt with. Log in details will be made available to parties on request.
There will be instances where cases are suitable for a remote hearing, equally, there may be cases which are unsuitable for a remote hearing. This is a matter to be decided on a case by case basis. The Legal Costs Adjudicator having seisin of the matter, shall have sole discretion to determine the suitability of cases for remote hearing. The Legal Costs Adjudicator concerned, has the right to terminate such hearings in the event that it is concluded that the process cannot be undertaken fairly or may have the potential to impede due process or the application of the provisions of the Legal Services Regulation Act, 2015.
The Legal Costs Adjudicator concerned will issue the appropriate directions to the parties, which can only be decided on a case by case basis, having heard submissions from the parties.
Parties and their legal representatives are asked to closely monitor the Legal Diary and the Courts Service website for greater detail concerning all lists generally. It will be appreciated that this guidance is issued as matters stand at the present time and may be subject to change.
Paul M Behan Chief
Legal Costs Adjudicator
Office of the Legal Costs Adjudicators
The High Court Merchants House
27/30 Merchants Quay
Dublin 8