I, Patricia Ryan, President of the Circuit Court, in pursuance of the powers vested in me by Section 10 of the Courts of Justice Act, 1947, and by other powers conferred on me, and having consulted the permanent Judge of the South Western Circuit, do hereby Order the following:
That the sittings of the South Western Circuit Court scheduled to begin in the week beginning 10th January 2022 shall be dealt with as follows:
That:
1. Criminal Cases
a) No jury trials will commence on the South Western Circuit before 24th January 2022. The position will be reviewed on 19th January 2022. All criminal cases listed for the week of 10th January 2022 and the week of 17th January 2022 will be included on the Legal Diary on the day scheduled. Defendant solicitors to inform their clients they need not attend if on bail, and wherever possible an appearance of an accused person in custody to be by way of video link. For unrepresented defendants, every effort will be made by the Circuit Court office to advise them directly. For that two week period, all cases listed as new mentions before the Circuit Court where the accused person is in custody shall be dealt with by video link, where possible. Where the accused person listed for a new mention is not in custody, they need not attend court.
b) District Court Appeals listed will proceed, where possible.
c) All other criminal matters will be heard as usual including sentencing hearings, arraignments and bail applications subject to strict compliance with public health guidelines and the Courts’ own guidance in relation to face coverings.
Practitioners are reminded to check the Legal Diary to ascertain the start time for their case and they and their clients should only attend court at that time. Staggered times will continue to be used to ensure that there is full compliance with Government Guidelines on dealing with Covid-19.
2. Family Law
Family Law matters listed from the week beginning 10th January 2022 will proceed, where possible.
Parties are reminded to check the Legal Diary to ascertain the start time for their case and they should only attend court at that time. Staggered times will continue to be used to ensure that there is full compliance with Government Guidelines on dealing with Covid-19.
3. Civil
Civil matters listed from the week beginning 10th January 2022 will proceed, where possible.
Parties are reminded to check the Legal Diary to ascertain the start time for their case and they should only attend court at that time. Staggered times will continue to be used to ensure that there is full compliance with Government Guidelines on dealing with Covid-19.
4. Consideration should be given to dealing with matters remotely, where possible.
5. Please check the Covid-19 Courts Notice page on www.courts.ie where the most recent information will be published.
6. This Order shall be published as soon as possible on www.courts.ie
The Hon. Ms. Justice Patricia Ryan
President of the Circuit Court
6th January 2022