Western Circuit - sittings scheduled to begin 11 January 2021

Circuit Court - Western Circuit

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 Western Circuit, do hereby Order the following:

That the sittings of the Western Circuit Court scheduled to begin in the week beginning 11^th January 2021 shall be dealt with as follows:

That:

1. Criminal Cases

(a) No jury trials will commence on the Western Circuit until 1^st February 2021 with a review on 26^th January 2021.There will be a callover of the jury trials listed and they will be given a for mention date after 26^th January 2021 to fix a date for hearing.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, where possible.For unrepresented defendants the Circuit Court office will advise them directly. In all cases where the accused person is in custody and is listed for a new mention that appearance shall be done by way of video link, where possible.

(b) District Court Appeals will be listed as usual and will be adjourned to a date for hearing.

(c) The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions/State Solicitor/Defence Solicitors may inform witnesses summonsed for Circuit Court matters (save for sentencing of defendants) that they do not attend for the matters listed up to 1^st February 2021.

(d) All other criminal matters will be heard as usual including sentencing hearings, arraignments, bail applications subject to weekly review and strict compliance with public health guidance and the Court’s own guidance in relation to face coverings.

A Judge will be available to hear all urgent applications.

2. Family Law

Family Law matters listed from 11^th January 2021 to 1^st February 2021 are adjourned to a date to be fixed in the Circuit Court Office.

A Judge will be available to hear all urgent applications.

3. Civil matters

(a) Personal Insolvency matters will continue to be listed and all applications and hearings will be heard remotely.

(b) Civil matters listed from 11^th January are adjourned to a date to be fixed in the Circuit Court Office and new hearing dates will be published on the Legal Diary in due course.

A Judge will be available to rule settlements, infant settlements and take applications.

Urgent applications to be heard remotely where appropriate.

A Judge will be available to hear all urgent applications.

The situation will be reviewed on a weekly basis from 26^th January 2021.

4. This Order shall be published as soon as possible on www.courts.ie