Every country has its own courts system, some of which are very different to the system we have in this country, but they all have the same aim: to see that justice is done. In Ireland there are two types of court case: civil actions and criminal prosecutions. In both instances, it is the court’s job to ensure that the outcome of the case is fair and reasonable.
Civil actions are taken by individuals against other individuals or organisations. The State generally has no part to play in such cases.
These kinds of cases include personal injury claims as a result of road traffic accidents, breach of contract actions and disputes over rights of way or planning permission.
The purpose of a civil claim is most often to seek compensation or to recover money owed.
Criminal prosecutions are handled by the State, usually through the Director of Public Prosecutions. They deal with things considered illegal, such as murder, rape, theft and robbery.
The aim of the criminal law is to punish, usually through a jail sentence or a fine.
Minor cases, such as personal injury actions or traffic offences, are decided by a judge sitting on his/her own. However, all serious criminal offences (and some civil cases, such as libel and defamation) are tried by a judge and jury. In these cases, the judge will guide the jury on legal matters while the jury must decide the facts and return their verdict.
In Ireland, there are five distinct types of court, which operate in a hierarchy, starting with the District Court, Circuit Court, High Court, Court of Appeal and Supreme Court. Each court deals with specific types of cases.
Other courts, such as the Special Criminal Court, have specific roles, but operate alongside the other courts.
Click on a court below to find out more information.
Children Court
The District Court can try a child or a young person for any offence except homicide. In Cork, Limerick and Waterford the Children Court of the District Court deals with charges against children under 16 years of age except where the charges are very serious or where the judge thinks there are special circumstances. The Children Court is held in the courtrooms where the ordinary sittings of the District Court are held. In Dublin there is a separate Children Court which sits every working day. At other venues charges against children are heard in a different area to the ordinary sittings, or on different days or times and is called a Juvenile Court.
Read more about the Children Court.
Drug Treatment Court
The Drug Treatment Court is a specialised court in Dublin city that aims to treat, rather than imprison, drug addicts. This Court deals with non-violent offenders whose offending behaviour is motivated by their addiction rather than for financial gain. The aim of the programme is to provide long term court supervised treatment for offenders who are involved in drug abuse. The central principle is that by dealing with the reason for the offending that is, the addiction, the need to offend is removed.