Chief Justice Frank Clarke has urged solicitors to use the new e-filing system for appeals to the Supreme Court. 

The system was given a soft launch in February. Since then, 16 solicitors have registered, but no appeals have yet been filed through the new system. 

The e-filing project was facilitated by the adoption of new Rules of Court and a new statutory practice direction. 

“Those measures were put in place in the context of a widespread perception that access to justice and the efficient administration of justice would be enhanced by a significantly greater use of IT in the courts system,” the Chief Justice said this morning.

System

“I would encourage solicitors to pre-register for the use of the system on the Courts Service’s on-line service, which is called CSOL. 

“Information on how to do this is provided on Courts.ie and is also available from the Supreme Court Office. By registering, a solicitor who has an application to file, and wishes to do so on-line, is able to complete the application with the minimum of delay,” he said.

Time limits

Waiting until a solicitor has an actual application for leave means that the registration has to take place under the pressure of the time limits for leave applications. 

• The practice direction, streamlined court forms, and new Rules of Court provide the following benefits for practitioners:
• Facility to apply for leave online,
• Facility to upload relevant application documents,
• Online payment of fees, 
• Facility to upload respondent’s notice, and
• Facility to upload booklet of additional documents.