The Dublin Solicitors’ Bar Association, together with Judge John Jordan, are today (28 May) launching a guide to changes in family law practice and procedure during COVID-19.

Tony O’Sullivan, DSBA President, said that the pace of change in all areas of practice had increased exponentially during these unprecedented times.

This creates many more challenges for solicitors and their clients, he said.

Solicitor

The guide was compiled by solicitor Keith Walsh, who practises mainly in the area of family law.

Keith Walsh is a member of Family Lawyers Association COVID-19 response steering group, a member of the Circuit Court rules committee and author of Divorce and Judicial Separation Proceedings in the Circuit Court: A Guide to Order 59, published by Bloomsbury Professional, 2019.

Resources

The DSBA guide sets out the position on:

• The current situation in the District, Circuit and High Court for family law cases
• Practices common to all three jurisdictions
• The Family High Court
• The Circuit Family Court
• The District Family Court

It also collates guidelines and resources available to family law practitioners, specific to COVID-19 issues, including ministerial statements and statements from court presidents.

Virtual hearings

The Dublin Circuit family courts has also begun a trial of virtual hearings to rule judicial separation and divorce applications, since May 8.

Family law solicitor Keith Walsh has also produced a comprehensive guide to the procedures involved.