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Next step for courts’ new appointments system

The Courts Service is introducing a new appointment-booking service in the Dublin Civil Combined Offices from Monday 3 April.

The move is the next step in a plan to roll out the new service nationwide this year.

This follows a pilot project, and the subsequent introduction of the system in two offices – Cork Court Office (Washington Street) and the Supreme Court Office.

The online service allows the public to make an appointment to visit a Courts Service office, at a time and date that suits them.

Volume of business

The Courts Service says that the earlier introduction of the service in the Dublin Civil Combined Offices – located at Áras Uí Dhálaigh, Inns Quay, Dublin 7 – is due to the volume of business dealt with at the offices.

This group of offices includes the following:

• The Stamp Office,
• The District Civil Office,
• The Circuit Civil Office,
• The Licensing and Small Claims Office, and
• The Judgements Office.

From 3 April, an appointment must be scheduled in advance of visiting the above offices for:

• Stamping papers with relevant stamp duty,
• Filing documents for the Dublin District and Circuit Civil Courts,
• Making applications to the Dublin District and Circuit Civil Courts,
• Queries relating to the Dublin District and Circuit Civil Courts,
• Collecting further copies of attested court orders/pleadings from file, and
• Queries and filings to the Judgements section (District and Circuit).

The courts body says that those without access to email or online services can phone the relevant office to make an appointment.

It says the changes will provide users with access to an online booking system 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and will also enable the offices to better manage their time and resources.