The judiciary and the Courts Service have said they will continue to ensure that every effort is made to keep courts open and safe during restrictions under level five of the Government's COVID-19 plan.

In a fresh update on how the courts will work during the six-week period, they say the main aim is to follow Government policy of reducing the interactions among people while recognising that providing access to the courts is an essential service.

The court presidents have each issued notices and practice directions relevant to the work of their courts.

In general, however, they say that work which has been conducted remotely will continue, while family law, child care and domestic violence applications in the relevant courts will be prioritised.

Jury trials

The judges and the Courts Service say starting new jury trials is not viable at the moment due to reduced capacity numbers on transport and travel restrictions. Jury trials currently underway, however, will be completed.

The update says the work of the courts will be constantly reviewed in line with public health guidance and may be subject to change.

It calls on all court users to continue to practise the public health measures, and to follow the guidance of the courts and the health and safety protocols put in place by the Courts Service.

Regional updates will appear on a special COVID-19 notices page on the Courts Service website. 

Court of Appeal

During level five, the majority of Supreme Court and Court of Appeal work will continue to be conducted remotely.

In the Court of Appeal, applications in relation to individual civil appeals can be made at the callover of the appeal concerned at the Friday directions list on the date published in the legal diary.

For criminal appeals, there will be a callover on Tuesday 27 October of the appeals listed for hearing in November and December.

Circuit Court

The High Court President Justice Mary Irvine had already issued notices on criminal and civil proceedings earlier this week.

A statement from Circuit Court President Ms Justice Patricia Ryan said ongoing criminal jury trials would continue to a conclusion, but no new trials would start until 16 November at the earliest.

All other criminal business scheduled for the Circuit Criminal Court will be dealt with as normal, including cases where the accused is in custody or on bail. This covers sentences, arraignments, hearings and mentions.

All Circuit Court family law trials listed for hearing will go ahead.

The president advised court users to check the legal diary for local arrangements on civil matters, as there may be differences due to judicial and staff resources.

All Circuit Court personal insolvency matters will continue to be listed as per the legal diary and all applications and hearings will proceed remotely.

District Court

District Court President Colin Daly said family law and child care cases would proceed as scheduled. The court will also be open to hear all applications for protection from domestic violence.

New applications, extensions of existing orders and hearings will also continue to be heard as scheduled in child care cases.

All civil law and regulatory matters in the District Court will be adjourned and parties will be advised of future listings in due course. The president said this measure was being taken to redeploy resources to other essential services. A judge will, however, be available to deal with urgent matters.

District courts have adopted measures to stagger the court day according to business and the scheduling of hearings or applications. There may be some variations in the volume of work that can be safely carried out in different districts

Meanwhile, in a separate notice, all family law matters listed before the Dublin County Registrar have been adjourned for a date to be fixed. Newly-assigned hearing dates will be published on the legal diary in due course.