Circuit Court Sittings Sittngs of the Circuit Court are to be held at places within each Circuit as may be prescribed, at such times as the Judge of such Circuit shall from time to time direct and appoint. In all Circuits, notice of the sittings shall be given in Iris Oifigiuil at least two months in advance. There are provisions […]
Organisation There are eight circuits in the State. Outside of Dublin and Cork, the Circuit judges travel through the circuit hearing cases in the principal towns in the circuit in accordance with regular scheduled sessions, up to four times a year in each town. There are full time standing Circuit Courts in Dublin and Cork. There are thirty-seven Circuit Court […]
Commenced by Civil Bill Civil proceedings in the Circuit Court, unless otherwise provided by Statute or Rules are commenced by the issue of a Civil Bill. It is to be in accordance with the forms of Civil Bills set out in the Schedule of Forms to the Rules, with such modifications as are suitable. It is to set out the […]
Claimant Issues Where the claimant sues in a representative capacity, this must be stated. Where he sues as assignee, the name of the assignor and the date of the assignment must be set out. All persons may be joined in one action as claimant in whom any right to relief in respect of or arising out of the same transaction […]
General The Circuit Court has jurisdiction in a wide variety of matters. Unlike the High Court, it does not have complete powers in all matters. It can only hear matters that are specifically within its jurisdiction. The Circuit Court has jurisdiction in relation to claims for breach of contract, most civil wrongs (tort) including negligence and restitution. The general Circuit […]
Duration of Civil Bill A Civil Bill is in force for 12 months. If it is not served within this time, the plaintiff may apply before its expiration to the County Registrar for leave to renew the Civil Bill. An application for leave may be applied for after expiry to the Court. The Court or the County Registrar, may if […]
Appearance If the defendant intends to defend a Civil Bill or other proceeding, he shall enter an appearance in the Circuit Court Office in the prescribed form. The Form is to be lodged with or sent by post to the County Registrar so as to reach the Office before the expiration of the time limited for appearance. A copy of […]
Further Particulars Any party to a proceedings may also, within the above time limits, by notice in writing require the other party to furnish such information as is reasonably necessary as to any specified matter arising upon a claim in a Civil Bill or a Defence or Counterclaim. The request shall be in format specified in the Schedule of Rules […]
General Case progression is applicable to certain categories of Circuit Court case. At present, it applies to the following: equity proceedings; proceedings on foot of a Succession Law Civil Bill; other proceedings, which include a claim for specific performance or for damages for breach of contract in respect of construction, alteration and repair of a building or other structure; other […]
Offers and Lodgements In common with the other courts, the Circuit Court has a procedure by which a defendant can make a formal offer of money in settlement of proceedings. The settlement offer monies must be lodged in Court.. The lodgement may be made with a denial of liability, so that it is not deemed an admission of the claim. […]
The Trial In absence of agreement between the parties and/or their solicitors, the witnesses at the trial are to be examined verbally and in open Court. The Judge may at any time for reasons as he thinks right, order that any particular fact shall be proved by affidavit or that the affidavit of any witness may be read at the […]
Judgments in default for liquidated demands Where the claimant’s claim is for a debt or liquidated demand or for delivery of specific goods or chattels and the defendant has not entered an Appearance within time limited in the Civil Bill or having entered an Appearance, has not delivered a Defence within the time limited, the claimant may, in default of […]