Courts system

Courts
An outline of the courts that operate in Ireland and the offices that support them.

Children Court
The Children Court deals with children under 18 years of age and came into operation in 2002. The Children Act 2001 sets out the various rules regarding the Children Court.

District Court
The District Court is organised on a regional basis and is the lowest court in the Irish court system.

District Court - Civil Jurisdiction
The civil jurisdiction of the District Court in Ireland is described.

District Court - Criminal Jurisdiction
The criminal jurisdiction of the District Court in Ireland is described.

District Court Office
Functions of District Court Offices throughout Ireland are described.

Small Claims Court
The Small Claims Court in Ireland provides an inexpensive, fast and easy way for consumers to resolve disputes without a solicitor. Find out how the Court operates.

European small claims procedure
The European Small Claims Procedure provides an inexpensive and easy way for someone to pursue a cross-border claim without the need to employ a solicitor.

Circuit Court
The Circuit Court is a court of local and limited jurisdiction. Ireland is divided into 8 circuits for the purpose of this Court.

Circuit Court - Civil Jurisdiction
The civil jurisdiction of the Circuit Court in Ireland is described.

Circuit Court - Criminal Jurisdiction
The criminal jurisdiction of the Circuit Court in Ireland is described.

Circuit Court Office
Functions of Circuit Court Offices throughout Ireland are described.

High Court
The High Court has jurisdiction in criminal and civil cases in Ireland. Find out where, and how matters are heard in this court.

High Court - Civil Jurisdiction
The civil jurisdiction of the High Court in Ireland is described.

High Court - Criminal Jurisdiction
The criminal jurisdiction of the High Court in Ireland is described.

Office of the High Court - the Central Office
An overview of the functions of the the Office of the High Court - the Central Office - in Ireland is provided.

Supreme Court of Ireland
The Irish Constitution makes provision for a Court of Final Appeal - the Supreme Court. Find out about this court, which decides both civil and criminal matters.

Supreme Court - Civil Jurisdiction
The civil jurisdiction of the Supreme Court in Ireland is described.

Supreme Court - Criminal Jurisdiction
The criminal jurisdiction of the Supreme Court in Ireland is described.

Office of the Supreme Court
The functions of the Office of the Supreme Court in Ireland are described.

Special Criminal Court
The composition and jurisdiction of the Special Criminal Court in Ireland is described.

Court of Criminal Appeal
The Court of Criminal Appeal in Ireland is due to be abolished and its functions transferred to the Supreme Court.

Office of the Court of Criminal Appeal
The functions of the Office of the Court of Criminal Appeal in Ireland are described.

Wards of Court
Explanation of what a Ward of Court in Ireland is and how to apply to have someone made a Ward of Court.

Office of Wards of Court
The functions of the the Office of Wards of Court in Ireland are described.

Office of the General Solicitor for Minors and Wards of Court
The functions of the Office of the General Solicitor for Minors and Wards of Court in Ireland.

Probate Office
The Probate Office deals with 'non contentious' probate matters and has other important functions including issuing grants of probate and administration in Ireland.

Office of the Taxing Master
The functions of the Office of the Taxing Master in Ireland are described.

Office of the Accountant of the Courts of Justice
The functions of the Office of the Accountant of the Courts of Justice in Ireland are described.

Office of the Official Assignee in Bankruptcy
An overview of the functions of the Office of the Official Assignee in Bankruptcy in Ireland is provided.

Examiner's Office
The Examiner's Office supervises the liquidation of companies in Ireland and also has 8 important functions.