Circuit Court

Information

The country is divided into eight circuits for the purposes of the Circuit Court.

The Circuit Court consists of the President of the Court and 33 ordinary judges.

One Circuit Judge is assigned to each circuit, except in the case of the Dublin and Cork Circuits. Ten judges can be assigned to the Dublin Circuit and 3 to the Cork Circuit.

The President of the Circuit Court, who is also an additional Judge of the High Court, has the duty of ensuring an equitable distribution of the work of the Circuit Court amongst the several judges and the prompt despatch of business.

Rules

The Circuit Court is a court of local and limited jurisdiction. It is restricted as to which cases it can decide in both civil and criminal matters. The extent of its jurisdiction in both criminal and civil cases is described in the Circuit Court - Criminal Jurisdiction and the Circuit Court - Civil Jurisdiction.