Courts (Supplemental Provisions) Act, 1961
Number 39 of 1961.
COURTS (SUPPLEMENTAL PROVISIONS) ACT, 1961.
ARRANGEMENT OF SECTIONS
PART I
Preliminary and General
Section
1. Short title and commencement.
2. Interpretation generally.
3. Repeals and saving.
PART II
Supreme Court, High Court, Chief Justice, President of the High Court, Central Criminal Court
and Court of Criminal Appeal
4. Number of ordinary judges of Supreme Court and High Court.
5. Qualifications of judges of Supreme Court and High Court.
6. Pensions of judges of Supreme Court and High Court.
7. General jurisdiction of Supreme Court.
8. General jurisdiction of High Court.
9. Jurisdiction of High Court in lunacy and minor matters.
10. Jurisdiction of Chief Justice and President of the High Court.
11. The Central Criminal Court.
12. Jurisdiction of Court of Criminal Appeal.
13. High Court Circuits.
14. Jurisdiction to be exercised pursuant to rules of court (Supreme Court,
High Court, Chief Justice, President of the High Court, Central
Criminal Court and Court of Criminal Appeal).
PART III
Circuit Court
15. Definitions (Part III).
16. Number of ordinary judges of Circuit Court.
17. Qualifications of judges of Circuit Court.
18. Age of retirement of judge of Circuit Court.
19. Pensions of judges of Circuit Court.
20. Circuits and assignment of judges to circuits.
21. Circuit Court to be a court of record.
22. Jurisdiction of Circuit Court, except in applications for new on-licences and
in indictable offences.
23. Jurisdiction of Cork Circuit Court Judge in admiralty causes and in
bankruptcy.
24. Jurisdiction of Circuit Court in applications for new on-licences.
25. Jurisdiction of Circuit Court in indictable offences.
26. Transfer of trials in criminal cases by judge of the Circuit Court.
27. Jurisdiction to be exercised pursuant to rules of court (Circuit Court, Cork
Local Admiralty Court and Cork Local Bankruptcy Court).
PART IV
District Court
28. Number of justices of District Court.
29. Qualifications of justices of District Court and interpretation of section 2
of the Act of 1949, as applied by section 48 of this Act.
30. Age of retirement of justice of District Court.
31. Pensions of justices of District Court.
32. District court areas and districts and assignment of justices to districts.
33. Jurisdiction of District Court.
34. Jurisdiction to be exercised pursuant to rules of court (District Court).
35. Qualification for appointment as President of the District Court and
assignment.
36. General powers of President of the District Court.
37. Abolition of Divisions of Dublin Metropolitan Justices.
38. Principal Justices of the Dublin Metropolitan District.
39. Number of justices of Dublin Metropolitan District.
40. Places at which business of Dublin Metropolitan District is to be
transacted.
41. Number of sitting days in each week for justices assigned to Dublin
Metropolitan District.
42. Business of District Court in Dublin Metropolitan District.
43. Restriction of section 26 of Act of 1953.
44. Ex officio members of District Court Rules Committee.
PART V
Miscellaneous Provisions
45. Administration of justice otherwise than in public.
46. Provisions in relation to remuneration and pensions of judges and
justices.
47. Interest on judgment debts.
48. Application of enactments relating to existing courts and judges and
officers thereof, and rules of court.
49. Preservation of continuity of administration and enforcement of justice.
50. Appeals from District Court in criminal cases against sentence only.
51. Extension of section 2 of the Summary Jurisdiction Act, 1857.
52. Case stated for High Court on question of law.
53. Application of section 26 of Hire-Purchase (Amendment) Act, 1960.
54. Jurisdiction to bind to the peace or to good behaviour.
55. Offices and officers, etc. under Court Officers Acts, 1926 to 1951.
56. Power to continue county registrars in office after reaching age of sixty-
five years.
57. Pension of the Master of High Court, Taxing-Master and county registrar.
58. Special provisions for person who, on the operative date, holds the office
of Master of the High Court, Taxing-Master or county registrar.
59. Officers of Cork Local Admiralty Court and Cork Local Bankruptcy Court.
60. Right of audience of solicitors in Circuit Court, Cork Local Admiralty Court
and Cork Local Bankruptcy Court.
61. Solicitors and commissioners for oaths.
FIRST SCHEDULE
Enactments Repealed
SECOND SCHEDULE
Pensions of Judges of Courts Established by the Principal Act
THIRD SCHEDULE
Civil Proceedings In Respect Of Which The Jurisdiction Of The High Court Is, With Quantitative
Limitations, Conferred On The Circuit Court, And Judges Of The Circuit Court By Whom The
Jurisdiction Is To Be Exercised
FOURTH SCHEDULE
Jurisdiction of the Circuit Court under certain British statutes and Saorstát éireann statutes,
and judges of the Circuit Court by whom the jurisdiction is to be exercisedAdaptations (in
relation to the Circuit Court and the judges thereof) of certain British statutes relating to
former County Courts, Courts of Quarter Sessions and judges thereof
FIFTH SCHEDULE
Adaptations (in relation to the Circuit Court and the judges thereof) of certain British statutes
relating to former County Courts, Courts of Quarter Sessions and judges thereof
SIXTH SCHEDULE
Assignment of justices of District Court to district court districts
SEVENTH SCHEDULE
Existing courts and corresponding courts established by the Principal Act, and judges of
existing courts and corresponding judges of courts established by the Principal Act
EIGHTH SCHEDULE
Provisions in relation to offices and officers to be attached to the High Court, the Supreme
Court and the President of the High Court
Acts Referred to
Courts of Justice Act, 1924 1924, No. 10
Court Officers Act, 1926 1926, No. 27
Courts of Justice Act, 1936 1936, No. 48
Court Officers Act, 1945 1945, No. 25
Courts of Justice (District Court) Act, 1946 1946, No. 21
Courts of Justice Act, 1947 1947, No. 20
Courts of Justice (District Court) Act, 1949 1949, No. 8
Courts of Justice Act, 1953 1953, No. 32
Interpretation Act, 1937 1937, No. 38
Lunacy Regulation (Ireland) Act, 1871 1871, c. 22
Courts of Justice Act, 1928 1928, No. 15
Solicitors Act, 1954 1954, No. 36
Offences Against the State Act, 1939 1939, No. 13
Maritime Jurisdiction Act, 1959 1959, No. 22
Treason Act, 1939 1939, No. 10
Courts of Justice Act, 1926 1926, No. 1
Wireless Telegraphy Act, 1926 1926, No. 45
Public Health Acts Amendment Act, 1890 1890, c. 59
Public Dance Halls Act, 1935 1935, No. 2
Debtors (Ireland) Act, 1840 1840, c. 105
Criminal Justice Act, 1951 1951, No. 2
Courts of Justice and Court Officers (Superannuation) Act, 1961 1961, No. 16
Summary Jurisdiction Act, 1857 1857, c. 43
Hire-Purchase (Amendment) Act, 1960 1960, No. 15
Court Officers Act, 1951 1951, No. 8
Solicitors Act, 1954 1954, No. 36
District Justices (Temporary Provisions) Act, 1923 1923, No. 6
Courts of Justice Act, 1928 1928, No. 15
Superannuation Act, 1834 1834, c. 24
Superannuation Act, 1956 1956, No. 38
Superannuation Act, 1859 1859, c. 26
Number 39 of 1961.
COURTS (SUPPLEMENTAL PROVISIONS) ACT, 1961.
AN ACT TO PROVIDE, IN RELATION TO THE COURTS TO BE ESTABLISHED BY THE COURTS
(ESTABLISHMENT AND CONSTITUTION) ACT, 1961, AND THE JUDGES AND OFFICERS OF
THOSE COURTS, FOR CERTAIN MATTERS NECESSARY TO SUPPLEMENT THAT ACT, TO
CONFER JURISDICTION ON THE JUDGE OF THE CIRCUIT COURT ASSIGNED TO THE CORK
CIRCUIT IN ADMIRALTY CAUSES AND IN BANKRUPTCY, TO REPEAL CERTAIN ENACTMENTS,
AND TO PROVIDE FOR CERTAIN OTHER MATTERS CONNECTED WITH THE MATTERS
AFORESAID. [16th August, 1961.]
BE IT ENACTED BY THE OIREACHTAS AS FOLLOWS:—
PART I
Preliminary And General
Short title and
commencement.
1.—(1) This Act may be cited as the Courts (Supplemental Provisions) Act, 1961.
(2) This Act shall come into operation on the date on which the Principal Act comes into
operation and immediately after the coming into operation of the Principal Act.
Interpretation
generally.
2.—(1) In this Act—
“the Act of 1924” means the Courts of Justice Act, 1924 ;
“the Act of 1926” means the Court Officers Act, 1926 ;
“the Act of 1936” means the Courts of Justice Act, 1936 ;
“the Act of 1945” means the Court Officers Act, 1945 ;
“the Act of 1946” means the Courts of Justice (District Court) Act, 1946 ;
“the Act of 1947” means the Courts of Justice Act, 1947 ;
“the Act of 1949” means the Courts of Justice (District Court) Act, 1949 ;
“the Act of 1953” means the Courts of Justice Act, 1953 ;
“the Circuit Court” means the Court established by section 4 of the Principal Act;
“the Court of Criminal Appeal” means the Court established by section 3 of the Principal Act;
“the District Court” means the Court established by section 5 of the Principal Act;
“the Dublin Metropolitan District” means the district styled and known as the Dublin
Metropolitan District under section 64 of the Act of 1936;
“enactment” includes a charter and any instrument made under an enactment;
“the existing Chief Justice” means the judge of the existing Supreme Court who, by virtue of
section 5 of the Act of 1924, was, immediately before the operative date, president of that
Court;
“the existing Circuit Court” means the Circuit Court of Justice constituted by section 37 of the
Act of 1924;
“the existing Court of Criminal Appeal” means the Court of Criminal Appeal constituted by
section 8 of the Act of 1924;
“the existing District Court” means the District Court of Justice constituted by section 67 of
the Act of 1924;
“the existing High Court” means the High Court of Justice constituted by section 4 of the Act
of 1924;
“the existing President of the Circuit Court” means the judge of the existing Circuit Court
who, immediately before the operative date, held the office created by section 9 of the Act of
1947;
“the existing President of the High Court” means the judge of the existing High Court who, by
virtue of section 4 of the Act of 1924, was, immediately before the operative date, president
of that Court;
“the existing Supreme Court” means the Supreme Court of Justice constituted by section 5 of
the Act of 1924;
“the High Court” means the Court established by section 2 of the Principal Act;
“justice of the District Court” includes, except where the context otherwise requires, the
President of the District Court;
“the Minister” means the Minister for Justice;
“the operative date” means the date on which this Act comes into operation;
“the Principal Act” means the Courts (Establishment and Constitution) Act, 1961 (No. 39 of
1961);
“State authority” means any authority being—
(a) a Minister of State, or
(b) the Commissioners of Public Works in Ireland, or
(c) the Irish Land Commission, or
(d) the Revenue Commissioners, or
(e) the Attorney General;
“the Supreme Court” means the Court established by section 1 of the Principal Act.
(2) Except where the context otherwise requires, any reference in this Act to any other
enactment shall be construed as a reference to that enactment as amended, adapted or
applied by or under any other enactment, including this Act.
Repeals and 3.—The enactments mentioned in column (2) of the First Schedule to this Act are hereby
saving. repealed to the extent mentioned in column (3) of that Schedule, but, without prejudice to
subsection (1) of section 21 of the Interpretation Act, 1937 , such of those enactments as
relate to the pensions of the judges and justices of the courts established by the Act of 1924
shall, notwithstanding the repeal thereof, continue to apply to any person who, having been
a judge of the existing Supreme Court, existing High Court or existing Circuit Court or a
justice of the existing District Court, retired or retires from office before the operative date.
PART II
Supreme Court, High Court, Chief Justice, President of the High Court, Central Criminal Court
and Court of Criminal Appeal
Supreme Court and High Court
Number of 4.—(1) The number of ordinary judges of the Supreme Court shall be four.
ordinary judges of
Supreme Court
and High Court.
(2) The number of ordinary judges of the High Court shall not be more than six.
Qualifications of 5.—(1) (a) The existing Chief Justice shall be qualified for appointment as Chief Justice and, if
judges of he is willing to accept office, no other person shall be qualified for appointment as
Supreme Court Chief Justice.
and High Court.
(b) The existing President of the High Court shall be qualified for appointment as
President of the High Court and, if he is willing to accept office, no other person
shall be qualified for appointment as President of the High Court.
(c) Each of the persons who are ordinary judges of the existing Supreme Court
immediately before the operative date shall be qualified for appointment as an
ordinary judge of the Supreme Court and, if and so long as there is one or more
than one of those persons who is willing to accept office and has not been
appointed, no other person shall be qualified for appointment as an ordinary judge
of the Supreme Court.
(d) Each of the persons who are ordinary judges of the existing High Court
immediately before the operative date shall be qualified for appointment as an
ordinary judge of the High Court and, if and so long as there is one or more than
one of those persons who is willing to accept office and has not been appointed,
no other person shall be qualified for appointment as an ordinary judge of the
High Court.
(e) Paragraphs (a), (b), (c) and (d) of this subsection apply only in relation to the
qualification for appointment of the first judges of the Supreme Court and High
Court.
(f) Subsections (2), (3), (4) and (5) of this section shall have effect subject to the
preceding paragraphs of this subsection.
(2) (a) A person who is for the time being a practising barrister of not less than twelve
years' standing shall be qualified for appointment as a judge of the Supreme Court
or the High Court.
(b) For the purposes of paragraph (a) of this subsection, service as a judge of the
existing Circuit Court or of the Circuit Court shall be deemed practice at the Bar.
(3) An ordinary judge of the Supreme Court shall be qualified for appointment as President
of the High Court or as Chief Justice.
(4) The President of the High Court shall be qualified for appointment as an ordinary judge
of the Supreme Court or as Chief Justice.
(5) An ordinary judge of the High Court shall be qualified for appointment as an ordinary
judge of the Supreme Court or as President of the High Court or as Chief Justice.
Pensions of judges 6.—(1) The provisions set out in Part I of the Second Schedule to this Act shall apply to the
of Supreme Court
and High Court.
General
jurisdiction of
Supreme Court.
pensions of judges of the Supreme Court and the High Court.
(2) Where a judge of the Supreme Court or High Court is removed from office on account
of incapacity, he shall be deemed for the purpose of pension to have vacated his office
owing to permanent infirmity.
7.—(1) The Supreme Court shall be a superior court of record with such appellate and
other jurisdiction as is prescribed by the Constitution.
(2) There shall be vested in the Supreme Court—
(a) all jurisdiction which was, immediately before the commencement of Part I of the Act
of 1924, vested in or capable of being exercised by the former Court of Appeal in
Southern Ireland or any judge or judges thereof and was, immediately before the
operative date, vested in or capable of being exercised by the existing Supreme
Court,
(b) all jurisdiction which, by virtue of any enactment which is applied by section 48 of this
Act, was, immediately before the operative date, vested in or capable of being
exercised by the existing Supreme Court.
(3) Subject to subsection (4) of this section, an appeal to or other matter cognisable by the
Supreme Court shall be heard and determined by five judges of the Supreme Court,
including judges who are by virtue of subsection (3) or (4) of section 1 of the Principal Act
additional judges of the Supreme Court.
General
jurisdiction of
High Court.
Jurisdiction of
High Court in
lunacy and minor
matters.
(4) The Chief Justice or, in his absence, the senior ordinary judge of the Supreme Court for
the time being available may determine that an appeal to or other matter cognisable by the
Supreme Court, not being a matter so cognisable under Article 12 or Article 26 of the
Constitution or a question of the validity of any law having regard to the provisions of the
Constitution, is to be heard and determined by three judges and, where such a
determination is made, the appeal or matter to which the determination relates shall be
heard and determined by three judges of the Supreme Court, including judges who are by
virtue of subsection (3) or (4) of section 1 of the Principal Act additional judges of the
Supreme Court.
8.—(1) The High Court shall be a superior court of record with such original and other
jurisdiction as is prescribed by the Constitution.
(2) There shall be vested in the High Court—
(a) all jurisdiction which was, immediately before the commencement of Part I of the Act
of 1924, vested in or capable of being exercised by the former High Court of Justice
in Southern Ireland or any division or judge thereof and was, immediately before
the operative date, vested in or capable of being exercised by the existing High
Court,
(b) all jurisdiction which, by virtue of any enactment which is applied by section 48 of this
Act, was, immediately before the operative date, vested in or capable of being
exercised by the existing High Court.
(3) The jurisdictions vested in the High Court shall include all powers, duties and
authorities incident to any and every part of the jurisdictions so vested.
9.—(1) There shall be vested in the High Court the jurisdiction in lunacy and minor matters
which—
(a) was formerly exercised by the Lord Chancellor of Ireland,
(b) was, at the passing of the Act of 1924, exercised by the Lord Chief Justice of Ireland,
and
(c) was, by virtue of subsection (1) of section 19 of the Act of 1924 and subsection (1) of
section 9 of the Act of 1936, vested, immediately before the operative date, in the
existing High Court.
Jurisdiction of
Chief Justice and
President of the
High Court.
(2) The jurisdiction vested in the High Court by subsection (1) of this section shall be
exercisable by the President of the High Court or, where the President of the High Court so
directs, by an ordinary judge of the High Court for the time being assigned in that behalf by
the President of the High Court.
(3) References in the Lunacy Regulation (Ireland) Act, 1871 , and the rules and orders made
thereunder to “the Lord Chancellor entrusted as aforesaid” shall be construed as references
to the judge of the High Court for the time being exercising the jurisdiction vested in the High
Court by subsection (1) of this section.
(4) (a) The President of the High Court or such other Judge of the High Court as may be
assigned by him under subsection (2) of this section may from time to time by
order made under section 118 of the Lunacy Regulation (Ireland) Act, 1871 , amend
any form prescribed by or under that Act for use in relation to the jurisdiction in
lunacy matters vested in the High Court by subsection (1) of this section by
substituting in such form the expression “ward of court” or such other similar
expression as he thinks proper for the word “lunatic” and the expression “person
of unsound mind” respectively and by making such further consequential
amendments in that form as he thinks necessary and proper.
(b) Any order made under section 4 of the Courts of Justice Act, 1928 , as amended by
paragraph (b) of subsection (2) of section 9 of the Act of 1936, which is in force
immediately before the operative date shall continue in force and be deemed to
have been made under paragraph (a) of this subsection.
(5) Such solicitors, doctors, visitors and other persons as were, immediately before the
operative date, retained or nominated in relation to the exercise of any jurisdiction which, by
virtue of subsection (1) of section 19 of the Act of 1924 and subsection (1) of section 9 of the
Act of 1936, was, immediately before the operative date, vested in the existing High Court
shall be retained or nominated by the President of the High Court and section 59 of the Act
of 1926, as applied by section 48 of this Act, shall not apply to them.
Chief Justice and President of the High Court
10.—(1) There shall be exercisable by the Chief Justice—
(a) the jurisdiction in relation to solicitors which, by virtue of subsection (2) of section 19
of the Act of 1924, and subsection (3) of section 14 of the Solicitors Act, 1954 , was,
immediately before the operative date, vested in or capable of being exercised by
the existing Chief Justice,
(b) the power of appointing notaries public and commissioners to administer oaths,
The Central
Criminal Court.
(c) all jurisdiction which, by virtue of any enactment which is applied by section 48 of
this Act, was, immediately before the operative date, vested in or capable of being
exercised by the existing Chief Justice.
(2) Whenever the Chief Justice is unable owing to illness or for any other reason to transact
the business of his office, all jurisdictions, powers, authorities and functions for the time
being vested in him in virtue of his office shall be exercised or performed by the President of
the High Court or, in the event of the President of the High Court being unable owing to
illness or for any other reason to exercise or perform the said jurisdictions, powers,
authorities and functions, by the senior ordinary judge of the Supreme Court who is for the
time being available.
(3) It shall be the function of the President of the High Court or, where he is not available,
the senior ordinary judge of the High Court who is for the time being available to arrange the
distribution and allocation of the business of the High Court.
(4) Where the Chief Justice is of opinion that the conduct of a justice of the District Court
has been such as to bring the administration of justice into disrepute, the Chief Justice may
interview the justice privately and inform him of such opinion.
(5) There shall be exercisable by the President of the High Court all jurisdiction which, by
virtue of any enactment which is applied by section 48 of this Act, was, immediately before
the operative date, vested in or capable of being exercised by the existing President of the
High Court.
Central Criminal Court
11.—(1) The High Court exercising the criminal jurisdiction with which it is invested shall be
known as An Phríomh-Chúirt Choiriúil (The Central Criminal Court) and is in this Act referred
to as the Central Criminal Court.
(2) (a) The jurisdiction exercisable by the Central Criminal Court shall be exercisable by a
judge or judges of the High Court (including the President of the High Court)
nominated from time to time by the President of the High Court.
(b) The jurisdiction of the Court shall be exercisable by each judge for the time being so
nominated save that, where the President of the High Court directs that two or
more such judges shall sit together for the purpose of a particular case, the
jurisdiction of the Court for that purpose shall be exercised by those judges sitting
together.
Jurisdiction of
Court of Criminal
Appeal.
High Court
Circuits.
(3) Every person lawfully brought before the Central Criminal Court may be indicted before
and tried and sentenced by that Court, wherever it may be sitting, in like manner in all
respects as if the crime with which such person is charged had been committed in the
county or county borough in which the said Court is sitting.
(4) References in any other enactment (whether passed before or after this Act) to the
Central Criminal Court shall be construed as references to the High Court exercising the
criminal jurisdiction with which it is invested.
Court of Criminal Appeal
12.—(1) The Court of Criminal Appeal shall be a superior court of record and shall, for the
purposes of this Act and subject to the enactments applied by section 48 of this Act, have full
power to determine any questions necessary to be determined for the purpose of doing
justice in the case before it.
(2) There shall be vested in the Court of Criminal Appeal all jurisdiction which, by virtue of
any enactment which is applied by section 48 of this Act, was, immediately before the
operative date, vested in or capable of being exercised by the existing Court of Criminal
Appeal.
(3) In subsection (2) of section 44 of the Offences Against the State Act, 1939 , the
reference to section 30 of the Act of 1924 shall be construed as a reference to subsection (1)
of this section.
High Court Circuits
13.—The grouping of the several counties and county boroughs (other than the county of
Dublin and the county borough of Dublin) in the State into High Court Circuits under
subsection (1) (repealed by this Act) of section 33 of the Act of 1936 shall, subject to any
order which may be made under subsection (2) of the said section 33, as applied by section
48 of this Act, continue to have effect, and references in any enactment to High Court
Circuits shall be construed accordingly.
Exercise of Jurisdiction
Jurisdiction to be
exercised
pursuant to rules
of court (Supreme
Court, High Court,
Chief Justice,
President of the
High Court,
Central Criminal
Court and Court of
Criminal Appeal).
Definitions (Part
III).
14.—(1) In this section “rules of court” means rules made under section 36 of the Act of
1924, as applied by section 48 of this Act.
(2) The jurisdiction which is by virtue of this Act vested in or exercisable by the Supreme
Court, the High Court, the Chief Justice, the President of the High Court, the Central Criminal
Court and the Court of Criminal Appeal respectively shall be exercised so far as regards
pleading, practice and procedure generally, including liability to costs, in the manner
provided by rules of court, and, where no provision is contained in such rules and so long as
there is no rule with reference thereto, it shall be exercised as nearly as possible in the same
manner as it might have been exercised by the respective existing courts or judges by which
or by whom such jurisdiction was, immediately before the operative date, respectively
exercisable.
(3) Rules of court may, in relation to proceedings and matters (not being criminal
proceedings or matters or matters relating to the liberty of the person) in the High Court and
Supreme Court, authorise the Master of the High Court and other principal officers, within
the meaning of the Court Officers Acts, 1926 to 1951, to exercise functions, powers and
jurisdiction in uncontested cases and to take accounts, conduct inquiries and make orders of
an interlocutory nature.
PART III
Circuit Court
15.—In this Part of and in the Third , Fourth and Fifth Schedules to this Act—
“action” means a civil proceeding in the Circuit Court commenced by civil bill;
“cause” means any action, suit or original proceeding between a plaintiff and a defendant;
“defendant” includes respondent;
“incorporeal hereditament” includes an easement and a licence in respect of land;
“matter” means any proceeding in the Circuit Court not in a cause;
“plaintiff” includes applicant and petitioner;
“proceedings” includes both causes and matters;
references to the judge of a particular circuit shall be construed as references to the judge of
the Circuit Court for the time being assigned to that circuit;
“personality” does not include chattels real;
“land” includes incorporeal hereditaments;
“rules of court” means rules made under section 66 of the Act of 1924, as applied by section
48 of this Act.
Number of
ordinary judges of
Circuit Court.
16.—(1) The number of ordinary judges of the Circuit Court shall not be more than eight.
(2) Notwithstanding subsection (1) of this section, if, on the operative date, there are nine
ordinary judges of the Circuit Court, then, until the occurrence of the first vacancy in the
office of judge of the Circuit Court, the number of ordinary judges of the Circuit Court shall
not be more than nine.
Qualifications of17.—(1) (a) The existing President of the Circuit Court shall be qualified for appointment as
judges of Circuit President of the Circuit Court and, if he is willing to accept office, no other person
Court. shall be qualified for appointment as President of the Circuit Court.
(b) Each of the persons (other than the existing President of the Circuit Court) who are
judges of the existing Circuit Court immediately before the operative date shall be
qualified for appointment as an ordinary judge of the Circuit Court and, if and so
long as there is one or more than one of those persons who is willing to accept
office and has not been appointed, no other person shall be qualified for
appointment as an ordinary judge of the Circuit Court.
(c) Paragraphs (a) and (b) of this subsection apply only in relation to the qualification
for appointment of the first judges of the Circuit Court.
(d) Subsections (2) and (3) of this section shall have effect subject to the preceding
paragraphs of this subsection.
(2) (a) A person who is for the time being a practising barrister of not less than ten years'
standing shall be qualified for appointment as a judge of the Circuit Court.
(b) For the purposes of paragraph (a) of this subsection, service, in the case of a
barrister, as a justice of the existing District Court or of the District Court shall be
deemed practice at the Bar.
(3) An ordinary judge of the Circuit Court shall be qualified for appointment as President of
the Circuit Court.
Age of retirement 18.—(1) The age of retirement of a judge of the Circuit Court shall be seventy years.
of judge of Circuit
Court.
(2) Notwithstanding subsection (1) of this section, the age of retirement of a judge of the
Circuit Court who was a judge of the existing Circuit Court at the passing of the Act of 1947
shall be seventy-two years.
Pensions of judges 19.—(1) The provisions set out in Part II of the Second Schedule to this Act shall apply to
of Circuit Court. the pensions of judges of the Circuit Court.
(2) Where a judge of the Circuit Court is removed from office on account of incapacity, he
shall be deemed for the purpose of pension to have vacated his office owing to permanent
infirmity.
Circuits and
assignment of
judges to circuits.
20.—(1) The circuits created under section 16 (repealed by this Act) of the Act of 1953 shall
be the circuits for the purposes of the Circuit Court.
(2) (a) Where a person is appointed a judge of the Circuit Court, the Government shall
permanently assign him to a particular circuit.
(b) Notwithstanding paragraph (a) of this subsection, if, on the operative date, there
are nine ordinary judges of the Circuit Court so that, in the making of the first
assignments under that paragraph, one of such judges cannot be permanently
assigned to a particular circuit, such judge may be permanently assigned by the
Government at any time to a circuit and, pending such assignment, may from time
to time be temporarily assigned to any circuit by the President of the Circuit Court.
(c) Where a judge of the Circuit Court is temporarily assigned under paragraph (b) of
this subsection to a circuit, then, such judge shall, while so temporarily assigned,
have, in relation to such circuit and concurrently with any judge permanently
assigned thereto and any judge who is temporarily assigned under section 10 of
the Act of 1947 as applied by section 48 of this Act to such circuit, all the privileges,
powers and duties for the time being conferred or imposed by law on a judge of
the Circuit Court permanently assigned to such Circuit.
(3) Any judge of the Circuit Court who is for the time being permanently assigned to a
particular circuit may at any time, if he so consents but not otherwise, be transferred by the
Government to another circuit, and shall upon such transfer become and be permanently
assigned to that other circuit in lieu of the first-mentioned circuit.
Circuit Court to be
a court of record.
Jurisdiction of
Circuit Court,
except in
applications for
new on-licences
and in indictable
offences.
21.—The Circuit Court shall be a court of record.
22.—(1) (a) Subject to paragraphs (b) and (c) of this subsection, the Circuit Court shall,
concurrently with the High Court, have all the jurisdiction of the High Court to hear
and determine any proceedings of the kind mentioned in column (2) of the Third
Schedule to this Act at any reference number.
(b) Unless the necessary parties to the proceedings in a cause sign, either before or
at any time during the hearing, the form of consent prescribed by rules of court,
the Circuit Court shall not, by virtue of paragraph (a) of this subsection, have
jurisdiction to hear and determine any cause of the kind mentioned in column
(2) of the Third Schedule to this Act at a particular reference number in the case
mentioned in column (3) of the said Schedule at that reference number.
(c) The Circuit Court shall not, by virtue of paragraph (a) of this subsection, have
jurisdiction to hear and determine any matter of the kind mentioned in column
(2) of the Third Schedule to this Act at a particular reference number in the case
mentioned in column (3) of the said Schedule at that reference number.
(d) The jurisdiction of the Circuit Court to hear and determine proceedings of the
kind mentioned in column (2) of the Third Schedule to this Act at a particular
reference number shall be exercised by the judge of the Circuit Court
mentioned in column (4) of the said Schedule at that reference number.
(e) Where an incorporeal hereditament is involved in any proceedings in respect of
which the Circuit Court has jurisdiction by virtue of this subsection, references
in column (4) of the Third Schedule to this Act to the circuit where the land or
any part of the land is situate shall be construed as references to the circuit
where the land or any part of the land to, out of or in respect of which the
incorporeal hereditament is annexed, arises, issues or is exercisable is situate.
(2) The Circuit Court shall, concurrently with the High Court, have and exercise the
jurisdiction in lunacy matters which was conferred on the Lord Chancellor of Ireland by
section 68 of the Lunacy Regulation (Ireland) Act, 1871 , that is to say, in cases where the
property of the person alleged to be of unsound mind and incapable of managing his affairs
does not exceed two thousand pounds in value or the income therefrom does not exceed
one hundred pounds per annum.
(3) (a) The Circuit Court shall have and exercise the several jurisdictions which—
(i) were, under or by virtue of any enactment set out in column (2) of the Fourth
Schedule to this Act or any other enactment formerly vested in or capable of
being exercised by chairmen of quarter sessions, recorders, county court
judges, or quarter sessions, and
(ii) were, immediately before the operative date, vested in or capable of being
exercised by the existing Circuit Court.
(b) The jurisdiction vested in the Circuit Court by paragraph (a) of this subsection
under any enactment set out in column (2) of the Fourth Schedule to this Act at a
particular reference number shall be exercised by the judge of the Circuit Court
mentioned in column (3) of the said Schedule at that reference number.
(c) The Minister may from time to time by order make such provisions (not
inconsistent with the provisions of paragraph (b) of this subsection) for the
exercise by judges of the Circuit Court severally of any jurisdiction vested in the
Circuit Court by paragraph (a) of this subsection as are in his opinion necessary or
proper having regard to the provisions of this Act relating to the Circuit Court and
the judges thereof.
(d) Every order made by the Minister under paragraph (c) of this subsection shall, if
the order so provides, have and be deemed always to have had effect as on and
from the operative date.
(4) (a) Each British statute mentioned in column (2) of the Fifth Schedule to this Act shall
have effect subject to the adaptations specified in column (3) of the said Schedule
opposite the mention of that statute.
(b) The Minister may from time to time by order make such adaptations (not
inconsistent with the adaptations effected by paragraph (a) of this subsection) in
any enactment (wherein there is a reference to the former civil bill courts, county
courts or courts of quarter sessions, to the former assistant barristers, recorders,
county court judges or chairmen of quarter sessions or to former officers of those
courts) contained in any British statute or Saorstát Éireann statute as are, in his
opinion, necessary or proper having regard to the provisions of this Act relating to
the Circuit Court and the judges thereof.
(c) Every order made by the Minister under paragraph (b) of this subsection shall, if
the order so provides, have and be deemed always to have had effect as on and
from the operative date.
(5) (a) There shall also be vested in the Circuit Court all jurisdiction which, by virtue of any
enactment which is applied by section 48 of this Act, was, immediately before the
operative date, vested in or capable of being exercised by the existing Circuit Court.
(b) A particular jurisdiction vested in the Circuit Court by paragraph (a) of this
subsection shall, in case the exercise of that jurisdiction by the judges of the Circuit
Court severally is not provided for in an enactment applied by section 48 of this
Act, be exercised by the judges of the Circuit Court severally in the manner
provided by rules of court.
(6) The Circuit Court, as regards any cause of action for the time being within its
jurisdiction, shall in any proceedings before it—
(a) grant such relief, redress or remedy or combination of remedies, absolute or
conditional, and
(b) give such and the like effect to every ground of defence or counterclaim, legal or
equitable,
as ought to be granted or given in the like case by the High Court and in as full and ample a
manner.
(7) Without prejudice to any jurisdiction conferred by the previous subsections of this
section, the Circuit Court shall have powers of attachment, garnishee and interpleader, and
shall have all powers (including the power to appoint a receiver) ancillary to any jurisdiction
exercisable by it.
(8) Any party to an action commenced in the Circuit Court and pending therein may at any
time apply to the judge of the Circuit Court before whom the action is pending to have the
action forwarded to the High Court and thereupon, in case the action is one fit to be tried in
the High Court and the High Court appears to be the more appropriate tribunal in the
circumstances, the said judge may send forward the action to the High Court upon such
terms and subject to such conditions as to costs or otherwise as mayappear to him to be
just, and an appeal shall lie under section 38 of the Act of 1936, as applied by section 48 of
this Act, from the decision of the judge granting or refusing any such application.
(9) A judge of the Circuit Court may, on the application of any party or on his own motion,
if he thinks fit, by order change the venue for the trial of any action pending before him from
one place of hearing to any other within his circuit, and an appeal shall lie under section 38
of the Act of 1936, as applied by section 48 of this Act, from the decision of the judge of the
Circuit Court making or refusing to make any such order.
(10) A judge of the Circuit Court may, on the application of any party to an action which has
been partly heard, transfer the remainder or any portion of the hearing to another venue
within his circuit or within the Dublin Circuit, and an appeal shall lie under section 38 of the
Act of 1936, as applied by section 48 of this Act, from the decision of the judge granting or
refusing any such application.
Jurisdiction of
Cork Circuit Court
Judge in admiralty
causes and in
bankruptcy.
(11) A judge of the Circuit Court may, outside his circuit, hear and determine any
application which he has power to hear and determine within that circuit and which, in his
opinion, should be dealt with as a matter of urgency.
(12) Where—
(a) an action is pending before a judge of the Circuit Court for the time being assigned to
a particular circuit, and
(b) an application is made by any party to such action for the transfer of such action to
another circuit for hearing by the judge of the Circuit Court for the time being
assigned to such other circuit,
such first-mentioned judge may, with the consent of such other judge, transfer such action
accordingly and thereupon such action shall be heard and determined by such other judge,
and an appeal shall lie under section 38 of the Act of 1936, as applied by section 48 of this
Act, from the decision of the first-mentioned judge granting or refusing any such application.
(13) A judge of the Circuit Court may adjourn the hearing of any proceedings before him to
any other court within his circuit.
(14) A judge of the Circuit Court may make out of court any orders which he may deem to
be urgent.
(15) (a) Notwithstanding anything contained in Part IV of the Act of 1936, as applied by
section 48 of this Act, no appeal shall lie from any decision of the Circuit Court in
any proceedings in a cause if, before the decision is given, the parties agree, in
writing signed by them, that the decision shall be final.
(b) An agreement under paragraph (a) of this subsection shall not require a stamp.
23.—(1) In this section—
“the Cork Circuit” means the circuit of the Circuit Court consisting of the county and county
borough of Cork;
“the Cork Circuit Court Judge” means the judge of the Circuit Court for the time being
assigned to the Cork Circuit.
(2) (a) The Cork Circuit Court Judge shall constitute and hold a local admiralty court (in this
subsection referred to as the Court) to be called the Cork Local Admiralty Court.
(b) The Court shall, within the Cork Circuit with the parts of the sea adjacent to it and
within the outer limit of the territorial seas, within the meaning of the Maritime
Jurisdiction Act, 1959 , have the jurisdiction in admiralty causes which immediately
before the commencement of Part II of the Act of 1924 was exercisable by the
former Recorder of Cork.
(c) The jurisdiction of the Court shall be exercised by the Cork Circuit Court Judge.
(d) Section 38 of the Act of 1936, as applied by section 48 of this Act, shall apply to every
judgment or order of the Court.
(3) (a) The Cork Circuit Court Judge shall constitute and hold a local bankruptcy court (in
this subsection referred to as the Court) to be called the Cork Local Bankruptcy
Court.
(b) The Court shall, as respects any person residing or having an office or place of
business in the Cork Circuit who is a debtor or person sought to be adjudged a
bankrupt or an arranging debtor, have the like jurisdiction, power and authority in
bankruptcy and as to arrangement with creditors and composition after
bankruptcy as are for the time being vested in or capable of being exercised by the
High Court.
(c) The jurisdiction of the Court shall be exercised by the Cork Circuit Court Judge.
(d) Section 38 of the Act of 1936, as applied by section 48 of this Act, shall apply to
every judgment or order of the Court.
(4) Subsections (6) and (7) of section 22 of this Act shall have effect as if the references
therein to the Circuit Court included references to the Cork Local Admiralty Court and the
Cork Local Bankruptcy Court.
(5) Subsections (8), (11), (14) and 15 of section 22 of this Act shall apply to proceedings in
the Cork Local Admiralty Court and in the Cork Local Bankruptcy Court.
(6) (a) In this subsection references to section 25 (which relates to the remittal or transfer
of actions pending in the High Court) of the Act of 1924 are references to that
section, as applied by section 48 of this Act and; as amended by section 11 of the
Act of 1936, as so applied, and by section 13 of the Act of 1953, as so applied.
(b) Section 25 of the Act of 1924 shall apply to admiralty actions pending in the High
Court which might have been commenced in the Cork Local Admiralty Court, and
for that purpose references in the said section to the Circuit Court shall be
construed as references to the Cork Local Admiralty Court.
Jurisdiction of
Circuit Court in
applications for
new on-licences.
Jurisdiction of
Circuit Court in
indictable
offences.
Transfer of trials
in criminal cases
by judge of the
Circuit Court.
(c) Section 25 of the Act of 1924 shall apply to bankruptcy proceedings pending in the
High Court which might have been commenced in the Cork Local Bankruptcy
Court, and for that purpose references in the said section to the Circuit Court shall
be construed as references to the Cork Local Bankruptcy Court.
24.—(1) In this section “on-licence” has the same meaning as in the Licensing Acts, 1833 to
1960.
(2) The Circuit Court shall have jurisdiction in all cases of applications for new on-licences.
(3) The jurisdiction conferred on the Circuit Court by this section shall be exercised by the
judge of the circuit in which the premises in respect of which the new on-licence is sought
are situate.
(4) Where the Circuit Court grants under this section a new on-licence, then,
notwithstanding anything contained in any enactment, the licence shall not require to be
confirmed at any subsequent sitting of the Circuit Court.
25.—(1) Subject to subsection (2) of this section, the Circuit Court shall have and may
exercise every jurisdiction as respects indictable offences for the time being vested in the
Central Criminal Court and every person lawfully brought before the Circuit Court in exercise
of such jurisdiction may be indicted before and tried and, if convicted, sentenced by the
Circuit Court accordingly.
(2) The jurisdiction conferred on the Circuit Court by subsection (1) of this section shall not
extend to treason, an offence under section 2 or 3 of the Treason Act, 1939 , an offence
under section 6 , 7 or 8 of the Offences Against the State Act, 1939 , murder, attempt to
murder, conspiracy to murder, or piracy, including an offence by an accessory before or after
the fact.
(3) The jurisdiction vested in the Circuit Court by subsection (1) of this section shall be
exercised by the judge of the circuit in which the offence charged has been committed or in
which the accused person has been arrested or resides.
(4) In section 6 of the Courts of Justice Act, 1926 , as applied by section 48 of this Act, and in
subsection (1) of section 14 of the Wireless Telegraphy Act, 1926 , the references to section
53 of the Act of 1924 shall be construed as references to subsection (3) of this section.
26.—(1) A judge of the Circuit Court may, if he thinks fit, transfer the trial of a criminal issue
from the place in his circuit where it is required by law to be held to any other place in that
circuit, and, in that event, the trial shall be held at the place to which it is transferred with a
jury drawn from the jury district or other area prescribed for trials by the Circuit Court sitting
in the latter place.
Jurisdiction to be
exercised
pursuant to rules
of court (Circuit
Court, Cork Local
Admiralty Court
and Cork Local
Bankruptcy
Court).
Number of
justices of District
Court.
Qualifications of
justices of District
Court and
interpretation of
section 2 of the
Act of 1949, as
applied by section
48 of this Act.
(2) An order of a judge of the Circuit Court under subsection (1) of this section—
(a) may be made only on the application of the Attorney General or an accused person,
(b) may provide for matters ancillary or incidental to the transfer, and
(c) shall be final and unappealable.
27.—(1) The jurisdiction which is by virtue of this Act vested in or exercisable by the Circuit
Court, the Cork Local Admiralty Court and the Cork Local Bankruptcy Court respectively shall
be exercised so far as regards pleading, practice and procedure generally, including liability
to costs, in the manner provided by rules of court, and where, as regards the jurisdiction of
the Cork Local Admiralty Court and the Cork Local Bankruptcy Court, there is no provision in
such rules and so long as there is no rule in reference thereto, it shall be exercised as nearly
as possible in the same manner as it might have been exercised by the former Recorder of
Cork.
(2) The rule-making authority for the Circuit Court shall also be the rule-making authority
for the Cork Local Admiralty Court and the Cork Local Bankruptcy Court.
PART IV
District Court
General Provisions
28.—The number of justices of the District Court, in addition to the President of the District
Court, shall not be more than thirty-four.
29.—(1) (a) Each of the persons who are justices of the existing District Court immediately
before the operative date shall be qualified for appointment as a justice of the
District Court and, if and so long as there is one or more than one of those persons
who is willing to accept office and has not been appointed, no other person shall
be qualified for appointment as a justice of the District Court.
(b) Paragraph (a) of this subsection applies only in relation to the qualification for
appointment of the first justices of the District Court.
(c) Subsections (2) and (3) of this section shall have effect subject to the preceding
paragraphs of this subsection.
Age of retirement
of justice of
District Court.
Pensions of
justices of District
Court.
(2) A person who is for the time being a practising barrister or solicitor of not less than ten
years' standing shall be qualified for appointment as a justice of the District Court.
(3) A barrister or solicitor who actually practised his profession for not less than ten years
shall be qualified for appointment as a justice of the District Court if for the time being he
holds an office in respect of which it was (at the time of his appointment thereto) required by
statute that every person appointed thereto should be or should have been—
(a) a practising solicitor, or
(b) a practising barrister or solicitor.
(4) Where a person (being, immediately before the operative date, a justice of the existing
District Court by virtue of a warrant made under section 2 of the Act of 1949) is appointed a
justice of the District Court, he shall, for the purposes of the Act of 1949, as applied by
section 48 of this Act, be deemed to have been continued in office under the Act of 1949, as
so applied, for a year commencing on the date on which he attained—
(a) if the warrant is the first in respect of him, sixty-five years or
(b) if the warrant is the second in respect of him, sixty-six years, or
(c) if the warrant is the third in respect of him, sixty-seven years, or
(d) if the warrant is the fourth in respect of him, sixty-eight years, or
(e) if the warrant is the fifth in respect of him, sixty-nine years.
30.—(1) The age of retirement of a justice of the District Court shall be sixty-five years.
(2) Notwithstanding subsection (1) of this section, the age of retirement of a justice of the
District Court who, immediately before the 29th day of July, 1946, was a justice of the existing
District Court and as such justice was permanently assigned to the Dublin Metropolitan
District shall be seventy years.
(3) The references in section 2 of the Act of 1949, as applied by section 48 of this Act, to
section 15 (repealed by this Act) of the Act of 1946 shall be construed as references to
subsection (1) of this section.
31.—(1) The provisions set out in Part III of the Second Schedule to this Act shall apply to
the pensions of justices of the District Court.
(2) Where a justice of the District Court is removed from office on account of incapacity, he
shall be deemed for the purpose of pension to have vacated his office owing to permanent
infirmity.
District court
areas and districts
and assignment of
justices to
districts.
Jurisdiction of
District Court.
32.—(1) The areas created under section 21 (repealed by this Act) of the Act of 1953 shall
be the district court areas for the purposes of the District Court.
(2) The districts created under section 22 (repealed by this Act) of the Act of 1953 and the
Dublin Metropolitan District shall be the district court districts for the purposes of the District
Court.
(3) The provisions (which relate to the assignment of justices of the District Court to
districts) set out in the Sixth Schedule to this Act shall have effect.
33.—(1) There shall be vested in and transferred to the District Court—
(a) all jurisdiction which, by virtue of sections 77 and 78 of the Act of 1924, was,
immediately before the operative date, vested in or capable of being exercised by
the existing District Court,
(b) all jurisdiction which, by virtue of any enactment which is applied by section 48 of this
Act, was, immediately before the operative date, vested in or capable of being
exercised by the existing District Court.
(2) (a) In this subsection—
“the Act of 1890” means the Public Health Acts Amendment Act, 1890 , as applied
to Ireland by subsection (9) of section 12 of that Act and as amended by section 14
of the Act of 1935;
“the Act of 1935” means the Public Dance Halls Act, 1935 .
(b) Section 51 (which relates to music and dancing licences) of the Act of 1890 shall
have effect as if for the references therein to licensing justices there were
substituted references to the District Court.
(c) The jurisdiction vested in the District Court by this subsection shall be exercised by
the justice of the District Court for the time being assigned to the district where
there is situate the house, room, garden or other place in respect of which the
licence under section 51 of the Act of 1890 is sought.
(d) Subsections (2) and (3) of section 2 and section 9 of the Act of 1935 shall have
effect as if the references therein to a public dancing licence included references to
a licence under paragraph 2 of section 51 of the Act of 1890.
Jurisdiction to be
exercised
pursuant to rules
of court (District
Court).
Qualification for
appointment as
President of the
District Court and
assignment.
General powers of
President of the
District Court.
(3) The District Court shall have jurisdiction to hear and determine an action for wrongful
detention (including jurisdiction to make an order for the return of the goods claimed) where
the value of the goods claimed does not exceed £50.
(4) (a) The District Court shall have jurisdiction to hear and determine any action
commenced after the commencement of this Act which is founded on a credit-sale
agreement (within the meaning of the Hire-Purchase Acts, 1946 and 1960) where
the amount of the claim does not exceed one hundred pounds.
(b) Paragraph (a) of section 53 of the Act of 1936 shall not apply to an action—
(i) in which the defendant or one of the defendants ordinarily resides or carries on
any profession, business or occupation in the State, and
(ii) to which paragraph (a) of this subsection relates.
34.—The jurisdiction which is by virtue of this Act vested in or exercisable by the District
Court shall be exercised as regards pleading, practice and procedure generally, including
liability to costs, in the manner provided by rules of court made under section 91 of the Act
of 1924, as applied by section 48 of this Act.
Provisions relating to the President of the District Court and to the Dublin Metropolitan
District
35.—(1) (a) A justice of the District Court shall be qualified for appointment as President of
the District Court, provided however that a person who is a justice of the existing
District Court immediately before the operative date shall be qualified for
appointment as first President of the District Court.
(b) A person who is qualified for appointment as a justice of the District Court shall be
qualified for appointment as President of the District Court, other than as first
President thereof.
(2) The President of the District Court shall be permanently assigned by the Government to
the Dublin Metropolitan District.
(3) If the President of the District Court is unable to act during any period, then, during that
period, the senior of the justices permanently assigned to the Dublin Metropolitan District
shall have and exercise the powers of the President under this Act.
36.—(1) For ensuring the prompt and efficient discharge of the business of the District
Court in the several districts thereof, the President of the District Court shall have and
exercise the powers conferred on him by subsections (2), (3) and (4) of this section.
Abolition of
Divisions of Dublin
Metropolitan
Justices.
Principal Justices
of the Dublin
Metropolitan
District.
(2) (a) Where it appears to the President of the District Court that the conduct of a justice
of the District Court is prejudicial to the prompt and efficient discharge of the
business of that Court, he shall investigate the matter and may report the result of
the investigation to the Minister.
(b) In the course of an investigation under this subsection, the President shall consult
the justice concerned.
(3) (a) The President of the District Court may convene meetings of the justices of the
District Court for the purpose of discussing matters relating to the discharge of the
business of that Court, including, in particular, such matters as the avoidance of
undue divergences in the exercise by the justices of the jurisdiction of that Court
and the general level of fines and other penalties.
(b) Such meetings shall not be convened more frequently than twice in one year.
(c) Every justice shall attend at every such meeting unless unable to do so owing to
illness or any other unavoidable cause and, where a justice is unable to attend
such a meeting, he shall as soon as may be inform the President of the reason
therefor.
(4) The President of the District Court may, whenever he thinks fit, make recommendations
to the Minister in relation to the following matters:
(a) the number of justices of the District Court to be assigned to the Dublin Metropolitan
District;
(b) the places for holding the District Court in or for any district court area; and
(c) the days and hours for holding the District Court in or for any district court area other
than the area for the time being comprising the Dublin Metropolitan District.
37.—On and from the operative date, the three Divisions of the justices permanently
assigned to the Dublin Metropolitan District, being the Divisions formed by section 5
(repealed by this Act) of the Act of 1946, shall stand abolished.
38.—(1) Each person who was nominated under subsection (1) of section 6 (repealed by
this Act) of the Act of 1946 to be a Principal Justice of a Division of the Dublin Metropolitan
Justices and who is appointed under subsection (1) of section 29 of this Act to be a justice of
the District Court shall hold the office of Principal Justice of the Dublin Metropolitan District
(to which District such person shall be permanently assigned by the Government) and shall
hold that office so long as he holds the office of justice of the District Court.
Number of
justices of Dublin
Metropolitan
District.
Places at which
business of Dublin
Metropolitan
District is to be
transacted.
Number of sitting
days in each week
for justices
assigned to Dublin
Metropolitan
District.
Business of
District Court in
Dublin
Metropolitan
District.
(2) Where a person who holds the office of Principal Justice of the Dublin Metropolitan
District ceases to hold that office, that office, in so far as it was held by that person, shall
stand abolished.
39.—On the operative date, the Minister shall, after consultation with the President of the
District Court, determine the number of justices of the District Court to be permanently
assigned to the Dublin Metropolitan District and may from time to time, as he shall think fit,
after consultation with the said President, alter the number of justices to be so assigned to
that District.
40.—On the operative date, the Minister shall, after consultation with the President of the
District Court, appoint the places in the Dublin Metropolitan District for the transaction of
the business of the District Court in that District and may from time to time, as he shall think
fit, after consultation with the said President, alter the places so appointed.
41.—The Minister may from time to time, as he shall think fit, after consultation with the
President of the District Court, determine the number of days in each week on which the
justices of the District Court assigned to the Dublin Metropolitan District shall normally sit in
that District for the transaction of the business of the District Court.
42.—(1) The President of the District Court shall—
(a) arrange for the distribution of the business of the District Court in the Dublin
Metropolitan District amongst the several justices of the District Court assigned to
that District, and
(b) determine the class or classes of business to be transacted in each of the several
places appointed by the Minister under section 40 of this Act for the transaction of
the business of the District Court in the Dublin Metropolitan District and the days
and hours at which such class or classes of business shall be transacted in the
several places so appointed.
(2) Before arranging for the distribution of any business under paragraph (a) of subsection
(1) of this section, the President shall consult with any Principal Justice of the Dublin
Metropolitan District.
Restriction of 43.—Before exercising the power conferred on him by paragraph (f) of subsection (1) of
section 26 of Act section 26 of the Act of 1953, as applied by section 48 of this Act, the Minister shall consult
of 1953. the President of the District Court.
Ex officio
members of
District Court
Rules Committee.
Administration of
justice otherwise
than in public.
Provisions in
relation to
remuneration and
pensions of judges
and justices.
44.—The ex officio members of the District Court Rules Committee established by section
71 of the Act of 1936, as applied by section 48 of this Act, shall be the President of the District
Court (who shall be chairman of the Committee) and such one of the district court clerks of
the Dublin Metropolitan District as the Minister shall nominate in that behalf, who shall be
secretary of the Committee.
PART V
Miscellaneous Provisions
45.—(1) Justice may be administered otherwise than in public in any of the following cases:
(a) applications of an urgent nature for relief by way of habeas corpus, bail, prohibition
or injunction;
(b) matrimonial causes and matters;
(c) lunacy and minor matters;
(d) proceedings involving the disclosure of a secret manufacturing process;
(2) The cases prescribed by subsection (1) of this section shall be in addition to any other
cases prescribed by any Act of the Oireachtas.
(3) Any provision contained in any statute of the Parliament of the former United Kingdom
or of the Oireachtas of Saorstát Éireann which provided for the administration of justice
otherwise than in public and which is not in force solely by reason of its being inconsistent
with the provisions of the Constitution of Saorstát Éireann or the Constitution, as the case
may be, shall have full force and effect.
46.—(1) There shall be paid to the several judges of the Supreme Court and of the High
Court the following remuneration—
(a) to the Chief Justice the sum of £5,335 a year,
(b) to the President of the High Court and to each of the ordinary judges of the Supreme
Court the sum of £4,070 a year,
(c) to each of the ordinary judges of the High Court the sum of £3,575 a year.
(2) There shall be paid to the several judges of the Circuit Court the following
remuneration—
(a) to the President of the Circuit Court the sum of £3,575 a year,
(b) to each of the ordinary judges of the Circuit Court the sum of £2,835 a year.
(3) There shall be paid to the several justices of the District Court the following
remuneration—
(a) to the President of the District Court the sum of £2,500 a year,
(b) to each Principal Justice of the Dublin Metropolitan District the sum of £2,215 a year,
(c) to each other justice of the District Court who is for the time being permanently
assigned to the Dublin Metropolitan District the sum of £2,070 a year,
(d) to the justice of the District Court who is for the time being permanently assigned to
the district court district which comprises or includes the County Borough of Cork
the sum of £2,070 a year,
(e) to each other justice of the District Court the sum of £1,925 a year.
(4) There shall be charged on and payable out of the Central Fund or the growing produce
thereof—
(a) the remuneration payable under this Act to a judge of the Supreme Court, the High
Court or the Circuit Court or a justice of the District Court, and
(b) the pension payable under this Act to a judge of the Supreme Court, the High Court,
the Circuit Court or a justice of the District Court, and
(c) the superannuation allowance and additional allowance payable under this Act to a
justice of the District Court to whom paragraph 9 of the Second Schedule to this
Act applies, and
(d) the gratuity payable under this Act in respect of a justice of the District Court to
whom paragraph 9 of the Second Schedule to this Act applies.
(5) Not more than one pension shall be payable under this Act to the same person.
(6) Where a person in receipt of a pension under this Act is employed in a situation
remunerated out of moneys provided by the Oireachtas or out of the Central Fund, then—
(a) such pension shall not be payable in respect of any period during which the
remuneration of such person in such situation is equal to or greater than his
remuneration in the judicial office in respect of which he is entitled to such
pension, and
Interest on
judgment debts.
Application of
enactments
relating to existing
courts and judges
and officers
thereof, and rules
of court.
(b) so much only of such pension shall be payable in respect of any period during which
the remuneration of such person in such situation is less than his remuneration in
the said judicial office as with his remuneration in such situation will amount to his
remuneration in the said judicial office.
(7) In the application of subsection (5) of this section to a justice of the District Court to
whom paragraph 9 of the Second Schedule to this Act applies, references to a pension shall
be construed as references to a superannuation allowance and to an additional allowance.
(8) In the application of subsection (6) of this section to a justice of the District Court to
whom paragraph 9 of the Second Schedule to this Act applies, references to a pension shall
be construed as references to a superannuation allowance.
47.—(1) Every judgment debt due upon a judgment of the Circuit Court obtained on or
after the operative date shall be deemed a judgment debt within the meaning of section 26
(which provides that judgment debts are to carry interest) of the Debtors (Ireland) Act, 1840 .
(2) Section 26 of the Debtors (Ireland) Act, 1840 , and the said section 26, as extended by
subsection (1) of this section, shall apply to a judgment debt due to or from a State authority.
48.—(1) (a) Subject to paragraph (b) of this subsection, this section applies to the following
enactments—
(i) any enactment contained in the Courts of Justice Acts, 1924 to 1961, the Court
Officers Acts, 1926 to 1961, or the Criminal Justice Act, 1951 ,
(ii) any other enactment wherein there is a reference to a court established by the
Act of 1924 or to a judge or officer thereof,
(iii) any instrument (other than rules of court) which is in force immediately before
the operative date and was made under any enactment referred to in
subparagraph (i) or (ii) of this paragraph.
(b) This section does not apply to—
(i) any enactment which has been repealed before the operative date or which is
repealed by this Act, or
(ii) subsection (2) of section 19 and sections 77 and 78 of the Act of 1924.
(2) In the application of this section in relation to the existing District Court and the District
Court a reference to a judge shall be construed as a reference to a justice thereof.
(3) Every enactment to which this section applies shall apply to the courts established by
the Principal Act and to the judges and officers thereof as if it were enacted in this Act, with
and subject to—
(a) the modifications specified in subsection (5) of this section,
(b) such adaptations and other modifications as may be made by the Minister under
subsection (6) of this section.
(4) Rules of court made under the enactments to which this section applies and in force
immediately before the operative date shall be deemed to have been made under those
enactments, as applied by subsection (3) of this section, and shall have effect accordingly,
but with and subject to the modifications specified in subsection (5) of this section, and any
such rules of court may be altered or annulled as if they had been made under those
enactments as so applied.
(5) The following are the modifications referred to in paragraph (a) of subsection (3) and in
subsection (4) of this section—
(a) a reference to the court mentioned in column (2) of Part I of the Seventh Schedule to
this Act at a particular reference number shall be construed as a reference to the
court mentioned in column (3) of the said Part I at that reference number,
(b) a reference to a judge of the court mentioned in column (2) of the said Part I at a
particular reference number shall be construed as a reference to a judge of the
court mentioned in column (3) of the said Part I at that reference number, and
(c) a reference to the judge mentioned in column (2) of Part II of the Seventh Schedule to
this Act at a particular reference number shall be construed as a reference to the
judge mentioned in column (3) of the said Part II at that reference number.
(6) (a) The Minister may from time to time by order make such adaptations or
modifications (not inconsistent with the modifications effected by subsection (5) of
this section) in or of any enactment to which this section applies as are, in his
opinion, necessary and proper in order to give effect to the provisions of this Act.
(b) Every order made by the Minister under paragraph (a) of this subsection shall,
where the order so provides, have and be deemed always to have had effect as on
and from the operative date.
(7) “This Act” where it occurs in any enactment applied by this section shall, unless the
context otherwise requires, be construed as referring to the Act which includes that
enactment.
(8) Subsection (1) of section 51 of the Act of 1936, as applied by this section, shall have
effect as if “ten years' standing” were substituted for “six years' standing”.
Act.
1961.”
Preservation of
continuity of
administration
and enforcement
of justice.
(c) Section 5 of the Act of 1961 shall have effect as if there were inserted at the end of
subsection (2) “or under section 58 of the Courts (Supplemental Provisions) Act,
(b) The reference in subsections (2), (4) and (5) of section 4 of the Act of 1961 to the
Court Officers Acts, 1926 to 1951, shall be deemed to include a reference to this
(10) (a) Paragraph (a) of subsection (1) of section 2 of the Act of 1961 shall not be taken to
refer to a person who, immediately before the passing of the Act of 1961, was a
judge of the existing Supreme Court, High Court or Circuit Court or a justice of the
existing District Court and is appointed a judge on the operative date.
(d) In this subsection “the Act of 1961” means the Courts of Justice and Court Officers
(Superannuation) Act, 1961 .
(9) Subsection (1) of section 27 of the Act of 1953, as applied by this section, shall have
effect as if for the reference therein to section 11 (repealed by this Act) of the Act of 1946
there were substituted a reference to section 40 of this Act.
49.—(1) The continuity of the administration and enforcement of justice shall not be
interrupted by the coming into operation of the Principal Act or this Act.
(2) Without prejudice to the generality of subsection (1) of this section—
(a) any act done or proceedings taken before the operative date in respect of any cause
or matter in the court mentioned in column (2) of Part I of the Seventh Schedule to
this Act at a particular reference number shall be deemed to have been done or
taken respectively in the court mentioned in column (3) of the said Part I at that
reference number,
(b) any act done or proceedings taken before the operative date in respect of any cause
or matter before the judge mentioned in column (2) of Part II of the Seventh
Schedule to this Act at a particular reference number (being reference number 1 or
2) shall be deemed to have been done in that cause or matter before the judge
mentioned in column (3) of the said Part II at that reference number,
(c) any act done or proceedings taken before the operative date in respect of any cause
or matter before the existing Cork Circuit Court Judge exercising jurisdiction in
admiralty shall be deemed to have been done or taken in the Cork Local Admiralty
Court,
Appeals from
District Court in
criminal cases
against sentence
only.
Extension of
section 2 of the
Summary
Jurisdiction Act,
1857.
(d) any act done or proceedings taken before the operative date in respect of any cause
or matter before the existing Cork Circuit Court Judge exercising jurisdiction in
bankruptcy shall be deemed to have been done or taken in the Cork Local
Bankruptcy Court.
(3) In subsection (2) of this section “the existing Cork Circuit Court Judge” means the judge
of the existing Circuit Court for the circuit of the existing Circuit Court consisting of the
county and county borough of Cork.
50.—Where—
(a) an order is made in a criminal case by a justice of the District Court convicting a
person and sentencing him to pay a penal or other sum or to do anything at any
expense or to undergo a term of imprisonment or to be detained in Saint Patrick's
Institution, and
(b) an appeal is taken against the order, and
(c) either—
(i) the notice of appeal states that the appeal is against so much only of the order as
relates to the sentence, or
(ii) the appellant, on the hearing of the appeal, indicates that he desires to appeal
against so much only of the order as relates to the sentence,
then, notwithstanding any rule of law, the Circuit Court shall not, on the hearing of the
appeal, re-hear the case except to such extent as shall be necessary to enable the court to
adjudicate on the question of sentence.
51.—(1) Section 2 of the Summary Jurisdiction Act, 1857 , is hereby extended so as to
enable any party to any proceedings whatsoever heard and determined by a justice of the
District Court (other than proceedings relating to an indictable offence which was not dealt
with summarily by the court) if dissatisfied with such determination as being erroneous on a
point of law, to apply in writing within fourteen days after such determination to the said
justice to state and sign a case setting forth the facts and the grounds of such determination
for the opinion thereon of the High Court.
(2) Upon the making of an application under section 2 of the Summary Jurisdiction Act,
1857 , as extended by subsection (1) of this section, for a case stated, the determination in
respect of which the application is made shall be suspended—
Case stated for
High Court on
question of law.
Application of
section 26 of Hire-
Purchase
(Amendment) Act,
1960.
Jurisdiction to
bind to the peace
or to good
behaviour.
(a) where the justice of the District Court to whom the application is made grants the
application, until the case stated has been heard and determined, and
(b) where he refuses to grant the application, until he so refuses.
(3) The references in sections 6 , 8 , 9 , 10 and 14 of the Summary Jurisdiction Act, 1857 , to
that Act shall be construed as references to that Act as extended by subsection (1) of this
section.
(4) In section 2 of the Summary Jurisdiction Act, 1857 , and in this section, “party” means
any person who was entitled to be heard and was heard in the proceedings in which the
determination in respect of which an application for a case stated is made was given.
52.—(1) A justice of the District Court shall, if requested by any person who has been
heard in any proceedings whatsoever before him (other than proceedings relating to an
indictable offence which is not being dealt with summarily by the court) unless he consider
the request frivolous, and may (without request) refer any question of law arising in such
proceedings to the High Court for determination.
(2) An appeal shall lie by leave of the High Court to the Supreme Court from every
determination of the High Court on a question of law referred to the High Court under
subsection (1) of this section.
53.— Section 26 of the Hire-Purchase (Amendment) Act, 1960 , shall apply to any action
pending in the High Court which is founded on a credit-sale agreement (within the meaning
of the Hire-Purchase Acts, 1946 and 1960).
54.—The jurisdiction formerly exercisable by justices of the peace to make an order
binding a person to the peace or to good behaviour or to both the peace and good
behaviour and requiring him to enter into a recognizance in that behalf may be exercised by
—
(a) a judge of the Supreme Court or the High Court, or
(b) a judge of the Circuit Court within the circuit to which he is for the time being
assigned, or
(c) a justice of the District Court within the district to which he is for the time being
assigned.
Offices and
officers, etc. under
Court Officers
Acts, 1926 to
1951.
55.—(1) The provisions set out in the Eighth Schedule to this Act shall apply in relation to
offices and officers to be attached to the High Court, the Supreme Court and the President of
the High Court respectively.
(2) (a) Every Circuit Court office shall become and be attached to the Circuit Court.
(b) Every county registrar shall become and be attached to the Circuit Court.
(c) Every assignment of a county registrar made or deemed to have been made under
section 10 of the Act of 1945 before the operative date shall, if it is in force
immediately before the operative date, continue in force and be deemed to have
been made under the said section 10, as applied by section 48 of this Act.
(3) (a) Every district court clerk shall become and be attached to the District Court.
(b) Every assignment of a district court clerk made under section 48 of the Act of 1926
before the operative date shall, if it is in force immediately before the operative
date, continue in force and be deemed to have been made under the said section
48 as applied by section 48 of this Act.
(4) Any requisition made under section 9 of the Act of 1945 before the operative date shall,
if it is in force immediately before the operative date, continue in force and be deemed to
have been made under the said section 9, as applied by section 48 of this Act.
(5) Any appointment made under section 4 (which relates to deputies for district court
clerks) of the Court Officers Act, 1951 , before the operative date shall, if it is not terminated
before the operative date, be deemed to have been made under the said section 4, as
applied by section 48 of this Act.
(6) The following provisions shall apply to any person who, immediately before the
operative date, holds any office, employment or position under the Court Officers Acts, 1926
to 1951—
(a) he shall continue to hold his office, employment or position as if this Act had not
been passed,
(b) nothing in this Act shall affect the terms and conditions on and subject to which he
held his office, employment or position immediately before the operative date.
(7) The business to be transacted in the Circuit Court office for the circuit consisting of the
county and county borough of Cork, pursuant to section 37 of the Act of 1926, shall include
the business of the Cork Local Admiralty Court and the Cork Local Bankruptcy Court, and
section 65 of the Act of 1936 (which relates to the prescribing of court fees) shall have effect
accordingly.
Power to continue
county registrars
in office after
reaching age of
sixty-five years.
56.—(1) (a) In this section “the Committee” means a committee consisting of—
(i) the Chief Justice,
(ii) the President of the High Court, and
(iii) the Attorney General.
(b) The Committee may act by a majority of its members and a warrant under this
section shall be sufficiently authenticated if signed by two members of the
Committee.
(2) Where—
(a) a county registrar is about to reach the age of sixty-five years, and
(b) he satisfies the Committee that he is not suffering from any disability which would
render him unfit to discharge efficiently the duties of his office,
the Committee may, if they so think proper after consultation with the Minister, by warrant
made before such county registrar attains the said age, continue him in office for one year
commencing on the date on which he will attain the said age.
(3) Where—
(a) a county registrar to whom a warrant under subsection (2) of this section or under
this subsection relates, or to whom a warrant under this subsection is deemed to
relate, is about to reach the age of (as the case may be) sixty-six, sixty-seven, sixty-
eight or sixty-nine years, and
(b) he satisfies the Committee that he is not suffering from any disability which would
render him unfit to continue to discharge efficiently the duties of his office,
the Committee may, if they so think proper after consultation with the Minister, by warrant
made before such county registrar attains the said age, continue him in office for one year
commencing on the date on which he will attain the said age.
(4) Where, immediately before the operative date, there is a county registrar whose age of
retirement was extended under subsection (6) of section 35 of the Act of 1926, such county
registrar shall be deemed to have been continued in office by warrant under subsection (3)
of this section and to be a county registrar to whom that subsection relates.
(5) The provisions of this section shall have effect notwithstanding anything contained in
subsection (6) of section 35 of the Act of 1926.
Pension of Master
of the High Court,
Taxing-Master and
county registrar.
57.—(1) Where—
(a) a person who holds the office of Master of the High Court, Taxing-Master or county
registrar ceases to hold that office (otherwise than on being removed from that
office by the Government on the ground of misconduct or inefficiency) either after
attaining the age of sixty-five years or upon medical certificate that he is incapable,
from infirmity of mind or body, of discharging the duties of that office and that the
infirmity is likely to be permanent, and
(b) he has completed five or more years of continuous service in one or more of the said
offices
he shall, subject to the provisions of this section, be eligible for a pension consisting of—
(i) if he has completed twenty or more years of such service, two-thirds of the
annual remuneration in respect of the office which he ceases to hold, or
(ii) if he has not completed twenty years of such service, one-sixth of the annual
remuneration in respect of the office which he ceases to hold together with
one-thirtieth of that remuneration for each (if any) completed year of such
service in excess of five.
(2) Where a person in receipt of a pension under this section is employed in a situation
remunerated out of moneys provided by the Oireachtas, then
(a) the pension shall not be payable in respect of any period during which his
remuneration in respect of such situation is equal to or greater than the
remuneration by reference to which the pension was computed, and
(b) so much only of the pension shall be payable in respect of any period during which
his remuneration in respect of such situation is less than the remuneration by
reference to which the pension was computed as with his remuneration in respect
of such situation will amount to the remuneration by reference to which the
pension was computed.
(3) A reference in this section to service of any person shall be construed as a reference to
service of such person in respect of which he was remunerated, exclusive of any period
during which he was absent on account of illness and was remunerated at a rate determined
by reference to the rate which would be appropriate if he were on pension.
(4) Pensions under this section may be granted by the Minister for Finance.
Special provisions
for person who,
on the operative
date, holds the
office of Master of
the High Court,
Taxing-Master or
county registrar.
Officers of Cork
Local Admiralty
Court and Cork
Local Bankruptcy
Court.
58.—(1) Notwithstanding the terms of section 57 of this Act, that section shall not apply in
relation to a person who, on the operative date, holds the office of Master of the High Court,
Taxing-Master or county registrar unless and until he elects under this section to accept the
provisions of the said section 57.
(2) A person who, on the operative date, holds the office of Master of the High Court,
Taxing-Master or county registrar may, by notice in writing sent to the Minister before the
expiration of three months after the operative date, elect to accept the provisions of section
57 of this Act.
(3) Notwithstanding the repeal by this Act of sections 4 and 5 of the Act of 1945—
(a) those sections shall continue to have effect in relation to a person who, at the passing
of the Act of 1945, held the office of Taxing-Master or county registrar and holds
such office on the operative date, unless and until such person elects under this
section to accept the terms of section 57 of this Act;
(b) section 4 shall continue to have effect in relation to a person who was appointed to
the office of Master of the High Court, Taxing-Master or county registrar after the
passing of the Act of 1945 and holds such office on the operative date, unless and
until such person elects under this section to accept the terms of section 57 of this
Act.
59.—(1) In this section—
“the existing Cork Circuit Court Judge” means the judge of the existing Circuit Court for the
circuit of the existing Circuit Court consisting of the county and county borough of Cork;
“the Cork County Registrar” means the county registrar for the county and county borough of
Cork.
(2) (a) In this subsection “the Court” means the Cork Local Admiralty Court constituted by
subsection (2) of section 23 of this Act.
(b) There shall be attached to the Court the following officers—
(i) a registrar,
(ii) a marshal.
(c) The Cork County Registrar shall be the registrar of the Court.
(d) The marshal of the Court shall be appointed by the Minister and shall hold office
on such terms and conditions as the Minister, with the sanction of the Minister for
Finance, shall determine.
(e) The authorities, powers, duties and functions of the registrar of the Court shall
correspond with those conferred or imposed by statute or rule of court on the
officer attached to the High Court who is acting as Admiralty Registrar of the High
Court.
(f) The authorities, powers, duties and functions of the marshal of the Court shall
correspond with those conferred or imposed by statute or rule of court on the
officer attached to the High Court who is acting as Admiralty Marshal of the High
Court.
(g) The person (if any) who, immediately before the operative date, held the office of
or acted as marshal for the purposes of the jurisdiction in admiralty exercised,
immediately before the operative date, by the existing Cork Circuit Court Judge
shall, by virtue of this paragraph, become and be marshal of the Court and shall
hold that office upon the terms and conditions upon which, immediately before
the operative date, he held such first-mentioned office.
(3) (a) In this subsection, “the Court” means the Cork Local Bankruptcy Court constituted by
subsection (3) of section 23 of this Act.
(b) There shall be attached to the Court the following officers—
(i) a registrar,
(ii) an official assignee,
(iii) a messenger,
(iv) such other officers (if any) as the Minister, with the concurrence of the Minister
for Finance, shall determine.
(c) The Cork County Registrar shall be the registrar of the Court.
(d) Each officer of the Court (other than the registrar of the Court) shall be appointed by
the Minister and shall hold office on such terms and conditions as the Minister,
with the sanction of the Minister for Finance, shall determine.
(e) The authorities, powers, duties and functions of the registrar of the Court shall
correspond with those conferred or imposed on one of the Examiners or the
Examiner (where there is only one Examiner) by subparagraph (2) of paragraph 11
of the Eighth Schedule to this Act.
Right of audience
of solicitors in
Circuit Court, Cork
Local Admiralty
Court and Cork
Local Bankruptcy
Court.
Solicitors and
commissioners for
oaths.
(f) The authorities, powers, duties and functions of the official assignee of the Court
shall correspond with those conferred or imposed by statute or rule of court on
the Official Assignee in Bankruptcy.
(g) All such and the like property, estate and effects as would vest in the Official
Assignee in Bankruptcy in the case of proceedings instituted in the High Court shall
vest in the official assignee of the Court where proceedings are instituted in the
Court, and the enactments regulating and affecting the vesting of any of such
property, estate and effects in the Official Assignee in Bankruptcy and the divesting
thereof shall also regulate and affect the vesting of the same in the official assignee
of the Court and the divesting thereof.
(h) The person (if any) who, immediately before the operative date, held the office of
or acted as official assignee for the purposes of the jurisdiction in bankruptcy
exercised immediately before the operative date by the existing Cork Circuit Court
Judge shall, by virtue of this paragraph, become and be official assignee of the
Court and shall hold that office upon the terms and conditions upon which,
immediately before the operative date, he held such first-mentioned office.
(i) The rights, powers, duties and obligations of the messenger of the Court shall
correspond with those conferred or imposed by statute or rule of court on the
messenger attached to the Office of the Official Assignee in Bankruptcy.
(4) In section 9 of the Act of 1945, as applied by section 48 of this Act, the references to a
court shall be construed as including references to the Cork Local Admiralty Court and the
Cork Local Bankruptcy Court.
60.—A solicitor who is acting generally for a party in an action, suit, matter or criminal
proceedings in the Circuit Court, the Cork Local Admiralty Court or the Cork Local Bankruptcy
Court and a solicitor qualified to practise (within the meaning of the Solicitors Act, 1954 ) who
is acting as his assistant shall have a right of audience in such Court.
61.—All persons who, immediately before the operative date, were solicitors of the courts
mentioned in column (2) of Part I of the Seventh Schedule to this Act and all persons who,
immediately before the operative date, were commissioners to administer oaths shall on the
operative date become respectively solicitors of the courts mentioned in column (3) of the
said Part I and commissioners to administer oaths.
FIRST SCHEDULE
Enactments Repealed
Section 3.
Session and Chapter or Number Short Title Extent of Repeal
and Year
(1) (2) (3)
5 & 6 Vic. c. 24. Dublin Police Act, 1842 . Section 68.
43 & 44 Vic. c. 39. Lunacy (Ireland) Act, 1880. The whole Act.
6 Edw. 7. c. 37. Labourers (Ireland) Act, 1906. In subsection (1) of section 31, all words
from “and the Local Government Board”
to the end of the subsection.
No. 10 of 1924. Courts of Justice Act, 1924 . Section 2; in section 3, the definition of
“Central Criminal Court”; sections 4, 5, 6,
7, 8, 11, 13, 14, 16, 17 and 18;
subsections (1) and (3) of section 19; in
section 20, the words “From and after
the commencement of this Act”; sections
21 and 22; in section 27, the words
“From and after the commencement of
this Act”; sections 30, 37, 41, 43, 45, 46,
47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 55, 56 and 57;
in section 60, all words from “Any
judgment” to the end of the section;
sections 67, 69, 70 and 74; in section 78,
all words from “and the provisions” to
the end of the section; sections 82, 83,
89, 93, 98, 99, 100, 102, 103 and 104; the
Schedule.
No. 1 of 1926. Courts of Justice Act, 1926 . Sections 2, 3, 4 and 7.
No. 27 of 1926. Court Officers Act, 1926 . Subsection (2) of section 1; in section 2, the
definitions of “the Chief Justice” and
“court” subsections (1) and (2) of section
3; in subsection (6) of section 3, the
words from “but such age”to the end of
the subsection; sections 4, 5, 6, 7, 10, 11,
13, 14, 19, 20, 21, 22, 25 and 26; in
subsection (1) of section 28, the words
“the Central Office and”; subsection (2) of
section 28; section 30; in subsection (6)
of section 35, from the words “but such
age” to the end of the subsection; in
subsection (1) of section 38, the words
“or, where a local bankruptcy court
formerly existed, the registrar, or any
other officer of that court except the
official assignee”; sections 45, 49 and 50;
in subsection (1) of section 51, the words
“after the appointed day” subsection (2)
of section 51; section 55; subsection (4)
of section 59; section 62; subsections (1),
(2), (3), (4) and (6) of section 63; section
64.
No. 29 of 1927. Courts of Justice Act, 1927 . The whole Act.
No. 15 of 1928. Courts of Justice Act, 1928 . In subsection (1) of section 1, the definition
of “the Chief Justice” subsection (2) of
section 1; sections 2, 3, 4, 8, 9 , 13, 14, 15
and 22; the Schedule.
No. 35 of 1928. Courts of Justice (No.2) Act, 1928 The whole Act.
.
No. 40 of 1931. Courts of Justice (No.2) Act, 1931 The whole Act.
.
No. 48 of 1936. Courts of Justice Act, 1936 . Sections 3, 4, 5 and 6; subsection (1) of
section 7; sections 8, 9, 15, 17, 18, 19, 25,
26, 27 and 28; in subsection (3) of section
31, the words “, on the commencement
of this Part of this Act,” and “, as on and
from such commencement,”; subsection
(1) of section 33; in subsection (2) of
section 33, the words “At any time after
the commencement of this Part of this
Act,”; sections 45, 48 and 50; subsections
(2) and (4) of section 51; sections 54 and
56; paragraph (c) of subsection (3) of
section 64; the First Schedule.
No. 25 of 1945. Court Officers Act, 1945 . Sections 2, 3, 4, 5, 7 and 8.
No. 21 of 1946. Courts of Justice (District Court)
Act, 1946 .
In section 2, all definitions except the
definitions of “Justice”and “the Minister”
sections 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13,
14, 15, 17, 18, 19 and 22; the Schedule.
No. 20 of 1947. Courts of Justice Act, 1947 . Sections 2, 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8; subsections (1)
and (2) of section 9; in subsection (3) of
section 9, the words “shall be appointed
from amongst the Circuit Judges by the
President acting on the advice of the
Government and” subsection (4) of
section 9; sections 13, 14, 15, 17, 18 and
20; the Schedule.
No. 8 of 1949. Courts of Justice (District Court)
Act, 1949 .
Sections 3 and 4; the Schedule.
No. 2 of 1951. Criminal Justice Act, 1951 . Sections 19 and 26; the Second Schedule.
No. 32 of 1953. Courts of Justice Act, 1953 . Sections 3, 4, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 16, 17 and
18; subsection (1) of section 19; sections
20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25 and 32; the
Schedule.
No. 35 of 1959. Courts of Justice Act, 1959 . The whole Act.
No. 15 of 1960. Hire-Purchase (Amendment) Act,Paragraph (a) of subsection (1) of section
1960 . 19; paragraph (a) of subsection (2) of
section 19.
SECOND SCHEDULE
Pensions of Judges of Courts Established by the Principal Act
Sections 6 , 19 and 31.
Part I
Pensions of Judges of Supreme Court and High Court
1. In this Part “service” means service as a judge of the Supreme Court, the High Court, the
Circuit Court, the existing Supreme Court, the existing High Court or the existing Circuit
Court.
2. (1) This paragraph applies to a judge of the Supreme Court or the High Court who—
(a) was appointed a judge of the existing Supreme Court or the existing High Court after
the passing of the Act of 1953, or
(b) never held office as a judge of the existing Supreme Court or the existing High Court.
(2) There shall be granted to a judge of the Supreme Court or the High Court to whom this
paragraph applies and who, having reached the age of sixty-five years, vacates his office
after fifteen years' service or upwards a pension for life of two-thirds of his remuneration at
the time of such vacation of office.
(3) There shall be granted to a judge of the Supreme Court or the High Court to whom this
paragraph applies and who, owing to age or permanent infirmity, vacates his office after five
years' service or upwards a pension for life of one-sixth of his remuneration at the time of
such vacation of office with the addition of one-twentieth of such remuneration for every
completed year of service in excess of five, subject to a maximum pension of two-thirds of
such remuneration.
3. (1) This paragraph applies to a judge of the Supreme Court or the High Court who held
office as a judge of the existing Supreme Court or the existing High Court on the passing of
the Act of 1953.
(2) There shall be granted to a judge of the Supreme Court or the High Court to whom this
paragraph applies and who vacates his office after fifteen years' service or upwards a
pension for life of two-thirds of his remuneration at the time of such vacation of office.
(3) There shall be granted to a judge of the Supreme Court or the High Court to whom this
paragraph applies and who, owing to age or permanent infirmity, vacates his office after five
years' service or upwards and less than fifteen years' service a pension for life of one-sixth of
his remuneration at the time of such vacation of office with the addition of one-twentieth of
such remuneration for every completed year of service in excess of five.
Part II
Pensions of Judges of Circuit Court
4. In this Part “service” means service as a judge of the Circuit Court or the existing Circuit
Court or as a justice of the District Court or the existing District Court.
5. (1) This paragraph applies to a judge of the Circuit Court who—
(a) was appointed a judge of the existing Circuit Court after the passing of the Act of
1953, or
(b) never held office as a judge of the existing Circuit Court.
(2) There shall be granted to a judge of the Circuit Court to whom this paragraph applies
and who, having reached the age of sixty-five years, vacates his office after fifteen years'
service or upwards a pension for life of two-thirds of his remuneration at the time of such
vacation of office.
(3) There shall be granted to a judge of the Circuit Court to whom this paragraph applies
and who, owing to age or permanent infirmity, vacates his office after five years' service or
upwards a pension for life of one-sixth of his remuneration at the time of such vacation of
office with the addition of one-twentieth of such remuneration for every completed year of
service in excess of five, subject to a maximum pension of two-thirds of such remuneration.
6. (1) This paragraph applies to a judge of the Circuit Court who held office as a judge of
the existing Circuit Court on the passing of the Act of 1953.
(2) There shall be granted to a judge of the Circuit Court to whom this paragraph applies
and who vacates his office after fifteen years' service or upwards a pension for life of two-
thirds of his remuneration at the time of such vacation of office.
(3) There shall be granted to a judge of the Circuit Court to whom this paragraph applies
and who, owing to age or permanent infirmity, vacates his office after five years' service or
upwards and less than fifteen years' service a pension for life of one-sixth of his
remuneration at the time of such vacation of office with the addition of one-twentieth of
such remuneration for every completed year of service in excess of five.
Part III
Pensions of Justices of District Court
7. In this Part—
“justice”, where used without qualification, means a justice of the District Court;
“service”, in relation to a justice, means any service by him, being—
(a) service as a District Justice under the District Justices (Temporary Provisions) Act, 1923
,
(b) service as a justice of the existing District Court,
(c) service as an additional justice, appointed under section 13 of the Courts of Justice Act,
1928 , of the existing District Court, or
(d) service as a justice;
“the Superannuation Acts” means the Superannuation Act, 1834 , as amended and extended
by subsequent enactments, other than the Superannuation Act, 1956 .
8. (1) This paragraph applies to a justice who—
(a) was appointed a justice of the existing District Court on or after the passing of the Act
of 1936, or
(b) never held office as a justice of the existing District Court.
(2) There shall be granted to a justice to whom this paragraph applies and who, having
reached the age of sixty-five years, vacates his office after twenty years' service or upwards a
pension for life of two-thirds of his remuneration at the time of such vacation of office.
(3) There shall be granted to a justice to whom this paragraph applies and who, owing to
age or permanent infirmity, vacates his office after five years' service or upwards a pension
for life of one-sixth of his remuneration at the time of such vacation of office with the
addition of one-thirtieth of such remuneration for every completed year of service in excess
of five, subject to a maximum pension of two-thirds of such remuneration.
9. (1) This paragraph applies to a justice who held office as a justice of the existing District
Court on the passing of the Act of 1936.
(2) Unless and until he makes the election provided for in subparagraph (3) of this
paragraph, the following provisions shall apply to a justice to whom this paragraph applies,
namely, his office shall be a pensionable office within the meaning of the Superannuation
Acts, and the superannuation allowance, additional allowance or gratuity granted to or in
respect of him on the vacation of his office shall be ascertained in the manner and subject to
the conditions prescribed by those Acts, and a certificate by the Chief Justice shall be a
sufficient certificate for the purposes of section 8 of the Superannuation Act, 1859 .
(3) A justice to whom this paragraph applies may, by notice in writing sent to the Minister
for Finance at any time before he vacates his office, elect to accept the pension terms
provided by this subparagraph, and in that case the following provisions shall apply to him—
(a) there shall be granted to him, if he vacates his office after thirty years' service or
upwards, a pension for life of two-thirds of his remuneration at the time of such
vacation of office;
(b) there shall be granted to him, if, owing to age or permanent infirmity, he vacates his
office after ten years' service or upwards and less than thirty years' service, a
pension for life of one-sixth of his remuneration at the time of such vacation of
office with the addition of one-fortieth of such remuneration for every completed
year of service in excess of ten.
10. Where—
(a) a justice, having completed ten years' service or upwards, vacates his office with the
consent of the Government, and
(b) such justice is not entitled under paragraphs 8 or 9 of this Schedule to a pension in
respect of his service,
he shall be entitled to a pension for life of one-sixth of his remuneration at the time of such
vacation of office with the addition of one-fortieth of such remuneration for every completed
year of service in excess of ten, subject to a maximum pension of two-thirds of such
remuneration.
THIRD SCHEDULE
Civil Proceedings In Respect Of Which The Jurisdiction Of The High Court Is, With Quantitative
Limitations, Conferred On The Circuit Court, And Judges Of The Circuit Court By Whom The
Jurisdiction Is To Be Exercised
Section 22 (1) .
Ref.No Civil proceedings in respect of Exclusion of jurisdiction (except Judge of Circuit Court by whom
which jurisdiction is conferred by consent of necessary parties) jurisdiction is to be exercised
on the Circuit Court in certain cases
(1) (2) (3) (4)
1. An action (other than an action Where the amount of the claim At the election of the plaintiff
of the kind specified in exceeds £600. (whether the claim be to
column (2) of this Schedule at enforce, rescind, dissolve or
reference number 3, 4 or 5) annul the contract or for
founded on contract or quasi- damages or other relief for
contract. the breach thereof)—
2. An action (other than an action Where the amount of the
of the kind specified in balance claimed exceeds
(a) the judge of the circuit
within which the
column (2) of this Schedule at £600. contract was made, or
reference number 3, 4 or 5)
founded on contract where
the debt or demand claimed
consists of a balance after a
set-off of any debt or demand
claimed or recoverable by the
(b) the judge of the circuit
where the defendant or
one of the defendants
resides or carries on
business.
defendant from the plaintiff,
being a set-off admitted by
the plaintiff in the particulars
of his claim or demand.
3. An action by the owner of goods Where the hire-purchase price
let under a hire-purchase (within the meaning of the
In case the defendant or one of
the defendants ordinarily
agreement (within the said Acts) exceeds £l,000. resides or carries on business
meaning of the Hire - Where the amount of the claim Purchase Acts, 1946 and exceeds £1,000. 1960) to enforce a right to
in the State—the judge of the
circuit where the defendant
or one of the defendants
recover possession of the resides or carries on
goods from the hirer. business.
4. An action by the owner of goods
let under a hire-purchase
In any other case—the judge of
the circuit within which the
agreement (within the hire-purchase agreement was
meaning of the Hire - made.
Purchase Acts, 1946 and
1960) to enforce payment of a
sum due under the hire-
purchase agreement or under
any contract of guarantee
relating thereto.
5. An action commenced after the
commencement of the Act
founded on a credit-sale
agree ment (within the
meaning of the Hire-Purchase
Acts, 1946 and 1960).
An action (other than an action6. for wrongful detention or
matrimonial proceedings)
founded on tort (other than
criminal conversation with a
man's wife).
An action for wrongful7. detention.
An action in which the title to8. land comes into question,
other than an action of
ejectment.
Where the amount of the claim
exceeds £1,000.
Where the amount of the claim
exceeds £600.
Where the value of the goods
claimed exceeds £600.
Where the rateable valuation of
the land exceeds £60.
In case the defendant or one of
the defendants ordinarily
resides or carries on business
in the State—the judge of the
circuit where the defendant
or one of the defendants
resides or carries on
business.
In any other case—the judge of
the circuit within which the
credit-sale agreement was
made.
At the election of the plaintiff—
(a) the judge of the circuit
where the tort is alleged
to have been committed,
or
(b) the judge of the circuit
where the defendant or
one of the defendants
resides or carries on
business.
The judge of the circuit where
the land or any part of the
land is situate.
9. An action of ejectment other
than—
(a) an action under
section 82 of the Civil
Bill Courts (Ireland)
Act, 1851 , or under
section 78 of 80 of
the Landlord and
Tenant Law
Amendment Act,
Ireland, 1860
(hereinafter in this
Schedule referred to
as the Act of 1860),
or
(b) an action of the kind
specified in column
(2) of this Schedule at
reference number
10.
An action of ejectment for a Where the rateable valuation of10. The judge of the circuit where year's rent in arrear the land exceeds £60.
the land in respect of which maintainable in the High
the rent in arrear is payable Court under section 52 of the
or any part of that land is Act of 1860.
situate.
An action for rent in arrear Where the rent in arrear11. maintainable in the High exceeds £600.
Court under section 45 of the
Act of 1860.
An action for use and12. Where the amount claimed The judge of the circuit where occupation of land
exceeds£600. the land or any part of the maintainable in the High
land is situate. Court under section 46 of the
Act of 1860.
13. An action for double rent for
overhold-ing land
maintainable in the High
Court under section 76 of the
Act of 1860.
An action to recover double the14. value of goods fraudulently
carried off or concealed or
clandestinely removed to
prevent distress for arrears of
rent and maintainable in the
High Court under section 3 of
the pre-Union Irish statute 15
Geo. 2. c. 8 (Ir.) (1741) entitled
“An Act for the more effectual
securing the payment of
rents, and preventing frauds
by tenants”.
An application under—(a)15. section 34 or 52 of the
Registration of Title Act, 1891,
or (b) section 13 of the
Registration of Title Act, 1942
(No. 26 of 1942).
An action in respect of the grant16. or revocation of the grant of
probate of the will or letters
of administration of the
estate of a deceased person
in case there is any
contention in relation thereto.
Where the value of the goods
removed exceeds £300.
Where the rateable valuation of
the land exceeds £60.
Where the estate of the
deceased person—
(a) in so far as it consists
of personalty,
exceeded at the time
of his death in
amount or value
£2,000, exclusive of
what he may have
been entitled to as a
trustee and not
beneficially, but
without deducting
The judge of the circuit where
the defendant or one of the
defendants resides or carries
on business.
The judge of the Circuit where
the land or any part of the
land is situate.
17. Proceedings for the
administration of the estate
of a deceased person.
Proceedings for the dissolution18. of a partnership or the taking
of partnership or other
accounts.
Proceedings for any of the19. following purposes—
(a) the redemption of
mortgages on land,
(b) the raising of portions
or other charges on
land,
(c) the sale and
distribution of the
proceeds of any land
subject to any
mortgage, lien or
charge.
anything on account
of debts due and
owing from the
deceased, or
(b) in so far as it consisted
of land of which he
was at the time of his
death beneficially
seised or possessed,
exceeded the
rateable valuation of
£60.
Where the property of the
partnership—
(a) in so far as it consists
of personalty,
exceeds in amount
or value £2,000, or
(b) in so far as it consists
of land, exceeds the
rateable valuation of
£60.
Where the rateable valuation of
the land exceeds £60.
The judge of the circuit where
the testator or intestate had
at the time of his death a
fixed place of abode.
At the election of the plaintiff—
(a) the judge of the circuit
where the partnership
business was or is
carried on, or
(b) the judge of the circuit
where the defendant or
one of the defendants
resides or carries on
business.
The judge of the circuit where
the land or any part of the
land is situate.
20. Proceedings for the execution of
trusts, charitable or private.
Proceedings for the rectification21. or setting aside or
cancellation of deeds or other
written instruments.
Proeedings for specific22. performance of contrats.
Proceedings for the partition or23. sale of land.
Where—
(a) the trust estate or fund,
in so far as it consists of
personalty, exceeds in
amount or value
£2,000, or
(b) the trust estate, in so far
as it consists of land,
exceeds the rateable
valuation of £60.
Where the subject matter—
(a) in so far as it consists of
personalty, exceeds in
amount or value
£2,000, or
(b) in so far as it consists of
land, exceeds the
rateable valuation of
£60.
Where the rateable valuation of
the land exceeds £60.
The judge of the circuit where
the defendant or one of the
defendants resides or carries
on business.
Where the subject matter
consists entirely of
personalty, the judge of the
circuit where the defendant
or one of the defendants
resides or carries on
business.
Where the subject matter
consists in whole or in part of
land, at the option of the
plaintiff—
(a) the judge of the circuit
where the defendant or
one of the defendants
resides or carries on
business, or
(b) the judge of the circuit
where the land or any
part of the land is
situate.
The judge of the circuit where
the land or any part of the
land is situate.
24. Proceedings for the wardship of
infants and the care of
infants' estates.
Proceedings under the Settled25. Land Acts, 1882 to 1890.
Proceedings under the Trustee26. Acts, namely, the Trustee Act,
1893 , the Trustee Act, 1893,
Amendment Act, 1894 , and
the Trustee Act, 1931 (No. 20
of 1931).
Where the property—
(a) in so far as it consists of
personalty, exceeds in
amount or value
£2,000, or
(b) in so far as it consists of
land, exceeds the
rateable valuation of
£60.
Where the property—
(a) in so far as it consists of
capital money arising
under the said Acts,
exceeds in amount or
value £2,000, or
(b) in so far as it consists of
land, exceeds the
rateable valuation of
£60.
Where the trust property—
(a) in so far as it consists of
personalty, exceeds in
amount or value
£2,000, or
(b) in so far as it consists of
land, exceeds the
rateable valuation of
£60.
The judge of the circuit where
the infant or one of the
infants resides.
The judge of the circuit where
the land or the land
(represented by the capital
money) or any part of the
land is situate.
The judge of the circuit where
the applicant or one of the
applicants resides.
27. An action (in relation to
property) claiming an
injunction, otherwise than as
ancillary to other relief.
Where the property—
(a) in so far as it consists of
personalty, exceeds in
amount or value
£2,000, or
(b) in so far as it consists of
land, exceeds the
rateable valuation of
£60.
Where the property consists
only of personalty, the judge
of the circuit where the
defendant or one of the
defendants resides or carries
on business. Where the
property consists of land, at
the option of the plaintiff—
(a) the judge of the circuit
where the defendant or
one of the defendants
resides or carries on
business, or
(b) the judge of the circuit
where the land or any
part of the land is
situate.
28. Proceedings in relation to
property not hereinbefore
specified in this Schedule and
which immediately before the
commencement of Part I of
the Courts of Justice Act, 1924
(No. 10 of 1924), were
assigned to the Chancery
Division of the former High
Court of Justice in Southern
Ireland, other than
proceedings in relation to
companies.
Where the property—
(a) in so far as it consists of
personalty, exceeds in
amount or value
£2,000, or
(b) in so far as it consists of
land, exceeds the
rateable valuation of
£60.
Where the proceedings are in a
cause, the judge of the circuit
where the defendant or one
of the defendants resides or
carries on business.
Where the proceedings are in a
matter and any land is
involved, at the option of the
applicant—
(a) the judge of the circuit
where the applicant
resides or carries on
business, or
(b) the judge of the circuit
where the land or any
part of the land is
situate.
Where the proceedings are in a
matter, and no land is
involved, the judge of the
circuit where the applicant
resides or carries on
business.
29. Proceedings (other than Where the amount due or The judge of the circuit where
proceedings under the Gárda recoverable exceeds £600. the defendant or one of the
Síochána (Compensation) defendants resides or carries
Acts, 1941 and 1945) by any on business.
person, including a State
authority, to recover any sum
(including a sum recoverable
by way of debt, penalty,
forfeiture or otherwise, but
excluding a fine to which a
person is liable on conviction
of a criminal offence)
recoverable by virtue of any
enactment, other than an
enactment set out in the
Fourth Schedule to this Act.
FOURTH SCHEDULE
Jurisdiction of the Circuit Court under certain British statutes and Saorstát éireann statutes,
and judges of the Circuit Court by whom the jurisdiction is to be exercised
Section 22 (3).
Ref. No. Enactments conferring jurisdiction on former Judge of Circuit Court by whom jurisdiction is to
Recorders, County Court Judges, Chairmen of be exercised
Quarter Sessions, or Courts of Quarter Sessions
(1) (2) (3)
Excise Management Act, 1827 (7 and 8 Geo. 4. c. The judge of the circuit in which is situate the1. 53)—section 82. courthouse in which the judgment appealed
against was given.
Grand Jury (Ireland) Act, 1836 (6 & 7 Will. 4. c. The judge of the circuit where the defendant2. 116)— resides.
section 87.
3. Poor Relief (Ireland) Act, 1838 (1 & 2 Vic. c. 56)—
sections 73 and 78.
The judge of the circuit where the person liable
to pay the rate resides.
4. Poor Relief (Ireland) Act, 1838 (1 & 2 Vic. c. 56)—
sections 106 to 109 and section 112.
The judge of the circuit where the rate was
made.
5. Drainage (Ireland) Act, 1842 (5 & 6 Vic. c. 89)—
section 58.
Scientific Societies Act, 1843 (6 & 7 Vic. c. 36)—6.
sections 5 and 6.
Poor Relief (Ireland) Act, 1843 (6 & 7 Vic. c. 92)—7.
sections 2 and 3.
County Dublin Grand Jury Act, 1844 (7 & 8 Vic. c.8. 106)—
section 110.
Drainage (Ireland) Act, 1846 (9 & 10 Vic. c. 4)—9.
section 42 (so far as the section relates to the
recovery of costs and expenses of cleaning,
scouring out and removal of accumulated
matter from aqueducts, culverts or tunnels
under canals).
Drainage (Ireland) Act, 1846 (9 & 10 Vic. c. 4)—10.
section 42 (so far as the section relates to the
recovery by the Commissioners of Public
Works in Ireland of the costs and expenses of
altering aqueducts, culverts, or tunnels under
canals so as to prevent injury to lands).
Ejectment and Distress (Ireland) Act, 1846 (9 & 1011. Vic. c. 111)—
section 8.
Landed Property Improvement (Ireland) Act,12. 1847 (10 & 11 Vic. c. 32)—
section 40.
Eviction (Ireland) Act, 1848 (11 & 12 Vic. c. 47)—13.
section 6.
Poor Relief (Ireland) Act, 1849 (12 & 13 Vic. c. 104)14. —
section 29.
The judge of the circuit where any part of the
drain, stream or rivulet required to be cleaned
or scoured is situate.
The judge of the circuit where the land or
buildings of the society are situate.
The judge of the circuit where the property is
situate.
The judge of the circuit where the defendant
resides.
The judge of the circuit where the aqueduct,
culvert or tunnel is situate.
The judge of the circuit where the lands are
situate.
The judge of the circuit in which is situate the
courthouse in which the order or decree for
recovery of possession was made.
The judge of the circuit where the defendant
resides.
The judge of the circuit where the defendant
resides.
The judge of the Circuit Court before whom the
legal proceedings are pending.
19
15. Civil Bill Courts (Ireland) Act, 1851 (14 & 15 Vic. c.
57)—proviso to section 35.
Civil Bill Courts (Ireland) Act, 1851 (14 & 15 Vic. c.16. 57)—
sections 38 and 39.
Civil Bill Courts (Ireland) Act, 1851 (14 & 15 Vic. c.17. 57)—
section 82.
Valuation (Ireland) Act, 1852 (15 & 16 Vic. c. 63)—18.
sections 16, 22, 23 and 31.
Succession Duty Act, 1853 (16 & 17 Vic. c. 51)—
section 50.
Boundary Survey (Ireland) Act, 1854 (17 & 18 Vic.20. c. 17)—
section 9.
Towns Improvement (Ireland) Act, 1854 (17 and21. 18 Vic. c. 103)—
section 41.
Literary and Scientific Institutions Act, 1854 (17 &22. 18 Vic. c. 112)—
sections 29 and 30.
The judge of the Circuit Court before whom the
case is heard and determined.
The judge of the circuit where the land
distrained or threatened to be distrained is
situate.
The judge of the circuit where the land is situate.
The judge of the circuit where the tenement or
rateable hereditament is situate; or, in the
case of an incorporeal hereditament, the j
udge of the circuit where the property or any
part of the property to, out of or in respect of
which the incorporeal hereditament is
annexed, arises, issues or is exercisable is
situate; or, in the case of a half-rent, the judge
of the circuit where the property in respect of
which the half-rent is determined is situate.
At the election of the appellant—
(a) the judge of the circuit where the
appellant resides, or
(b) the judge of the circuit where the
property is situate.
The judge of the circuit where the boundary line
or any part thereof is situate.
The judge of the circuit where the works to be
constructed are situate.
The judge of the circuit where the principal
building of the institution is situate.
Drainage (Ireland) Act, 1856 (19 & 20 Vic. c. 62)— The judge of the circuit where the defendant23. resides.section 39.
24. Boundary Survey (Ireland) Act, 1857 (20 & 21 Vic. The judge of the circuit where the boundary line
c. 45)— or any part thereof is situate.
section 5.
Landlord and Tenant Law Amendment Act, At the election of the landlord—25. Ireland, 1860 (23 & 24 Vic. c. 154) (hereinafter (a) the judge of the circuit where the tenant in this Schedule referred to as the Act of 1860) resides, or —
(b) the judge of the circuit where the land or sections 30 and 31. any part of the land is situate.
The Act of 1860— The judge of the circuit where the land or any26. part of the land is situate.sections 32 and 33.
The Act of 1860— The judge of the circuit where the land in27 relation to which the precept, order orsection 37. conviction was made is situate.
The Act of 1860— The judge of the circuit where the defendant28. resides.section 38.
The Act of 1860— The judge of the circuit where the land or any29 part of the land is situate.sections 61, 63, 71, 78, 80, 82 and 95.
Valuation (Ireland) Act, 1864 (27 & 28 Vic. c. 52)— The judge of the circuit where the tenement or30. rateable hereditament is situate; or, in thesections 1 and 3. case of an incorporeal hereditament, the
judge of the circuit where the property or any
part of the property to, out of or in respect of
which the incorporeal hereditament is
annexed, arises, issues or is exercisable is
situate; or, in the case of a half-rent, the judge
of the circuit where the property in respect of
which the half-rent is determined is situate.
Attorneys' and Solicitors' Act, 1870 (33 & 34 Vic. c.At the option of the person seeking to enforce or31. 28)— set aside the agreement—
section 8. (a) the judge of the circuit where the other
party to the agreement resides, or
(b) the judge of the circuit where the
agreement was made.
32. Landlord and Tenant (Ireland) Act, 1870 (33 & 34
Vic. c. 46)—
Part I.
Landlord and Tenant (Ireland) Act, 1870 (33 & 3433. Vic. c. 46)—sections 42, 43, 44, 47 and 56.
Charitable Donations and Bequests (Ireland) Act,34. 1871 (34 & 35 Vic. c. 102)—
sections 8 and 16.
Bankruptcy (Ireland) Amendment Act, 1872 (35 &35. 36 Vic. c. 58)—
sections 81 and 82.
Building Societies Act, 1874 (37 & 38 Vic. c. 42)—36.
sections 24, 34, 35 and 36.
Hosiery Manufacture (Wages) Act, 1874 (37 & 3837. Vic. c. 48)—
sections 3 and 4.
Employers and Workmen Act, 1875 (38 & 39 Vic.38. c. 90)—
sections 3 and 8.
Rivers Pollution Prevention Act, 1876 (39 & 4039. Vic. c. 75)—
section 10.
County Officers and Courts (Ireland) Act, 187740. (40 & 41 Vic. c. 56)—
sections 41 and 47.
Public Health (Ireland) Act, 1878 (41 & 42 Vic. c.41. 52)—
sections 120, 122 and 260.
Public Health (Ireland) Act, 1878 (41 & 42 Vic. c.42. 52)—
section 269.
The judge of the circuit where the matter
requiring the cognizance of the Court arises.
The judge of the circuit where the holding in
respect of which the charging order is sought
or any part of that holding is situate.
The judge of the circuit where the defendant
resides.
The judge of the circuit where the debtor had a
fixed abode at the time of adjudication of
bankruptcy.
The judge of the circuit where the building
society has its chief office or place of meeting
for the business of the society.
The judge of the circuit where the offence was
committed.
The judge of the Circuit Court before whom the
proceedings are pending.
The judge of the circuit where the offence was
committed.
The judge of the Circuit Court before whom the
proceedings are pending.
The judge of the circuit where the defendant
resides.
The judge of the circuit where the cause of
appeal has arisen.
43. Bankers' Books Evidence Act, 1879 (42 & 43 Vic.
c. 11)—
section 10.
Inland Revenue Act, 1880 (43 & 44 Vic. c. 20)—44.
section 43 (7).
Guardianship of Infants Act, 1886 (49 & 50 Vic. c.45. 27).
Partnership Act, 1890 (53 & 54 Vic. c. 39).46.
Public Health Acts Amendment Act, 1890 (53 &47. 54 Vic. c. 59)—
section 7 (1).
Industrial and Provident Societies Act, 1893 (56 &48. 57 Vic. c. 39)—
sections 23 and 48.
Industrial and Provident Societies Act, 1893 (56 &49. 57 Vic. c. 39)—
section 49.
Finance Act, 1894 (57 & 58 Vic. c. 30)—50.
section 10 (5).
Friendly Societies Act, 1896 (59 & 60 Vic. c. 25)—51.
sections 31 and 55.
Friendly Societies Act, 1896 (59 & 60 Vic. c. 25)—52.
sections 68, 70 and 78.
The judge of the Circuit Court before whom the
proceedings are pending.
The judge of the circuit where the premises are
situate.
The judge of the circuit where the respondent or
any of the respondents resides.
The judge of the circuit where the defendant
resides.
The judge of the circuit where the functional
area of the local authority is situate.
At the option of the society—
(a) the judge of the circuit where the
registered office of the society is situate,
or
(b) the judge of the circuit where the
defendant resides.
The judge of the circuit where the registered
office of the society is situate.
At the option of the appellant—
(a) the judge of the circuit where the
appellant resides, or
(b) the judge of the circuit where the
property in respect of which the dispute
arises is situate.
The judge of the circuit where the defendant
resides.
The judge of the circuit where the registered
office of the society is situate.
53. Local Government (Ireland) Act, 1898 (61 & 62
Vic. c. 37)—
section 5.
Small Dwellings Acquisition Act, 1899 (62 & 6354. Vic. c. 44)—
section 5 (2) and (5), as applied to Ireland by
section 14 (2).
Alkali, Etc. Works Regulation Act, 1906 (6 Edw. 7.55. c. 14)—
section 17.
Open Spaces Act, 1906 (6 Edw. 7. c. 25)—56.
section 4.
Labourers (Ireland) Act, 1906 (6 Edw. 7. c. 37)—57.
section 6.
Labourers (Ireland) Act, 1906 (6 Edw. 7. c. 37)—58.
section 11.
Workmen's Compensation Act, 1906 (6 Edw. 7. c.
58)—
Second Schedule.
In case—
(a) the criminal injury comes within section
140 of the Grand Jury (Ireland) Act, 1836 ,
and
(b) it was committed on the verge or within
one mile of the boundary of two or more
counties, and
(c) all such counties are not within the same
circuit,
the judge of any circuit (to be selected by the
applicant) which includes one or more of such
counties.
In any other case, the judge of the circuit where
the criminal injury was committed.
The judge of the circuit where the house is
situate.
The judge of the circuit where the offence was
committed.
The judge of the circuit where the whole or any
part of the open space is situate.
The judge of the circuit where the land
comprised in the improvement scheme is
situate.
The judge of the circuit where the land in respect
of which the sum was paid as purchase
money or compensation under paragraph (1)
of the said section 11 is situate.
The judge of the Circuit Court before whom the
proceedings are pending. 59
60. Public Health Acts Amendment Act, 1907 (7 Edw.
7. c. 53)—
section 7 (1).
Children Act, 1908 (8 Edw. 7. c. 67)—61.
section 58 (2).
Finance (1909-10) Act, 1910 (10 Edw. 7 & 1 Geo.62. 5. c. 8)—
section 33 (4).
Labourers (Ireland) Act, 1911 (1 & 2 Geo. 5. c. 19)63. —
section 6.
Public Roads (Ireland) Act, 1911 (1 & 2 Geo. 5. c.64. 45)—
section 1 (4).
Pilotage Act, 1913 (2 & 3 Geo. 5. c. 31)—65.
section 28.
Criminal Justice Administration Act, 1914 (4 & 566. Geo. 5. c. 58)—
section 10.
Income Tax Act, 1918 (8 & 9 Geo. 5. c. 40)—67.
section 196.
Housing (Ireland) Act, 1919 (9 & 10 Geo. 5. c. 45)68. —
section 12.
Housing (Ireland) Act, 1919 (9 & 10 Geo. 5. c. 45)69. —
section 25.
The judge of the circuit where the functional
area of the local authority is situate.
The judge of the Circuit Court before whom the
child is charged.
At the option of the appellant—
(a) the judge of the circuit where the
appellant resides, or
(b) the judge of the circuit where the
property is situate.
The judge of the circuit where the land, in
respect of which the purchase money or
compensation is payable, is situate.
At the election of the plaintiff—
(a) the judge of the circuit where the damage
was done, or
(b) the judge of the circuit where the
defendant or one of the defendants
resides or carries on business.
The judge of the circuit where the port for which
the pilot is licensed is situate.
The judge of the circuit in which is situate the
courthouse in which the offender was
summarily convicted.
The judge of the circuit where the assessment
was made.
The judge of the circuit where the land in respect
of which the purchase money or
compensation is payable is situate.
The judge of the circuit where the land is situate.
70. Sheriffs (Ireland) Act, 1920 (10 & 11 Geo. 5. c. 26) The judge of the circuit where the seizure was
— made.
section 7.
Electoral Act, 1923 (No. 12 of 1923)— The judge of the circuit where the registration71. area of the registration officer concerned issection 16. situate.
Land Act, 1923 (No. 42 of 1923) — The judge of the circuit where the land is situate.72.
section 69 (3).
FIFTH SCHEDULE
Adaptations (in relation to the Circuit Court and the judges thereof) of certain British statutes
relating to former County Courts, Courts of Quarter Sessions and judges thereof
Section 22 (4)
Session and Chapter Short Title Adaptation
(1) (2) (3)
7 & 8 Geo. 4. c. 53. Excise Management Act, 1827 . The references to the justices of the peace
assembled at the general quarter
sessions shall be construed as
references to the Circuit Court.
6 & 7 Vic. c. 36. Scientific Societies Act, 1843. In section 2, the references to the recorder
or justices shall be construed as
references to the judge of the circuit
where the land or buildings of the
society are situate.
12 & 13 Vic. c. 104. Poor Relief (Ireland) Act, 1849 . In section 18, the reference to a judgment
obtained in any action or suit in a
superior court shall be construed as
including a reference to a j udgment of
the Circuit Court.
In section 29, the references to an assistant
barrister, the chairman of the sessions of
the peace of the county of Dublin or a
recorder shall be construed as
references to the judge of the Circuit
Court before whom the proceedings are
pending.
14 & 15Vic. c. 90. Fines (Ireland) Act, 1851 . In section 10, as amended by section 2 of
the Summary Jurisdiction (Ireland) Act,
1918 (8 & 9 Geo. 5. c. 18), the references
to an assistant barrister, recorder of a
city or borough and the chairman of
quarter sessions for the county of Dublin
shall be construed as references to a
judge of the Circuit Court.
14 & 15 Vic. c. 93. Petty Sessions (Ireland) Act, 1851In section 34, as amended by section 2 of
. the Summary Jurisdiction (Ireland) Act,
1918 (8 & 9 Geo. 5. c. 18), the first
reference to quarter sessions shall be
construed as a reference to the Circuit
Court.
17 & 18 Vic. c. 103. Towns Improvement (Ireland)
Act, 1854 .
In section 44, the reference to the court of
the assistant barrister shall be construed
as a reference to the Circuit Court.
23 & 24 Vic. c. 4. Annual Revision of Rateable
Property (Ireland)
Amendment Act, 1860.
References to the court of quarter sessions
shall be construed as references to the
Circuit Court. References to the
chairman of quarter sessions shall be
construed as references to a judge of the
Circuit Court.
23 & 24 Vic. c. 154. Landlord and Tenant Law In section 70, the reference to an assistant
Amendment Act, Ireland, 1860 barrister shall be construed as a
.
27 & 28 Vic. c. 52. Valuation (Ireland) Act, 1864.
33 & 34 Vic. c. 28. Attorneys' and Solicitors' Act,
1870 .
33 & 34 Vic. c. 46. Landlord and Tenant (Ireland)
Act, 1870 .
34 & 35 Vic. c. 78. Regulation of Railways Act, 1871
.
35 & 36 Vic. c. 58. Bankruptcy (Ireland)
Amendment Act, 1872.
37 & 38 Vic. c. 72. Fines (Ireland) Act, 1851,
Amendment Act, 1874 .
reference to a judge of the Circuit Court.
In section 79, the references to the
chairman of the county shall be
construed as references to the judge of
the circuit where the lands or premises
to which the certificate of desertion
relates or any part thereof are situate.
The references to quarter sessions shall be
construed as references to the Circuit
Court.
In section 8, the references to fifty pounds
shall be construed as references to six
hundred pounds.
In sections 59, 60 and 61, the references to
the civil bill court of a county shall be
construed as references to the judge of
the circuit where the county is situate.
In section 7, the reference to a county court
judge shall be construed as a reference
to a judge of the Circuit Court.
In sections 81 to 86, the references to the
chairman of quarter sessions within
whose jurisdiction the debtor had a fixed
abode at the time of the adjudication of
bankruptcy shall be construed as
references to the judge of the circuit
where the debtor had a fixed abode at
the time of the adjudication of
bankruptcy.
In section 2, the reference to an assistant
barrister, recorder or chairman shall be
construed as a reference to a judge of
the Circuit Court.
38 & 39 Vic. c. 17. Explosives Act, 1875 . In section 66, the reference to a county
court judge shall be construed as a
reference to a judge of the Circuit Court.
38 & 39 Vic. c. 90. Employers and Workmen Act,
1875 .
In section 8, the reference to a county court
shall be construed as a reference to the
Circuit Court.
39 & 40 Vic. c. 36. Customs Consolidation Act, 1876In the definition (contained in section 284)
. of “justice”, the reference to a county
court judge shall be construed as a
reference to a judge of the Circuit Court.
40 & 41 Vic. c. 56. County Officers and Courts
(Ireland) Act, 1877 .
In section 47, the reference to five hundred
pounds shall be construed as a
reference to two thousand pounds and
the reference to thirty pounds as a
reference to sixty pounds.
41 & 42 Vic. c. 52. Public Health (Ireland) Act, 1878 In section 115, the reference to the court of
. quarter sessions shall be construed as a
reference to the Circuit Court.
41 & 42 Vic. c. 76. Telegraph Act, 1878. In section 4 (including that section as
applied by section 4 of the Telegraph Act,
1892 (55 & 56 Vic. c. 49), sections 3 and 5
of the Telegraph (Construction) Act, 1908
(8 Edw. 7. c. 33), and section 1 of the
Telegraph (Construction) Act, 1916 (6 & 7
Geo. 5. c. 40)), the references to the
judge of the county court having
jurisdiction within the district in which
the difference has arisen shall be
construed as references to the judge of
the circuit where the district is situate.
44 & 45 Vic. c. 49. Land Law (Ireland) Act, 1881 . In subsection (1) of section 37, the
reference to the civil bill court of the
county where the matter requiring the
cognizance of the court arises shall be
construed as a reference to the judge of
the circuit where the matter requiring
the cognizance of the court arises.
56 & 57 Vic. c. 39. Industrial and Provident
Societies Act, 1893 .
In section 61, the reference to the county
court of the district where the registered
office of the society is situate shall be
construed as a reference to the judge of
the circuit where the registered office of
the society is situate.
57 & 58 Vic. c. 60. Merchant Shipping Act, 1894 . In paragraph (c) of subsection (4) of section
547, the reference to the recorder or the
chairman of quarter sessions shall be
construed as a reference to a judge of
the Circuit Court.
8 Edw. 7. c. 57. Coal Mines Regulation Act, 1908. In subsection (5) of section 1, the reference
to the judge of county courts for the
district in which the mine is situate shall
be construed as a reference to the judge
of the circuit where the mine is situate.
8 Edw. 7. c. 67. Children Act, 1908. In subsection (4) of section 74 and in
subsection (2) of section 75, the
references to the court of quarter
sessions shall be construed as
references to the Circuit Court.
1 & 2 Geo. 5. c. 19. Labourers (Ireland) Act, 1911. In subsection (1) of section 6 (including that
section as applied by section 12 of the
Housing (Ireland) Act, 1919 (9 & 10 Geo.
5. c. 45)), the references to the county
court shall be construed as references to
the Circuit Court, and the reference to
one hundred pounds shall be construed
as a reference to six hundred pounds.
1 & 2 Geo. 5. c. 45. Public Roads (Ireland) Act, 1911. In subsection (4) of section 1, the reference
to two hundred and fifty pounds shall be
construed as a reference to six hundred
pounds.
1 & 2 Geo. 5. c. 50. Coal Mines Act, 1911. In section 11 (including that section as
applied by section 1 of the Coal Mines
Act, 1914 (4 & 5 Geo. 5. c. 22)), the
reference to a county court judge shall
be construed as a reference to a judge of
the Circuit Court.
In subsection (3) of section 77, the
reference to the judge of the county
court for the district in which the mine is
situate shall be construed as a reference
to the judge of the circuit where the
mine is situate.
2 & 3 Geo. 5. c. 30. Trade Union Act, 1913 . In subsection (2) of section 3, the
references to the county court shall be
construed as references to the Circuit
Court.
9 & 10 Geo. 5. c. 45. Housing (Ireland) Act, 1919 . In subsection (3) of section 25, the
reference to thirty pounds shall be
construed as a reference to sixty pounds
and the reference to the county court as
a reference to the Circuit Court.
10 & 11 Geo. 5. c. 26. Sheriffs (Ireland) Act, 1920 . In section 7, the references to a civil bill
court shall be construed as references to
the Circuit Court.
SIXTH SCHEDULE
Assignment of justices of District Court to district court districts
Section 32 (3) .
Definitions.
1. In this Schedule—
“district” means a district court district;
“district justice” means a justice of the District Court, but does not include a temporary
district justice;
“temporary district justice” means a person appointed under section 51 of the Act of 1936, as
applied by section 48 of this Act to act as a district justice.
Permanent assignment of district justices to districts.
2. (1) (a) Where a person is appointed a district justice, then, subject to clause (b) of this
subparagraph, the Government, if they think fit, may, upon such appointment,
assign him permanently to a particular district.
(b) Where, at the time of the appointment of a person to be a district justice, there
are four district justices not permanently assigned to particular districts, the
Government shall assign that person permanently to a particular district.
(2) Where a district justice is not upon appointment permanently assigned to a particular
district, the Government may at any time assign him permanently to a particular district.
(3) A district justice who is permanently assigned to a particular district may, with his
consent, be transferred by the Minister to another district and, if he is so transferred, he
shall upon such transfer become and be permanently assigned to such other district in lieu
of being permanently assigned to such first-mentioned district.
(4) (a) Where a district justice is permanently assigned to a particular district, the
Government, at his request, may, if they think fit, terminate his permanent
assignment to that district.
(b) Where the permanent assignment of a district justice is terminated under clause (a)
of this subparagraph, the Government may at any time thereafter assign him
permanently to a particular district.
Temporary assignment to districts of district justices and temporary district justices.
3. (1) A district justice who is permanently assigned to a particular district may, with his
consent, from time to time be temporarily assigned by the Minister to another district, but
such temporary assignment shall be without prejudice to the exercise and performance by
him of the privileges, powers and duties for the time being conferred or imposed on him by
law in relation to the district to which he is permanently assigned.
(2) A district justice who is not for the time being permanently assigned to a district may
from time to time be assigned by the Minister to any district.
(3) A temporary district justice may from time to time be temporarily assigned by the
Minister to any district.
(4) Where a person is temporarily assigned to a district under subparagraph (1), (2) or (3) of
this paragraph—
(a) in case there is for the time being a district justice permanently assigned to that
district—he shall, in relation to that district have, while so temporarily assigned,
concurrently with that district justice, all the privileges, powers and duties for the
time being conferred or imposed by law on that district justice,
(b) in any other case—he shall, in relation to that district have, while so temporarily
assigned, all such privileges, powers and duties as would for the time being be
conferred or imposed by law if he were a district justice permanently assigned to
that district.
(5) The Minister may at any time terminate a temporary assignment made under this
paragraph.
District justice acting in certain cases for another district justice who is permanently assigned to a district.
4. (1) Wherever it appears to the President of the District Court, on the representation of a
justice of the District Court permanently assigned to a particular district, that such justice
cannot properly deal with any matter before him by reason of the fact that he has a personal
interest therein or such personal knowledge of the facts or of the parties as might prejudice
the trial of that matter, the President of the District Court may nominate another justice of
the District Court, who so consents, to hear and determine that matter in that district and, if
the President does so, then that matter may be heard and determined accordingly.
(2) In the case of illness or absence of the district justice permanently assigned to a district
(in this subparagraph referred to as the first justice), another district justice may, with the
consent of the Minister (in addition, if he is permanently assigned to another district, to
exercising and performing the privileges, powers and duties conferred by law in relation to
the district to which he is permanently assigned) exercise and perform during such illness or
absence, the privileges, powers and duties for the time being conferred or imposed by law
on the first justice in relation to the district to which the first justice is permanently assigned.
(3) Where a district justice permanently assigned to a particular district (in this
subparagraph referred to as the first justice) requests another district justice (in this
subparagraph referred to as the second justice) to act for him during a specified period (not
exceeding seven days) the second justice may (in addition, if he is permanently assigned to
another district, to exercising and performing the privileges, powers and duties conferred by
law on him in relation to the district to which he is permanently assigned) exercise and
perform during that period the privileges, powers and duties for the time being conferred or
imposed by law on the first justice in relation to the district to which the first justice is
permanently assigned.
SEVENTH SCHEDULE
Existing courts and corresponding courts established by the Principal Act, and judges of
existing courts and corresponding judges of courts established by the Principal Act
Sections 48 , 49 and 61 .
Part I
Ref. No. Existing court Court established by the Principal Act
(1) (2) (3)
The existing Supreme Court. The Supreme Court.1.
The existing High Court. The High Court.2.
The existing Court of Criminal Appeal. The Court of Criminal Appeal.3.
The existing Circuit Court. The Circuit Court.4.
The existing District Court. The District Court.5.
Part II
Ref. No. Judge of existing court Judge of court established by the Principal
Act
(1) (2) (3)
The existing Chief Justice. The Chief Justice.1.
The existing President of the High Court. The President of the High Court.2.
The existing President of the Circuit Court. The President of the Circuit Court.3.
EIGHTH SCHEDULE
Provisions in relation to offices and officers to be attached to the High Court, the Supreme
Court and the President of the High Court
Section 55 (1).
Interpretation.
1. (1) This Schedule shall be construed as one with Part I of the Act of 1926.
(2) Except where the context otherwise requires, references in this Schedule to any
enactment which is applied by section 48 of this Act shall be construed as references to that
enactment as so applied.
Offices attached to the High Court, the Supreme Court and the President of the High Court.
2. There shall become and be attached to the High Court, the Supreme Court and the
President of the High Court respectively the following offices—
To the High Court,
The Central Office,
The Taxing-Masters' Office,
The Probate Office,
The Office of the Official Assignee in Bankruptcy,
Two Examiners' Offices or the Examiner's Office,
The Accountant's Office;
To the Supreme Court,
The Office of the Registrar of the Supreme Court;
To the President of the High Court,
The Office of Wards of Court.
Officers attached to the High Court the Supreme Court and the President of the High Court.
3. There shall become and be attached to the High Court, the Supreme Court and the
President of the High Court respectively the following officers (each of whom shall be a
principal officer within the meaning of Part of the Act of 1926)—
To the High Court,
The Master of the High Court,
Two Taxing-Masters,
The Probate Officer,
The Official Assignee in Bankruptcy,
Two Examiners or the Examiner,
The Accountant;
To the Supreme Court,
The Registrar of the Supreme Court;
To the President of the High Court,
The Registrar of Wards of Court.
The Master of the High Court.
4. (1) In this paragraph “rules of court” means rules made under section 36 of the Act of
1924.
(2) The Master of the High Court shall have and exercise such powers and authorities and
perform such duties and functions as are from time to time conferred on or assigned to him
by statute or rules of court and in particular (unless and until otherwise provided by statute
or rules of court) shall have and perform all such other powers, authorities, duties and
functions as are vested in him by virtue of subsection (3) of section 31 of the Act of 1926.
The Central Office.
5. (1) The Central Office shall be under the management of such principal officer serving in
the Central Office as the Minister, after consultation with the President of the High Court,
may from time to time nominate in that behalf.
(2) There shall be transacted in the Central Office all such business as is from time to time
directed by statute or rule of court to be transacted therein and also all other business of the
High Court except such business as is for the time being required by law to be transacted by
or before one or more judges or the Master of the High Court and except such business as is
for the time being assigned by law either to another office attached to the High Court or to
the Office of Wards of Court.
(3) The person who, immediately before the operative date, had, by virtue of a nomination
under paragraph (a) of subsection (2) of section 2 (repealed by this Act) of the Act of 1945,
the management of the Central Office shall continue to have the management of the Central
Office and be deemed to have been nominated under subparagraph (1) of this paragraph.
The Registrars of the High Court.
6. (1) Such and so many as the Minister thinks proper of the officers for the time being
serving in the Central Office shall be nominated by the Minister to be registrars of the High
Court and every such registrar (in addition to any other duties which may be assigned to him
by the officer for the time being managing the Central Office) shall act as registrar to the
High Court as and when directed so to do by the officer for the time being managing the
Central Office.
(2) The officers for the time being nominated under subparagraph (1) of this paragraph to
be registrars of the High Court shall be principal officers within the meaning of Part I of the
Act of 1926.
(3) Every person, who immediately before the operative date, was, by virtue of a
nomination under subsection (2) of section 4 (repealed by this Act) of the Act of 1926, a
registrar of the existing High Court shall become and be a registrar of the High Court and be
deemed to have been nominated under subparagraph (1) of this paragraph.
General superintendence and control of High Court offices.
7. The officer for the time being managing the Central Office shall have the general
superintendence and control of the offices attached to the High Court, but shall in the
exercise of such superintendence and control be subject to the general direction of the
Minister in regard to all matters of general administration and to the directions of the
President of the High Court in regard to all matters relating to the conduct of that part of the
business of the High Court which is for the time being required by law to be transacted by or
before one or more judges of the High Court.
The Taxing-Masters' Office.
8. The Taxing-Masters' Office shall be under the management of the senior Taxing-Master,
and there shall be transacted in that Office the business of the Taxing-Masters other than
such business as is required by law to be transacted by a Taxing-Master in person.
The Office of the Official Assignee in Bankruptcy.
9. The Office of the Official Assignee in Bankruptcy shall be under the management of the
Official Assignee in Bankruptcy, and there shall be transacted therein all such business as
shall from time to time be assigned thereto by statute or rule of court and in particular
(unless and until otherwise provided by statute or rule of court) all such business as was
formerly transacted in the Office of the Official Assignee of the King's Bench Division of the
High Court of Justice in Southern Ireland.
The Examiners' Offices.
10. (1) Until the number of Examiners shall be reduced to one, one Examiner's Office shall
be under the management of one of the Examiners and the other Examiner's Office shall be
under the management of the other Examiner.
(2) There shall be transacted in each Examiner's Office or in the Examiner's Office (where
there is only one Examiner) all such business as shall from time to time be assigned thereto
by statute or rule of court and in particular (unless and until otherwise provided by statute or
rule of court) all such business as was formerly transacted in the offices attached to the
respective Chambers of the Master of the Rolls and the ordinary judge of the Chancery
Division of the High Court of Justice in Southern Ireland and also such business as was
formerly transacted in the offices attached to the Land Judge of the said Chancery Division,
including the offices attached to that Judge in his capacity of Receiver Judge.
(3) There shall also be transacted in the Office of one of the Examiners (to be nominated
by the Minister after consultation with the President of the High Court) or in the Examiner's
Office (where there is only one Examiner) all such business as was formerly transacted in the
Bankruptcy Office of the King's Bench Division of the High Court of Justice in Southern
Ireland.
The Examiners.
11. (1) Each of the Examiners or the Examiner (where there is only one Examiner) shall
have and exercise all such powers and authorities and perform and fulfil all such duties and
functions as shall from time to time be conferred on or assigned to him by statute or rule of
court and in particular (unless and until otherwise provided by statute or rule of court) shall
perform and fulfil such duties and functions as were formerly performed or fulfilled by the
several Chief Clerks and Assistant Chief Clerks of the Master of the Rolls and the ordinary
judge of the Chancery Division of the High Court of Justice in Southern Ireland respectively
and by the Chief Receiver or the Receiver-Examiner.
(2) One of the Examiners (to be nominated by the Minister after consultation with the
President of the High Court) or the Examiner (where there is only one Examiner) shall have
and exercise all such powers and authorities as were formerly vested in the Chief Registrar in
Bankruptcy of the King's Bench Division of the High Court of Justice in Southern Ireland and
shall perform and fulfil such duties and functions as were formerly required by law to be or
were in fact performed or fulfilled by the said Chief Registrar and the Registrar and Deputy
Registrar in Bankruptcy of the said King's Bench Division respectively.
(3) The powers, authorities, duties and functions of an Examiner or of the Examiner (where
there is only one Examiner) may, subject to any restrictions which the President of the High
Court may think fit to impose, be executed, performed or fulfilled by an officer (to be
designated by the President of the High Court) who is employed in that Examiner's Office or
in the Examiner's Office (where there is only one Examiner) and who is qualified to be
appointed Examiner.
Reduction in number of Examiners.
12. On the occurrence of the first vacancy in the office of Examiner, the number of
Examiners shall be reduced to one, who shall be the Examiner, and the two Examiners'
Offices shall be consolidated into one office, which shall be the Examiner's Office and shall
be under the management of the Examiner.
The Office of the Registrar of the Supreme Court.
13. There shall be transacted in the office of the Registrar of the Supreme Court all
business in relation to the jurisdictions exercisable by the Chief Justice under subsection (1)
of section 10 of this Act.
The Registrar of the Supreme Court.
14. (1) The Registrar of the Supreme Court shall act as registrar to the Chief Justice in
relation to the exercise by the Chief Justice of the jurisdiction exercisable by him under
subsection (1) of section 10 of this Act.
(2) The Registrar of the Supreme Court shall be subject to the direction of the Chief Justice
in regard to the transaction of the business which in pursuance of paragraph 13 of this
Schedule is to be transacted in the office of the Registrar of the Supreme Court.
The Office of Wards of Court.
15. (1) The Office of Wards of Court shall be under the management of the Registrar of
Wards of Court, and there shall be transacted in that office all such business as shall from
time to time be assigned thereto by statute or rule of court and in particular (unless and until
otherwise provided by statute or rule of court) all such business in relation to the exercise of
the jurisdiction vested in the High Court by subsection (1) of section 9 of this Act as was
formerly transacted in relation to the exercise of that jurisdiction in the Lunacy Office of the
Lord Chancellor of Ireland or in the offices attached to the Chambers of the said Lord
Chancellor or in any other office attached to the former Supreme Court of Judicature in
Southern Ireland.
(2) The Office of Wards of Court shall for the purposes of section 9 of the Act of 1945 be
deemed to be an office attached to a court.
The Registrar of Wards of Court.
16. (1) The Registrar of Wards of Court shall have the superintendence and control of the
Office of Wards of Court and shall in the exercise of such superintendence and control be
subject, in regard to all matters of general administration, to the general direction of the
Minister and, in regard to all matters relating to the jurisdiction vested in the High Court by
subsection (1) of section 9 of this Act, to the directions of the judge of the High Court for the
time being exercising that jurisdiction.
(2) In addition to the superintendence and control of the Office of Wards of Court, the
Registrar of Wards of Court shall have and exercise all such powers and authorities and
perform and fulfil such duties and functions in relation to the exercise of the jurisdiction
vested in the High Court by subsection (1) of section 9 of this Act as shall from time to time
be conferred on or assigned to him by statute or rule of court and in particular (unless and
until otherwise provided by statute or rule of court) shall have and exercise all such powers
and authorities as were formerly vested in the Registrar in Lunacy in Ireland or in the Chief
Clerk to the Lord Chancellor of Ireland and shall perform and fulfil all such functions and
duties in relation to the jurisdiction aforesaid as were formerly performed and fulfilled by
the said Registrar in Lunacy and the said Chief Clerk respectively.
(3) The Registrar of Wards of Court shall for the purposes of section 9 of the Act of 1945 be
deemed to be an officer attached to the High Court.
Qualification of Master of the High Court.
17. No person shall be appointed to be Master of the High Court unless at the time of his
appointment he is a barrister of not less than ten years' standing who is then actually
practising.
Qualification of Taxing-Master.
18. No person shall be appointed to be a Taxing-Master unless at the time of his
appointment he is a solicitor of not less than ten years' standing who either is then actually
practising or has previously practised for not less than ten years.
The Taxing Masters.
19. Each of the Taxing-Masters shall have and exercise the following powers and
authorities and perform and fulfil the following duties and functions—
(a) such powers, authorities, duties and functions as are for the time being conferred on
or assigned to them by statute or rule of court,
(b) unless and until otherwise provided by statute or rule of court—all such powers,
authorities, duties and functions in relation to the High Court, and the Supreme
Court, as were formerly possessed and performed by the several Taxing-Masters of
the former Supreme Court of Judicature in Southern Ireland in relation to that
Court,
(c) unless and until otherwise provided by statute or rule of court—all such powers,
authorities and functions in relation to the Court of Criminal Appeal, the Chief
Justice and the President of the High Court, as were immediately before the
operative date possessed or exercised by them in relation to the existing Court of
Criminal Appeal, the existing Chief Justice and the existing President of the High
Court respectively,
(d) such other powers, authorities, duties and functions as were immediately before the
passing of the Act of 1924 vested or imposed by law in or on the several Taxing-
Masters of the former Supreme Court of Judicature in Southern Ireland, and
(e) the duty of taxing any costs to be received, allowed or paid to a solicitor as respects
business undertaken on or after the 1st day of October, 1957, in relation to the
exercise by a local authority of their powers under the Labourers (Ireland) Acts,
1883 to 1958.
Amendment of section 6 of the Act of 1945.
20. In section 6 (which relates to the appointment of the Probate Officer or an Examiner) of
the Act of 1945, the references to an office established by Part I of the Act of 1926 shall be
construed as references to an office mentioned in paragraph 2 of this Schedule.
Qualification of Registrar of Wards of Court
21. No person shall be appointed to be Registrar of Wards of Court unless at the time of
his appointment he either—
(a) is a barrister of not less than ten years' standing who is then actually practising, or
(b) is a barrister who is then employed in an office mentioned in paragraph 2 of this
Schedule and has during the next preceding twelve years been employed in one or
more of the offices mentioned in the said paragraph 2.
General staffs of offices.
22. (1) In addition to the principal officers there shall be employed in the several offices
mentioned in paragraph 2 of this Schedule such and so many officers, clerks, messengers,
criers and servants as the Minister shall from time to time determine with the sanction of the
Minister for Finance and after consultation with the President of the High Court in the case
of an office attached to the High Court or in the case of the Office of Wards of Court and with
the Chief Justice in the case of the Office of the Registrar of the Supreme Court.
(2) All officers (other than the principal officers), clerks, messengers, criers and servants
employed in any of the offices mentioned in paragraph 2 of this Schedule shall be
interchangeable amongst such offices and shall be liable to serve in any of those offices as
the Minister shall from time to time direct after consultation with the President of the High
Court in the case of an office attached to the High Court or in the case of the Office of Wards
of Court and with the Chief Justice in the case of the Office of the Registrar of the Supreme
Court.
Nominations under section 28 of the Act of 1926.
23. Every nomination made before the operative date under section 28 of the Act of 1926
which has not been revoked before the operative date shall continue in force and be
deemed to have been made under the said section 28.