Off On Dualscroll
Turn Dualscroll on to scroll both language versions together.
Uimhir 32 de 1953.
AN tACHT CÚIRTEANNA BREITHIÚNAIS, 1953.
[An tiontó oifigiúil.]
CUID I.
Réamhráiteach agus GinearÁlta.
Gearrtheideal agus comhlua.
1.—(1) Féadfar an tAcht Cúirteanna Breithiúnais, 1953, a ghairm den Acht seo.
(2) Féadfar na hAchta Cúirteanna Breithiúnais, 1924 go 1953, a ghairm de na hAchta agus den Acht seo le chéile.
Léiriú.
2.—(1) San Acht seo—
ciallaíonn “Acht 1924” an tAcht Cúirteanna Breithiúnais, 1924 (Uimh. 10 de 1924);
ciallaíonn “Acht 1926” an tAcht Oifigigh Cúirte, 1926 (Uimh. 27 de 1926);
ciallaíonn “Acht 1936” an tAcht Cúirteanna Breithiúnais, 1936 (Uimh. 48 de 1936);
ciallaíonn “Acht 1946” an tAcht Cúirteanna Breithiúnais (An Chúirt Dúiche), 1946 (Uimh. 21 de 1946);
ciallaíonn “na hAchta” na hAchta Cúirteanna Breithiúnais, 1924 go 1949;
ciallaíonn “an tAire” an tAire Dlí agus Cirt.
(2) Forléireofar an tAcht seo agus na hAchta mar aon ní amháin.
Athghairm.
3.—(1) Déantar leis seo na hachtacháin a sonraítear i gCuid I den Sceideal d'athghairm a mhéid a sonraítear i gcolún (3).
(2) Déantar leis seo an t-achtachán a sonraítear i gCuid II den Sceideal d'athghairm, a mhéid a sonraítear i gcolún (3), le héifeacht ó thosach feidhme an orduithe a déanfar faoi alt 16 den Acht seo.
(3) Déantar leis seo na hachtacháin a sonraítear i gCuid III den Sceideal d'athghairm, a mhéid a sonraítear i gcolún (3), le héifeacht ó thosach feidhme na n-orduithe a déanfar faoi alt 21 agus alt 22 den Acht seo.
CUID II.
Luach Saothair, Caiteachais Agus Pinsin.
Luach saothair breitheamh a mhéadú.
4.—Déanfar luach saothair breitheamh a mhéadú, le héifeacht ón 1ú lá d'Aibreán, 1953—
(a) i gcás breitheamh na Cúirte Uachtaraí agus na hArd-Chúirte agus Uachtaráin na Cúirte Cuarda, dhá chéad agus caoga punt sa bhliain, agus
(b) i gcás breitheamh na Cúirte Cuarda (seachas an tUachtarán) agus na Cúirte Dúiche, ceithre chéad agus caoga punt sa bhliain.
Caitheachais bhreitheamh, etc.
5.—(1) I dteannta luach saothair, féadfar pé suimeanna is dóigh leis an Aire, le ceadú an Aire Airgeadais, a bheith réasúnach a lamháil, as airgead a sholáthrós an tOireachtas, do bhreitheamh den Chúirt Uachtarach, den Ard-Chúirt, den Chúirt Chuarda nó den Chúirt Dúiche nó do Choimisinéir den Ard-Chúirt ar Cuaird chun caiteachais taistil agus caiteachais eile an bhreithimh nó an choimisinéara sin d'íoc.
(2) Féadfar socrú le haghaidh caiteachas faoin alt seo a dhéanamh—
(a) trí liúntais i leith caiteachas áirithe, arna ríomh do réir pé scálaí agus faoi réir pé coinníoll a chinnfeas an tAire ó am go ham le ceadú an Aire Airgeadais; nó
(b) trí liúntais tréimhsiúla de pé méideanna, a bheas iníoctha pé trátha agus i pé slí, a chinnfeas an tAire ó am go ham le ceadú an Aire Airgeadais; nó
(c) i gcás inar dóigh leis an Aire agus leis an Aire Airgeadais nach n-oireann socrú faoi fho-mhír (a) nó fo-mhír (b) den fho-alt seo, i pé slí eile a chinnfeas an tAire ó am go ham le ceadú an Aire Airgeadais.
Pinsin bhreitheamh na Cúirte Uachtaraí agus na hArd-Chuirte.
6.—(1) San alt seo ciallaíonn “seirbhís” seirbhís mar bhreitheamh den Chúirt Uachtarach, den Ard-Chúirt nó den Chúirt Chuarda.
(2) Deonfar do bhreitheamh den Chúirt Uachtarach nó den Ard-Chúirt a scoirfeas, ar chúig bliana seascad a bheith slán aige, tar éis seirbhís chúig bliana déag nó níos mó, pinsean saoil is comhionann le dhá dtrian dá luach saothair tráth a scortha.
(3) Deonfar do gach breitheamh den Chúirt Uachtarach nó den Ard-Chúirt a scoirfeas, de dheasca aoise nó buan-éiglíochta, de bheith i seilbh oifige tar éis seirbhís chúig bliana nó níos mó, pinsean saoil is comhionann leis an séú cuid dá luach saothair tráth a scarúna le hoifig maraon leis an bhficheadú cuid den luach saothair sin do gach bliain iomlán sheirbhíse de bhreis ar chúig bliana, ach ní raghaidh an pinsean thar dhá dtrian den luach saothair sin.
(4) Ní bhaineann an t-alt seo le duine a bheas i seilbh oifige mar bhreitheamh den Chúirt Uachtarach nó den Ard-Chúirt ar dháta an Achta seo a rith.
(5) Baineann alt 8 d'Acht 1936 le pinsean a deonfar faoin alt seo.
Pinsin bhreitheamh na Cúirte Cuarda.
7.—(1) San alt seo ciallaíonn “seirbhís” seirbhís mar bhreitheamh den Chúirt Chuarda nó den Chúirt Dúiche.
(2) Deonfar do gach breitheamh den Chúirt Chuarda a scoirfeas, ar chúig bliana seascad a bheith slán aige, tar éis seirbhís chúig bliana déag nó níos mó, pinsean saoil is comhionann le dhá dtrian dá luach saothair tráth a scortha.
(3) Deonfar do gach breitheamh den Chúirt Chuarda a scoirfeas, de dheasca aoise nó buan-éiglíochta, de bheith i seilbh oifige tar éis seirbhís chúig bliana nó níos mó, pinsean saoil is comhionann leis an séú cuid dá luach saothair tráth a scarúna le hoifig maraon leis an bhficheadú cuid den luach saothair sin do gach bliain iomlán sheirbhíse de bhreis ar chúig bliana, ach ní raghaidh an pinsean thar dhá dtrian den luach saothair sin.
(4) Ní bhaineann an t-alt seo le duine a bheas i seilbh oifige mar bhreitheamh den Chúirt Chuarda ar dháta an Achta seo a rith.
(5) Baineann alt 17 d'Acht 1936 le pinsean a deonfar faoin alt seo.
Pinsin bhreitheamh na Cúirte Dúiche.
8.—(1) Deonfar do bhreitheamh den Chúirt Dúiche a scoirfeas, ar chúig bliana seascad a bheith slán aige, tar éis seirbhís fiche bliain nó níos mó, pinsean saoil is comhionann le dhá dtrian dá luach saothair tráth a scortha.
(2) Deonfar do gach breitheamh den Chúirt Dúcihe a scoirfeas, de dheasca aoise nó buan-éiglíochta, de bheith is seilbh oifige tar éis seirbhís chúig bliana nó níos mó, pinsean saoil is comhionann leis an séú cuid dá luach saothair tráth a scarúna le hoifig maraon leis an tríochadú cuid den luach saothair sin do gach bliain iomlán sheirbhíse de bhreis ar chúig bliana, ach ní raghaidh an pinsean thar dhá dtrian den luach saothair sin.
(3) Ní bhainfidh an t-alt seo le duine a bheas i seilbh oifige mar bhreitheamh den Chúirt Dúiche ar dháta an Achta seo a rith mura nglacfaidh sé sin de roghain trí fhógra i scríbhinn a thabhairt don Aire Airgeadais laistigh de thrí mhí tar éis an dáta sin. Sa chás sin ní bheidh feidhm feasta maidir leis ag an forála de na hAchta a bhaineas le pinsin bhreitheamh na Cúirte Dúiche.
(4) Bainfidh fo-alt (5) d'alt 48 d'Acht 1936 le pinsean a deonfar faoin alt seo nó faoi alt 19 d'Acht 1946.
Luach saothair agus pinsin a mhuirearú ar an bPríomh-Chiste.
9.—Déanfar an luach saothair agus an pinsean is iníoctha le gach breitheamh faoi réim nó de bhuaidh na nAcht nó an Achta seo a mhuirearú ar an bPríomh-Chiste nó a thoradh fáis agus d'íoc as an gcéanna.
Srian léis na forála de na hAchta a bhaineas le pinsin.
10.—Ní bheidh feidhm maidir le haon bhreitheamh a ceapfar tar éis dáta an Achta seo a rith ag na forála de na hAchta a bhaineas le pinsin bhreitheamh.
CUID III.
An ChÚirt Uachtarach agus an Ard-ChÚirt.
Breitheamh breise don Ard-Chúirt.
11.—Leasaítear leis seo alt 4 d'Acht 1924 (trína mbunaítear an Ard-Chúirt) trí “sheachtar breithiún” a chur in ionad “sheisear breithiún” agus “seisear gnáth-bhreithiún” a chur in ionad “cúigear gnáth-bhreithiún”.
Alt 34 d'Acht 1936 a mhodhnú.
12.—(1) D'ainneoin aon ní in alt 34 d'Acht 1936, más rud é, aon uair sara dtosnóidh breitheamh ag taisteal Cuarda Ard-Chúirte chun aon tsuíonna leathbhliantúla den Ard-Chúirt ar Cuaird a thionól ar an gcuaird sin, go bhfaighidh an Príomh-Bhreitheamh agus Uachtarán na hArd-Chúirte amach nach bhfuil aon ghnó le déanamh ag na suíonna sin in aon bhaile achomhairc áirithe do chontae nó do chontae-bhuirg ar an gCuaird Ard-Chúirte sin, féadfaidh an Príomh-Bhreitheamh agus Uachtarán na hArd-Chúirte a threorú i scríbhinn nach gá na suíonna sin a thionól sa bhaile achomhairc sin.
(2) I gcás—
(i) beirt bhreitheamh nó níos mó a bheith ag taisteal Cuarda Ard-Chúirte chun aon tsuíonna leathbhliantúla den Ard-Chúirt ar Cuaird a thionól ar an gcuaird sin, agus
(ii) go bhfaighidh an breitheamh is sinsearaí díobh amach nach bhfuil aon ghnó le déanamh ag na suíonna sin in aon bhaile achomhairc áirithe do chontae nó do chontae-bhuirg ar an gCuaird Ard-Chúirte sin,
féadfaidh an breitheamh is sinsearaí díobh a threorú i scríbhinn nach gá na suíonna sin a thionól sa bhaile achomhairc sin.
(3) I gcás—
(i) gan ach aon bhreitheamh amháin a bheith ag taisteal Cuarda Ard-Chúirte chun aon tsuíonna leathbhliantúla den Ard-Chúirt ar Cuaird a thionól ar an gcuaird sin, agus
(ii) go bhfaighidh an breitheamh amach nach bhfuil aon ghnó le déanamh ag na suíonna sin in aon bhaile achomhairc áirithe do chontae nó do chontae-bhuirg ar an gCuaird Ard-Chúirte sin, féadfaidh an breitheamh a threorú i scríbhinn nach gá na suíonna sin a thionól sa bhaile achomhairc sin.
(4) Féadfar treorú faoin alt seo a chomhdú san Oifig Chúirte Cuarda a fhónas don bhaile achomhairc lena mbaineann an treorú.
Máistir na hArd-Chúirte do tharchur nó d'aistriú caingean.
13.—Le toiliú na bpáirtithe sa chaingean, féadfaidh Máistir na hArd-Chúirte an chumhacht tarchurtha nó aistrithe caingin, a bheirtear le halt 25 d'Acht 1924, d'fheidhmiú, agus measfar gurb í an Ard-Chúirt a tharchuir nó d'aistrigh faoin alt sin aon chaingean a tharchuir nó d'aistrigh seisean.
Tórainn le méid costas gearánaí i gcaingin áirithe Ard-Chúirte.
14.—Leasaítear leis seo alt 12 d'Acht 1936 (a chuireas tórainn le méid costas gearánaí i gcaingin áirithe Ard-Chúirte) trí “caoga punt” a chur in ionad “cúig puint fhichead”, “dhá chéad punt” in ionad “céad punt” agus “sé chéad punt” in ionad “trí chéad punt”.
Athchóiriú ar Choiste Rialacha na nUascúirteanna.
15.—(1) Beith triúr comhaltaí ex officio agus ochtar comhaltaí ainmnithe feasta ar Choiste Rialacha na nUascúirteanna a bunaíodh le halt 67 d'Acht 1936.
(2) Is iad na comhaltaí ex officio—
(a) an Príomh-Bhreitheamh, a bheas ina chathaoirleach ar an gCoiste,
(b) Uachtarán na hArd-Chúirte, a bheas ina leas-chathaoirleach ar an gCoiste, agus
(c) Máistir na hArd-Chúirte.
(3) Beidh beirt de na comhaltaí ainmnithe ina n-abhcóidí cleachtacha a ainmneos Comhairle Ghinearálta Abhcóidí na hÉireann, agus duine díobh sin ina Abhcóide Sinsir agus an duine eile ina Abhcóide Sóisir, agus beidh beirt ina n-aturnaethe cleachtacha a ainmneos Comhairle Dhlí-Chumann Corpraithe na hÉireann.
(4) Beidh gach comhalta ainmnithe den Choiste i seilbh oifige mar chomhalta den tsórt sin go ceann cúig bliana ó dháta a ainmnithe, mura dtarlaí roimhe sin é d'éag, é d'éirí as oifig nó é a scor de bheith (pé acu é) ina ghnáthbhreitheamh den Chúirt Uachtarach, ina ghnáthbhreitheamh den Ard-Chúirt, ina abhcóide cleachtach, nó (i gcás an Abhcóide Shóisir) ina Abhcóide Sóisir, nó ina aturnae cleachtach.
(5) D'fhonn amhrais a sheachaint, dearbhaítear leis seo go bhfuil ag an gCoiste agus go measfar go raibh riamh aige an chumhacht chun rialacha a dhéanamh le achainíocha toghcháin a thriail faoi aon reacht atá i bhfeidhm de thuras na huaire, lena n-áirítear cumhacht chun aon reacht den tsórt sin a mhodhnú nó d'oiriúnú chun críche na rialacha sin.
CUID IV.
An Chúirt Chuarda.
An Stát a roinnt ina chuarda.
16.—(1) Féadfaidh an Rialtas, más cuí agus nuair is cuí leo é, le hordú—
(a) na contaethe agus na contae-bhuirgí ar leithligh sa Stát a roinnt in ocht ngrúpaí oiriúnacha (dá ngairmtear cuarda san Acht seo) chun críocha na Cúirte Cuarda, ach faoi réir na dtórann—
(i) gur cuaird amháin díobh (dá ngairmfear Cuaird Bhaile Atha Cliath) contae agus contae-bhuirg Bhaile Atha Cliath,
(ii) gur cuaird eile díobh (dá ngairmfear Cuaird Chorcaighe) contae agus contae-bhuirg Chorcaighe, agus
(iii) nach roinnfear aon chontae ná contae-bhuirg idir dhá chuaird nó níos mó;
(b) ainm a chur ar gach cuaird (seachas Cuaird Bhaile Atha Cliath agus Cuaird Chorcaighe) a gairmfear den chuaird sin;
(c) beirt de na breithimh den Chúirt Chuarda a bheas i seilbh oifige i dtosach feidhme an orduithe a shannadh go buan do Chuaird Bhaile Atha Cliath;
(d) duine de na breithimh den Chúirt Chuarda a bheas i seilbh oifige i dtosach feidhme an orduithe a shannadh go buan do gach ceann faoi leith de na cuarda eile.
(2) (a) Féadfaidh an t-ordú foráil a dhéanamh chun dul ar aghaidh agus críoch a chur le haon ghnó de chuid na Cúirte Cuarda a bheas tionscanta roimh thosach feidhme an orduithe agus nach mbeidh críochnaithe roimh an tosach feidhme sin.
(b) Chun críocha an fho-ailt seo, measfar gnó de chuid na Cúirte Cuarda a thionscnamh lá eisiúna an bhille shibhialta nó an doiciméid thionscnaimh eile a bhaineas leis.
(3) I dtosach feidhme an orduithe—
(a) scoirfidh roinnt an Stáit ina chuarda faoi alt 13 d'Acht 1936 d'éifeacht a bheith aige;
(b) beidh deireadh leis an sannadh atá faoi láthair ar bhreithimh na Cúirte Cuarda do na cuarda sin;
(c) chun críocha na nAcht agus an Achta seo, cuirfear na cuarda a bunófar faoi fho-alt (1) den alt seo in ionad na gcuarda a bunaíodh faoin alt sin 13;
(d) forléireofar dá réir sin tagairtí in aon Acht do chuarda maidir leis an gCúirt Chuarda.
(4) Más lú ná naonúr líon breitheamh na Cúirte Cuarda tráth déanta an orduithe, féadfar a shainrá san ordú go sannfar do chuaird agus, má sainráitear, sannfar di, an breitheamh a ceapfar chun an folúntas a líonadh agus, i gcás breitheamh a bheas sannta leis an ordú do chuaird do scarúint lena oifig mar gheall ar bhás nó eile roimh thosach feidhme an orduithe sin, oibreoidh an t-ordú chun an breitheamh a ceapfar (roimh thosach feidhme an orduithe nó dá éis) chun ionaid an bhreithimh sin a scar amhlaidh lena oifig a shannadh don chuaird sin.
Breitheamh den Chúirt Chuarda nach bhfuil sannta faoi alt 16 a shannadh.
17.—(1) Más rud é, i dtosach feidhme an orduithe faoi alt 16 den Acht seo, go mbeidh breitheamh den Chúirt Chuarda gan bheith sannta go buan leis an ordú sin do chuaird, féadfaidh an Rialtas é a shannadh go buan do chuaird tráth ar bith agus, go dtí go sannfar amhlaidh é, féadfaidh Uachtarán na Cúirte Cuarda é a shannadh go sealadach ó am go ham d'aon chuaird.
(2) Má bhíonn breitheamh den Chúirt Chuarda sannta go sealadach, faoi fho-alt (1) den alt seo, do chuaird, ansin, fad a bheas an breitheamh sin sannta go sealadach amhlaidh, beidh aige, maidir leis an gcuaird sin agus i gcomhréim le haon bhreitheamh atá sannta go buan di agus le haon bhreitheamh atá sannta go sealadach, faoi alt 10 den Acht Cúirteanna Breithiúnais, 1947 (Uimh. 20 de 1947), don chuaird sin, na pribhléidí, na cumhachta agus na dualgais uile a bheas de thuras na huaire tugtha le dlí do bhreitheamh den Chúirt Chuarda atá sannta go buan don chuaird sin nó curtha le dlí air.
Líon breitheamh na Cúirte Cuarda.
18.—(1) Beidh naonúr breitheamh ar a mhéid sa Chúirt Chuarda.
(2) Athghairmtear leis seo alt 9 den Acht Cúirteanna Breithiúnais, 1928 (Uimh. 15 de 1928).
(3) Tiocfaidh fo-ailt (1) agus (2) den alt seo i ngníomh i dtosach feidhme an orduithe faoi alt 16 den Acht seo nó, má bhíonn deichniúr breitheamh ann an uair sin, ar an gcéad fholúntas a theacht ina measc.
Dlínse a leathnú i gcásanna sibhialta.
19.—(1) Leasaítear leis seo mar leanas alt 48 d'Acht 1924 (a bhaineas le dlínse na Cúirte Cuarda i gcásanna sibhialta):—
(a) trí “£600” a chur in ionad “£300” i mír (ii) (a bhaineas le conradh agus tort),
(b) trí “£2,000” a chur in ionad “£1,000” i mír (iv) (a bhaineas le probháid agus riarachán), agus mír (v) (a bhaineas le hábhair chothromais) a mhodhnú dá réir, agus
(c) trí “£600” a chur in ionad “£300” i mír (vii) (a bhaineas le himeachta thar ceann an Stáit).
(2) Leasaítear leis seo alt 20 d'Acht 1936 (a bhaineas le dlínse na Cúirte Cuarda i gcaingin tarchurtha) trí “sé chéad punt” a chur in ionad “trí chéad punt”.
(3) Leasaítear leis seo alt 23 d'Acht 1936 (a bhaineas leis an gceart chun breis áirithe a thréigint sa Chúirt Chuarda) trí “shé chéad punt” a chur in ionad “thrí chéad punt” agus “sé chéad punt” in ionad “trí chéad punt” i bhfo-alt (1) agus i bhfo-alt (2).
Caingean ar héisteadh cuid de d'aistriú ó ionad amháin go dtí ionad eile.
20.—Féadfaidh breitheamh den Chúirt Chuarda, ar iarratas aon pháirtí i gcaingean sibhialta ar héisteadh cuid de, an chuid eile, nó aon chuid, den éisteacht d'aistriú go dtí ionad eile laistigh den chuaird nó laistigh de Chuaird Bhaile Atha Cliath mura gcuireann aon cheann de na páirtithe eile ina aghaidh, agus féadfar achomharc i gcoinne breithe an bhreithimh ar aon iarratas den tsórt sin a dhéanamh faoi alt 38 d'Acht 1936.
CUID V.
An ChÚirt DÚiche.
Ceantair chúirte dúiche.
21.—(1) Féadfaidh an tAire, más cuí agus nuair is cuí leis é, le hordú—
(a) an Stát (ach amháin Dúthaigh Phríomh-Chathrach Bhaile Atha Cliath) a roinnt i pé ceantair oiriúnacha (dá ngairmfear ceantair chúirte dúiche) agus i pé méid díobh is cuí leis chun críocha na Cúirte Dúiche agus féadfaidh an Stát a roinnt i gceantair éagsúla chúirte dúiche chun críocha cineálacha éagsúla gnótha de chuid na Cúirte Dúiche, agus
(b) áit oiriúnach nó áiteanna oiriúnach i ngach ceantar cúirte dúiche nó laistigh de mhíle ó thórainn an cheantair sin, agus laethe agus trátha oiriúnacha áirithe agus méid áirithe díobh, a cheapadh chun an Chúirt Dúiche a thionól leis an ngnó dár socraíodh an ceantar a dhéanamh.
(2) (a) Féadfaidh an t-ordú foráil a dhéanamh chun dul ar aghaidh agus críoch a chur le haon ghnó de chuid na Cúirte Dúiche a bheas tionscanta roimh thosach feidhme an orduithe agus nach mbeidh críochnaithe roimh an tosach feidhme sin.
(b) Chun críocha an fho-ailt seo measfar gnó de chuid na Cúirte Dúiche a thionscnamh lá eisiúna na toghairme, an bharántais, na próise nó an doiciméid thionscnaimh eile a bhaineas leis.
(3) Na ceantair chúirte dúiche a bunófar faoi fho-alt (1) den alt seo gabhfaidh siad, chun gach críche, áit na gceantar cúirte dúiche a bunaíodh faoi alt 47 d'Acht 1926 agus cuirfear iad, chun gach críche, ina n-ionad sin, agus forléireofar dá réir sin tagairtí in aon Acht do cheantair chúirte dúiche maidir leis an gCuirt Dúiche.
(4) Déanfar na suíonna den Chúirt Dúiche chun go ndéanfar d'aon cheantar cúirte dúiche an gnó dár socraíodh an ceantar cúirte dúiche sin a thionól sna háiteanna, ar na laethe agus ag na trátha, a bheas ceaptha chuige sin faoin Acht seo.
Dúthaí cúirte dúiche.
22.—(1) Ar an ordú faoi alt 21 den Acht seo a dhéanamh, dearbhóidh an tAire le hordú go mbeidh pé ceantair chúirte dúiche, agus pé méid díobh, is cuí leis, ina ndúthaí chun críocha na Cúirte Dúiche, ach faoi réir na tórann nach mbeidh thar cúig cinn fhichead de na dúthaí sin ann.
(2) I dtosach feidhme an orduithe faoi fho-alt (1) den alt seo—
(a) scoirfidh roinnt an Stáit (taobh amuigh de Dhúthaigh Phríomh-Chathrach Bhaile Atha Cliath) ina dhúthaí faoi fho-alt (3) d'alt 47 d'Acht 1926 d'éifeacht a bheith aige;
(b) beidh deireadh leis an sannadh atá faoi láthair ar bhreithimh den Chúirt Dúiche do na dúthaí sin;
(c) sannfaidh an Rialtas go buan do gach dúthaigh a bunófar faoi fho-alt (1) den alt seo duine de na breithimh den Chúirt Dúiche a bheas i seilbh oifige an tráth sin, nach breitheamh atá sannta go buan do Dhúthaigh Phríomh-Chathrach Bhaile Atha Cliath;
(d) chun críocha na nAcht agus an Achta seo, cuirfear na dúthaí a bunófar faoi fho-alt (1) den alt seo agus Dúthaigh Phríomh-Chathrach Bhaile Atha Cliath in ionad na ndúthaí a bunaíodh faoin alt sin 47 agus gairmfear dúthaí cúirte dúiche díobh;
(e) forléireofar dá réir sin tagairtí in aon Acht do dhúthaí maidir leis an gCúirt Dúiche.
(3) Tiocfaidh an t-ordú faoi fho-alt (1) den alt seo i ngníomh i dtosach feidhme an orduithe faoi alt 21 den Acht seo.
Breithimh nach bhfuil sannta faoi alt 22 a shannadh.
23.—Más rud é, tar éis tosach feidhme an orduithe faoi alt 22 den Acht seo go mbeidh breitheamh den Chúirt Dúiche gan bheith sannta go buan d'aon dúthaigh chúirte dúiche, féadfaidh an Rialtas é a shannadh go buan tráth ar bith do dhúthaigh chúirte dúiche.
Cáilíocht i gcóir ceapacháin mar bhreitheamh den Chúirt Dúiche.
24.—(1) Leasaítear leis seo alt 69 d'Acht 1924 (a fhorálas seasamh sé mblian mar abhcóide nó aturnae mar cháilíocht i gcóir ceapacháin mar bhreitheamh den Chúirt Dúiche), trí “seasamh deich mbliana” a chur in ionad “seasamh sé mblian”.
(2) Leasaítear leis seo alt 14 d'Acht 1946 trí “deich mbliana” a chur in ionad “sé bliana”.
Líon breitheamh na Cúirte Dúiche.
25.—Do réir mar tharlós, tar éis tosach feidhme an orduithe faoi alt 22 den Acht seo, gach folúntas ar leith in oifig bhreithimh dhúiche, beidh an líon uasta de bhreithimh Chúirte Dúiche arna laghdú ceann amháin go dtí go mbeidh sé laghdaithe an uimhir chéanna a bheas an uimhir dhúthaí laghdaithe de dhroim an orduithe sin, agus beidh alt 16 d'Acht 1946 (a cuireadh isteach ann le halt 3 den Acht Cúirteanna Breithiúnais (An Chúirt Dúiche), 1949 (Uimh. 8 de 1949), arna mhodhnú dá réir sin.
Cumhacht chun dúthaí agus ceantair a bhunú, d'athrú agus a dhíchur.
26.—(1) Is dleathach don Aire ó am go ham, mar is foirstineach leis, gach ní nó aon ní acu seo a leanas a dhéanamh le hordú:—
(a) aon dúthaigh chúirte dúiche d'athrú nó a dhíchur,
(b) aon dúthaigh nua chúirte dúiche a bhunú,
(c) aon cheantar cúirte dúiche d'athrú nó a dhíchur,
(d) aon cheantar nua cúirte dúiche a bhunú,
(e) an cineál nó na cineálacha gnótha dár socraíodh aon cheantar cúirte dúiche d'athrú,
(f) na háiteanna, na laethe nó na trátha d'athrú a bheas ceaptha de thuras na huaire chun an Chúirt Dúiche in aon cheantar cúirte dúiche nó dhó a thionól.
(2) (a) Aon uair a dhéanfas an tAire ordú faoi fho-alt (1) den alt seo, féadfaidh sé foráil a dhéanamh chun dul ar aghaidh agus críoch a chur le haon ghnó de chuid na Cúirte Dúiche a bheas tionscanta roimh dháta thosach feidhme an orduithe sin agus nach mbeidh críochnaithe roimh an dáta sin.
(b) Chun críocha an fho-ailt seo measfar gnó de chuid na Cúirte Dúiche a thionscnamh lá eisiúna na toghairme, an bharántais, na próise nó an doiciméid thionscnaimh eile a bhaineas leis.
(3) Oibreoidh díchur dúthaigh chúirte dúiche faoi fho-alt (1) den alt seo chun deireadh a chur le haon tsannadh a bheas i bhfeidhm an tráth sin ar bhreitheamh don dúthaigh sin agus féadfaidh an Rialtas an breitheamh sin a shannadh go buan tráth ar bith do dhúthaigh chúirte dúiche eile.
(4) Forléireofar tagairtí in alt 64 d'Acht 1936 d'alt 47 d'Acht 1926 mar thagairtí a fholaíos tagairtí d'fho-alt (1) den alt seo agus beidh éifeacht dá réir sin ag an Ordú Dúthaí Cúirte Dúiche (Baile Atha Cliath), 1945 (R. & O.R., Uimh. 279 de 1945).
Trátha agus áiteanna le gnó a dhéanamh.
27.—(1) San alt seo ciallaíonn “ceaptha” ceaptha faoi alt 11 d'Acht 1946 nó faoi alt 21 nó alt 26 den Acht seo.
(2) Is dleathach do bhreitheamh den Chúirt Dúiche, ina shuí dhó in áit, ar lá agus ag uair, a bheas ceaptha chun aon chineál áirithe gnótha Chúirte Dúiche a dhéanamh, aon chineál eile gnótha Chúirte Dúiche a dhéanamh ag an suí sin.
(3) Is dleathach do bhreitheamh den Chúirt Dúiche déanamh aon ghnótha Chúirte Dúiche ina bhfuil dlínse aige d'aistriú nó a chur ar atráth—
(a) go dtí ócáid eile san áit ina raibh an gnó sin á dhéanamh aige tráth a aistrithe nó a churtha ar atráth, pé acu lá agus uair atá ceaptha an ócáid sin nó nach ea, nó
(b) go dtí ócáid eile (pé acu lá agus uair atá ceaptha an ócáid sin nó nach ea) in áit éigin eile ina dhúthaigh atá ina háit atá ceaptha chun gnó Cúirte Dúiche a dhéanamh, pé acu a háirítear nó nach n-áirítear sa ghnó sin an gnó sin a haistríodh nó a cuireadh ar atráth amhlaidh.
Dlinse i gcasanna sibhialta a leathnú.
28.—(1) Leasaítear leis seo mar leanas mír A d'alt 77 d'Acht 1924 (a bhaineas le dlínse na Cúirte Dúiche i gcásanna sibhialta):—
(a) trí “£50” a chur in ionad “£25” i gclásal (i) (a bhaineas le conradh),
(b) trí “£50” a chur in ionad “£10” i gclásal (ii) (a bhaineas le caingin áirithe toirt),
(c) trí “£53” a chur in ionad “£27” i gclásal (iii), arna leasú le halt 16 den Acht Cúirteanna Breithiúnais, 1928 (Uimh. 15 de 1928) (a bhaineas le heisiachtaint),
(d) trí “£50” a chur in ionad “£25” i gclásal (iv) (a bhaineas le himeachta thar ceann an Stáit), agus
(e) trí “£50” a chur in ionad “cúig puint fhichead” i gclásal (v) (a cuireadh isteach inti le halt 52 d'Acht 1936) (a bhaineas le himeachta thar ceann comhluchtaí poiblí áirithe).
(2) Leasaítear leis seo fo-alt (1) d'alt 20 den Acht Fost-Cheannaigh, 1946 (Uimh. 16 de 1946) (a bhaineas le dlínse na Cúirte Dúiche i gcaingin chun earraí d'aisghabháil a ligeadh faoi chomhaontú fruilcheannaigh) trí “caoga punt” a chur in ionad “cúig puint fhichead”.
Dlínse faoi na hAchta Srianta Cíosa i gcásanna eisiachtana.
29.—Chun deireadh a chur le hamhras, achtaítear leis seo go bhféadfaidh an Chúirt Dúiche an dlínse agus na cumhachta a bheirtear don Chúirt leis na hAchta Srianta Cíosa, 1946 go 1952, d'fheidhmiú i ngach cás eisiachtana ina bhfuil dlínse ag an gCúirt sin de bhuaidh na nAcht arna leasú leis an Acht seo.
Dlínse i gcásanna idirphléadála a leathnú.
30.—Leasaítear leis seo fo-alt (1) d'alt 22 den Acht um Fheidhmiú Orduithe Cúirte, 1926 (Uimh. 18 de 1926) (a bhaineas le tionscnamh imeachta idirphléadála ag foshirriam os comhair na Cúirte Dúiche) trí “caoga punt” a chur in ionad “cúig puint fhichead”.
Feidhmiú dlínse i gcásanna tréigin.
31.—D'ainneoin aon ní in alt 79 d'Acht 1924, féadfar imeachta ó bhean phósta faoi alt 1 den Married Women (Maintenance in Case of Desertion) Act, 1886, a thionscnamh, d'éisteacht agus a chinneadh, agus measfar gurbh fhéidir riamh iad a thionscnamh, d'éisteacht agus a chinneadh, os comhair breithimh, agus ag breitheamh, den Chúirt Dúiche atá sannta de thuras na huaire don dúthaigh ina gcónaíonn a fear céile, nó ina mbíonn gnó á sheoladh aige, de ghnáth nó os comhair breithimh, agus ag breithimh, den Chúirt Dúiche atá sannta de thuras na huaire don dúthaigh ina gcónaíonn sise de ghnáth.
Leasú ar alt 68 den Dublin Police Act, 1842.
32.—Leasaítear leis seo alt 68 den Dublin Police Act, 1842 (a fhorálas go seachadfar don únaer earraí a coinníodh go neamhdhleathach) trí “a justice of the District Court” a chur in ionad “any of the said divisional justices”, trí “within the Limits of the Police District” a scrios agus trí “fifty pounds” a chur in ionad “Fifteen Pounds”, agus beidh éifeacht ag an alt, arna leasú amhlaidh, ar fud an Stáit.
Achomharc i gcoinne orduithe faoin Probation of Offenders Act, 1907.
33.—Féadfar achomharc a dhéanamh chun na Cúirte Cuarda i gcoinne orduithe ón gCúirt Dúiche faoi fho-alt (1) d'alt 1 den Probation of Offenders Act, 1907.
AN SCEIDEAL.
AchtachÁin a hAthghairmtear.
CUID I.
Achtacháin a hathghairmtear ó dháta an Achta seo a rith.
Uimhir agus Bliain | Gearrtheideal | Méid na hAthghairme |
(1) | (2) | (3) |
Uimhir 10 de 1924. | Ailt 15 agus 42, agus, in alt 74, ó “Is amach as airgead” go dtí deireadh an ailt. | |
Fo-alt (1) d'alt 16. | ||
Fo-ailt (2), (3), (5) agus (6) d'alt 67. Alt 77. | ||
In alt 22, na focail “(seachas Ard-Bhreitheamh Roinne)”. | ||
Alt 19. |
CUID II.
Achtachán a hathghairmtear ó thosach feidhme an orduithe faoi alt 16 den Acht seo.
Uimhir agus Bliain | Gearrtheideal | Méid na hAthghairme |
(1) | (2) | (3) |
Alt 13. |
CUID III.
Achtacháin a hathghairmtear ó thosach feidhme na n-orduithe faoi alt 21 agus alt 22 den Acht seo.
Uimhir agus Bliain | Gearrtheideal | Méid na hAthghairme |
(1) | (2) | (3) |
Alt 68. | ||
Alt 47. | ||
An tAcht iomlán. | ||
Alt 11. |
Number 32 of 1953.
COURTS OF JUSTICE ACT, 1953.
ARRANGEMENT OF SECTIONS
PRELIMINARY AND GENERAL.
Section | |
REMUNERATION, EXPENSES AND PENSIONS.
THE SUPREME COURT AND HIGH COURT.
Limitation on amount of plaintiff's costs in certain High Court actions. | |
THE CIRCUIT COURT.
Assignment of a judge of the Circuit Court not assigned under section 16. | |
THE DISTRICT COURT.
Jurisdiction under Rent Restrictions Acts in ejectment cases. | |
Acts Referred to | |
No. 10 of 1924 | |
No. 27 of 1926 | |
No. 48 of 1936 | |
No. 21 of 1946 | |
No. 20 of 1947 | |
No. 15 of 1928 | |
No. 8 of 1949 | |
No. 16 of 1946 | |
No. 18 of 1926 | |
District Court Districts (Dublin) Order, 1945 | (S.R. & O., No. 279 of 1945) |
Number 32 of 1953.
COURTS OF JUSTICE ACT, 1953.
PART I.
Preliminary and General.
Short title and collective citation.
1.—(1) This Act may be cited as the Courts of Justice Act, 1953.
(2) The Acts and this Act may be cited together as the Courts of Justice Acts, 1924 to 1953.
Interpretation.
2.—(1) In this Act—
“the Act of 1924” means the Courts of Justice Act, 1924 (No. 10 of 1924);
“the Act of 1926” means the Court Officers Act, 1926 (No. 27 of 1926);
“the Act of 1936” means the Courts of Justice Act, 1936 (No. 48 of 1936);
“the Act of 1946” means the Courts of Justice (District Court) Act, 1946 (No. 21 of 1946);
“the Acts” means the Courts of Justice Acts, 1924 to 1949;
“justice” means a justice of the District Court;
“the Minister” means the Minister for Justice.
(2) This Act shall be construed as one with the Acts.
Repeals.
3.—(1) The enactments specified in Part I of the Schedule are, to the extent specified in column (3), hereby repealed.
(2) The enactment specified in Part II of the Schedule is, to the extent specified in column (3), hereby repealed with effect from the commencement of the order made under section 16 of this Act.
(3) The enactments specified in Part III of the Schedule are, to the extent specified in column (3), hereby repealed with effect from the commencement of the orders made under section 21 and section 22 of this Act.
PART II.
Remuneration, Expenses and Pensions.
Increase of remuneration of judges and of justices.
4.—The remuneration of judges and of justices shall, with effect from the 1st day of April, 1953, be increased—
(a) in the case of judges of the Supreme Court and the High Court and the President of the Circuit Court, by two hundred and fifty pounds per annum, and
(b) in the case of judges of the Circuit Court (other than the President) and of justices, by four hundred and fifty pounds per annum.
Expenses of judges, etc.
5.—(1) In addition to remuneration, a judge of the Supreme Court, the High Court or the Circuit Court or a justice or a Commissioner of the High Court on Circuit may be allowed, out of moneys provided by the Oireachtas, such sums as the Minister, with the sanction of the Minister for Finance, thinks reasonable for the purpose of defraying travelling and other expenses of such judge, justice or Commissioner.
(2) Provision for expenses under this section may be made—
(a) by means of allowances in respect of particular expenses, calculated in accordance with such scales and subject to such conditions as the Minister, with the sanction of the Minister for Finance, may from time to time determine; or
(b) by means of periodical allowances of such amounts and payable at such times and in such manner as the Minister, with the sanction of the Minister for Finance, may from time to time determine; or
(c) where, in the opinion of the Minister and of the Minister for Finance, provision under subparagraph (a) or subparagraph (b) of this subsection is not appropriate, by such other method as the Minister, with the sanction of the Minister for Finance, may from time to time determine.
Pensions of judges of Supreme Court and High Court.
6.—(1) In this section “service” means service as a judge of the Supreme Court, the High Court or the Circuit Court.
(2) There shall be granted to a judge of the Supreme Court or the High Court who, having reached the age of sixty-five years, retires after fifteen years' service or upwards a pension for life of two-thirds of his remuneration at the time of his retirement.
(3) There shall be granted to each judge of the Supreme Court or the High Court who, owing to age or permanent infirmity, ceases to hold office after five years' service or upwards a pension for life of one-sixth of his remuneration at the time of 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.
(4) This section does not apply to a person holding office as a judge of the Supreme Court or the High Court on the passing of this Act.
(5) Section 8 of the Act of 1936 applies to a pension granted under this section.
Pensions of judges of Circuit Court.
7.—(1) In this section “service” means service as a judge of the Circuit Court or as a justice.
(2) There shall be granted to each judge of the Circuit Court who, having reached the age of sixty-five years, retires after fifteen years' service or upwards a pension for life of two-thirds of his remuneration at the time of his retirement.
(3) There shall be granted to each judge of the Circuit Court who, owing to age or permanent infirmity, ceases to hold office after five years' service or upwards a pension for life of one-sixth of his remuneration at the time of 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.
(4) This section does not apply to a person holding office as a judge of the Circuit Court on the passing of this Act.
(5) Section 17 of the Act of 1936 applies to a pension granted under this section.
Pensions of justices.
8.—(1) There shall be granted to a justice who, having reached the age of sixty-five years, retires after twenty years' service or upwards a pension for life of two-thirds of his remuneration at the time of his retirement.
(2) There shall be granted to each justice who, owing to age or permanent infirmity, ceases to hold office after five years' service or upwards a pension for life of one-sixth of his remuneration at the time of 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.
(3) This section shall not apply to a person holding office as a justice on the passing of this Act unless he so elects by notice in writing given to the Minister for Finance within three months after such passing. In that event, the provisions of the Acts in relation to pensions of justices shall no longer apply to him.
(4) Subsection (5) of section 48 of the Act of 1936 shall apply to a pension granted under this section or under section 19 of the Act of 1946.
Charge of remuneration and pensions on Central Fund.
9.—The remuneration and pension payable to every judge and justice under or by virtue of the Acts or this Act shall be charged on and be payable out of the Central Fund or the growing produce thereof.
Restriction of existing pension provisions.
10.—The provisions of the Acts in relation to pensions of judges and justices shall not apply to any judge or justice appointed after the passing of this Act.
PART III.
The Supreme Court and High Court.
Provision for additional judge of the High Court.
11.—Section 4 of the Act of 1924 (by which the High Court is constituted) is hereby amended by the substitution of “seven judges” for “six judges” and “six ordinary judges” for “five ordinary judges.”
Modification of section 34 of the Act of 1936.
12.—(1) Notwitstanding anything contained in section 34 of the Act of 1936, if, at any time before a judge begins to travel a High Court Circuit for the purpose of holding therein any half-yearly sittings of the High Court on Circuit, the Chief Justice and the President of the High Court ascertain that there is no business to be transacted at such sittings in any particular appeal town for a county or county borough in that High Court Circuit, the Chief Justice and the President of the High Court may direct in writing that it shall not be obligatory to hold such sittings in that appeal town.
(2) Where—
(i) two or more judges are travelling a High Court Circuit for the purpose of holding therein any half-yearly sittings of the High Court on Circuit, and
(ii) the senior of the judges ascertains that there is no business to be transacted at such sittings in any particular appeal town for a county or county borough in that High Court Circuit,
the senior of the judges may direct in writing that it shall not be obligatory to hold such sittings in that appeal town.
(3) Where—
(i) one judge only is travelling a High Court Circuit for the purpose of holding therein any half-yearly sittings of the High Court on Circuit, and
(ii) the judge ascertains that there is no business to be transacted at such sittings in any particular appeal town for a county or county borough in that High Court Circuit, the judge may direct in writing that it shall not be obligatory to hold such sittings in that appeal town.
(4) A direction under this section may be filed in the Circuit Court Office serving the appeal town to which the direction relates.
Remittal and transfer of actions by Master of High Court.
13.—The power to remit or transfer an action conferred by section 25 of the Act of 1924 may, with the consent of the parties to the action, be exercised by the Master of the High Court, and any action remitted or transferred by him shall be regarded as having been remitted or transferred under that section by the High Court.
Limitation on amount of plaintiff's costs in certain High Court actions.
14.—Section 12 of the Act of 1936 (which limits the amount of the plaintiff's costs in certain High Court actions) is hereby amended by the substitution of “fifty pounds” for “twenty-five pounds”, “two hundred pounds” for “one hundred pounds” and “six hundred pounds” for “three hundred pounds”.
Reconstitution of Superior Courts Rules Committee.
15.—(1) The Superior Courts Rules Committee established by section 67 of the Act of 1936 shall hereafter consist of three ex-officio members and eight nominated members.
(2) The ex-officio members shall be—
(a) the Chief Justice, who shall be chairman of the Committee,
(b) the President of the High Court, who shall be vice-chairman of the Committee, and
(c) the Master of the High Court.
(3) Two of the nominated members shall be practising barristers nominated by the General Council of the Bar of Ireland, of whom one shall be of the Senior Bar and the other of the Junior Bar, and two shall be practising solicitors nominated by the Council of the Incorporated Law Society of Ireland.
(4) Every nominated member of the Committee shall, unless he sooner dies, resigns, or ceases to be (as the case may be) an ordinary judge of the Supreme Court, an ordinary judge of the High Court, a practising barrister, or (in the case of the member of the Junior Bar) a member of the Junior Bar, or a practising solicitor, hold office as such member for five years from the date of his nomination.
(5) To avoid doubts, it is hereby declared that the Committee has and shall be deemed always to have had the power to make rules for the trial of election petitions under any statute for the time being in force, including power to modify or adapt any such statute for the purpose of such rules.
PART IV.
The Circuit Court.
Division of the State into circuits.
16.—(1) The Government may, if and when they think fit, by order—
(a) divide the several counties and county boroughs in the State into eight convenient groups (in this Act referred to as circuits) for the purposes of the Circuit Court, but subject to the limitations—
(i) that one circuit (to be known as the Dublin Circuit) shall consist of the county and county borough of Dublin,
(ii) that another circuit (to be known as the Cork Circuit) shall consist of the county and county borough of Cork, and
(iii) that no county or county borough shall be divided between two or more circuits;
(b) attach to each circuit (other than the Dublin Circuit and the Cork Circuit) a name by which such circuit shall be known;
(c) permanently assign to the Dublin Circuit two of the judges of the Circuit Court holding office on the commencement of the order;
(d) permanently assign to each other circuit one of the judges of the Circuit Court holding office on the commencement of the order.
(2) (a) The order may make provision for the continuation and completion of any business transacted in the Circuit Court which is initiated before the commencement of the order and is not completed before such commencement.
(b) For the purposes of this subsection, business transacted in the Circuit Court shall be regarded as being initiated on the day on which the civil bill or other originating document relating to it is issued.
(3) On the commencement of the order—
(a) the division of the State into circuits effected under section 13 of the Act of 1936 shall cease to have effect;
(b) the existing assignments of judges of the Circuit Court to such circuits shall cease;
(c) the circuits created under subsection (1) of this section shall, for the purposes of the Acts and this Act, be substituted for the circuits created under the said section 13;
(d) references in any Act to circuits in relation to the Circuit Court shall be construed accordingly.
(4) If at the making of the order the number of judges of the Circuit Court is less than nine, the order may be expressed and, if so expressed, shall operate to assign to a circuit the judge who shall be appointed to fill the vacancy, and, if a judge assigned by the order to a circuit vacates his office by death or otherwise before the commencement of the said order, the order shall operate to assign to such circuit the judge who is appointed (whether before or after the commencement of the order) to fill the place of the judge so vacating his office.
Assignment of a judge of the Circuit Court not assigned under section 16.
17.—(1) If on the commencement of the order made under section 16 of this Act there is a judge of the Circuit Court who is not permanently assigned by that order to a circuit, he may be permanently assigned at any time to a circuit by the Government and, pending such assignment, may from time to time be temporarily assigned to any circuit by the President of the Circuit Court.
(2) Where a judge of the Circuit Court is temporarily assigned, under subsection (1) of this section, 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 Courts of Justice Act, 1947 (No. 20 of 1947), 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.
Number of judges of the Circuit Court.
18.—(1) The Circuit Court shall consist of not more than nine judges.
(2) Section 9 of the Courts of Justice Act, 1928 (No. 15 of 1928), is hereby repealed.
(3) Subsections (1) and (2) of this section shall come into operation on the commencement of the order made under section 16 of this Act or, if there are then ten judges, on the occurrence of the first vacancy amongst them.
Extension of jurisdiction in civil cases.
19.—(1) Section 48 of the Act of 1924 (which relates to the jurisdiction of the Circuit Court in civil cases) is hereby amended as follows:—
(a) by the substitution in paragraph (ii) (which relates to contract and tort) of “£600” for “£300”,
(b) by the substitution in paragraph (iv) (which relates to probate and administration) of “£2,000” for “£1,000”, and the consequential modification of paragraph (v) (which relates to equity matters), and
(c) by the substitution in paragraph (vii) (which relates to proceedings on behalf of the State) of “£600” for “£300”.
(2) Section 20 of the Act of 1936 (which relates to the jurisdiction of the Circuit Court in remitted actions) is hereby amended by the substitution of “six hundred pounds” for “three hundred pounds”.
(3) Section 23 of the Act of 1936 (which relates to the right to abandon excess in the Circuit Court) is hereby amended by the substitution in subsection (1) and subsection (2) of “six hundred pounds” for “three hundred pounds”.
Transfer of part-heard action from one venue to another.
20.—A judge of the Circuit Court may on the application of any party to a civil action which has been partly heard transfer the remainder or any portion of the hearing to another venue within the circuit or within the Dublin Circuit if none of the other parties objects, and an appeal shall lie under section 38 of the Act of 1936 from the decision of the judge on any such application.
PART V.
The District Court.
District court areas.
21.—(1) The Minister may, if and when he thinks fit, by order—
(a) divide the State (apart from the Dublin Metropolitan District) into such and so many convenient areas (which shall be known as district court areas) for the purposes of the District Court as he shall think proper, and may divide the State into different district court areas for the purposes of different classes of business transacted in the District Court, and
(b) appoint one or more convenient places in every district court area or within one mile of the boundary of such area in which, and such and so many convenient days and hours at which, the District Court shall be held for the purpose of transacting for such area the business for which the area was delimited.
(2) (a) The order may make provision for the continuation and completion of any business transacted in the District Court which is initiated before the commencement of the order and is not completed before such commencement.
(b) For the purposes of this subsection, business transacted in the District Court shall be regarded as being initiated on the day on which the summons, warrant, process or other originating document relating to it is issued.
(3) The district court areas created under subsection (1) of this section shall for all purposes take the place of and be substituted for the district court areas created under section 47 of the Act of 1926, and references in any Act to district court areas in relation to the District Court shall be construed accordingly.
(4) The sittings of the District Court for the transaction for any district court area of the business for which such district court area is delimited shall be held in the places, on the days and at the hours for the time being appointed therefor under this Act.
District court districts.
22.—(1) On the making of the order under section 21 of this Act, the Minister shall by order declare that such and so many district court areas, as he shall think proper, shall form districts for the purposes of the District Court, but subject to the limitation that the number of such districts shall not exceed twenty-five.
(2) On the commencement of the order under subsection (1) of this section—
(a) the division of the State (apart from the Dublin Metropolitan District) into districts effected under subsection (3) of section 47 of the Act of 1926 shall cease to have effect;
(b) the existing assignments of justices to such districts shall cease;
(c) the Government shall permanently assign to each district created under subsection (1) of this section one of the justices then holding office, not being a justice permanently assigned to the Dublin Metropolitan District;
(d) the districts created under subsection (1) of this section and the Dublin Metropolitan District shall, for the purposes of the Acts and this Act, be substituted for the districts created under the said section 47 and shall be known as district court districts;
(e) references in any Act to districts in relation to the District Court shall be construed accordingly.
(3) The order made under subsection (1) of this section shall come into operation on the commencement of the order made under section 21 of this Act.
Assignment of justices not assigned under section 22.
23.—Where, after the commencement of the order made under section 22 of this Act, there is a justice who is not permanently assigned to a district court district, he may be permanently assigned at any time to a district court district by the Government.
Qualification for appointment as justice.
24.—(1) Section 69 of the Act of 1924 (which provides for six years' standing as a barrister or solicitor as a qualification for appointment as justice) is hereby amended by the substitution of “ten years' standing” for “six years' standing”.
(2) Section 14 of the Act of 1946 is hereby amended by the substitution of “ten years” for “six years”.
Number of justices.
25.—On the occurrence after the commencement of the order made under section 22 of this Act of each vacancy in the office of district justice the maximum number of justices shall stand reduced by one until such time as it is reduced by the number by which the number of districts is reduced in consequence of the said order, and section 16 of the Act of 1946 (inserted therein by section 3 of the Courts of Justice (District Court) Act, 1949 (No. 8 of 1949)) shall stand modified accordingly.
Power to create, vary, abolish districts and areas.
26.—(1) It shall be lawful for the Minister from time to time, as he shall consider expedient, by order to do all or any of the following things:—
(a) vary or abolish any district court district,
(b) create any new district court district,
(c) vary or abolish any district court area,
(d) create any new district court area,
(e) vary the class or classes of business for which any district court area is delimited,
(f) alter the places or vary the days or hours for the time being appointed for holding the District Court in or for any district court area.
(2) (a) Whenever the Minister makes an order under subsection (1) of this section, he may make provision for securing the continuation and completion of any business transacted in the District Court which is initiated before the commencement of such order and is not completed before that date.
(b) For the purposes of this subsection, business transacted in the District Court shall be regarded as being initiated on the day on which the summons, warrant, process or other originating document relating to it is issued.
(3) The abolition of a district court district under subsection (1) of this section shall operate to terminate any assignment then in force of a justice to that district and such justice may be permanently assigned at any time to another district court district by the Government.
(4) References in section 64 of the Act of 1936 to section 47 of the Act of 1926 shall be construed as including references to subsection (1) of this section and the District Court Districts (Dublin) Order, 1945 (S.R. & O., No. 279 of 1945), shall have effect accordingly.
Times and places at which business may be transacted.
27.—(1) In this section “appointed” means appointed under section 11 of the Act of 1946 or under section 21 or section 26 of this Act.
(2) It shall be lawful for a justice when sitting at a place, on a day, and at an hour appointed for the transaction of any particular class of business of the District Court, to transact at such sitting any other class of business of the District Court.
(3) It shall be lawful for a justice to transfer or adjourn the transaction of any business of the District Court in which he has jurisdiction to either—
(a) another occasion at the place in which he was transacting such business at the time of such transfer or adjournment, whether such occasion is or is not a day and hour appointed, or
(b) to another occasion (whether such occasion is or is not a day and hour appointed) at some other place in his district which is a place appointed for the transaction of business of the District Court, whether such business does or does not include the said business so transferred or adjourned.
Extension of jurisdiction in civil cases.
28.—(1) Paragraph A of section 77 of the Act of 1924 (which relates to the jurisdiction of the District Court in civil cases) is hereby amended as follows:—
(a) by the substitution in clause (i) (which relates to contract) of “£50” for “£25”,
(b) by the substitution in clause (ii) (which relates to certain actions in tort) of “£50” for “£10”,
(c) by the substitution in clause (iii), as amended by section 16 of the Courts of Justice Act, 1928 (No. 15 of 1928) (which relates to ejectment) of “£53” for “£27”,
(d) by the substitution in clause (iv) (which relates to proceedings on behalf of the State) of “£50” for “£25”, and
(e) by the substitution in clause (v) (inserted therein by section 52 of the Act of 1936) (which relates to proceedings on behalf of certain public bodies) of “£50” for “twenty-five pounds”.
(2) Subsection (1) of section 20 of the Hire-Purchase Act, 1946 (No. 16 of 1946) (which relates to the jurisdiction of the District Court in actions for the recovery of goods let under a hire-purchase agreement) is hereby amended by the substitution of “fifty pounds” for “twenty-five pounds”.
Jurisdiction under Rent Restrictions Acts in ejectment cases.
29.—In order to remove doubt, it is hereby enacted that the jurisdiction and powers conferred upon the Court by the Rent Restrictions Acts, 1946 to 1952, may be exercised by the District Court in all cases of ejectment in which that Court has jurisdiction by virtue of the Acts as amended by this Act.
Extension of jurisdiction in interpleader cases.
30.—Subsection (1) of section 22 of the Enforcement of Court Orders Act, 1926 (No. 18 of 1926) (which relates to the bringing of interpleader proceedings by an undersheriff before the District Court) is hereby amended by the substitution of “fifty pounds” for “twenty-five pounds”.
Exercise of jurisdiction in desertion cases.
31.—Notwithstanding anything in section 79 of the Act of 1924, proceedings by a married woman under section 1 of the Married Women (Maintenance in Case of Desertion) Act, 1886, may be brought, heard and determined, and shall be deemed always to have been capable of being brought, heard and determined, either before and by a justice for the time being assigned to the district wherein her husband ordinarily resides or carries on business or before and by a justice for the time being assigned to the district wherein she ordinarily resides.
Amendment of section 68 of Dublin Police Act, 1842.
32.—Section 68 of the Dublin Police Act, 1842 (which provides for the delivery to the owner of goods unlawfully detained) is hereby amended by the substitution of “a justice of the District Court” for “any of the said divisional justices”, the deletion of “within the Limits of the Police District” and the substitution of “fifty pounds” for “Fifteen Pounds”, and the section as so amended shall have effect throughout the State.
Appeal from order under Probation of Offenders Act, 1907.
33.—An appeal shall lie to the Circuit Court from an order of the District Court under subsection (1) of section 1 of the Probation of Offenders Act, 1907.
SCHEDULE.
Enactments Repealed.
PART I.
Enactments repealed from passing of this Act.
Number and Year | Short title | Extent of Repeal |
(1) | (2) | (3) |
No. 10 of 1924. | Sections 15 and 42, and, in section 74, from “The several salaries” to the end of the section. | |
No. 15 of 1928. | Subsection (1) of section 16. | |
No. 48 of 1936. | Subsections (2), (3), (5) and (6) of section 67. | |
No. 21 of 1946. | In section 22, the words “(other than the Principal Justice of a Division)”. | |
No. 20 of 1947. |
PART II.
Enactment repealed from the commencement of the order under section 16 of this Act.
Number and Year | Short title | Extent of Repeal |
(1) | (2) | (3) |
No. 48 of 1936. |
PART III.
Enactments repealed from the commencement of the orders made under section 21 and section 22 of this Act.
Number and Year | Short title | Extent of Repeal |
(1) | (2) | (3) |
No. 10 of 1924. | ||
No. 27 of 1926. | ||
No. 21 of 1937. | The whole Act. | |
No. 25 of 1945. |