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Uimhir 18 de 1926.
ACHT UM FHEIDHMIÚ ORDUITHE CÚIRTE, 1926.
[29adh Bealtaine, 1926.]
ROIMHRA.
Gearr-theideal.
1.—Féadfar an tAcht um Fheidhmiú Orduithe Cúirte, 1926, do ghairm den Acht so.
Mínithe.
2.—San Acht so—
cialluíonn an focal “an tAire” an tAire Dlí agus Cirt;
cialluíonn agus foluíonn an focal “ordú feidhmiúcháin” aon rit, aithne, barántas, no scríbhinn eile pé ainm a tugtar uirthi, a thabharfidh cúirt amach i gcúis shíbhialta á ordú no á údarú ordú ón gcúirt d'fheidhmiú tré mhaoin duine do ghabháil agus do dhíol no tré dhuine do chur i seilbh tailte no áitribh no tré mhaoin áirithe do sheachada dho.
CUID I.
Feidhmeanna agus Comhachta an Fho-Shirriaim.
Feidhmiú orduithe feidhmiúcháin.
3.—(1) Fé réir forálacha an Achta so agus fé réir rialacha cúirte a bheidh déanta fén Acht Cúirteanna Breithiúnais, 1924 (Uimh. 10 de 1924), feidhmeoidh an fo-shirriam gach ordú feidhmiúcháin ón Ard-Chúirt ar an gcuma gcéanna ina bhfeidhmíodh an fo-shirriam roimhe seo riteanna feidhmiúcháin den tsórt san ón Ard-Chúirt agus chuige sin beidh na comhachta, na cirt agus na húdaráis chéanna aige agus na dualgaisí agus na hoblagáidí céanna air.
(2) Fé réir forálacha an Achta so agus fé réir rialacha cúirte a bheidh déanta fén Acht Cúirteanna Breithiúnais, 1924, feidhmeoidh an fo-shirriam gach ordú feidhmiúcháin ón gCúirt Chuarda agus (lasmuich de chásanna dá bhforáltar a mhalairt ina dhiaidh seo anso) ón gCúirt Dúithche ar an gcuma gcéanna ina bhfeidhmíodh an fo-shirriam roimhe seo riteanna feidhmiúcháin den tsórt san ón Ard-Chúirt agus chuige sin beidh na comhachta, na cirt agus na húdaráis chéanna aige agus na dualgaisí agus na hoblagáidí céanna air.
(3) D'ainneoin forálacha an fho-ailt sin roimhe seo no forálacha an Achta Cúirteanna Breithiúnais, 1924, feidhmeoidh an Gárda Síochána orduithe feidhmiúcháin ón gCúirt Dúithche i gcásanna do bheadh, roimh an 6adh lá de Mhí na Nodlag, 1922, laistigh d'údarás Giúistisí Síochána agus iad ina suidhe i nGearr-Shiosón no laistigh d'údarás Giúistís Roinne de Cheanntar Phóilíneachta Chathair Bhaile Atha Cliath (lasmuich de chásanna díshealbhaíochta agus d'imeachta chun rátaí is mó ná cúig púint do bhaint amach) agus feidhmeoid iad ar gach slí díreach mar d'fheidhmíodh an Gárda Síochána agus Póilíneacht Chathrach Bhaile Atha Cliath fé seach orduithe feidhmiúcháin den tsórt san roimh thosach feidhme Chuid III. den Acht Cúirteanna Breithiúnais, 1924.
(4) Le feidhmiú orduithe feidhmiúcháin ón gCúirt Chuarda ní bhainfidh aon fhoráil reachtúil ná riail chúirte a bhí i bhfeidhm díreach roimh thosach feidhme Chuid II. den Acht Cúirteanna Breithiúnais, 1924, maidir le feidhmiú aitheanta no orduithe Cúirte Bille Shíbhialta (pe'ca i dtaobh fiacha no seilbh tailte no éinní eile iad).
(5) Aon bhreithiúntas ón gCúirt Chuarda is ionchláruithe de bhua alt 59 den Acht Cúirteanna Breithiúnais, 1924, i bPríomh-Oifig na hArd-Chúirte, ar bheith cláruithe dho amhlaidh beidh sé, agus tuigfar go raibh sé riamh, ionchláruithe mar mhorgáiste breithiúntais más rud é agus sa mhéid go mbeadh sé ionchláruithe amhlaidh dá mba bhreithiúntas ón Ard-Chúirt é, ach lasmuich den chás roimhráite ní bheidh aon bhreithiúntas ón gCúirt Chuarda ionchláruithe mar mhorgáiste breithiúntais
(6) Chun go mbeadh éifeacht ag an bhfo-alt san roimhe seo ach ní chun a thuille ná chun éinní eile do dhéanamh, léireofar gach tagairt atá in alt 6 den Judgment Mortgage (Ireland) Act, 1850, do Her Majesty's Superior Courts at Dublin fé mar a bheadh tagairt inti don Chúirt Chuarda pe'ca i mBaile Atha Cliath no in áit eile a bheadh sí ina suidhe, agus beidh an Chúirt Chuarda ina Cúirt uachtaraigh do réir bhrí an ailt sin 6, agus beidh éifeacht ag an alt san dá réir sin.
(7) Aon fhoráil reachtúil no riail chúirte a bhí i bhfeidhm díreach roimh thosach feidhme Chuid III. den Acht Cúirteanna Breithiúnais, 1924, maidir le feidhmiú aitheanta no orduithe Giúistísí Dúithche no Giúistísí Roinne de Cheanntar Phóilíneachta Chathair Bhaile Atha Cliath, ní bhainfe sí le feidhmiú orduithe feidhmiúcháin ón gCúirt Dúithche atá le feidhmiú ag an bhfo-shirriam fén alt so, ach ní léireofar éinní san alt so fé mar a bheadh sé ag tabhairt comhachta chun aon bhreithiúntas, aithne no ordú ón gCúirt Dúithche do chlárú mar mhorgáiste breithiúntais.
Teachtairí cúirte.
4.—(1) Fé réir aontú an Aire, ceapfidh gach fo-shirriam pé méid daoine (ar a dtabharfar, agus dá ngairmtear ina dhiaidh seo anso, teachtairí cúirte) a cheadóidh an tAire chun gníomhuithe dho agus chun cabhruithe leis ar shlite eile i bhfeidhmiú orduithe feidhmiúcháin fén Acht so.
(2) Má orduíonn an tAire é agus má thoilíonn an tAire Airgid chuige, féadfar pé tuarastal a shocróidh an tAire, le cead an Aire Airgid, d'íoc le haon teachtaire cúirte as airgead a sholáthróidh an tOireachtas.
(3) Beidh gach teachtaire cúirte i seilbh a oifige faid is toil leis an Aire é agus féadfidh an tAire é chur as oifig ar iarratas an fho-shirriaim no más maith leis féin é.
(4) Cuirfidh gach fo-shirriam fé ndeár liost ceart d'ainmneacha agus d'áiteanna comhnaithe na ndaoine a bheidh i seilbh oifige mar theachtairí cúirte ina bháillíocht de thurus na huaire do chimeád postálta suas ina oifig agus i ngach tigh cúirte ina bháillíocht.
Barántaisí do thabhairt amach do theachtairí cúirte.
5.—(1) Nuair a bheidh sé ag cabhrú leis an bhfo-shirriam i bhfeidhmiú ordú feidhmiúcháin no nuair a bheidh sé ag feidhmiú ordú feidhmiúcháin d'fho-shirriam, beidh ag gach teachtaire cúirte ón bhfo-shirriam barántas i scríbhinn fé láimh an fhoshirriaim á údarú don teachtaire chúirte, tré n-a ainm do luadh, an t-ordú feidhmiúcháin áirithe sin d'fheidhmiú no cabhrú chun a fheidhmithe, agus ní fheidhmeoidh aon teachtaire cúirte aon ordú feidhmiúcháin ná ní thógfa sé páirt ina fheidhmiú mara n-údaruítear do go cuibhe le barántas den tsórt roimhráite é dhéanamh.
(2) Gach teachtaire cúirte a bheidh ag feidhmiú ordú feidhmiúcháin no ag cabhrú chun a fheidhmithe, beidh sé de dhualgas air, aon uair tar éis dul isteach ar aon tailte no in aon áitreabh fén ordú feidhmiúcháin sin agus sara n-aistrighe sé aon mhaoin uatha, an barántas a thug an fo-shirriam do fén alt so do thaisbeáint don té a dheabhróidh bheith i seilbh na dtailte no an áitribh sin má héilítear san air.
(3) Ag teachtaire cúirte a bheidh ag feidhmiú ordú feidhmiúcháin no ag cabhrú chun a fheidhmithe do réir barántais a tugadh amach do go cuibhe fén alt so beidh gach comhacht a bheadh dílsithe do réir dlí i mbáille a bheadh ar fostú ag foshirriam chun na críche sin.
(4) Ní thiocfidh barántas a thug fo-shirriam amach fén alt so do thuitim ar lár ná dochar do dhéanamh do de bharr an foshirriam san do scur de bheith i seilbh oifige ach tuitfidh gach barántas den tsórt san ar lár agus beidh deire leis nuair a scuirfidh an teachtaire cúirte a hainmnítear ann de bheith i seilbh oifige.
Cuntas ar áirnéis a gabhadh.
6.—Beidh sé de dhualgas ar gach fo-shirriam 'na ndéanfar fé n-a údarás feidhmiú ar earraí, ar ainmhithe, no ar áirnéis eile a chur fé ndeár go ndéanfar amach cuntas ítimithe ar an áirnéis a gabhadh agus laistigh de cheithre huaire fichead a' chluig tar éis na gabhála agus, más féidir é, sara n-aistrítear éinní, a chur fé ndeár go dtabharfar don chosantóir (no neachtar acu don té dheabhruíonn bheith i seilbh na háirnéise sin) dúbláid don chuntas san agus í sighnithe ag an bhfo-shirriam no ag teachtaire cúirte ag gníomhú thar a cheann.
Airnéis áirithe ná tógfar
7.—Maran fiú níos mó ná £15 ar fad cóir ghléasta agus cóir leapan riachtanach an té go ndéanfar feidhmiúchán ina choinnibh agus cóir ghléasta agus cóir leapan riachtanach a chúraim agus úirlisí agus fearaistí a chéirde, ní féadfar iad do ghabháil.
Féadfidh fo-shirriam díol aon tráth.
8.—Aon fho-shirriam a thógfidh aon earraí, ainmhithe, no áirnéis eile i bhfeidhmiúchán fé ordú feidhmiúcháin beidh sé dleathach do na hearraí, na hainmhithe, no an áirnéis eile sin do dhíol ar cheant phuiblí aon tráth tar éis deire tréimhse ocht n-uaire is dachad a' chluig tar éis do iad do thógaint i bhfeidhmiúchán, ach san do dhéanamh gan aon mhoill mhí-réasúnta, agus ní gá don bhfo-shirriam a fhoillsiú ná a chraola gur díolachán ag fo-shirriam aon díolachán den tsórt san ná gur díolachán earraí, ainmhithe ná áirnéise a tógadh i bhfeidhmiúchán é.
Féadfidh fo-shirriam díol lasmuich dá bháillíocht.
9.—(1) Aon fho-shirriam a thógfidh earraí, ainmhithe, no áirnéis eile i bhfeidhmiúchán fé aon ordú feidhmiúcháin, féadfa sé na hearraí, na hainmhithe, agus an áirnéis sin do dhíol ar cheant phuiblí i pé áit no áiteanna, laistigh no lasmuich dá bháillíocht, is tairbhí ina bhféadfar, dar leis, na hearraí, na hainmhithe, agus an áirnéis sin do dhíol, agus féadfa sé na hearraí, na hainmhithe, agus an áirnéis sin no aon chuid acu d'aistriú no a chur fá ndeár iad d'aistriú ón áit in ar gabhadh iad go dtí an áit no na háiteanna díolacháin sin.
(2) Féadfidh fo-shirriam gach earra, ainmhí, agus áirnéis eile a thógfa sé i bhfeidhmiúchán fé aon ordú feidhmiúcháin do chur i bpóna, i stór agus i gcimeád i pé áit no áiteanna is oiriúnach leis go dtí go ndíolfar iad cé ná beidh sé ceaptha ná údaruithe do réir dlí an áit no na háiteanna san d'úsáid mar phónaí.
(3) Is ag an bhfo-shirriam amháin a bheidh a rá cá háit no áiteanna is tairbhí ina bhféadfar aon earraí, ainmhithe, no áirnéis eile a thóg sé i bhfeidhmiúchán do dhíol agus ní luighfidh aon aicsean i gcoinnibh aon fho-shirriaim mar gheall ar é do dhíol aon earraí, ainmhithe, no áirnéis den tsórt san roimhráite lasmuich dá bháillíocht.
Ceannach o fho-shirriam ina cheannach dhleathach.
10.—Gach duine a dhéanfidh aon earraí, ainmhithe, no áirnéis eile a thóg fo-shirriam i bhfeidhmiúchán do cheannach go macánta ar dhíolachán a cuireadh ar siúl ag an bhfo-shirriam san no fé n-a údarás beidh dea-theideal éifeachtúil aige i gcoinnibh gach n-aon chun na n-earraí, na n-ainmhithe agus na háirnéise a cheannóidh sé mar sin, in ainneoin aon neamh-éifeachta no nea-rialtachta i ngabháil no i ndíol no i dtaobh gabháil no díol na n-earraí, na n-ainmhithe, no na háirnéise sin, agus pe'ca is fíor no nách ea go raibh a fhios aige, no gur cheart do a fhios do bheith aige, no go bhféadfadh sé a fhios do bheith aige, no go bhfuair sé aon tsaghas fógra gur dhíolachán ag fo-shirriam, no fé n-a údarás, an díolachán san.
Ní dochar don díol aon chur isteach a déanfar ar chimeád an fho-shirriaim.
11.—Ní dhéanfa sé dochar ná difríocht do chomhacht ná d'údarás fo-shirriaim chun aon earraí, ainmhithe, no áirnéis eile a thóg sé i bhfeidhmiúchán do dhíol, na hearraí, na hainmhithe, no an áirnéis sin do bheith as cimeád an fho-shirriaim no aon chur isteach do dhéanamh in aon tslí ar a chimeád ortha aon tráth no tráthanna idir am na gabhála agus am na n-earraí, na n-ainmhithe no na háirnéise sin do dhíol.
Ní luighfidh aon aicsean i gcoinnibh an fho-shirriaim mar gheall ar dhul no brise isteach in áitreabh.
12.—(1) I gcoinnibh fo-shirriaim a chólíon na coiníollacha atá leagtha amach ina dhiaidh seo anso ní luighfidh aon aicsean i dtaobh ná mar gheall ar é do dhul ná do bhrise isteach ar aon tailte, in aon tigh, in aon chlós ná in aon áitreabh eile, chun tógaint i bhfeidhmiúchán do dhéanamh ar aon earraí, ainmhithe no áirnéis eile a bhí no d'fhéadfadh a bheith ar na tailte sin no sa tigh, sa chlós, no san áitreabh san, ná fós i dtaobh ná mar gheall ar aon díobháil a dineadh do sna tailte, don tigh no don áitreabh san leis an dul isteach no leis an mbrise isteach san no le n-a linn.
(2) Isiad coiníollacha a luaidhtear anso roimhe seo ná:—
(a) roimh bhrise isteach in aon tigh comhnaithe no foirgint eile, go ndéanfidh an fo-shirriam iarrachtaí réasúnta ar dhul isteach ann go síochánta agus gan fóiréigean, agus
(b) má bhriseann agus má théigheann an fo-shirriam isteach in áitreabh éinne seachas an té gur glaodhadh air chun ordú feidhmiúcháin do chur i bhfeidhm air, beidh sé tar éis cúis réasúnta do bheith aige chun a chreidiúint go raibh san áitreabh san roinnt earraí, ainmhithe, no áirnéise leis an duine deiridh sin adubhradh no gheobha sé san áitreabh san roinnt earraí, ainmhithe no áirnéise den tsórt san.
Ní luighfidh aicsean i gcoinnibh an fho-shirriaim mar gheall ar earraí thógaint a éilíonn bean, etc., an fhéichiún.
13.—(1) Ní luighfidh aon aicsean i gcoinnibh aon fho-shirriaim i dtaobh ná mar gheall ar gur thóg sé i bhfeidhmiúchán fé aon ordú feidhmiúcháin aon earraí, ainmhithe, no áirnéis eile a fuarthas sa tigh no sa tionóntachán ar a bhfuil an féicheamh ina shealbhaire, ina aonar no i dteanta duine no daoine eile no ar thailte an fhéichiún agus 'na n-éilítear no 'na ndeirtar ina dtaobh (pe'ca iompóidh no ná hiompóidh sé amach go raibh bunús maith leis an éileamh no leis an ráiteas san) gur le bean no le fear an fhéichiún gurb ea iad, no le hathair no le máthair an fhéichiún, no le haon duine cloinne dho, a bhí de thurus na huaire ina chomhnaí sa tigh no sa tionóntachán ar a bhfuil an féicheamh ina shealbhaire, ina aonar no i dteanta duine no daoine eile agus in ionad an t-aicsean san do thabhairt i gcoinnibh an fho-shirriaim beidh ag an té go mba leis dáiríribh na hearraí, na hainmhithe no an áirnéis eile sin a tógadh amhlaidh i bhfeidhmiúchán (má iompuíonn sé amach nár leis an bhféichiúin na hearraí, na hainmhithe, no an áirnéis eile sin), beidh aige teideal chun luach na n-earraí, na n-ainmhithe, agus na háirnéise eile sin d'fháil ón bhféichiúin le haicsean, maraon le pé damáiste a dineadh air tríd na hearraí, na hainmhithe no an áirnéis eile sin do thógaint amhlaidh i bhfeidhmiúchán.
(2) Ní oibreoidh an fo-alt san roimhe seo chun a chur d'oblagáid ar aon fho-shirriam aon earraí, ainmhithe no áirnéis eile den tsórt dá dtagartar sa bhfo-alt san do thógaint i bhfeidhmiúchán fé aon ordú feidhmiúcháin.
Ceapa na dtáillí a éileofar d'fho-shirriaim no acu.
14.—(1) Le toiliú an Aire Airgid féadfidh an tAire, le hordú, scálaí do cheapa mar leanas agus iad d'atharú o am go ham—
(a) scálaí de tháillí agus de chostaisí a bheidh le héileamh ag fo-shirriaim agus le híoc leo ar son a seirbhísí i bhfeidhmiú no i dtaobh feidhmiú orduithe feidhmiúcháin, agus
(b) scálaí de tháillí a bheidh le héileamh ag oifigigh áirithe d'aon chúirt agus le híoc leo in aghaidh cuntais an fho-shirriaim, agus
(c) scálaí de tháillí agus de chostaisí a bheidh le héileamh ag baill den Ghárda Síochána agus le híoc leo mar gheall ar fheidhmiú orduithe feidhmiúcháin atá le feidhmiú acu fén Acht so.
(2) Gach achtachán a bheidh i bhfeidhm díreach roimh thosach feidhme an Achta so maidir le híoc no le baint amach táillí is inéilithe ag fo-shirriaim, ag báillí, no ag daoine eile no is iníoctha leo mar gheall ar fheidhmiú orduithe feidhmiúcháin, bainfe sé leis na táillí agus leis na costaisí (más ann dóibh) a luaidhtear in aon scála de tháillí, no de tháillí agus de chostaisí, a bheidh i bhfeidhm de thurus na huaire de bhua an ailt seo maidir leis an bhfeidhmiú san.
(3) Na táillí uile a bheidh ceaptha i scála a bheidh déanta fén Acht so de tháillí a bheidh le héileamh ag oifigeach áirithe do chúirt agus le híoc leis in aghaidh cuntais an fho-shirriaim éileoidh an t-oifigeach san agus íocfar leis iad pé tráthanna a bheidh ceaptha sa scála san agus íocfidh an t-oifigeach san leis an bhfo-shirriam iad no tabharfa sé cuntas do ionta.
CUID II.
Scrudu Feichiun.
Chun féicheamh do thabhairt i láthair chun é scrúdú i dtaobh acfuinne.
15.—(1) Má chuireann agus nuair a chuirfidh aon duine (dá ngairmtear fiach-éilitheoir sa Chuid seo den Acht so) os cóir Breithimh den Chúirt Dúithche fianaise prima facie—
(a) ar aon fhiacha bheith dlite don bhfiach-éilítheoir fé bhreithiúntas cúirte inniúla, agus
(b) ar an té (dá ngairmtear an féicheamh sa Chuid seo den Acht so) 'na bhfuil na fiacha san iníoctha aige do bheith ina ghnáth-chomhnaí sa dúthaigh chúirte dá bhfuil an Breitheamh ina shuidhe an uair sin, agus
(c) ar an bhféicheamh do bheith gan aon earraí dob fhéidir a thógaint i bhfeidhmiúchán fé aon phróiseas de chuid na cúirte a thug an breithiúntas san,
féadfidh an Breitheamh ordú (dá ngairmtear ordú scrúdúcháin sa Chuid seo den Acht so) do dhéanamh go dtiocfidh an féicheamh os a chóir ar dháta luaidhte chun go scrúdófaí é i dtaobh a acfuinne, agus fós go bhfágfa sé ag Cléireach na Cúirte Dúithche, seachtain ar a laighead roimh an dáta luaidhte sin, cuntas scríbhte (dá ngairmtear cuntas acfuinne sa Chuid seo den Acht so) ar a shócmhainní agus ar a fhiachaisí, ar a ioncum, tuillte agus nea-thuillte, agus ar an slí ina dtuilltear é no ar cad as go bhfachtar é, agus ar na daoine go bhfuil ceangal dlí no morálais air iad do chothú.
(2) Beidh teideal ag an bhfiach-éilitheoir chun an cuntas acfuinne d'iniúcha agus cóipeanna dhe do dhéanamh no d'fháil aon uair tar éis é bheith lóisteálta do réir an fho-ailt sin roimhe seo.
(3) San alt so foluíonn an focal “breithiúntas” aon ordú no aithne, agus sa Chuid seo den Acht so foluíonn an focal “fiacha” aon iarsma d'fhiacha a fhanfidh dlite tar éis cuid díobh bheith íoctha no bainte amach.
An nósimeachta a leanfar i scrúdú an fhéichiún.
16.—(1) Nuair a bheidh an féicheamh á scrúdú i dtaobh a acfuinne do réir ordú scrúdúcháin, glacfar i bhfianaise an cuntas acfuinne a lóisteáil an féicheamh agus féadfidh an fiach-éilitheoir agus an féicheamh, gach duine fé leith acu, tuille fianaise do thabhairt i láthair ar acfuinn an fhéichiún, agus féadfidh an féicheamh féin, leis, fianaise do thabhairt fé mhionn agus pe'ca thabharfidh an féicheamh fianaise no ná tabharfidh, féadfidh an fiach-éilitheoir, no féadfar thar a cheann, an féicheamh do chros-cheistiú i dtaobh an chuntais acfuinne agus i dtaobh a fhianaise (más ann di).
(2) Más deimhin leis an mBreitheamh ón bhfianaise a tabharfar sa scrúdú i dtaobh acfuinne an cuntas acfuinne a lóisteáil an féicheamh do bheith bréagach in aon phuínte táchtach go bhfios don bhféichiúin, féadfidh an Breitheamh a ordú láithreach go ngabhfar an féicheamh agus é dhaora chun príosúntachta, i dteanta no d'éamais daor-oibre, ar feadh aon téarma nách sia ná trí mhí agus cuirfar an féicheamh i bpríosún dá réir sin.
Ordú chun na fiacha d'íoc ina dtráth-choda.
17.—Más rud é ná lóisteálfidh an féicheamh cuntas acfuinne no ná tiocfa sé i láthair chun go scrúdófaí é do réir ordú scrúdúcháin no go ndiúltóidh sé do dhul fé chros-cheistiú ón bhfiachéilitheoir no o éinne eile thar a cheann, no ná cuirfe sé ina luighe ar an mBreitheamh sa scrúdú agus sa chros-cheistiú san (má bhíonn ann) go bhfuil sé gan bheith in án na fiacha d'íoc in aon tsuim amháin no ina dtráth-choda, ordóidh an Breitheamh don bhféichiúin, má iarrann an fiach-éilitheoir air é, na fiacha agus costaisí na n-imeacht sa Chúirt Dúithche d'íoc in aon tsuim amháin no i pé tráth-choda agus ar pé uaire is dó leis an mBreitheamh a bheith réasúnta tar éis gach taobh den scéal do bhreithniú.
Príosúntacht don bhféichiúin mara n-íoca sé na tráth-choda.
18.—(1) Más rud é ná híocfidh an féicheamh na fiacha agus na costaisí, no aon tráth-chuid no tráth-choda áirithe dhíobh, san uair no sna huaire ar a mbeidh an céanna iníoctha do réir ordú fén gCuid seo den Acht so, féadfidh an Breitheamh, ar iarratas ón bhfiach-éilitheoir, a ordú go ngabhfar an féicheamh agus go gcuirfar i bpríosún é ar feadh aon tréimhse nách sia ná trí mhí, agus leis sin gabhfar an féicheamh agus cuirfar i bpríosún é dá réir sin.
(2) Aon uair a déanfar féicheamh do ghabháil agus do chur i bpríosún fén alt so beidh sé i dteideal é scaoile láithreach nuair a íocfa sé féin no a híocfar thar a cheann le Cléireach na Cúirte Dúithche no le Gobharnóir an Phríosúin thar ceann Cléirigh na Cúirte Dúithche an tsuim airgid (a luadhfar san ordú gabhála agus príosúntachta) a bheidh có-dhéanta den méid de sna fiacha agus de sna costaisí a bhí gan bheith íoctha ar dháta an orduithe (maraon leis na tráth-choda ná raibh dlite le n'íoc ar an dáta san) agus pé suim thairis sin (má bhíonn ann), ar scór costaisí an orduithe agus costaisí gabhála agus aistrithe an fhéiciún, is dó leis an mBreitheamh bheith réasúnta.
(3) Gach airgead a íocfidh an féicheamh no a híocfar thar a cheann, fén alt so, le Cléireach na Cúirte Dúithche, íocfidh Cléireach na Cúirte Dúithche leis an bhfiach-éilitheoir é nuair a éileoidh sé é.
Leanúint d'imeachta nár críochnuíodh.
19.—(1) Aon imeachta fé Chuid III. den Acht um Fheidhmiú Dlí (Comhachta Ocáideacha), 1924 (Uimh. 20 de 1924) a bhí gan críochnú sa Chúirt Dúithche díreach roimh dhul in éag don Acht san, féadfar leanúint díobh fén gCuid seo den Acht so, agus gach céim a tógadh go dleathach agus gach ní a dineadh go dleathach sna himeachta san roimh rith an Achta so tuigfar gur dineadh iad fén gCuid seo den Acht so fé is dá mbeadh an tAcht so i bhfeidhm nuair a tógadh na céimeanna san no a dineadh na nithe sin.
(2) Ní oibreoidh éinní san alt so chun é dhéanamh dlite go gcuirfí aon phionós no fíneáil ar éinne mar gheall ar aon ghníomh a dhin sé no d'fhág sé gan déanamh sa tréimhse idir dul in éag don Acht san um Fheidhmiú Dlí (Comhachta Ocáideacha), 1924. agus rith an Achta so, sé sin, gníomh a bheadh dleathach mara mbeadh gur hachtuíodh an t-alt so.
Eisceacht i gcóir leighseanna eile.
20.—Má cuirtar féicheamh i bpríosún fén gCuid seo den Acht so, ní oibreoidh san mar shásamh ná mar ghlana amach ar na fiacha ná ar aon chuid díobh ná ní bhainfe sé den bhfiachéilitheoir aon cheartanna ná leighseanna eile chun iad do bhaint amach.
CUID III.
Ilghneitheach.
Moill ar fheidhmiú i gcásanna áirithe.
21.—(1) Aon uair a dhéanfidh aon chúirt breithiúntas do thabhairt go n-íocfidh éinne (dá ngairmtear an féicheamh san alt so) aon tsuim airgid mar fhiacha no mar dhamáiste agus, le linn di an breithiúntas san do thabhairt gur deimhin leis an gcúirt—
(a) go bhfuil an féicheamh gan bheith in án an tsuim airgid sin agus gach costas is iníoctha aige fén mbreithiúntas san d'íoc láithreach agus go hiomlán; agus
(b) nách é iompar, gníomh ná failli an fhéichiún féin fé ndeár an neamh-ábaltacht san; agus
(c) go bhfuil cúis réasúnta chun tuille aimsire do dheona don bhféichiúin chun an tsuim airgid agus na costaisí sin d'íoc,
féadfidh an chúirt moill do chur ar fheidhmiú an bhreithiúntais go ceann pé aimsir agus ar pé coiníollacha a chífar don chúirt a bheith réasúnta.
(2) Sna coiníollacha ar a bhféadfar moill ar fheidhmiú do dheona fén bhfo-alt san roimhe seo féadfar coiníoll do chur go n-íocfidh an féicheamh an tsuim airgid agus na costaisí sin i pé tráth-choda agus ar pé uaire a cheapfidh an chúirt, agus go mbeidh deire leis an moill nuair a fhágfidh an féicheamh tráthchuid gan íoc.
(3) San alt so folóidh an focal “breithiúntas” aithne agus ordú.
Eadarphléideáil i láthair na Cúirte Dúithche i gcásanna áirithe.
22.—(1) Féadfidh fo-shirriam imeachta eadarphléideála do bhunú i láthair na Cúirte Dúithche in aon chás in ar thóg an fo-shirriam i bhfeidhmiúchán no i bhfeidhmiúchán beartuithe aon earraí, ainmhithe, no áirnéis eile fé aon ordú feidhmiúcháin, agus gur duine éigin eile seachas an féicheamh a éilíonn na hearraí, na hainmhithe no an áirnéis sin agus nách mó ná cúig púint fhichead luach na n-earraí, na n-ainmhithe no na háirnéise sin.
(2) Ag éisteacht aon imeachta eadarphléideála fén alt so don Chúirt Dúithche beidh údarás ag an mBreitheamh chun gach ní a bheidh i gceist idir na páirtithe, ar a n-áireofar méid na gcostaisí agus cé íocfidh iad, d'éisteacht agus do shocrú, agus pé ordú a bheidh cóir do dhéanamh ina dtaobh.
An Gárda Síochána do dhéanamh gach gabháil ar dhaoine.
23.—Is baill den Ghárda Síochána a fheidhmeoidh gach ordú o aon chúirt chun éinne do ghabháil, do thógaint, no do chur i bpríosún agus ní fheidhmeoidh fo-shirriam aon ordú den tsórt san feasta agus ní dhéanfidh éinne ach ball den Ghárda Síochána éinne do ghabháil ná do thógaint i gcimeád fé aon ordú den tsórt san.
Ciontaí agus pionóisí.
24.—(1) Gach éinne a chuirfidh i gcoinnibh aon fho-shirriaim, teachtaire chúirte, no duine eile no a bhacfidh no a choiscfidh é agus é ag feidhmiú ordú feidhmiúcháin go dleathach, no a chuirfidh i gcoinnibh aon bhaill den Ghárda Síochána no a bhacfidh no a choiscfidh é agus feidhmiú dleathach aige á dhéanamh ar ordú feidhmiúcháin atá le feidhmiú fén Acht so ag ball den Ghárda Síochána, beidh sé ciontach i mí-iompar agus ar a chiontú ann dlighfar fíneáil ná raghaidh thar céad punt do chur air no, más rogha leis an gCúirt é, príosúntacht i dteanta no d'éamais daor-oibre ar feadh aon téarma nách sia ná dhá mhí dhéag no an fhíneáil sin agus an phríosúntacht san le chéile.
(2) Gach duine a fhuasclóidh, a aistreoidh, no a cheilfidh aon earraí, ainmhithe, no áirnéis a tógadh i bhfeidhmiúchán fé ordú feidhmiúcháin (agus ordú feidhmiúcháin atá le feidhmiú fén Acht so ag ball den Ghárda Síochána d'áireamh), beidh sé ciontach i mí-iompar agus ar a chiontú ann dlighfar fíneáil ná raghaidh thar céad punt do chur air no, más rogha leis an gCúirt é, príosúntacht ar feadh aon téarma nách sia ná dhá mhí dhéag no an fhíneáil sin agus an phríosúntacht san le chéile.
(3) Má cúisítear duine i láthair Breithimh den Chúirt Dúithche in aon mhí-iompar dá luaidhtear san alt so agus más dó leis an mBreitheamh an méid a cruthuíodh i gcoinnibh an duine a cúisíodh amhlaidh do bheith ina mhion-chionta is intrialta ar an slí achmair agus mara gcuiridh an duine sin (ar a fhiafruighe sin de don Bhreitheamh) i gcoinnibh a thrialta amhlaidh, féadfidh an Breitheamh an cás d'éisteacht agus breith do thabhairt air ar an slí achmair ach ní chuirfe sé ar an duine sin príosúntacht (pe'ca i dteanta no d'éamais daor-oibre é no i dteanta no d'éamais fíneála) ar feadh téarma is sia ná sé mhí ná fíneáil (pe'ca i dteanta príosúntachta é no dá héamais) is mó ná caoga punt.
Ath-shealbhú áitribh tar éis feidhmiúcháin.
25.—Má théigheann fo-shirriam isteach agus go dtógfa sé seilbh ar aon tailte no in aon áitreabh fé ordú feidhmiúcháin le n-a n-orduítear do éinne (dá ngairmtear “an t-únaer” san alt so) do chur i seilbh ar an gcéanna agus má thugann sé seilbh na dtailte agus an áitribh sin suas don únaer do réir an orduithe fheidhmiúcháin sin, beidh gach duine ciontach i gcionta fén alt so a raghaidh isteach ar na tailte agus san áitreabh san agus a thógfidh seilbh sa chéanna no in aon chuid de go síochánta agus gan fóiréigean, ach gan cead an únaera, laistigh de mhí tar éis seilbh do bheith tabhartha suas amhlaidh agus, ar a chiontú ann ar an slí achmair, dlighfar príosúntacht ar feadh aon téarma nách sia ná sé mhí do chur air no, más rogha leis an gCúirt é, fíneáil ná raghaidh thar caoga punt no an phríosúntacht san agus an fhíneáil sin le chéile.
Rialacha Cúirte.
26.—Gach riail do dhin agus gach fuirm d'orduigh an tAire fé alt 28 den Acht um Fheidhmiú Dlí (Comhachta Ocáideacha), 1924 (Uimh. 20 de 1924) agus a bhí i bhfeidhm díreach roimh dhul in éag don Acht san ath-achtuítear leis seo iad agus leanfid i bhfeidhm agus bainfid le himeachta fén Acht so sa Chúirt Dúithche go dtí go dtiocfidh rialacha cúirte i bhfeidhm a bheidh déanta fé alt 91 den Acht Cúirteanna Breithiúnais, 1924 (Uimh. 10 de 1924) agus a bhainfidh leis na himeachta san.
Athghairm.
27.—Athghairmtear leis seo an tAcht do rith Páirlimint na hÉireann sa bhliain 1710 agus dar teideal “An Act for the better securing of rents and to prevent frauds committed by tenants” (9 Anne, Chap. VIII.).
Number 18 of 1926.
ENFORCEMENT OF COURT ORDERS ACT, 1926.
ARRANGEMENT OF SECTIONS
PRELIMINARY
Section | |
Functions and Powers of the Under-Sheriff
Examination of Debtors
Miscellaneous
Acts Referred to | |
No. 10 of 1924 | |
No. 20 of 1924 | |
Number 18 of 1926.
ENFORCEMENT OF COURT ORDERS ACT, 1926.
PRELIMINARY.
Short title.
1.—This Act may be cited as the Enforcement of Court Orders Act, 1926.
Definitions.
2.—In this Act—
the expression “the Minister” means the Minister for Justice;
the expression “execution order” means and includes any writ, decree, warrant, or other document by whatever name called issued by a court in a civil matter directing or authorising the execution of an order of the court by the seizure and sale of a person's property or by putting a person in possession of lands or premises or delivering to him specific property.
PART I.
Functions and Powers of the Under-Sheriff.
Execution of execution orders.
3.—(1) Subject to the provisions of this Act and of rules of court made under the Courts of Justice Act, 1924 (No. 10 of 1924), all execution orders of the High Court shall be executed by the under-sheriff in the like manner and with the like powers, rights and authorities and subject to the like duties and obligations as similar writs of execution of the High Court have heretofore been executed by the under-sheriff.
(2) Subject to the provisions of this Act and of rules of court made under the Courts of Justice Act, 1924, all execution orders of the Circuit Court and (save as is hereinafter otherwise provided) of the District Court shall be executed by the under-sheriff in the like manner and with the like powers, rights and authorities and subject to the like duties and obligations as similar writs of execution of the High Court have heretofore been executed by the under-sheriff.
(3) Notwithstanding the provisions of the foregoing sub-section or of the Courts of Justice Act, 1924, execution orders of the District Court in cases which would before the 6th day of December, 1922, have been within the jurisdiction of Justices of the Peace sitting at Petty Sessions or of a Divisional Justice of the Police District of Dublin Metropolis (other than ejectment cases, and proceedings for the recovery of rates exceeding five pounds) shall be executed by the Gárda Síochána in like manner in all respects as such execution orders were executed by the Gárda Síochána and the Dublin Metropolitan Police respectively before the commencement of Part III of the Courts of Justice Act, 1924.
(4) No statutory provision or rule of court which was in force immediately before the commencement of Part II of the Courts of Justice Act, 1924, in relation to the execution of decrees or orders (whether for debt, possession of lands, or otherwise) of a Civil Bill Court shall apply to the execution of execution orders of the Circuit Court.
(5) Any judgment of the Circuit Court which is registrable by virtue of section 59 of the Courts of Justice Act, 1924, in the Central Office of the High Court shall be and shall be deemed always to have been, when so registered, registrable as a judgment mortgage if and so far as such judgment if it had been a judgment of the High Court would have been so registrable, but save as aforesaid no judgment of the Circuit Court shall be registrable as a judgment-mortgage.
(6) For the purpose of giving effect to the foregoing sub-section but no further or otherwise, every reference contained in section 6 of the Judgment Mortgage (Ireland) Act, 1850, to Her Majesty's Superior Courts at Dublin shall be construed as including a reference to the Circuit Court whether sitting at Dublin or elsewhere, and the Circuit Court shall be a superior Court within the meaning of the said section 6, and that section shall have effect accordingly.
(7) No statutory provision or rule of court which was in force immediately before the commencement of Part III of the Courts of Justice Act, 1924, in relation to the execution of decrees or orders of District Justices or of Divisional Justices of the Police District of Dublin Metropolis shall apply to the execution of execution orders of the District Court which under this section are to be executed by the under-sheriff, but nothing in this section shall be construed as enabling any judgment, decree or order of the District Court to be registered as a judgment-mortgage.
Court messengers.
4.—(1) Every under-sheriff shall, subject to the approval of the Minister, appoint such number of persons (who shall be styled and are hereinafter referred to as court messengers) as the Minister shall sanction to act for him and otherwise assist him in the execution of execution orders under this Act.
(2) Any court messenger may if the Minister so directs and the Minister for Finance so consents, be paid out of moneys provided by the Oireachtas such salary as the Minister, with the sanction of the Minister for Finance, shall determine.
(3) Every court messenger shall hold his office at the will of the Minister and may be removed from office by the Minister at the request of the under-sheriff or on his own motion.
(4) Every under-sheriff shall cause a correct list of the names and places of residence of the persons for the time being holding the office of court messenger in his bailiwick to be kept posted in his office and in every court-house in his bailiwick.
Issue of warrants to court messengers.
5.—(1) Every court messenger when assisting the under-sheriff in the execution of an execution order or when executing an execution order for an under-sheriff shall be furnished by the under-sheriff with a warrant in writing signed by the under-sheriff and authorising the court messenger by name to execute or assist in the execution of that particular execution order, and no court messenger shall execute or take part in the execution of any execution order unless duly authorised so to do by such warrant as aforesaid.
(2) It shall be the duty of every court messenger executing or assisting in the execution of an execution order, at any time after entering on any lands or premises under such execution order and before removing therefrom any property, to produce on demand to the person in apparent possession of such lands or premises the warrant issued to him under this section by the under-sheriff.
(3) A court messenger executing or assisting in the execution of an execution order in pursuance of a warrant duly issued to him under this section shall have all the powers which would be vested by law in a bailiff employed by an under-sheriff for that purpose.
(4) A warrant issued by an under-sheriff under this section shall not lapse or be prejudiced by reason of such under-sheriff ceasing to hold office but every such warrant shall lapse and terminate on the court messenger named therein ceasing to hold office.
Inventory of chattels seized.
6.—It shall be the duty of every under-sheriff under whose authority execution shall be levied upon goods, animals, or other chattels, to cause an itemised inventory of the chattels seized to be made out and within twenty-four hours of seizure and, if practicable, before any removal to cause to be furnished to the defendant (or other the person in apparent possession of such chattels) a duplicate of such inventory, signed by the under-sheriff or by a court messenger acting on his behalf.
Certain chattels exempt from seizure.
7.—The necessary wearing apparel and bedding of a person against whom an execution shall be levied, and the necessary wearing apparel and bedding of his family, and the tools and implements of his trade, not exceeding in the whole the value of fifteen pounds, shall be exempt from liability to seizure.
Under-sheriff may sell at any time.
8.—It shall be lawful for any under-sheriff who takes any goods, animals, or other chattels in execution under an execution order to sell by public auction such goods, animals, or other chattels at any time after the expiration of a period of forty-eight hours after he shall have taken the same in execution, but so that he shall not allow any unreasonable delay to occur, and it shall not be necessary for the under-sheriff to publish or announce that any such sale is a sale by an under-sheriff or is a sale of goods, animals, or chattels taken in execution.
Under-sheriff may sell outside his bailiwick.
9.—(1) Any under-sheriff who takes goods, animals, or other chattels in execution under any execution order may sell such goods, animals and chattels by public auction at such place or places, whether within or outside his bailiwick, in which in his opinion such goods, animals and chattels can be sold to the best advantage, and may remove such goods, animals, and chattels or any of them or cause same to be removed from the place where same were seized to such place or places of sale.
(2) All goods, animals, and other chattels taken in execution by an under-sheriff under any execution order may pending the sale thereof be impounded, stored and kept by the under-sheriff in such place or places as he shall think fit, and notwithstanding that such place or places is or are not appointed or authorised by law to be used as pounds.
(3) The under-sheriff shall be sole judge of the place or places at which any goods, animals, or other chattels taken in execution by him can be sold to the best advantage and no action shall lie against any under-sheriff on account of his having sold any such goods, animals, or chattels as aforesaid outside his bailiwick.
Validity of purchases from under-sheriff.
10.—Every person who purchases in good faith at a sale held by or under the authority of an under-sheriff any goods, animals, or other chattels taken in execution by such under-sheriff shall acquire a good title valid against all persons to the goods, animals, and chattels so purchased notwithstanding any invalidity or irregularity in or about the seizure or sale of such goods, animals, or chattels, and whether he knows or ought to or could have known or is affected with any kind of notice that the sale is a sale by or under the authority of an under-sheriff or not.
Interruption of under-sheriff's custody not to prejudice sale.
11.—The power and authority of an under-sheriff to sell any goods, animals, or other chattels taken in execution by him shall not be prejudiced or affected by reason of such goods, animals, or chattels having been out of the custody of the under-sheriff or his custody thereof having been by any means interrupted at any time or times between the time of the seizure and the time of the actual sale of such goods, animals, or chattels.
No action to lie against under-sheriff for entering or breaking premises.
12.—(1) No action shall lie against an under-sheriff who has complied with the conditions hereinafter stated for or on account of his having entered or broken into any lands, house, close, or other premises for the purpose of taking in execution any goods, animals, or other chattels which were or might be on or in such lands, house, close, or premises, or for or on account of any injury occasioned to such lands, house, or premises by or in the course of such entry or breaking in.
(2) The conditions hereinbefore mentioned are:—
(a) that before breaking into any dwellinghouse or other building the under-sheriff shall make reasonable efforts to enter peaceably and without violence, and
(b) where the under-sheriff breaks and enters the premises of a person other than the person against whom he has been called upon to enforce an execution order, he shall either have had reasonable grounds for believing that there were some goods, animals, or chattels of such last-mentioned person in such premises or he shall actually find some such goods, animals, or chattels in such premises.
Under-sheriff not liable for seizing goods claimed by wife, etc., of debtor.
13.—(1) No action shall lie against any under-sheriff for or on account of his having taken in execution under any execution order, any goods, animals, or other chattels found in the house or tenement of which the debtor is the occupier either alone or jointly with another or others or on the lands, of the debtor and claimed or alleged (whether such claim or allegation does or does not prove to have been well-founded), to be the property of the wife or husband of the debtor, or to be the property of any parent or child of the debtor for the time being residing in the house or tenement of which the debtor is the occupier either alone or jointly with another or others, and, in lieu of such action against the under-sheriff, the person to whom such goods, animals, or other chattels so taken in execution in fact belonged shall (if such goods, animals, or other chattels, should prove not to have been the property of the debtor) be entitled to recover from the debtor by action the value of such goods, animals, and other chattels, together with such damages as such person shall have suffered by reason of such goods, animals, or other chattels having been so taken in execution.
(2) The foregoing sub-section shall not operate to make it obligatory on any under-sheriff to take in execution under any execution order any such goods, animals or other chattels as are referred to in that sub-section.
Appointment of fees to be charged for or by under-sheriffs.
14.—(1) The Minister may with the consent of the Minister for Finance by order appoint and from time to time revise—
(a) scales of fees and expenses to be charged by and paid to under-sheriffs for their services in or about the execution of execution orders, and
(b) scales of fees to be charged by and paid to specified officers of any court for the account of the under-sheriff, and
(c) scales of fees and expenses to be charged by and paid to members of the Gárda Síochána in respect of the execution of execution orders which under this Act are to be executed by them.
(2) Every enactment in force immediately before the commencement of this Act in relation to the payment or recovery of fees chargeable by or payable to under-sheriffs, bailiffs, or other persons in respect of the execution of execution orders shall apply to the fees and the expenses (if any) specified in any scale of fees or fees and expenses for the time being in force by virtue of this section in relation to such execution.
(3) All fees appointed in a scale made under this Act of fees to be charged by and paid to a specified officer of a court for the account of the under-sheriff shall be charged by and paid to such officer at the times appointed in such scale and shall be paid or accounted for by such officer to the under-sheriff.
PART II.
Examination of Debtors.
Procuring attendance of debtor for examination as to means.
15.—(1) If and whenever any person (in this Part of this Act called a creditor) shall produce to a Justice of the District Court prima facie evidence—
(a) that any debt is due to the creditor under a judgment of a competent court, and
(b) that the person (in this Part of this Act called the debtor) by whom the said debt is payable is ordinarily resident in the court district for which the Justice is then sitting, and
(c) that the debtor has no goods which could be taken in execution under any process of the court by which the said judgment was given,
the Justice may make an order (in this Part of this Act called an examination order) that the debtor do attend before him on a specified date to be examined as to his means, and do also not less than one week before the said specified date lodge with the District Court Clerk a statement in writing (in this Part of this Act called a statement of means) setting forth his assets and liabilities, his income earned and unearned, and the means by which it is earned or the source from which it is derived, and the persons for whose support he is legally or morally liable.
(2) The creditor shall be entitled to inspect and take or obtain copies of the statement of means at any time after it is lodged pursuant to the foregoing sub-section.
(3) In this section the word “judgment” includes any order or decree, and in this Part of this Act the word “debt” includes any balance of a debt remaining due after payment or recovery of part thereof.
Procedure on examination of debtor.
16.—(1) On the examination of the debtor as to his means pursuant to an examination order, the statement of means lodged by the debtor shall be received in evidence and the creditor and the debtor may each adduce further evidence as to the means of the debtor, and the debtor may also himself give evidence on oath, and may, whether he gives evidence or not, be cross-examined by or on behalf of the creditor on the statement of means and his evidence (if any).
(2) If the Justice is satisfied on the evidence adduced on the examination as to means that the statement of means lodged by the debtor is false to the knowledge of the debtor in any material particular, the Justice may forthwith order the arrest of the debtor and sentence him to imprisonment with or without hard labour for any term not exceeding three months and the debtor shall be imprisoned accordingly.
Order for payment of debt by instalments.
17.—If the debtor fails to lodge a statement of means or fails to attend for examination in accordance with an examination order or refuses to submit himself to cross-examination by or on behalf of the creditor, or fails on such examination and cross-examination (if any) to satisfy the Justice that he is not able to pay the debt either in one sum or by instalments, the Justice, if so requested by the creditor, shall order the debtor to pay the debt and the costs of the proceedings in the District Court either in one payment or by such instalments and at such times as the Justice shall in all the circumstances consider reasonable.
Imprisonment of debtor on failure to pay instalments.
18.—(1) If the debtor fails to pay the debt and costs, or any one or more instalments thereof at the time or times at which the same is or are made payable by an order under this Part of this Act, the Justice may, on the application of the creditor order the arrest and imprisonment of the debtor for any period not exceeding three months, and thereupon the debtor shall be arrested and imprisoned accordingly.
(2) Whenever a debtor is arrested and imprisoned under this section he shall be entitled to be released immediately upon payment by him or on his behalf to the District Court Clerk or to the Governor of the Prison for the District Court Clerk of the sum of money (to be specified in the order of arrest and imprisonment) consisting of the amount of the debt and costs unpaid at the date of the order (including instalments which have not accrued due at that date), and such further sum (if any) for the costs of the order and the expenses of the arrest and removal of the debtor as the Justice shall think reasonable.
(3) All moneys paid under this section to the District Court Clerk by or on behalf of the debtor shall be paid by the District Court Clerk to the creditor on demand.
Continuance of pending proceedings.
19.—(1) Any proceedings under Part III. of the Enforcement of Law (Occasional Powers) Act, 1924 (No. 20 of 1924) which were pending in the District Court immediately before the expiration of that Act may be continued under this Part of this Act, and all steps lawfully taken and things lawfully done in such proceedings before the passing of this Act shall be deemed to have been done under this Part of this Act as if this Act had been in force at the time when such steps were taken or such things were done.
(2) Nothing in this section shall operate to render any person liable to any punishment or penalty for any act (whether of commission or omission) done by him in the period between the expiration of the said Enforcement of Law (Occasional Powers) Act, 1924 and the passing of this Act which would have been lawful if this section had not been enacted.
Saving for other remedies.
20.—The imprisonment of a debtor under this Part of this Act shall not operate as a satisfaction or extinguishment of the debt or any part thereof or deprive the creditor of any other rights or remedies for the recovery thereof.
PART III.
Miscellaneous.
Stay of execution in certain cases.
21.—(1) Whenever judgment shall be given by any court for payment of any sum of money by way of debt or damages by any person (in this section referred to as the debtor) and the court shall be satisfied at the time of giving of such judgment—
(a) that the debtor is unable to discharge by an immediate payment in full the said sum of money, and all costs payable by him under the said judgment; and
(b) that such inability is not occasioned by the debtor's own conduct, act or default; and
(c) that there is reasonable ground for granting to the debtor an extension of time in which to pay the said sum of money and costs,
the court may stay the execution of the judgment for such time and upon such conditions as shall appear to the court to be reasonable.
(2) The conditions upon which a stay of execution may be granted under the foregoing sub-section may include a condition that the said sum of money and costs shall be paid by the debtor by such instalments and at such times as the court may appoint, and that upon failure by the debtor to pay an instalment the stay shall cease.
(3) In this section the word “judgment” shall include decree and order.
Interpleader before District Court in certain cases.
22.—(1) Proceedings by way of interpleader may be instituted by an under-sheriff before the District Court in any case in which the under-sheriff shall have taken in execution or intended execution any goods, animals, or other chattels under any execution order and such goods, animals, or chattels are claimed by some person other than the debtor, and the value of such goods, animals, or chattels does not exceed twenty-five pounds.
(2) On the hearing by the District Court of any interpleader proceedings under this section, the Justice shall have jurisdiction to hear and determine all matters in issue between the parties, including the amount of and liability for costs, and to make such order thereon as justice shall require.
Gárda Síochána to make all arrests.
23.—All orders of any court for the arrest, attachment, or committal of any person shall be executed by members of the Gárda Síochána and no such order shall henceforth be executed by an under-sheriff and no person shall be arrested or taken into custody under any such order otherwise than by a member of the Gárda Síochána.
Offences and penalties.
24.—(1) Every person who resists, obstructs, or impedes an under-sheriff, court messenger, or other person in the lawful execution of an execution order or resists, obstructs, or impedes any member of the Gárda Síochána in the lawful execution of an execution order which under this Act is to be executed by a member of the Gárda Síochána shall be guilty of a misdemeanour and shall be liable on conviction thereof to a fine not exceeding one hundred pounds or, at the discretion of the Court, to imprisonment with or without hard labour for any term not exceeding twelve months, or to both such fine and such imprisonment.
(2) Every person who rescues, removes, or conceals any goods, animals, or chattels which have been taken in execution under an execution order (including an execution order which under this Act is to be executed by a member of the Gárda Síochána) shall be guilty of a misdemeanour and shall be liable on conviction thereof to a fine not exceeding one hundred pounds or at the discretion of the Court, to imprisonment for any term not exceeding twelve months or to both such fine and such imprisonment.
(3) Whenever a person is charged before a Justice of the District Court with having committed any of the misdemeanours mentioned in this section and the Justice is of opinion that the facts proved against the person so charged constitute a minor offence fit to be tried summarily and the said person (inquiry having been made of him by the Justice) does not object to be so tried, the Justice may hear and determine the case summarily but shall not impose a greater term of imprisonment (whether with or without hard labour or with or without a fine) than six months or a greater fine (whether with or without imprisonment) than fifty pounds.
Retaking possession of premises after execution.
25.—Whenever an under-sheriff shall have entered on and taken possession of any lands or premises under an execution order directing him to put any person (in this section referred to as “the owner”) into possession thereon and shall have delivered possession of the said lands and premises to the owner pursuant to such execution order, every person who, within one month after such delivery of possession, peaceably and without force but without the consent of the owner enters on the said lands and premises and takes possession thereof or of any part thereof shall be guilty of an offence under this section and shall be liable on summary conviction thereof to imprisonment for any term not exceeding six months or, at the discretion of the Court, to a fine not exceeding fifty pounds or to both such imprisonment and such fine.
Rules of Court.
26.—All rules made and forms prescribed by the Minister under section 28 of the Enforcement of Law (Occasional Powers) Act, 1924 (No. 20 of 1924) and in force immediately before the expiration of that Act are hereby re-enacted and shall continue in force and apply to proceedings under this Act in the District Court until rules of court made under section 91 of the Courts of Justice Act, 1924 (No. 10 of 1924) and applying to such proceedings come into force.
Repeal.
27.—The Act of the Irish Parliament passed in the year 1710 and entitled “An Act for the better securing of rents and to prevent frauds committed by tenants” (9 Anne, Chap. VIII.) is hereby repealed.