Off On Dualscroll
Turn Dualscroll on to scroll both language versions together.
Number 36 of 1971
COURTS ACT, 1971
ARRANGEMENT OF SECTIONS
Acts Referred to | |
1924, No. 10 | |
1936, No. 48 | |
1953, No. 32 | |
1961, No. 39 | |
Attorneys' and Solicitors' Act, 1870 | 1870, c. 28 |
Lunacy Regulation (Ireland) Act, 1871 | 1871, c. 22 |
1965, No. 27 | |
1960, No. 15 | |
1960, No. 42 | |
1963, No. 7 | |
1954, No. 36 | |
Married Women (Maintenance in case of Desertion) Act, 1886 | 1886, c. 52 |
1930, No. 17 | |
1931, No. 13 | |
Legitimacy Declaration Act (Ireland), 1868 | 1868, c. 20 |
1961, No. 39 | |
1964, No. 11 | |
1926, No. 27 | |
Dublin Police Act, 1842 | 1842, c. 24 |
1940, No. 23 | |
1951, No. 2 | |
Number 36 of 1971
COURTS ACT, 1971
Definitions.
1.—In this Act—
“the Act of 1924” means the Courts of Justice Act, 1924;
“the Act of 1936” means the Courts of Justice Act, 1936;
“the Act of 1953” means the Courts of Justice Act, 1953;
“the Act of 1961” means the Courts (Supplemental Provisions) Act, 1961;
“the Minister” means the Minister for Justice.
Extension of jurisdiction of Circuit Court.
2.—(1) The Third Schedule to the Act of 1961 is hereby amended—
(a) by the substitution of “£5,000” for “£2,000” in each place in column (3) where it occurs,
(b) by the substitution of “£2,000” for “£600” and “£1,000” in each place in the said column (3) where they occur,
(c) by the substitution of “£1,000” for “£300” in the said column (3) at reference number 14, and
(d) by the substitution of “£100” for “£60” in each place in the said column (3) where it occurs.
(2) The Fifth Schedule to the Act of 1961 is hereby amended by the substitution of “two thousand pounds” for “six hundred pounds” in column (3) opposite the mention of the Attorneys' and Solicitors' Act, 1870, in column (2).
(3) Section 22 (2) of the Act of 1961 is hereby amended by the substitution of “five thousand pounds” for “two thousand pounds” and of “three hundred pounds” for “one hundred pounds”.
(4) The Act of 1936 is hereby amended—
(a) by the substitution of “two thousand pounds” for “six hundred pounds” (inserted by the Act of 1953) in section 20, and
(b) by the substitution of “two thousand pounds” for “six hundred pounds” (inserted by the Act of 1953) in section 23.
Extension of jurisdiction of Cork Local Admiralty Court.
3.—The jurisdiction in admiralty causes conferred on the Cork Local Admiralty Court by section 23 of the Act of 1961 shall be exerciseable by that Court in any case where the claim does not exceed £2,000.
Extension of jurisdiction of High Court under Lunacy Regulation (Ireland) Act, 1871.
4.—Section 68 of the Lunacy Regulation (Ireland) Act, 1871, is hereby amended by the substitution of “five thousand pounds” for “two thousand pounds” and “three hundred pounds” for “one hundred pounds”
Limitation on amount of plaintiff's costs in certain High Court actions.
5.—Section 12 of the Act of 1936 is hereby amended by the substitution of “one thousand pounds” for “two hundred pounds” (inserted by the Act of 1953) in each place where it occurs, “two thousand pounds” for “six hundred pounds” (inserted by the Act of 1953) in each place where it occurs and “two hundred and fifty pounds” for “fifty pounds” (inserted by the Act of 1953) in each place where it occurs.
Abolition of juries in civil cases in Circuit Court.
6.—Notwithstanding section 94 of the Act of 1924 or section 44 of the Succession Act, 1965, a civil action in the Circuit Court or a question of fact or an issue arising in the action or a question of fact arising in any proceedings in the Circuit Court under the Succession Act, 1965, shall not be tried by a jury.
Extension of jurisdiction of District Court in certain cases.
7.—Section 77 of the Act of 1924 is hereby amended—
(a) by the substitution of the following clauses for clauses (i) to (iv) of paragraph A:
“(i) in contract, breach of contract, tort (except slander, libel, criminal conversation, seduction, slander of title, malicious prosecution and false imprisonment) and claims for damages unconnected with contract, where the claim does not exceed £250:
Provided that the decision of a justice of the District Court in a case in which a question of title to land is in issue shall not operate as an estoppel in or bar to a suit in any court in relation to such land;
(ii) in ejectment for non-payment of rent or overholding in any class of tenancy where the rent does not exceed such sum as amounts or might amount to £315 per annum;
(iii) in proceedings at the suit of the State or any State authority (within the meaning of the Act of 1961) or any officer thereof to recover any sum not exceeding £250 due to or recoverable by or on behalf of the State, whether by way of penalty, debt, or otherwise, and notwithstanding any enactment now in force requiring such sum to be sued for in the High Court or other superior court;”,
and
(b) by the substitution of “£250” for “£50” in clause (v) (inserted by section 52 of the Act of 1936).
Extension of jurisdiction of District Court in cases of detinue.
8.—Section 33 (3) of the Act of 1961 is hereby amended by the substitution of “£250” for “£50”.
Extension of jurisdiction of District Court under Hire-Purchase Acts, 1946 and 1960.
9.—(1) Section 19 of the Hire-Purchase (Amendment) Act, 1960, is hereby amended by the substitution of “two hundred and fifty pounds” for “one hundred pounds” in subsections (1) and (2).
(2) Section 33 (4) (a) of the Act of 1961 is hereby amended by the substitution of “two hundred and fifty pounds” for “one hundred pounds”.
Extension of jurisdiction of District Court in interpleader by under-sheriffs. 1926, No. 18.
10.—Section 22 (1) of the Enforcement of Court Orders Act, 1926, is hereby amended by the substitution of “two hundred and fifty pounds” for “fifty pounds” (inserted by the Act of 1953).
Extension of jurisdiction of District Court under Rent Restrictions Act, 1960.
11.—Section 50 (b) of the Rent Restrictions Act, 1960, is hereby amended—
(a) by the substitution of “£25” for “£10” in subparagraph (i), and
(b) by the substitution of “£315” for “£53” in subparagraph (ii).
Extension of jurisdiction of Circuit Court and District Court under Hotel Proprietors Act, 1963.
12.—Section 10 of the Hotel Proprietors Act, 1963, is hereby amended—
(a) by the substitution of “£2,000” for “£1,000” in subsection (1), and
(b) the substitution of “£250” for “£100” in subsection (2).
District Court to be a court of record.
13.—The District Court shall be a court of record.
Evidence of decision in cases of summary jurisdiction.
14.—In any legal proceedings regard shall not be had to any record (other than an order which, when an order is required, shall be drawn up by the district court clerk and signed by a justice or a copy thereof certified in accordance with rules of court) relating to a decision of a justice of the District Court in any case of summary jurisdiction.
Power of justice to deal with urgent cases of summary jurisdiction in any part of his district.
15.—(1) Whenever the Minister is of opinion that early trial or disposal by the District Court of summary offences of any specified kind is desirable, he may by order so declare and the provisions of subsections (2) and (3) of this section shall have effect in relation to summary offences of any kind standing so specified in an order under this section.
(2) A justice of the District Court in whose district an offence of a kind standing specified in an order under this section is committed—
(a) shall have jurisdiction to deal with the case in any court area within his district, and
(b) may hold a sitting of the District Court within his district to deal with the offence at a place or time not standing appointed for the time being for the hearing of cases of summary jurisdiction.
(3) A summons issued in respect of an offence standing specified in an order under this section may direct the appearance of the person named in the summons at any sitting (including a sitting of the kind referred to in subsection (2) (b) of this section) of the District Court within the district court district in which the offence was committed and may be served personally at any time not less than two clear days before the sitting.
(4) The Minister may by order revoke or amend an order under this section including an order under this subsection.
(5) An order under this section shall be laid before each House of the Oireachtas as soon as may be after it is made and, if a resolution annulling the order is passed by either House within the next twenty-one days on which that House has sat after the order is laid before it, the order shall be annulled accordingly but without prejudice to the validity of anything previously done thereunder.
Amendment of section 26 of Act of 1953.
16.—Section 26 of the Act of 1953 is hereby amended by the insertion in subsection (1) after paragraph (f) of the following paragraphs:
“(g) after consultation with the President of the District Court, appoint one or more convenient places in every district court area created or varied under this section 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 is delimited,
(h) assign a name to or change the name of any district court district or district court area,
(i) revoke or amend an order under this section.”.
Right of audience of solicitors.
17.—A solicitor who is acting for a party in an action, suit, matter or criminal proceedings in any court and a solicitor qualified to practise (within the meaning of the Solicitors Act, 1954) who is acting as his assistant shall have a right of audience in that court.
Weekly payments under Married Women (Maintenance in case of Desertion) Act, 1886.
18.—(1) The weekly sum payable under paragraph (1) of section 1 of the Married Women (Maintenance in case of Desertion) Act, 1886, by a husband to his wife shall be such sum for her support as the court may consider to be in accordance with his means and with any means the wife may have together with such sum for the support of any child of the husband and wife who is wholly or partly supported and maintained by the wife until that child attains the age of 16 years as the court may consider to be in accordance with the means of the husband and the means (if any) of the child and the degree of support and maintenance the child is receiving from the wife.
(2) The power to vary a weekly sum payable under the said section 1 shall include a power to vary the sum—
(a) upon proof that the means of a child for whose support part of the sum is payable have been altered in amount since the original order determining it or any subsequent order varying it was made, and
(b) without the proof of alteration in means referred to in the said section 1 if the sum is payable under an order made before the passing of this Act.
(3) Paragraph (2) of the said section 1 shall not have effect in relation to any part of a weekly sum under the said section 1 which is or would be payable for the support of a child.
(4) (a) Subject to subsection (5) of this section, the High Court shall, concurrently with the District Court, have jurisdiction to hear and determine proceedings under sections 1 and 2 of the said Married Women (Maintenance in case of Desertion) Act, 1886.
(b) Rules of court shall provide for the conduct of proceedings in the High Court under the said sections 1 and 2 in a summary manner.
(c) The costs of proceedings in the High Court under the said sections 1 and 2 shall be at the discretion of the court.
(5) (a) The District Court shall not have jurisdiction to make an order under the said section 1 or 2 for the payment of a weekly sum of which more than £15 is for the support of a wife or of which more than £5 is for the support of a child.
(b) Nothing in this section shall be construed as conferring on the District Court jurisdiction to make an order under the said section 1 or 2 in any matter in relation to which the High Court has made an order under either of those sections.
(6) In this section “child of the husband and wife” includes—
(a) a legitimate or illegitimate child of the husband or the wife, and
(b) a child adopted by the husband and wife or either of them under the Adoption Acts, 1952 and 1964,
who, immediately before the desertion of the wife by the husband, was wholly or partly supported and maintained by the husband and wife.
Payments under Illegitimate Children (Affiliation Orders) Act, 1930.
19.—(1) The Illegitimate Children (Affiliation Orders) Act, 1930, is hereby amended by—
(a) the substitution of “fifty pounds” for “five pounds” in section 3 (1) (a),
(b) the deletion of “not exceeding twenty shillings” in section 3(1) (b) and
(c) the substitution of “fifty pounds” for “five pounds” in section 7.
(2) (a) Subject to subsection (3) of this section, the High Court shall, concurrently with the District Court, have jurisdiction to hear and determine proceedings under the said Illegitimate Children (Affiliation Orders) Act, 1930, and the said Act shall apply, with any necessary modifications and adaptations, in relation to any such proceedings in the High Court, or on appeal therefrom in the Supreme Court.
(b) Rules of court shall provide for the conduct of proceedings in the High Court under the said Act in a summary manner.
(3) (a) The District Court shall not have jurisdiction to make an order under the said Act for the payment of a weekly sum exceeding £5 for the maintenance and education of a child.
(b) Nothing in this section shall be construed as conferring on the District Court jurisdiction to make an order under the said Act in any matter in relation to which the High Court has made an order thereunder.
Amendment of section 2 of Legitimacy Act, 1931.
20.—Section 2 of the Legitimacy Act, 1931, is hereby amended by the insertion after subsection (1) of the following subsections:
“(1A) A person claiming that a child of his is or was a legitimated person may, whether the child is or is not domiciled in the State and whether the child is or is not a natural-born British subject within the meaning of the Legitimacy Declaration Act (Ireland), 1868, institute proceedings under that Act praying for a decree that the child is the legitimate child of his parents, and that Act shall apply accordingly.
(1B) Proceedings instituted by virtue of this section shall be heard in chambers.”.
Amendment of section 22 of Courts (Supplemental Provisions) Act, 1961.
21.—Section 22 of the Courts (Supplemental Provisions) Act, 1961, is hereby amended by the substitution for subsection (8) of the following subsection:
“(8) (a) Any interested party may at any time apply to the judge of the Circuit Court before whom an action commenced in that court or an appeal from the District Court is pending to have the action or appeal forwarded to the High Court and thereupon, in case the action or appeal is one fit to be tried in the High Court and the High Court appears to be the more appropriate tribunal in the circumstances, the said judge may send forward the action or appeal to the High Court upon such terms and subject to such conditions as to costs or otherwise as may appear to him to be just, and an appeal shall lie under section 38 of the Act of 1936, as applied by section 48 of this Act, from the decision of the judge granting or refusing any such application.
(b) Any interested party may at any time apply to a justice of the District Court before whom an action commenced in that court is pending to have the action forwarded to the Circuit Court or the High Court and thereupon, in case the action is one fit to be tried in the Circuit Court or the High Court, as the case may be, and the Circuit Court or the High Court, as the case may be, appears to be the more appropriate tribunal in the circumstances, the said justice may send forward the action to the Circuit Court or the High Court, as the case may be, upon such terms and subject to such conditions as to costs or otherwise as may appear to him to be just, and an appeal shall lie under section 84 of the Act of 1924, as applied by section 48 of this Act, from the decision of the justice granting or refusing any such application.”.
Service by post of Circuit Court and District Court documents.
22.—(1) Section 7 of the Courts Act, 1964, is hereby amended—
(a) by the deletion of “or proceedings under the School Attendance Acts, 1926 and 1936” and the substitution of “any other document relating to such proceedings which is a notice, order or witness summons” for “a witness summons relating to such proceedings” in subsection (1), and
(b) by the substitution for subsection (2) of the following subsection:
“(2) This section shall apply in relation to the service of any Circuit Court document or any District Court document in any area whenever and so long as no summons server stands assigned to that area for the service of that document by the County Registrar for the county in which the area is situated.”.
(2) Section 44 of the Court Officers Act, 1926, is hereby amended by the substitution of the following subsection for subsection (4):
“(4) Every such summons server shall be assigned by the County Registrar to such area served by the circuit court office to which the summons server is attached and in respect of such documents as may be specified by the County Registrar and every summons server so assigned shall be competent to serve within the area to which he is so assigned any document specified as aforesaid.”.
Service by post of superior court documents.
23.—(1) Service of a superior court document may be effected by leaving the document or a copy thereof (as may be appropriate) at, or sending the document or a copy thereof (as may be appropriate) by registered prepaid post to, the residence or place of business in the State of the person to be served or the place of business in the State of the solicitor (if any) acting for him in the proceedings to which the document relates.
(2) In this section “superior court document” means any document for or in relation to the service of which provision is made in any rules made by the Superior Courts Rules Committee but for which personal service is not required.
Repeals.
24.—The first proviso to section 70 and section 72 of the Dublin Police Act, 1842, paragraph (a) of section 7 of the Enforcement of Court Orders Act, 1940, section 21 of the Criminal Justice Act, 1951, section 65 of the Solicitors Act, 1954, “by virtue of this Act” in section 14 (2) and section 60 of the Act of 1961, are hereby repealed.
Short title, collective citation, construction and commencement.
25.—(1) This Act may be cited as the Courts Act, 1971.
(2) The Courts (Supplemental Provisions) Acts, 1961 to 1968, and this Act may be cited together as the Courts (Supplemental Provisions) Acts, 1961 to 1971.
(3) The Courts (Supplemental Provisions) Acts, 1961 to 1968, and this Act shall be construed together as one Act.
(4) Sections 2 to 12 of this Act shall come into operation on the 1st day of March, 1972, but shall not apply in relation to proceedings in any court instituted before that day.
(5) Section 14 of this Act shall come into operation on the 1st day of March, 1972.
Uimhir 36 de 1971
ACHT NA gCÚIRTEANNA, 1971
[An tiontú oifigiúil.]
Mínithe.
1.—San Acht seo—
ciallaíonn “Acht 1924” an tAcht Cúirteanna Breithiúnais, 1924;
ciallaíonn “Acht 1936” an tAcht Cúirteanna Breithiúnais, 1936;
ciallaíonn “Acht 1953” an tAcht Cúirteanna Breithiúnais, 1953;
ciallaíonn “Acht 1961” Acht na gCúirteanna (Forálacha Forlíontacha), 1961;
ciallaíonn “an tAire” an tAire Dlí agus Cirt.
Leathnú ar dhlínse na Cúirte Cuarda.
1870, c. 28.
2.—(1) Leasaítear leis seo an Tríú Sceideal a ghabhann le hAcht 1961—
(a) trí “£5,000” a chur in ionad “£2,000” gach áit a bhfuil sé i gcolún (3),
(b) trí “£2,000” a chur in ionad “£600” agus “£1,000” gach áit a bhfuil siad sa cholún sin (3),
(c) trí “£1,000” a chur in ionad “£300” sa cholún sin (3) ag uimhir thagartha 14, agus
(d) trí “£100” a chur in ionad “£60” gach áit a bhfuil sé sa cholún sin (3).
(2) Leasaítear leis seo an Cúigiú Sceideal a ghabhann le hAcht 1961 trí “do dhá mhíle punt” a chur in ionad “do shé chéad punt” i gcolún (3) os coinne lua an Attorneys' and Solicitors' Act, 1870, i gcolún (2).
(3) Leasaítear leis seo alt 22 (2) d'Acht 1961 trí “cúig mhíle punt” a chur in ionad “dhá mhíle punt” agus trí “trí chéad punt” a chur in ionad “céad punt”.
(4) Leasaítear leis seo Acht 1936—
(a) trí “dhá mhíle punt” a chur in ionad “sé chéad punt” (a cuireadh isteach le hAcht 1953) in alt 20, agus
(b) trí “dhá mhíle punt” a chur in ionad “sé chéad punt” (a cuireadh isteach le hAcht 1953) in alt 23.
Leathnú ar dhlínse Chúirt Aimiréalachta Áitiúil Chorcaí.
3.—An dlínse i gcúiseanna aimiréalachta a tugadh do Chúirt Aimiréalachta Áitiúil Chorcaí le halt 23 d'Acht 1961, beidh sí infheidhme ag an gCúirt sin in aon chás nach mó an t-éileamh ná £2,000.
Leathnú ar dhlínse na hArd-Chúirte faoin Lunacy Regulation (Ireland) Act, 1871.
1871, c. 22.
4.—Leasaítear leis seo alt 68 den Lunacy Regulation (Ireland) Act, 1871, trí “five thousand pounds” a chur in ionad “two thousand pounds” agus trí “three hundred pounds” a chur in ionad “one hundred pounds”.
Teorainn le méid costas gearánaí i gcaingne áirithe Ard-Chúirte.
5.—Leasaítear leis seo alt 12 d'Acht 1936 trí “míle punt” a chur in ionad “dhá chéad punt” (a cuireadh isteach le hAcht 1953) gach áit a bhfuil sé, trí “dhá mhíle punt” a chur in ionad “sé chéad punt” (a cuireadh isteach le hAcht 1953) gach áit a bhfuil sé agus trí “dhá chéad agus caoga punt” a chur in ionad “caoga punt” (a cuireadh isteach le hAcht 1953) gach áit a bhfuil sé.
Deireadh a chur le giúiréithe i gcásanna sibhialta sa Chúirt Chuarda.
6.—D'ainneoin alt 94 d'Acht 1924 nó alt 44 den Acht Comharbais, 1965, ní dhéanfar caingean shibhialta sa Chúirt Chuarda ná ceist fíorais ná saincheist a éireoidh sa chaingean ná ceist fíorais a éireoidh in aon imeachtaí sa Chúirt Chuarda faoin Acht Comharbais, 1965, a thriail ag giúiré.
Leathnú ar dhlínse na Cúirte Dúiche i gcásanna áirithe.
7.—Leasaítear leis seo alt 77 d'Acht 1924—
(a) trí na clásail seo a leanas a chur in ionad chlásail (i) go (iv) de mhír A:
“(i) i gconradh, sárú conartha, tort (ach amháin béadchaint, leabhal, caidreamh collaí, meabhlú, clúmhilleadh teidil, ionchúiseamh mailíseach agus príosúnú neamhdhleathach) agus in éilimh ar dhamáistí nach mbaineann le conradh, mura mó an t-éileamh ná £250:
Ar choinníoll nach n-oibreoidh cinneadh ó bhreitheamh den Chúirt Dúiche i gcás ina bhfuil teideal chun talún i saincheist mar urbhac ná mar urchosc ar agra in aon chúirt maidir leis an talamh sin;
(ii) in eisiachtain i leith neamhíoc cíosa nó i leith rósheilbhe in aon aicme tionóntachta nach mó an cíos uirthi ná suim is comhionann, nó a d'fhéadfadh a bheith comhionann, le £315 sa bhliain;
(iii) in imeachtaí ar agra an Stáit nó aon údaráis Stáit (de réir brí Acht 1961) nó aon oifigigh don Stát chun aon suim a ghnóthú nach mó ná £250 atá dlite don Stát nó inghnóthaithe ag an Stát nó thar a cheann, cibé acu ar mhodh pionóis, féich nó eile, agus d'ainneoin aon achtacháin atá i bhfeidhm faoi láthair lena gceanglaítear agra a dhéanamh i leith na suime sin san Ard-Chúirt nó in aon uaschúirt eile;”,
agus
(b) trí “£250” a chur in ionad “£50” i gclásal (v) (a cuireadh isteach le halt 52 d'Acht 1936).
Leathnú ar dhlínse na Cúirte Dúiche i gcásanna míchoinneála.
8.—Leasaítear leis seo alt 33 (3) d'Acht 1961 trí “£250” a chur in ionad “£50”.
Leathnú ar dhlínse na Cúirte Dúiche faoi na hAchtanna Fruilcheannaigh, 1946 agus 1960.
9.—(1) Leasaítear leis seo alt 19 den Acht Fruilcheannaigh (Leasú), 1960, trí “dhá chéad agus caoga punt” a chur in ionad “céad punt” i bhfo-ailt (1) agus (2).
(2) Leasaítear leis seo alt 33 (4) (a) d'Acht 1961 trí “dhá chéad agus caoga punt” a chur in ionad “céad punt”.
Leathnú ar dhlínse na Cúirte Dúiche in idirphléadáil ag foshirriaim.
10.—Leasaítear leis seo alt 22 (1) den Acht um Fheidhmiú Orduithe Cúirte, 1926, trí “dhá chéad agus caoga punt” a chur in ionad “caoga punt” (a cuireadh isteach le hAcht 1953).
Leathnú ar dhlínse na Cúirte Dúiche faoin Acht Srianta Cíosa, 1960.
11.—Leasaítear leis seo alt 50 (b) den Acht Srianta Cíosa, 1960—
(a) trí “£25” a chur in ionad “£10” i bhfomhír (i), agus
(b) trí “£315” a chur in ionad “£53” i bhfomhír (ii).
Leathnú ar dhlínse na Cúirte Cuarda agus na Cúirte Dúiche faoin Acht um Dhílseánaigh Óstán, 1963.
12.—Leasaítear leis seo alt 10 den Acht um Dhílseánaigh Óstán, 1963—
(a) trí “£2,000” a chur in ionad “£1,000” i bhfo-alt (1), agus
(b) trí “£250” a chur in ionad “£100” i bhfo-alt (2).
An Chúirt Dúiche a bheith ina cúirt taifid.
13.—Beidh an Chúirt Dúiche ina cúirt taifid.
Fianaise maidir le cinneadh i gcásanna dlínse achomaire.
14.—In aon imeachtaí dlíthiúla ní thabharfar aird ar aon taifead (seachas ordú a dhéanfar, nuair a bheidh gá le hordú, a tharraingt suas ag cléireach na cúirte dúiche agus a shíniú ag breitheamh nó cóip d'ordú den sórt sin arna dheimhniú de réir rialacha na cúirte) maidir le cinneadh ó bhreitheamh den Chúirt Dúiche in aon chás dlínse achomaire.
Cumhacht breithimh déileáil le cásanna práinneacha dlínse achomaire in aon chuid dá dhúiche.
15.—(1) Aon uair is dóigh leis an Aire gur mhaith an rud é cionta achomaire d'aon chineál sonraithe a thriail nó a dhiúscairt go luath ag an gCúirt Dúiche, féadfaidh sé é sin a dhearbhú le hordú agus beidh éifeacht ag forálacha fho-ailt (2) agus (3) den alt seo maidir le cionta achomaire d'aon chineál a bheidh sonraithe amhlaidh in ordú faoin alt seo.
(2) Breitheamh den Chúirt Dúiche a ndearnadh ina dhúiche aon chion de chineál atá sonraithe in ordú faoin alt seo—
(a) beidh dlínse aige chun déileáil leis an gcás in aon cheantar cúirte ina dhúiche, agus
(b) féadfaidh sé suí den Chúirt Dúiche a thionól ina dhúiche chun déileáil leis an gcion áit nó tráth nach bhfuil ceaptha de thuras na huaire chun cásanna dlínse achomaire a éisteacht.
(3) Féadfar a ordú i dtoghairm a eiseofar i leith cion atá sonraithe in ordú faoin alt seo go láithreoidh an duine atá ainmnithe sa toghairm ag aon suí (lena n-áirítear suí den chineál dá dtagraítear i bhfo-alt (2) (b) den alt seo) den Chúirt Dúiche sa dúiche chúirte dúiche ina ndearnadh an cion agus féadfar í a sheirbheáil go pearsanta tráth ar bith nach déanaí ná dhá lá glan roimh an suí.
(4) Féadfaidh an tAire ordú faoin alt seo, lena n-áirítear ordú faoin bhfo-alt seo, a chúlghairm nó a leasú le hordú.
(5) Déanfar ordú faoin alt seo a leagan faoi bhráid gach Tí den Oireachtas a luaithe is féidir tar éis a dhéanta agus, má dhéanann ceachtar Teach acu sin, laistigh den lá is fiche a shuífidh an Teach sin tar éis an t-ordú a leagan faoina bhráid, rún a rith ag neamhniú an ordaithe, beidh an t-ordú ar neamhní dá réir sin ach sin gan dochar do bhailíocht aon ní a rinneadh roimhe sin faoin ordú.
Leasú ar alt 26 d'Acht 1953.
16.—Leasaítear leis seo alt 26 d'Acht 1953 trí na míreanna seo a leanas a chur isteach i bhfo-alt (1) i ndiaidh mhír (f):
“(g) tar éis dul i gcomhairle le hUachtarán na Cúirte Dúiche, áit oiriúnach nó áiteanna oiriúnacha i ngach ceantar cúirte dúiche a bhunaítear nó a athraítear faoin alt seo nó laistigh de mhíle ó theorainn an cheantair sin, agus cibé laethanta agus tráthanna oiriúnacha áirithe agus cibé méid díobh, a cheapadh chun an Chúirt Dúiche a thionól d'fhonn an gnó dar socraíodh an ceantar a dhéanamh don cheantar sin,
(h) ainm a shannadh d'aon dúiche chúirte dúiche nó d'aon cheantar cúirte dúiche nó ainm dúiche nó ceantair den sórt sin a athrú,
(i) ordú faoin alt seo a chúlghairm nó a leasú.”.
Ceart éisteachta d'aturnaetha.
17.—Beidh ceart éisteachta in aon chúirt ag aturnae atá ag gníomhú do pháirtí i gcaingean, in agra, in ábhar nó in imeachtaí coiriúla sa chúirt sin agus ag aturnae atá cáilithe chun cleachtadh (de réir brí an Achta Aturnaethe, 1954) agus atá ag gníomhú mar chúntóir dó.
Íocaiochtaí seachtainiúla faoin Married Women (Maintenance in case of Desertion) Act, 1886.
1886, c.52.
18.—(1) Is é a bheidh sa tsuim sheachtainiúil is iníoctha faoi mhír (1) d'alt 1 den Married Women (Maintenance in case of Desertion) Act, 1886, ag fearchéile lena bhanchéile, cibé suim le haghaidh a cothabhála is dóigh leis an gcúirt a bheith de réir a acmhainne agus de réir aon acmhainn atá ag an mbanchéile mar aon le cibé suim le haghaidh cothabháil aon linbh leis an bhfearchéile agus leis an mbanchéile is leanbh atá á chothabháil agus á chothú go hiomlán nó go páirteach ag an mbanchéile go dtí go slánóidh an leanbh sin 16 bliana is dóigh leis an gcúirt a bheith de réir acmhainn an fhearchéile agus acmhainn (más ann) an linbh agus méid an chothaithe agus na cothabhála atá an leanbh a fháil ón mbanchéile.
(2) Áireofar ar an gcumhacht suim sheachtainiúil a athrú is iníoctha faoin alt sin 1 cumhacht chun an tsuim a athrú—
(a) ar a chruthú go ndearnadh athrú ar mhéid acmhainn linbh, a bhfuil cuid den tsuim iníoctha i leith a chothaithe, ó rinneadh an t-ordú bunaidh ag cinneadh na suime sin nó aon ordú ina dhiaidh sin á hathrú, agus
(b) d'éagmais an chruthúnais i dtaobh an athrú acmhainne dá dtagraítear san alt sin 1 más faoi ordú a rinneadh roimh an Acht seo a rith atá an tsuim iníoctha.
(3) Ní bheidh éifeacht ag mír (2) den alt sin 1 maidir le haon chuid de shuim sheachtainiúil faoin alt sin 1 is iníoctha nó a bheadh iníoctha chun leanbh a chothú.
(4) (a) Faoi réir fho-alt (5) den alt seo, beidh dlínse ag an Ard-Chúirt, i gcomhthráth leis an gCúirt Dúiche, imeachtaí a éisteacht agus a chinneadh faoi ailt 1 agus 2 den Married Women (Maintenance in case of Desertion) Act, 1886, a dúradh.
(b) Beidh foráil sna rialacha cúirte lena ndéanfar imeachtaí san Ard-Chúirt faoi na hailt sin 1 agus 2 a stiúradh ar bhealach achomair.
(c) Is faoi rogha na cúirte a bheidh costais imeachtaí san Ard-Chúirt faoi na hailt sin 1 agus 2.
(5) (a) Ní bheidh dlínse ag an gCúirt Dúiche ordú a dhéanamh faoin alt sin 1 nó 2 chun suim sheachtainiúil a íoc ar le banchéile a chothú níos mó ná £15 di nó ar le leanbh a chothú níos mó ná £5 di.
(b) Ní fhorléireofar aon ní san alt seo mar ní a thugann dlínse don Chúirt Dúiche ordú a dhéanamh faoin alt sin 1 nó 2 in aon ábhar a bhfuil ordú déanta ina leith ag an Ard-Chúirt faoi cheachtar de na hailt sin.
(6) San alt seo folaíonn “leanbh leis an bhfearchéile agus leis an mbanchéile”—
(a) leanbh dlisteanach nó leanbh neamhdhlisteanach leis an bhfearchéile nó leis an mbanchéile, agus
(b) leanbh a d'uchtaigh an fearchéile agus an banchéile nó ceachtar acu faoi na hAchtanna Uchtála, 1952 agus 1964,
is leanbh a bhí, díreach sular thréig an fearchéile an banchéile, á chothú agus á chothabháil go hiomlán nó go páirteach ag an bhfearchéile agus ag an mbanchéile.
Íocaíochtaí faoi Acht na Leanbhaí Tabhartha (Orduithe Athairíochta), 1930.
19.—(1) Leasaítear leis seo Acht na Leanbhaí Tabhartha (Orduithe Athairíochta), 1930—
(a) trí “caoga punt” a chur in ionad “cúig púint” in alt 3 (1) (a),
(b) trí “nach mó ná fiche scilling” in alt 3 (1) (b) a scriosadh, agus
(c) trí “caoga punt” a chur in ionad “cúig púint” in alt 7.
(2) (a) Faoi réir fho-alt (3) den alt seo, beidh dlínse ag an Ard-Chúirt, i gcomhthráth leis an gCúirt Dúiche, imeachtaí a éisteacht agus a chinneadh faoi Acht na Leanbhaí Tabhartha (Orduithe Athairíochta), 1930, a dúradh agus beidh feidhm ag an Acht sin, fara aon mhodhnuithe agus oiriúnuithe is gá, maidir le haon imeachtaí den sórt sin san Ard-Chúirt, nó ar achomharc ón gcúirt sin, sa Chúirt Uachtarach.
(b) Beidh foráil sna rialacha cúirte lena ndéanfar imeachtaí san Ard-Chúirt faoin Acht sin a stiúradh ar bhealach achomair.
(3) (a) Ní bheidh dlínse ag an gCúirt Dúiche ordú a dhéanamh faoin Acht sin chun suim sheachtainiúil is mó ná £5 a íoc le cothabháil agus oideachas linbh.
(b) Ní fhorléireofar aon ní san alt seo mar ní a thugann dlínse don Chúirt Dúiche ordú a dhéanamh faoin Acht sin in aon ábhar a bhfuil ordú déanta ina leith ag an Ard-Chúirt faoin Acht sin.
Leasú ar alt 2 den Acht Dlisteanais, 1931.
1868, c. 20.
20.—Leasaítear leis seo alt 2 den Acht Dlisteanais, 1931, trí na fo-ailt seo a leanas a chur isteach i ndiaidh fho-alt (1):
“(1A) Duine a éilíonn gur duine dlisteanaithe atá nó a bhí in aon leanbh leis, féadfaidh sé, cibé acu atá nó nach bhfuil sainchónaí sa Stát ar an leanbh agus cibé acu atá nó nach bhfuil an leanbh ina ghéillsineach Briotanach de réir dúchais de réir brí an Legitimacy Declaration Act (Ireland), 1868, imeachtaí a thionscnamh faoin Acht sin ag lorg foraithne gur leanbh dlisteanach lena thuismitheoirí an leanbh agus beidh feidhm dá réir sin ag an Acht sin.
(1B) Is i ndlísheomra a éistfear imeachtaí a thionscnófar de bhua an ailt seo.”.
Leasú ar alt 22 d'Acht na gCúirteanna (Forálacha Forlíontacha), 1961.
21.—Leasaítear leis seo alt 22 d'Acht na gCúirteanna (Forálacha Forlíontacha), 1961, tríd an bhfo-alt seo a leanas a chur in ionad fho-alt (8):
“(8) (a) Féadfaidh aon pháirtí leasmhar a iarraidh tráth ar bith ar an mbreitheamh den Chúirt Chuarda a mbeidh caingean a tionscnaíodh sa chúirt sin nó achomharc ón gCúirt Dúiche ar feitheamh os a chomhair an chaingean nó an t-achomharc a chur ar aghaidh go dtí an Ard-Chúirt agus air sin, más caingean nó achomharc é atá oiriúnach chun a thriailte san Ard-Chúirt agus go ndealraíonn sé gurb í an Ard-Chúirt an binse is mó is iomchuí sna himthosca, féadfaidh an breitheamh sin an chaingean nó an t-achomharc a chur ar aghaidh go dtí an Ard-Chúirt ar cibé téarmaí agus faoi réir cibé coinníollacha i dtaobh costas nó eile a fheicfear dó a bheith cóir, agus beidh ábhar achomhairc ann faoi alt 38 d'Acht 1936, mar a chuirtear chun feidhme é le halt 48 den Acht seo, i gcoinne chinneadh an bhreithimh ag géilleadh nó ag diúltú d'aon iarratas den sórt sin.
(b) Féadfaidh aon pháirtí leasmhar a iarraidh tráth ar bith ar bhreitheamh den Chúirt Dúiche a mbeidh caingean a tionscnaíodh sa chúirt sin ar feitheamh os a chomhair an chaingean a chur ar aghaidh go dtí an Chúirt Chuarda nó go dtí an Ard-Chúirt agus air sin, más caingean í atá oiriúnach chun a triailte sa Chúirt Chuarda nó san Ard-Chúirt, de réir mar a bheidh, agus go ndealraíonn sé gurb í an Chúirt Chuarda nó an Ard-Chúirt, de réir mar a bheidh, an binse is mó is iomchuí sna himthosca, féadfaidh an breitheamh sin an chaingean sin a chur ar aghaidh go dtí an Chúirt Chuarda nó go dtí an Ard-Chúirt, de réir mar a bheidh, ar cibé téarmaí agus faoi réir cibé coinníollacha i dtaobh costas nó eile a fheicfear dó a bheith cóir, agus beidh ábhar achomhairc ann faoi alt 84 d'Acht 1924, mar a chuirtear chun feidhme é le halt 48 den Acht seo, i gcoinne chinneadh an bhreithimh ag géilleadh nó ag diúltú d'aon iarratas den sórt sin.”.
Doiciméid Chúirte Cuarda agus Chúirte Dúiche a sheirbheáil leis an bpost.
22.—(1) Leasaítear leis seo alt 7 d'Acht na gCúirteanna, 1964—
(a) trí “nó imeachtaí faoi na hAchtanna Freastal Scoile, 1926 agus 1936” a scriosadh agus trí “aon doiciméid eile maidir leis na himeachtaí sin is fógra, ordú nó toghairm fhinné” a chur in ionad “toghairm fhinné maidir leis na himeachtaí sin” i bhfo-alt (1), agus
(b) tríd an bhfo-alt seo a leanas a chur in ionad fho-alt (2):
“(2) Beidh feidhm ag an alt seo maidir le seirbheáil aon doiciméid Chúirte Cuarda nó aon doiciméid Chúirte Dúiche in aon cheantar aon uair nach mbeidh agus fad nach mbeidh aon seirbheálaí toghairme arna shannadh don cheantar sin, le haghaidh seirbheáil an doiciméid sin ag an gCláraitheoir Contae don chontae ina bhfuil an ceantar.”
(2) Leasaítear leis seo alt 44 den Acht Oifigigh Cúirte, 1926, tríd an bhfo-alt seo a leanas a chur in ionad fho-alt (4):
“(4) Déanfaidh an Cláraitheoir Contae gach seirbheálaí toghairme den sórt sin a shannadh do cibé ceantar dá bhfónann an oifig chúirte cuarda lena mbaineann an seirbheálaí toghairme agus i leith cibé doiciméad a shonróidh an Cláraitheoir Contae agus beidh gach seirbheálaí toghairme a shannfar amhlaidh inniúil ar aon doiciméad a shonrófar mar a dúradh a sheirbheáil laistigh den cheantar dar sannadh amhlaidh é.”.
Doiciméid uaschúirte a sheirbheáil leis an bpost.
23.—(1) Féadfar doiciméad uaschúirte a sheirbheáil tríd an doiciméad nó cóip de (mar is iomchuí) a fhágáil in áit chónaithe nó in áit ghnó, sa Stát an duine a bheidh le seirbheáil nó in áit ghnó, sa Stát, an aturnae (más ann) a bheidh ag gníomhú dó sna himeachtaí lena mbaineann an doiciméad, nó tríd an doiciméad nó cóip de (mar is iomchuí) a chur leis an bpost cláraithe réamhíoctha go dtí áit chónaithe nó áit ghnó, sa Stát, an duine sin nó go dtí áit ghnó, sa Stát, an aturnae sin.
(2) San alt seo ciallaíonn “doiciméad uaschúirte” aon doiciméad a bhfuil foráil déanta le haghaidh nó i leith a sheirbheála in aon rialacha arna ndéanamh ag Coiste Rialacha na nUaschúirteanna ach nach gá seirbheáil phearsanta ina chás.
Aisghairm.
1842, c. 24.
24.—Aisghairtear leis seo an chéad choinníoll a ghabhann le halt 70 agus alt 72 den Dublin Police Act, 1842, mír (a) d'alt 7 den Acht um Fheidhmiú Orduithe Cúirte, 1940, alt 21 den Acht um Cheartas Coiriúil, 1951, alt 65 den Acht Aturnaethe, 1954, “de bhua an Achta seo” in alt 14 (2) agus alt 60 d'Acht 1961.
Gearrtheideal, comhlua, forléiriú agus tosach feidhme.
25.—(1) Féadfar Acht na gCúirteanna, 1971, a ghairm den Acht seo.
(2) Féadfar Achtanna na gCúirteanna (Forálacha Forlíontacha), 1961 go 1971, a ghairm d'Achtanna na gCúirteanna (Forálacha Forlíontacha), 1961 go 1968, agus den Acht seo le chéile.
(3) Forléireofar Achtanna na gCúirteanna (Forálacha Forlíontacha), 1961 go 1968, agus an tAcht seo le chéile mar aon Acht amháin.
(4) Tiocfaidh ailt 2 go 12 den Acht seo i ngníomh an lú lá de Mhárta, 1972, ach ní bheidh feidhm acu maidir le himeachtaí in aon chúirt a bheidh tionscanta roimh an lá sin.
(5) Tiocfaidh alt 14 den Acht seo i ngníomh an lú lá de Mhárta, 1972.