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Uimhir 25 de 1945.
AN tACHT OIFIGEACH CÚIRTE, 1945.
[An tionntó oifigiúil.]
An Príomh-Acht.
1.—San Acht so, ciallaíonn an abairt “an Príomh-Acht” an tAcht Oifigigh Cúirte, 1926 (Uimh. 27 de 1926).
Bainistí na Príomh-Oifige do bhaint de Mháistir na hArd-Chúirte.
2.—(1) Féadfaidh an tAire, tar éis dul i gcomhairle le hUachtarán na hArd-Chúirte, bainistí na Príomh-Oifige do bhaint, trí ordú, de Mháistir na hArd-Chúirte.
(2) Ar ordú faoin alt so do theacht i bhfeidhm agus dá éis sin—
(a) beidh an Phríomh-Oifig, d'ainneoin fo-ailt (1) d'alt 4 den Phríomh-Acht, faoi bhainistí pé oifigigh a bheas ag fónamh sa Phríomh-Oifig agus a ainmneoidh an tAire ó am go ham chuige sin tar éis dul i gcomhairle le hUachtarán na hArd-Chúirte,
(b) déanfar gach tagairt faoi leith dá bhfuil i bhfo-alt (2) d'alt 4 den Phríomh-Acht do Mháistir na hArd-Chúirte do léiriú mar thagairt don oifigeach a bheas de thuras na huaire ag bainistí na Príomh-Oifige.
Maoirseacht agus urlámhas ginearálta Oifigí na hArd-Chúirte do bhaint de Mháistir na hArd-Chúirte.
3.—(1) Féadfaidh an tAire, tar éis dul i gcomhairle le hUachtarán na hArd-Chúirte, maoirseacht agus urlámhas ginearálta na coda san de na hoifigí do bunaíodh le Cuid I den Phríomh-Acht atá ag gabháil leis an Ard-Chúirt do bhaint, trí ordú, de Mháistir na hArd-Chúirte.
(2) Ar ordú faoin alt so do theacht i bhfeidhm agus dá éis sin agus d'ainneoin ailt 5 den Phríomh-Acht, beidh ag pé oifigeach, is príomh-oifigeach a bheas ag gabháil leis an Ard-Chúirt nó oifigeach a bheas ag fónamh sa Phríomh-Oifig a ainmneoidh an tAire ó am go ham chuige sin, tar éis dul i gcomhairle le hUachtarán na hArd-Chúirte, maoirseacht agus urlámhas ginearálta na coda san de na hoifigí do bunaíodh le Cuid I den Phríomh-Acht atá ag gabháil leis an Ard-Chúirt, ach i bhfeidhmiú na maoirseachta agus an urlámhais sin beidh sé faoi stiúradh ginearálta an Aire maidir le gach ní a bhainfeas le riarachán ginearálta agus faoi ordacháin Uachtaráin na hArd-Chúirte maidir le gach ní a bhainfeas le seoladh na coda san de ghnó na hArd-Chúirte ar gá de thuras na huaire do réir dlí gur duine nó daoine de Bhreithiúin na Cúirte sin a dhéanfadh í nó gur ina láthair sin a déanfaí í.
Pinsean Máistir na hArd-Chúirte, Máistir Mheasaireachta nó Cláraitheora Chontae.
4.—(1) I gcás—
(a) duine a bheas i seilbh oifige Máistir na hArd-Chúirte, Máistir Mheasaireachta nó Cláraitheora Chontae do scor de bheith i seilbh na hoifige sin (ar shlí seachas trína chur as an oifig sin ag an Rialtas mar gheall ar mhí-iompar nó neamhéifeachtúlacht) tar éis seasca bliain do shlánú dhó nó de dhruim deimhniú dochtúra á dheimhniú go bhfuil sé neamhábalta, de dheascaibh laige aigne nó choirp, ar dhualgais na hoifige sin do chomhlíonadh agus gur dócha gur buan don laige, agus
(b) deich mbliana nó níos mó de sheirbhís leanúnach do bheith tugtha aige i gceann amháin nó níos mó de na hoifigí sin,
beidh sé, faoi réir forál an ailt seo, i dteideal pinsin arb é a bheas ann—
(i) má bhíonn tríocha bliain nó níos mó de sheirbhís den tsórt san tugtha aige, dhá dtrian den luach saothair bliantúil don oifig a scoirfidh sé de bheith ina seilbh, nó
(ii) mura mbeidh tríocha bliain de sheirbhís den tsórt san tugtha aige, an séú cuid den luach saothair bliantúil don oifig a scoirfidh sé de bheith ina seilbh maraon leis an dachadú cuid den luach saothair sin in aghaidh gach bliana iomláine (más ann) de sheirbhís den tsórt san de bhreis ar dheich mbliana.
(2) I gcás duine a bheas ag fáil pinsin faoin alt so do bheith ar fostú i bpost a n-íoctar an luach saothair a ghabhas leis as airgead a sholáthraíonn an tOireachtas, ansan
(a) ní bheidh an pinsean iníoctha in aghaidh aon tréimhse a mbeidh a luach saothair ar a feadh as an bpost san comhionann leis an luach saothair nó níos mó ná an luach saothair ar dá réir a háiríodh an pinsean, agus
(b) ní hiníoctha, in aghaidh aon tréimhse ar lú a luach saothair ar a feadh as an bpost san ná an luach saothair ar dá réir do háiríodh an pinsean, ach an chuid den phinsean a dhéanfas, i dteannta a luach saothair as an bpost san, suim is comh-mhéid leis an luach saothair ar dá réir a háiríodh an pinsean.
(3) An chuid de phinsean faoin alt so a ríomhfar ar an méid sin de luach saothair an oifigigh a bheas i gceist is bónas do réir figiúir costais bheatha, athróidh sí fé is dá mbí an chuid í, den phinsean a deontar faoi na hAchta Aoisliúntais a bhíos i bhfeidhm de thuras na huaire do stát-sheirbhíseach, a ríomhtar ar an méid sin de luach saothair an stát-sheirbhísigh sin is bónas do réir figiúir costais bheatha.
(4) Déanfar tagairt san alt so do sheirbhís dhuine ar bith do léiriú mar thagairt do sheirbhís do thug an duine sin agus a bhfuair sé luach saothair aisti, gan aon tréimhse d'áireamh do chaith sé as láthair de dheascaibh breoiteachta agus a bhfuair sé luach saothair ina haghaidh ar ráta arna chinneadh do réir an ráta dob iomchuibhe dá mbeadh sé ar pinsean.
(5) Féadfaidh an tAire Airgeadais pinsin faoin alt so do dheonadh.
(6) Athghairmtear leis seo fo-alt (5) d'alt 3 agus fo-alt (5) d'alt 35 den Phríomh-Acht.
Foráil speisialta maidir le duine a bheas, ar dháta an Achta so do rith, i seilbh oifige Máistir na hArd-Chúirte, Máistir Mheasaireachta nó Cláraitheora Chontae.
5.—(1) D'ainneoin téarmaí ailt 4 den Acht so, ní bheidh feidhm ag an alt san maidir le duine a bheas, ar dháta an Achta so do rith, i seilbh oifige Máistir na hArd-Chúirte, Máistir Mheasaireachta nó Cláraitheora Chontae mura roghnóidh ná go dtí go roghnóidh sé faoin alt so glacadh le forála an ailt sin 4.
(2) Duine a bheas, ar dháta an Achta so do rith, i seilbh oifige Máistir na hArd-Chúirte, Máistir Mheasaireachta nó Cláraitheora Chontae féadfaidh sé, trí fhógra i scríbhinn arna chur chun an Aire tráth ar bith sara scoirfidh sé de bheith i seilbh na hoifige sin, a roghnú glacadh le forála ailt 4 den Acht so.
(3) Má roghnaíonn duine faoin alt so glacadh le forála ailt 4 den Acht so agus, díreach roimh é dá roghnú san, go raibh ceart aige chun cúitimh, is ceart do ghabh le hoifig do díochuireadh le halt 63 den Phríomh-Acht—
(a) is tuigthe é do ligean an chirt sin uaidh tríd an roghnú san do dhéanamh, agus
(b) ní bheidh feidhm ag míreanna (c) agus (f) d'fho-alt (5) d'alt 63 den Phríomh-Acht maidir leis.
(4) Nuair a bheas alt 4 den Acht so á thonasc in aon tslí maidir le duine a bheas, ar dháta an Achta so do rith, i seilbh oifige Máistir na hArd-Chúirte nó Cláraitheora Chontae, beidh aon, tseirbhís a thug an duine sin uaidh in oifig do ghabh le haon chúirt, ar dháta an Phríomh-Achta do rith ináirithe fé is dá mba sheirbhís í in oifig Mháistir na hArd-Chúirte nó Chláraitheora Chontae (pé acu is iomchuibhe).
(5) I gcás duine a bheas, ar dháta an Achta so do rith, i seilbh oifige Cláraitheora Chontae do scor de bheith i seilbh na hoifige sin agus gan é dá roghnú faoin alt so glacadh le forála ailt 4 den Acht so, beidh aon tseirbhís do thug an duine sin in oifig do díochuireadh le halt 63 den Phríomh-Acht ináirithe mar sheirbhís in oifig Chláraitheora Chontae nuair a bheas fo-alt (5) d'alt 35 den Phríomh-Acht á thonasc maidir leis.
Oifigeach Promháide nó Scrúdóir do cheapadh.
6.—(1) Is mar leanas a déanfar duine do cheapadh faoin bPríomh-Acht chun bheith ina Oifigeach Promháide nó ina Scrúdóir:—
(a) féadfaidh an tAire, tar éis dul i gcomhairle le hUachtarán na hArd-Chúirte, duine do cheapadh a bheas, tráth an cheaptha, ar fostú in oifig do bunaíodh faoi Chuid I den Phríomh-Acht agus—
(i) a bheas ina abhcóide nó ina atúrnae, nó
(ii) a bhí, ar feadh iomlán an dá bhlian déag díreach roimh é cheapadh, ar fostú in oifig nó in oifigí do bunaíodh faoi Chuid I den Phríomh-Acht,
(b) más deimhin leis an Aire, tar éis dul i gcomhairle le hUachtarán na hArd-Chúirte, ná fuil duine ar bith de na daoine atá cáilithe chun a gceaptha faoi mhír (a) den fho-alt so oiriúnach chun a cheaptha, féadfaidh sé—
(i) duine do cheapadh a bheas, tráth an cheaptha, ina abhcóide a mbeidh seasamh sé mblian ar a laghad aige agus a bheas ag cleachtadh a ghairme an uair sin nó a bhí á cleachtadh roimhe sin ar feadh sé mblian ar a laghad, nó
(ii) duine do cheapadh a bheas, tráth an cheaptha, ina atúrnae a mbeidh seasamh sé mblian ar a laghad aige agus a bheas ag cleachtadh a ghairme an uair sin nó a bhí á cleachtadh roimhe sin ar feadh sé mblian ar a laghad.
(2) Nuair a beifear á chinneadh chun críocha míre (b) d'fho-alt (1) den alt so cad é an tréimhse a thug duine ag cleachtadh mar abhcóide nó atúrnae áireofar mar thréimhse chleachta den tsórt san aon tréimhse a raibh sé ag fónamh ar a feadh i bpost sa Stát-Sheirbhís ar sonnraíodh (le reacht nó eile) gur cháilíocht riachtanach dó cleachtadh roimh ré mar abhcóide nó atúrnae.
(3) Athghairmtear leis seo ailt 23 agus 24 den Phríomh-Acht.
An líon Scrúdóirí a bheas ag gabháil leis an Ard-Chúirt.
7.—(1) Más rud é, aon uair le linn gan ach Scrúdóir amháin do bheith ag gabháil leis an Ard-Chúirt de bhun an Phríomh-Achta, gur dóigh leis an Aire, tar éis dul i gcomhairle le hUachtarán na hArd-Chúirte, é bheith fóirsteanach ar mhaithe leis an bpoiblíocht beirt Scrúdóir do bheith ag gabháil leis an Ard-Chúirt amhlaidh féadfaidh an tAire, le toiliú an Aire Airgeadais, a fhoráil, le hordú, go mbeidh beirt Scrúdóir ag gabháil leis an Ard-Chúirt mura n-ordaítear nó go dtí go n-ordófar a mhalairt faoin alt so.
(2) Aon uair agus faid a bheas ordú arna dhéanamh ag an Aire faoi fho-alt (1) den alt so i bhfeidhm, beidh beirt Scrúdóir ag gabháil leis an Ard-Chúirt.
(3) Más rud é, aon uair le linn beirt Scrúdóir do bheith ag gabháil leis an Ard-Chúirt de bhuaidh orduithe faoi fho-alt (1) den alt so, go dtiocfaidh oifig dhuine de na Scrúdóirí sin chun bheith folamh agus gur dóigh leis an Aire, tar éis dul i gcomhairle le hUachtarán na hArd-Chúirte nach gá a thuilleadh beirt Scrúdóir den tsórt san, féadfaidh an tAire, le toiliú an Aire Airgeadais, an t-ordú san do chúlghairm trí ordú.
(4) Aon uair a cúlghairmfear ordú faoi fho-alt (1) den alt so, déanfar an líon Scrúdóirí a bheas ag gabháil leis an Ard-Chúirt do laghdú go dtí aon Scrúdóir amháin, ach beidh san gan dochar d'ordú nua do dhéanamh faoi fho-alt (1) den alt so má tharlann, aon uair ina dhiaidh sin, go measfaidh an tAire é bheith fóirstineach ar mhaithe leis an bpoiblíocht san do dhéanamh.
(5) Aon uair agus faid a bheas beirt Scrúdóir ag gabháil leis an Ard-Chúirt de bhuaidh orduithe faoin alt so, beidh éifeacht ag na forála so leanas:—
(a) beidh dhá Oifig Scrúdóra ann, a mbeidh ceann acu faoi bhainistí dhuine de na Scrúdóirí agus an ceann eile acu faoi bhainistí an duine eile de na Scrúdóirí;
(b) faoi réir míre (a) den fho-alt so, beidh feidhm agus éifeacht ag ailt 13 agus 26 den Phríomh-Acht maidir le gach oifig faoi leith den dá Oifig Scrúdóra;
(c) beidh feidhm agus éifeacht ag ailt 14 agus 28 den Phríomh-Acht agus ag alt 6 den Acht so maidir le gach duine faoi leith de na Scrúdóirí;
(d) beidh gach duine faoi leith de na Scrúdóirí ina phríomhoifigeach do réir bhrí Coda I den Phríomh-Acht.
Cláraitheoirí na hArd-Chúirte do bheith ina bpríomhoifigigh.
8.—(1) Na hoifigigh a bheas ainmnithe de thuras na huaire faoi fho-alt (2) d'alt 4 den Phríomh-Acht chun bheith ina gcláraitheoirí don Ard-Chúirt beid ina bpríomh-oifigigh do réir bhrí Coda I den Phríomh-Acht.
(2) D'ainneoin fo-ailt (1) den alt seo, leanfar de Chláraitheoirí don Ard-Chúirt d'ainmniú faoi fho-alt (2) d'alt 4 den Phríomh-Acht.
Oifigeach cúirte do chomhlíonadh dualgas oifige eile.
9.—(1) Má tharlann, ar dháta an Achta so do rith, folúntas do bheith in oifig a bheas ag gabháil le haon chúirt nó, tar éis dáta an Achta so do rith, folúntas do theacht in oifig a bheas ag gabháil le haon chúirt nó sealbhóir oifige a bheas ag gabháil le haon chúirt do bheith as láthair nó faoi mhí-chumas, féadfaidh an tAire, faoi réir fo-ailt (2) den alt so, a cheangal ar aon oifigeach a bheas ag gabháil leis an gcúirt sin nó le haon chúirt eile agus a údarú dhó dualgais na hoifige sin do chomhlíonadh (i dteannta a dhualgas féin) ar feadh tréimhse sonnraithe nó go dtí go n-ordaí an tAire a mhalairt.
(2) An chumhacht do bheirtear don Aire le fo-alt (1) den alt so ní déanfar, i gcás an t-oifigeach a gceanglófar air dualgais oifige eile do chomhlíonadh do bheith ag gabháil leis an gCúirt Uachtarach, í d'fheidhmiú ach amháin tar éis dul i gcomhairle leis an bPríomh-Bhreitheamh agus ní déanfar, i gcás an t-oifigeach san do bheith ag gabháil leis an Ard-Chúirt, í d'fheidhmiú ach amháin tar éis dul i gcomhairle le hUachtarán na hArd-Chúirte.
(3) Aon uair a ceanglófar ar oifigeach faoin alt so dualgais oifige eile do chomhlíonadh, beidh aige, faid a fhanfas an ceanglas i bhfeidhm, cumhachta uile sealbhóra na hoifige sin chomh hiomlán agus dá gceaptaí chun na hoifige sin é.
(4) Más rud é, roimh dháta an Achta so do rith, go ndearna oifigeach a bhí ag gabháil le cúirt dualgais oifige eile (pé acu leis an gcúirt chéanna nó le cúirt eile do bhí an oifig sin ag gabháil) do chomhlíonadh le hordachán ón Aire i dteannta a dhualgas féin, is tuigthe, faid a bhí sé ag comhlíonadh na ndualgas san amhlaidh, go raibh aige cumhachta uile sealbhóra na hoifige sin chomh hiomlán agus dá gceaptaí chun na hoifige sin é agus ní hinchonspóide, ná ní tuigthe gurbh inchonspóide riamh, ar an bhforas nár ceapadh chun na hoifige sin é, éinní do rinne sé i bhfeidhmiú na ndualgas san.
(5) Más rud é, ar dháta an Achta so do rith, go mbeidh oifigeach a bheas ag gabháil le cúirt ag comhlíonadh, le hordachán ón Aire, dualgas oifige eile (pé acu leis an gcúirt chéanna nó le cúirt eile a bheas an oifig sin ag gabháil) i dteannta a dhualgas féin, is tuigthe, amhail ó dháta an Achta so do rith, gur ceangladh air agus gur húdaraíodh dó faoin alt so na dualgais sin do chomhlíonadh agus beidh feidhm agus éifeacht ag an alt so maidir leis dá réir sin.
Cláraitheoirí Contae do shannadh d'oifigí cúirte cuarda.
10.—(1) Gach Cláraitheoir Contae a bheas arna cheapadh (pé acu roimh an Acht so do rith nó dá éis é) faoin bPríomh-Acht sannfar é do pé oifig cúirte cuarda a ordóidh an Rialtas ó am go ham.
(2) Athghairmtear leis seo fo-alt (1) d'alt 36 den Phríomh-Acht.
(3) Gach sannadh faoi fho-alt (1) d'alt 36 den Phríomh-Acht a bheas i bhfeidhm díreach roimh an Acht so do rith, leanfaidh i bhfeidhm tar éis an Achta so do rith agus is tuigthe gur sannadh faoin alt so é.
(4) Gach tagairt dá bhfuil sa Phríomh-Acht nó in aon achtachán eile do shannadh faoi fho-alt (1) d'alt 36 den Phríomh-Acht is tuigthe gur tagairt í do shannadh arna dhéanamh nó is tuigthe bheith arna dhéanamh faoin alt so.
Socrú maidir le gnó a bheas ar feitheamh ar chumhacht faoi fho-alt (3) d'alt 47 den Phríomh-Acht d'fheidhmiú.
11.—(1) Aon uair a fheidhmeos an tAire cumhacht do bheirtear dó le fo-alt (3) d'alt 47 den Phríomh-Acht, féadfaidh sé socrú do dhéanamh chun a áirithiú go gcoimeádfar ar siúl agus go gcríochnófar aon ghnó sa Chúirt Dúiche is gnó do bunaíodh roimh an dáta ar a dtiocfaidh feidhmiú na cumhachta san i ngníomh agus ná beidh críochnaithe roimh an dáta san.
(2) Chun críocha an ailt seo, is tuigthe gnó sa Chúirt Dúiche do bheith arna bhunú an lá a déantar an ghairm chúirte, an barántas, an próiseas, nó an scríbhinn tionnscnaimh eile maidir leis do thabhairt amach.
Oifig shirriaim.
12.—(1) Aon uair is dóigh leis san do bheith ceart féadfaidh an tAire, le hordú arna dhéanamh le toiliú an Aire Airgeadais, a dhearbhú, maidir le haon chontae nó contae-bhuirg ina mbeidh fo-shirriam ar dháta an Achta so do rith, go mbeidh, ar oifig an fo-shirriaim do theacht chun bheith folamh, fo-alt (3) d'alt 54 den Phríomh-Acht gan feidhm ná éifeacht maidir leis an gcontae nó an chontae-bhuirg sin i dtaobh ní ar bith nó i dtaobh cumhacht, dualgas, údarás, ceart, agus oblagáid sonnraithe de chuid an fhoshirriaim (fé mar luafar san ordú).
(2) Aon uair is dóigh leis san do bheith ceart féadfaidh an tAire, le hordú arna dhéanamh le toiliú an Aire Airgeadais maidir le haon chontae nó contae-bhuirg ina mbeidh cumhachta, dualgais, údaráis, cearta, agus oblagáidí an fho-shirriaim arna n-aistriú, roimh an Acht so do rith nó dá éis, chun an chláraitheora chontae de bhuaidh fo-ailt (2) nó fo-ailt (3) d'alt 54 den Phríomh-Acht, a dhearbhú (fé mar luafar san ordú san) go scoirfidh gach ceann, nó cinn shonnraithe áirithe, de na cumhachta, na dualgais, na húdaráis, na cearta, agus na hoblagáidí sin de bheith forchurtha ar an gcláraitheoir contae sin nó dílsithe ann.
(3) Beidh éifeacht ag na forála so leanas maidir leis an gcontae nó an chontae-bhuirg a mbeifear tar éis ordú faoi fho-alt (1) nó fo-alt (2) den alt so do dhéanamh maidir léi:—
(a) is dleathach don Rialtas, fé mar is gá agus aon uair is gá é, duine do cheapadh chun bheith ina shirriam don chontae nó don chontae-bhuirg;
(b) na cumhachta, na dualgais, na húdaráis, na cearta, agus na hoblagáidí de chuid an fho-shirriaim ná tiocfaidh chun bheith nó a scoirfeas de bheith, de bhuaidh an orduithe, forchurtha ar an gcláraitheoir contae nó dílsithe ann tiocfaid chun bheith agus beid ina gcumhachta, ina ndualgais, ina n-údaráis, ina gcearta, agus ina n-oblagáidí (do réir mar bheas) de chuid an tsirriaim;
(c) aon uair is dóigh leis san do bheith ceart féadfaidh an tAire, le hordú arna dhéanamh le toiliú an Aire Airgeadais, pé cumhachta, dualgais, údaráis, cearta, nó oblagáidí, breise nó eile, is dóigh leis is ceart d'aistriú ón gcláraitheoir contae chun an tsirriaim;
(d) ar fholúntas do theacht sa tsirriamacht, féadfaidh an tAire, más dóigh leis san do bheith ceart, an t-ordú faoi fho-alt (1) nó fo-alt (2) den alt so do chúlghairm trí ordú arna dhéanamh le toiliú an Aire Airgeadais;
(e) i gcás an tAire do dhéanamh orduithe faoi mhír (d) den fho-alt so tiocfaidh cumhachta, dualgais, údaráis, cearta, agus oblagáidí uile an tsirriaim chun bheith agus beid, go n-éifeacht ó dháta an fholúntais do theacht sa tsirriamacht, ina gcumhachta, ina ndualgais, ina n-údaráis, ina gcearta, agus ina n-oblagáidí (do réir mar bheas) de chuid an chláraitheora chontae;
(f) i gcás aon chumhacht, dualgas, údarás, ceart nó oblagáid, faoi aon achtachán, de chuid an chláraitheora chontae nó an fho-shirriaim (do réir mar bheas) do bheith de thuras na huaire forchurtha ar an sirriam de bhuaidh an ailt seo, déanfar gach tagairt san achtachán san don chláraitheoir chontae nó don fho-shirriam (do réir mar bheas) do léiriú agus beidh éifeacht aici mar thagairt don tsirriam;
(g) i gcás dualgas gníomhuithe mar cheann coimhrimh don chontae nó don chontae-bhuirg do bheith de thurus na huaire forchurtha de bhuaidh an ailt seo ar an sirriam agus folúntas do theacht sa tsirriamacht nó an sirriam do bheith as láthair nó faoi mhí-chumas, féadfaidh an tAire Rialtas Áitiúil agus Sláinte Poiblí, más dóigh leis san do bheith ceart, duine do cheapadh chun dualgais chinn choimhrimh don chontae nó don chontae-bhuirg do chomhlíonadh le linn an fholúntais, na neamhláithreachta nó an mhí-chumais sin.
(4) I gcás ordú do dhéanamh faoi fho-alt (2) den alt so maidir le contae-bhuirg Bhaile Atha Cliath sar a scoirfidh an duine a bheas i seilbh oifige ar dháta an Achta so do rith mar fho-shirriam do chontae Bhaile Atha Cliath de bheith i seilbh na hoifige sin, ní dhéanfaidh déanamh an orduithe difir d'oibriú fo-ailt (3) d'alt 23 den Acht Rialtais Áitiúil, 1930 (Uimh. 27 de 1930), ach, nuair a bheas míreanna (a) agus (b) den fho-alt san á dtonasc ar an duine sin do scor de bheith i seilbh na hoifige sin, cuirfear an focal “sirriam” in ionad an fhocail “fo-shirriam” i ngach mír faoi leith.
(5) Ní ceapfar duine ar bith faoin alt so chun oifige sirriaim mura rud é—
(a) gur abhcóide é do chleacht a ghairm ar feadh cúig mblian ar a laghad, nó
(b) gur atúrnae é do chleacht a ghairm ar feadh cúig mblian ar a laghad, nó
(c) gur ghníomhaigh sé ar feadh cúig mblian ar a laghad mar chléireach bainistí nó mar phríomh-chúntóir d'fhoshirriam nó do shirriam.
(6) Beidh éifeacht ag na forála so leanas maidir le hoifig shirriaim:—
(a) is oifig neamh-inphinsin oifig shirriam agus sealbhófar í faid is toil agus is áil leis an Rialtas;
(b) is seachtó blian an aois chun scor de bheith i seilbh oifige sirriaim;
(c) gach duine a ceapfar chun oifige sirriaim bhéarfaidh urrús ar pé méid agus i pé slí a ordóidh an tAire (go ginearálta nó in aon chás áirithe) go gcomhlíonfaidh a dhualgais go cuibhe;
(d) déanfaidh gach sirriam pé tuairisceáin bhliantúla nó tuairisceáin eile agus pé cuntais ordóidh an tAire ó am go ham, go ginearálta nó in aon chás áirithe, do thabhairt don Aire;
(e) aon oifigeach don Aire a bheas údaraithe chuige sin ag an Aire beidh sé i dteideal dul isteach gach tráth réasúnach in oifigí aon tsirriaim agus air sin na hoifigí sin d'iniúchadh, an obair a déantar iontu d'fhiosrú, cuntais an tsirriaim do scrúdú, agus aon eolas d'fháil ón tsirriam a theastós uaidh maidir leis na hoifigí, an obair, nó na cuntais sin;
(f) féadfar an t-aon duine amháin do cheapadh ina shirriam do chontae-bhuirg agus contae nó contaethe comhtheoranta nó do dhá cheann nó níos mó de chontaethe comhtheoranta;
(g) fá réir na bhforál san roimhe seo den alt so, is mar chinnfeas an tAire Airgeadais ó am go ham, tar éis dul i gcomhairle leis an Aire, a bheas coinníollacha fostaíochta gach sirriaim.
Alt 45 den Debtors (Ireland) Act, 1840, d'athghairm.
13.—(1) Athghairmtear leis seo alt 45 den Debtors (Ireland) Act, 1840.
(2) Tiocfaidh an t-alt so i ngníomh an 1ú lá d'Eanáir, 1946.
Gearr-theideal, comhluadh agus léiriú.
14.—(1) Féadfar an tAcht Oifigeach Cúirte, 1945, do ghairm den Acht so.
(2) Féadfar na hAchta Oifigeach Cúirte, 1926 go 1945, do ghairm de na hAchta Oifigeach Cúirte, 1926 agus 1937, agus den Acht so le chéile.
(3) Léireofar na hAchta Oifigeach Cúirte, 1926 agus 1937, agus an tAcht so le chéile mar aon Acht amháin.
Number 25 of 1945.
COURT OFFICERS ACT, 1945.
ARRANGEMENT OF SECTIONS
Acts Referred to | |
No. 27 of 1926 | |
No. 27 of 1930 | |
Number 25 of 1945.
COURT OFFICERS ACT, 1945.
The Principal Act.
1.—In this Act, the expression “the Principal Act” means the Court Officers Act, 1926 (No. 27 of 1926).
Relieving of Master of the High Court of management of Central Office.
2.—(1) The Minister, after consultation with the President of the High Court, may by order relieve the Master of the High Court of the management of the Central Office.
(2) On and after the commencement of an order under this section—
(a) the Central Office shall, notwithstanding subsection (1) of section 4 of the Principal Act, be under the management of such officer serving in the Central Office as the Minister, after consultation with the President of the High Court, may from time to time nominate in that behalf,
(b) each of the references in subsection (2) of section 4 of the Principal Act to the Master of the High Court shall be construed as a reference to the officer for the time being managing the Central Office.
Relieving of Master of the High Court of general superintendence and control of High Court Offices.
3.—(1) The Minister, after consultation with the President of the High Court, may by order relieve the Master of the High Court of the general superintendence and control of such of the offices established by Part I of the Principal Act as are attached to the High Court.
(2) On and after the commencement of an order under this section and notwithstanding section 5 of the Principal Act, such officer, being a principal officer attached to the High Court or an officer serving in the Central Office, as the Minister, after consultation with the President of the High Court, may from time to time nominate in that behalf shall have the general superintendence and control of such of the offices established by Part I of the Principal Act as are attached to the High Court, but shall in the exercise of such superintendence and control be subject to the general direction of the Minister in regard to all matters of general administration and to the directions of the President of the High Court in regard to all matters relating to the conduct of that part of the business of the High Court which is for the time being required by law to be transacted by or before one or more of the Judges of that Court.
Pension of Master of the High Court, Taxing Master or County Registrar.
4.—(1) Where—
(a) a person who holds the office of Master of the High Court, Taxing Master or County Registrar ceases to hold that office (otherwise than on being removed from that office by the Government on the ground of misconduct or inefficiency) either after attaining the age of sixty years or upon medical certificate that he is incapable, from infirmity of mind or body, of discharging the duties of that office and that the infirmity is likely to be permanent, and
(b) he has completed ten or more years of continuous service in one or more of the said offices,
he shall, subject to the provisions of this section, be eligible for a pension consisting of—
(i) if he has completed thirty or more years of such service, two-thirds of the annual remuneration in respect of the office which he ceases to hold, or
(ii) if he has not completed thirty years of such service, one-sixth of the annual remuneration in respect of the office which he ceases to hold together with one-fortieth of that remuneration for each (if any) completed year of such service in excess of ten.
(2) Where a person in receipt of a pension under this section is employed in a situation remunerated out of moneys provided by the Oireachtas, then
(a) the pension shall not be payable in respect of any period during which his remuneration in respect of such situation is equal to or greater than the remuneration by reference to which the pension was computed, and
(b) so much only of the pension shall be payable in respect of any period during which his remuneration in respect of such situation is less than the remuneration by reference to which the pension was computed as with his remuneration in respect of such situation will amount to the remuneration by reference to which the pension was computed.
(3) The part of a pension under this section that is computed by reference to so much of the remuneration of the officer in question as consists of bonus related to a cost-of-living figure shall be liable to variation in like manner as if it were the part of the pension granted under the Superannuation Acts for the time being in force to a civil servant that is computed by reference to so much of the remuneration of such civil servant as consists of bonus related to a cost-of-living figure.
(4) A reference in this section to service of any person shall be construed as a reference to service of such person in respect of which he was remunerated, exclusive of any period during which he was absent on account of illness and was remunerated at a rate determined by reference to the rate which would be appropriate if he were on pension.
(5) Pensions under this section may be granted by the Minister for Finance.
(6) Subsection (5) of section 3 and subsection (5) of section 35 of the Principal Act are hereby repealed.
Special provision for person who, at the passing of this Act, holds the office of Master of the High Court, Taxing Master or County Registrar.
5.—(1) Notwithstanding the terms of section 4 of this Act, that section shall not apply in relation to a person who, at the passing of this Act, holds the office of Master of the High Court, Taxing Master or County Registrar unless and until he elects under this section to accept the provisions of the said section 4.
(2) A person who, at the passing of this Act, holds the office of Master of the High Court, Taxing Master or County Registrar may, by notice in writing sent to the Minister at any time before he ceases to hold that office, elect to accept the provisions of section 4 of this Act.
(3) Where a person elects under this section, to accept the provisions of section 4 of this Act and, immediately before such election, he enjoyed a right to compensation, being a right referable to an office abolished by section 63 of the Principal Act—
(a) such election shall be deemed to constitute a waiver by him of such right, and
(b) paragraphs (c) and (f) of subsection-(5) of section 63 of the Principal Act shall not apply in relation to him.
(4) In any application of section 4 of this Act to a person who, at the passing of this Act, holds the office of Master of the High Court or County Registrar, any service by such person in an office attached at the passing of the Principal Act to any court shall be reckonable as if it were service in the office of Master of the High Court or County Registrar (as may be appropriate).
(5) Where a person who, at the passing of this Act, holds the office of County Registrar ceases to hold that office and has not elected under this section to accept the provisions of section 4 of this Act, any service by such person in an office abolished by section 63 of the Principal Act shall, in applying subsection (5) of section 35 of the Principal Act to him, be reckonable as service in the office of County Registrar.
Appointment of Probate Officer or Examiner.
6.—(1) An appointment under the Principal Act of a person to be a Probate Officer or an Examiner shall be made as follows:—
(a) the Minister, after consultation with the President of the High Court, may appoint a person who at the time of the appointment is employed in an office established under Part I of the Principal Act and who either—
(i) is a barrister or solicitor, or
(ii) has, during the whole of the twelve years next preceding the appointment, been employed in an office or offices established under Part I of the Principal Act,
(b) if the Minister, after consultation with the President of the High Court, is satisfied that none of the persons qualified to be appointed under paragraph (a) of this subsection is suitable to be appointed, he may appoint—
(i) a person who at the time of the appointment is a barrister of not less than six years' standing who either is then actually practising or has previously practised for not less than six years, or
(ii) a person who at the time of the appointment is a solicitor of not less than six years' standing who either is then actually practising or has previously practised for not less than six years.
(2) In determining for the purposes of paragraph (b) of subsection (1) of this section the period during which a person has practised as a barrister or solicitor, any period during which he served in a situation in the Civil Service for which previous practice as a barrister or solicitor was specified (whether by statute or otherwise) as an essential qualification shall be regarded as a period of such practice.
(3) Sections 23 and 24 of the Principal Act are hereby repealed.
Number of Examiners attached to the High Court.
7.—(1) If at any time while there is only one Examiner attached to the High Court in pursuance of the Principal Act, the Minister, after consultation with the President of the High Court, is of opinion that it is expedient in the public interest that there should be two Examiners so attached to the High Court, the Minister, with the consent of the Minister for Finance, may by order direct that there shall, unless or until otherwise ordered under this section, be two Examiners attached to the High Court.
(2) Whenever and so long as an order made by the Minister under subsection (1) of this section is in force, there shall be two Examiners attached to the High Court.
(3) If, at any time while there are two Examiners attached to the High Court by virtue of an order under subsection (1) of this section, the office of one of those Examiners becomes vacant and the Minister, after consultation with the President of the High Court, is of opinion that two such Examiners are no longer required, the Minister, with the consent of the Minister for Finance, may by order revoke the said order.
(4) Whenever an order under subsection (1) of this section is revoked, the number of Examiners attached to the High Court shall be reduced to one, but without prejudice to the making of a new order under subsection (1) of this section if at any subsequent time the Minister thinks it expedient in the public interest so to do.
(5) Whenever and so long as there are two Examiners attached to the High Court by virtue of an order under this section, the following provisions shall have effect:—
(a) there shall be two Examiners' Offices, one of which shall be under the management of one of the Examiners and the other of which shall be under the management of the other Examiner;
(b) subject to paragraph (a) of this subsection, sections 13 and 26 of the Principal Act shall apply and have effect in relation to each of the two Examiners' Offices;
(c) sections 14 and 28 of the Principal Act and section 6 of this Act shall apply and have effect in relation to each of the Examiners;
(d) each of the Examiners shall be a principal officer within the meaning of Part I of the Principal Act.
Registrars of High Court to be principal officers.
8.—(1) The officers for the time being nominated under subsection (2) of section 4 of the Principal Act to be registrars of the High Court shall be principal officers within the meaning of Part I of the Principal Act.
(2) Registrars of the High Court shall notwithstanding subsection (1) of this section, continue to be nominated under subsection (2) of section 4 of the Principal Act.
Court officer performing the duties of another office.
9.—(1) Where on the passing of this Act there is a vacancy in an office attached to any court or after the passing of this Act a vacancy occurs in an office attached to any court or the holder of an office attached to any court is absent or incapacitated, the Minister may, subject to subsection (2) of this section, require and authorise any officer attached to that or any other court to perform, during a specified period or until otherwise directed by the Minister, the duties (in addition to his own duties) of such office.
(2) The power conferred on the Minister by subsection (1) of this section shall, where the officer required to perform the duties of another office is attached to the Supreme Court, be exercised only after consultation with the Chief Justice and shall, where such officer is attached to the High Court, be exercised only after consultation with the President of the High Court.
(3) Whenever an officer is required under this section to perform the duties of another office, he shall, while the requisition remains in force, have all the powers of the holder of that office as fully as if he had been appointed thereto.
(4) Where an officer attached to a court has, before the passing of this Act, performed by direction of the Minister the duties of another office (whether attached to the same or to another court) in addition to his own duties, he shall be deemed while so performing those duties to have had all the powers of the holder of that office as fully as if he had been appointed thereto and nothing done by him in the execution of those duties shall be questioned, or be deemed ever to have been capable of being questioned, on the ground that he had not been appointed to that office.
(5) Where at the passing of this Act an officer attached to a court is performing by direction of the Minister the duties of another office (whether attached to the same or to another court) in addition to his own duties, he shall, as from the passing of this Act, be deemed to have been required and authorised under this section to perform those duties and this section shall apply and have effect in relation to him accordingly.
Assignment of County Registrars to circuit court offices.
10.—(1) Every County Registrar appointed (whether before or after the passing of this Act) under the Principal Act shall be assigned to such circuit court office as the Government shall from time to time direct.
(2) Subsection (1) of section 36 of the Principal Act is hereby repealed.
(3) Every assignment under subsection (1) of section 36 of the Principal Act in force immediately before the passing of this Act shall, after the passing of this Act, continue in force and be deemed to be an assignment under this section.
(4) Every reference in the Principal Act or in any other enactment to an assignment under subsection (1) of section 36 of the Principal Act shall be deemed to be a reference to an assignment made or deemed to be made under this section.
Provision for pending business on exercise of power under subsection (3) of section 47 of the Principal Act.
11.—(1) Whenever the Minister exercises a power conferred on him by subsection (3) of section 47 of the Principal Act, he may make provision for securing the continuation and completion of any business transacted in the District Court which is initiated before the date of operation of the exercise of such power and is not completed before that date.
(2) For the purposes of this section, 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.
The office of sheriff.
12.—(1) The Minister, whenever he so thinks proper, may, by order made with the consent of the Minister for Finance, declare in respect of any county or county borough in which there is at the passing of this Act an under-sheriff that, upon the office of the under-sheriff becoming vacant, subsection (3) of section 54 of the Principal Act shall not apply or have effect in respect of such county or county borough either (as shall be specified in the order) at all or in regard to specified powers, duties, authorities, rights, and obligations of the under-sheriff.
(2) The Minister, whenever he so thinks proper, may, by order made with the consent of the Minister for Finance in respect of any county or county borough in which the powers, duties, authorities, rights, and obligations of the under-sheriff have either before or after the passing of this Act been transferred to the county registrar by virtue of subsection (2) or subsection (3) of section 54 of the Principal Act, declare either (as shall be specified in such order) that all, or that certain specified, of the said powers, duties, authorities, rights, and obligations shall cease to be imposed on or be vested in such county registrar.
(3) The following provisions shall have effect in relation to the county or county borough in respect of which an order under subsection (1) or subsection (2) of this section has been made:—
(a) it shall be lawful for the Government, as and when occasion requires, to appoint a person to be the sheriff of the county or county borough;
(b) such of the powers, duties, authorities, rights, and obligations of the under-sheriff as by virtue of the order do not become or cease to be imposed on or vested in the county registrar shall become and be powers, duties, authorities, rights, and obligations (as the case may be) of the sheriff;
(c) the Minister, whenever he so thinks proper, may, by order made with the consent of the Minister for Finance, transfer from the county registrar to the sheriff such further or other powers, duties, authorities, rights, or obligations as he thinks proper;
(d) on the occasion of a vacancy in the office of sheriff, the Minister, if he so thinks proper, may, by order made with the consent of the Minister for Finance, revoke the order under subsection (1) or subsection (2) of this section;
(e) where the Minister makes an order under paragraph (d) of this subsection, all the powers, duties, authorities, rights, and obligations of the sheriff shall become and be, with effect from the occurrence of the vacancy in the office of sheriff, powers, duties, authorities, rights, and obligations. (as the case may be) of the county registrar;
(f) where any power, duty, authority, right or obligation under any enactment of the county registrar or under-sheriff (as the case may be) is for the time being imposed by virtue of this section on the sheriff, every reference in that enactment to the county registrar or under-sheriff (as the case may be) shall be construed and have effect as a reference to the sheriff;
(g) where the duty of acting as returning officer for the county or county borough is for the time being imposed, by virtue of this section on the sheriff and a vacancy occurs in the office of sheriff or the sheriff is absent or incapacitated, the Minister for Local Government and Public Health may, if he so thinks proper, appoint a person to perform the duties of returning officer for the county or county borough during such vacancy, absence or incapacity.
(4) Where an order is made under subsection (2) of this section in respect of the county borough of Dublin before the person holding office at the passing of this Act as under-sheriff of the county of Dublin ceases to hold that office, the making of the order shall not affect the operation of subsection (3) of section 23 of the Local Government Act, 1930 (No. 27 of 1930), but, in applying paragraphs (a) and (b) of that subsection on such person's ceasing to hold that office, the word “sheriff” shall be substituted in each paragraph for the word “under-sheriff”.
(5) No person shall be appointed under this section to the office of sheriff unless—
(a) he is a barrister who has practised for not less than five years, or
(b) he is a solicitor who has practised for not less than five years, or
(c) he has acted for not less than five years as managing clerk or principal assistant to an under-sheriff or sheriff.
(6) The following provisions shall have effect in relation to the office of sheriff:—
(a) the office of sheriff shall be non-pensionable and shall be held at the will and pleasure of the Government;
(b) the age of retirement from the office of sheriff shall be seventy years;
(c) every person appointed to the office of sheriff shall give security to such amount and in such manner as the Minister shall direct (either generally or in any particular case) for the due performance of his duties;
(d) every sheriff shall furnish to the Minister such annual or other returns and such accounts as the Minister shall from time to time direct, either generally or in any particular case;
(e) any officer of the Minister authorised in that behalf by the Minister shall be entitled at all reasonable times to enter the offices of any sheriff and thereupon to inspect the offices, to inquire into the work done therein, to examine the accounts of the sheriff, and to be furnished by the sheriff with any information in regard to such offices, work, or accounts which he may require;
(f) the same person may be appointed to be sheriff for a county borough and one or more adjoining counties or for two or more adjoining counties;
(g) the conditions of employment of every sheriff shall, subject to the foregoing provisions of this section, be such as the Minister for Finance, after consultation with the Minister, shall from time to time determine.
Repeal of section 45 of Debtors (Ireland) Act, 1840.
13.—(1) Section 45 of the Debtors (Ireland) Act, 1840, is hereby repealed.
(2) This section shall come into operation on the 1st day of January, 1946.
Short title, collective citation and construction.
14.—(1) This Act may be cited as the Court Officers Act, 1945.
(2) The Court Officers Acts, 1926 and 1937, and this Act may be cited together as the Court Officers Acts, 1926 to 1945.
(3) The Court Officers Acts, 1926 and 1937, and this Act shall be construed together as one Act.