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Uimhir 15 de 1928.
ACHT CÚIRTEANNA BREITHIÚNAIS, 1928.
Léiriú.
1.—(1) San Acht so—
cialluíonn an focal “an tAire” an tAire Dlí agus Cirt;
cialluíonn an focal “an Príomh-Acht” an tAcht Cúirteanna Breithiúnais, 1924 (Uimh. 10 de 1924); agus
cialluíonn an focal “an Prímh-Bhreitheamh” Prímh-Bhreitheamh Shaorstáit Éireann.
(2) I ngach Acht a rithfar tar éis an Achta so léireofar tagairtí don Phrímh-Bhreitheamh mar thagairtí do Phrímh-Bhreitheamh Shaorstáit Éireann mara n-éilighidh an có-théacs a mhalairt.
An Prímh-Bhreitheamh do bheith breoite no as láthair.
2.—Pé uair a bheidh an Prímh-Bhreitheamh, de dheascaibh breoiteachta no de dheascaibh bheith as láthair o Shaorstát Éireann, gan bheith ábalta ar ghnó a oifige do dhéanamh, isé a fheidhmeoidh agus a chólíonfidh na breath-údaráis a haistrítear chuige agus a dílsítear ann le halt 19 den Phríomh-Acht agus gach údarás agus feidhm reachtúil a bheidh dílsithe ann de thurus na huaire de bhua a oifige ná Uachtarán na hArd-Chúirte no, más rud é, de dheascaibh breoiteachta no de dheascaibh bheith as láthair o Shaorstát Éireann, ná féadfidh an tUachtarán san na breath-údaráis agus na húdaráis sin d'fheidhmiú agus na feidhmeanna san do chólíona, isé gnáth-Bhreitheamh sinsearach na Cúirte Uachtaraí a dhéanfidh san, no, más rud é, de dheascaibh cúise den tsórt san, nách féidir don Uachtarán san ná don ghnáth-Bhreitheamh san é dhéanamh, isé gnáth-Bhreitheamh sóisearach na Cúirte Uachtaraí a dhéanfidh é.
Breath-údarás i gcúrsaí gealtachta.
3.—Faisnéistear leis seo, go ndéanfar tagairtí, sa Lunacy Regulation (Ireland) Act, 1871, agus sna hAchtanna le n-a leasuítear é agus in aon rialacha agus orduithe a dineadh fútha san, do “The Lord Chancellor entrusted as aforesaid” do léiriú agus go mbeidh éifeacht acu mar thagairtí don Phrímh-Bhreitheamh agus go dtuigfar go raibh éifeacht acu amhlaidh riamh o thosach Chuid I den Phríomh-Acht.
Fuirmeacha i gcúrsaí gealtachta do leasú.
4.—Féadfidh an Prímh-Bhreitheamh o am go ham, tré ordú do dhéanamh fé alt 118 den Lunacy Regulation (Ireland) Act, 1871, aon fhuirm do horduíodh, leis an Acht san no fé, i gcóir úsáide maidir leis an mbreath-údarás i gcúrsaí gealtachta a haistrítear chuige le halt 19 den Phríomh-Acht, do leasú tríd an bhfocal “ward of court” no pé focal eile den tsórt chéanna is dó leis is ceart do chur in ionad an fhocail “lunatic” agus an fhocail “person of unsound mind” fé seach sa bhfuirm sin agus tré pé leasuithe iarmarta eile is gá agus is ceart, dar leis, do dhéanamh ar an bhfuirm sin.
Comhachta breise don Chúirt Athchomhairc Choiriúla.
5.—(1) I dteanta na mbreath-údarás a bronntar ar an gCúirt Athchomhairc Choiriúla le halt 34 den Phríomh-Acht, beidh ag an gCúirt Athchomhairc Choiriúla no, ar athchomharc, ag an gCúirt Uachtarach na breath-údaráis seo a leanas, sé sin le rá:—
(a) féadfidh an Chúirt, d'ainneoin gur dó leo go bhféadfaí breith do thabhairt i bhfabhar don athchomharcach ar phuínte do cuireadh i gceist in athchomharc, an t-athchomharc do chaitheamh amach más dó leo nár dineadh aon iomroll cirt dáiríribh;
(b) má chlaochluíonn an Chúirt ciontú go hiomlán, beidh breath-údarás ag an gCúirt ordú (dá ngairmtear ordú ath-thrialach san alt so) do dhéanamh a údarú an duine ar ar dineadh an ciontú san d'ath-thriail sa chionta chéanna in ar dineadh an ciontú san air agus ordóid don Stát costaisí athchomharc agus ath-thriail an duine chúisithe d'íoc, marab é tuairim na Cúirte gurb iad an lucht cosanta fé ndeár an t-athchomharc agus an ath-thriail do bheith riachtanach no gur chabhruíodar chun iad do dhéanamh riachtanach agus leis an ordú san no le haon ordú ina dhiaidh sin féadfid a ordú an té gur dineadh an t-ordú i dtaobh a chiontuithe do choinneáil i gcimeád no é do leigint amach ar bhannaí ar pé téarmaí is dó leo is ceart.
(2) Pé uair a dhéanfidh an Chúirt Athchomhairc Choiriúla no an Chúirt Uachtarach ordú ath-thrialach fén alt so féadfar, d'ainneoin aon rialach dlí, an té gur dineadh an t-ordú i dtaobh a chiontuithe do dhíotáil agus do thriail arís agus, má fachtar ciontach é, é do dhaora sa chionta in ar dineadh an ciontú san air.
Breith do chur i bhfeidhm i gcás athchomhairc chun na Cúirte Athchomhairc Choiriúla.
6.—(1) I gcás breithe báis no breithe pionóis chuirp—
(a) ní cuirfar an bhreith i bhfeidhm in aon chás go dtí tar éis deire na haimsire in ar féidir fógra athchomhairc no fógra iarratais ar chead athchomhairc do dhéanamh chun na Cúirte Athchomhairc Choiriúla do thabhairt do réir Rialacha Cúirte, agus
(b) má tugtar fógra den tsórt san amhlaidh éistfar agus réiteofar an t-athchomharc no an t-iarratas ar chead athchomharc do dhéanamh chó luath agus is féidir é agus ní cuirfar an bhreith i bhfeidhm go dtí tar éis réiteach an athchomhairc no, i gcásanna ina ndiúltófar do ghéille d'iarratas ar chead athchomharc do dhéanamh, go dtí tar éis réiteach an iarratais.
(2) Más rud é, i gcás ciontú as a leanfadh breith bháis, go ndéanfidh an Chúirt Athchomhairc Choiriúla an t-athchomharc do chaitheamh amach no diúltú do ghéille don iarratas ar chead athchomharc do dhéanamh, ceapfidh an Chúirt lá chun an bhreith do chur i bhfeidhm agus ní bheidh an lá san níos lú ná 14 lá iomlán ná níos mó ná 18 lá iomlán tar éis an lá a caithfar amach an t-athchomharc no a diúltófar do ghéille don iarratas ar chead athchomharc do dhéanamh, agus beidh éifeacht ag an mbreith a tugadh ag an triail fé is dá ndintí an lá a ceapfar do réir an fho-ailt seo do chur in ionad an lae do luadhadh sa bhreith sin.
Iarrataisí eadarlabharthacha chun na Cúirte Athchomhairc Choiriúla.
7.—Má dhineann duine do ciontuíodh ar a dhíotáil i láthair na Príomh-Chúirte Coiriúla no na Cúirte Cuarda athchomharc chun na Cúirte Athchomhairc Choiriúla no cead athchomharc do dhéanamh d'iarraidh ar an gCúirt Athchomhairc Choiriúla, féadfidh an Prímh-Bhreitheamh, no aon Bhreitheamh den Chúirt Uachtarach a ainmneoidh an Prímh-Bhreitheamh chuige sin, aon iarratas eadarlabharthach i dtaobh an athchomhairc no an iarratais sin d'éisteacht agus do réiteach.
Ní hionnsófar orduithe áirithe do dhin Máistir na hArd-Chúirte.
8.—Ní déanfar ordú do dhin Máistir na hArd-Chúirte roimh an 8adh lá de Mhí na Nodlag, 1927, agus san, mar a tuigeadh, i bhfeidhmiú breath-údaráis do bronnadh air le Reacht no le Riail Chúirte, d'ionnsaidhe, do chur i leataoibh, ná do chlaochló, tar éis rithte an Achta so, ar an scór nár bronnadh ar an Máistir sin leis an Reacht no leis an Riail Chúirte sin an breath-údarás chun an t-ordú san do dhéanamh.
Breithimh bhreise den Chúirt Chuarda.
9.—(1) An méid d'alt 37 den Phríomh-Acht a chuireann teora le líon Breithiún na Cúirte Cuarda scuirfe sé d'éifeacht do bheith aige agus ina ionad san achtuítear leis seo go mbeidh an Chúirt Chuarda có-dhéanta de dheichniúr Breithiún an chuid is mó dhe.
(2) Féadfidh an tAire o am go ham fé mar is gá é Breitheamh den Chúirt Chuarda (ach ní níos mó ná beirt Bhreithiún den tsórt san aon uair áirithe) do cheapa go sealadach d'aon Chuaird mar Bhreitheamh bhreise don Chuaird sin in ionad é do bhuancheapa do Chuaird áirithe agus faid a bheidh sé ceaptha do Chuaird amhlaidh beidh ag gach Breitheamh den tsórt san, maidir leis an gCuaird sin agus i gcó-réim leis an mBreitheamh a bheidh buan-cheaptha don Chuaird sin, gach príbhléid, comhacht agus dualgas a bheidh de thurus na huaire bronnta no curtha do réir dlí ar an mBreitheamh a bheidh ceaptha don Chuaird sin.
Breitheamh den Chúirt Chuarda ag gníomhú lasmuich dá Chuaird féin.
10.—Pé uair is léir don Aire, o aithris chúise Bhreithimh den Chúirt Chuarda, nách féidir don Bhreitheamh san deighleáil sa cheart le héinní áirithe a bheidh le teacht os a chóir, toisc leas phearsanta do bheith aige sa ní sin no toisc a leithéid sin d'eolas phearsanta de bheith aige ar na dátáin no ar na páirtithe agus a dhéanfadh dochar do thriail an ní sin, féadfidh an tAire Breitheamh eile den Chúirt Chuarda (a thoileoidh chuige) do cheapa chun an ní sin d'éisteacht agus do réiteach i gCuaird an chéad Bhreithimh a luaidhtear agus leis sin féadfar an ní sin d'éisteacht agus do réiteach amhlaidh.
Athchomhairc Chúirte Cuarda.
11.—(1) Gach athchomharc fé alt 61 den Phríomh-Acht i gcoinnibh breithe no ordú ón gCúirt Chuarda déarfar sa bhfógra athchomhairc é do bheith bunuithe ar an bhfianaise do tugadh ag an triail no ag an éisteacht (pe'ca aca is gá sa chás) a dineadh os cóir na Cúirte Cuarda agus éistfar agus réiteofar do réir an ailt seo é.
(2) Fé réir forálacha an ailt seo éistfar agus réiteofar gach athchomharc fé alt 61 den Phríomh-Acht do réir thuarasgabháil an luath-scríbhneora oifigiúla, ach an Chúirt a éistfidh an t-ath chomharc san féadfa sí, le linn na héisteachta san, gach ní no éinní acu so a leanas do dhéanamh, sé sin le rá:—
(a) fianaise bhreise de ráite béil no tré mhóid-scríbhinn do ghlaca;
(b) fianaise aon fhínné go mbeidh a fhianaise sa tuarasgabháil sin d'ath-éisteacht;
(c) éinní a eireoidh as an tuarasgabháil sin do chur chun an Bhreithimh den Chúirt Chuarda 'na mbeidh an t-athchomharc á dhéanamh i gcoinnibh a bhreithe chun a thuairim air d'fháil;
(d) triail nua ar an gcás d'ordú;
(e) pé breith sa chás is oiriúnach leis an gCúirt d'iontráil.
(3) Más léir don Chúirt a bheidh ag éisteacht athchomhairc fé alt 61 den Phríomh-Acht ná fuil tuarasgabháil an luath-scríbhneora oifigiúla le fáil agus nách faillí i bpáirt an athchomharcaigh fé ndéar san, féadfidh an Chúirt an t-athchomharc do réiteach tríd an gcás d'ath-éisteacht do réir fhianaise de ráite béil no do réir mhóid-scríbhinne, no i bpáirt do réir fhianaise de ráite béil agus i bpáirt do réir mhóid-scríbhinne, no féadfa sí a ordú triail nua do dhéanamh ar an gcás.
(4) Baineann an t-alt so le hathchomhairc do bunuíodh fé alt 61 den Phríomh-Acht roimh rith an Achta so chó maith is bhaineann sé le hathchomhairc a bunófar amhlaidh ina dhiaidh sin.
Athchomhairc Chúirte Cuarda i gcúiseanna Mara.
12.—Luighfidh athchomharc fé fhorálacha agus fé réir téarmaí agus coiníollacha alt 61 den Phríomh-Acht i gcoinnibh aon bhreithiúntais, aithne, ordú no breithe ón gCúirt Chuarda i gcúis Mhara.
Breithimh chonganta den Chúirt Dúithche.
13.—(1) I dteanta an líon Breithiún den Chúirt Dúithche (dá ngairmtear gnáth-Bhreithimh san alt so) a horduítear le halt 68 den Phríomh-Acht, féadfar ceathrar Breithiún breise an chuid is mó dhe den Chúirt Dúithche (dá ngairmtear Breithimh chonganta san Acht so) do cheapa chun na dualgaisí a cuirtar leis an Acht so ar Bhreithimh chonganta do chólíona.
(2) Beidh Breitheamh conganta ina Bhreitheamh den Chúirt Dúithche do réir bhrí an Phríomh-Achta, agus dá réir sin na forálacha uile den Phríomh-Acht i dtaobh Breithiún den Chúirt Dúithche bainfid le Breithimh chonganta sa mhéid ná fuilid buiniscionn leis an alt so.
(3) Is 65 bliana an aois chun dul as oifig do Bhreitheamh chonganta.
(4) Tuarastal £800 per annum a gheobhaidh gach Breitheamh conganta agus is ar an bPrímh-Chiste no ar a thora fáis a bheidh muirear agus íoc an tuarastail sin.
(5) Beidh Breitheamh conganta incheaptha mar ghnáth-Bhreitheamh.
(6) Féadfidh an tAire o am go ham fé mar is gá é Breitheamh conganta do cheapa go sealadach mar Bhreitheamh bhreise d'aon Dúthaigh agus faid a bheidh sé ceaptha d'aon Dúthaigh amhlaidh beidh ag gach Breitheamh conganta, maidir leis an Dúthaigh sin agus i gcó-réim leis an ngnáth-Bhreitheamh a bheidh buan-cheaptha don Dúthaigh sin, gach príbhléid, comhacht agus dualgas a bheidh de thurus na huaire bronnta no curtha do réir dlí ar an mBreitheamh den Chúirt Dúithche a bheidh ceaptha don Dúthaigh sin.
Cáilíocht duine chun a cheaptha mar Bhreitheamh chonganta den Chúirt Dúithche.
14.—Ní déanfar éinne a leigfar isteach chun cleachttha mar abhcóide no a leigfar isteach mar atúrnae tar éis rithte an Achta so do cheapa mar Bhreitheamh chonganta mara ndine sé, sara gceapfar amhlaidh é, an tAire do shásamh go bhfuil sé inniúil ar dhualgaisí a oifige do chólíona tré Ghaedhilg.
Breitheamh den Chúirt Dúithche ag gníomhú lasmuich dá Dhúthaigh féin.
15.—(1) Pé uair is léir don Aire, o aithris chúise Bhreithimh den Chúirt Dúithche, nách féidir don Bhreitheamh san deighleáil sa cheart le héinní áirithe a bheidh le teacht os a chóir, toisc leas phearsanta do bheith aige sa ní sin no toisc a leithéid sin d'eolas phearsanta do bheith aige ar na dátáin no ar na páirtithe agus a dhéanfadh dochar do thriail an ní sin, féadfidh an tAire Breitheamh eile den Chúirt Dúithche (a thoileoidh chuige) do cheapa chun an ní sin d'éisteacht agus do réiteach i nDúthaigh an chéad Bhreithimh a luaidhtear agus leis sin féadfar an ní sin d'éisteacht agus do réitheach amhlaidh.
(2) I gcás breoiteacht no nea-láithreacht Bhreithimh den Chúirt Dúithche a bheidh ceaptha do Dhúthaigh áirithe féadfidh aon Bhreitheamh eile den Chúirt Dúithche (le toiliú an Aire), i dteanta na príbhléidí, na comhachta agus na dualgaisí i dtaobh na Dúithche dá mbeidh sé ceaptha d'fheidhmiú, féadfa sé, le linn na breoiteachta no na nea-láithreachta san, na príbhléidí, na comhachta agus na dualgaisí d'fheidhmiú a bheidh de thurus na huaire bronnta do réir dlí ar an gcéad Bhreitheamh san a luaidhtear i dtaobh na Dúithche dá mbeidh an Breitheamh san ceaptha.
Alt 77 den Phríomh-Acht do leasú.
16.—(1) Leasuítear leis seo clás (iii) de mhír A d'alt 77 den Phríomh-Acht tríd an gcomhartha agus na figiúirí “£26” atá anois ann do scriosa amach agus an comhartha agus na figiúirí “£27” do chur isteach in ionad an chomhartha agus na bhfigiúirí sin a scriostar amach amhlaidh.
(2) D'ainneoin éinní i gclás (iii) de mhír A d'alt 77 den Phríomh-Acht, ní bheidh breath-údarás ag an gCúirt Dúithche maidir le dí-shealbhú mar gheall ar gan cíos d'íoc ar scór tiontóntachtaí is lú ná tionóntachtaí o bhliain go bliain ná má bhíonn níos lú ná cíos bliana i riaráiste.
Breath-údarás breise don Chúirt Dúithche.
17.—I dteanta an bhreath-údaráis atá dílsithe anois sa Chúirt Dúithche tríd an bPríomh-Acht mar a leasuítear leis an Acht so é, beidh an breath-údarás, fé alt 82 den Civil Bill Courts (Ireland) Act, 1851, do bhíodh dílsithe roimhe seo i mBreacthóirí agus i mBreithimh Chúirte Contae agus atá dílsithe anois sa Chúirt Chuarda, beidh sé ag an gCúirt Dúithche agus féadfa sí é d'fheidhmiú i gcó-réim leis an gCúirt Chuarda.
Athchomhairc ón gCúirt Dúithche i gcásanna coiriúla.
18.—(1) Luighfidh athchomharc i gcásanna coiriúla i gcoinnibh aon ordú (maran rud é ná beidh ann ach ordú ag cur duine ar aghaidh chun a thrialta no á cheangal air bheith síochánta no dea-iompartha no bheith síochánta agus dea-iompartha) o Bhreitheamh den Chúirt Dúithche go n-íocfar fíneáil no suim eile no go ndéanfar éinní ar aon chostas no go ndéanfar aon bhanna d'estréatáil no go gcuirfar aon téarma príosúntachta ar an té go mbeidh an t-ordú déanta ina choinnibh.
(2) Más rud é díreach roimh thosach Chuid III. den Phríomh-Acht gur luigh athchomharc i gcás coiriúil ar iarratas gearánaí no cúisitheora i gcoinnibh ordú o Ghiústís Dúithche do ceapadh fén Acht um Ghiúistísí Dúithche (Forálacha Sealadacha), 1923 (Uimh. 6 de 1923) luighfidh athchomharc den tsórt chéanna ina leithéid sin de chás choiriúil ar iarratas gearánaí no cúisitheora i gcoinnibh ordú o Bhreitheamh den Chúirt Dúithche.
(3) Gach athchomharc fén alt so i gcoinnibh ordú o Bhreitheamh den Chúirt Dúithche luighfe sé chun an Bhreithimh den Chúirt Chuarda gur laistigh dá chuaird a luigheann Dúthaigh no aon chuid de Dhúthaigh an Bhreithimh Chúirte Dúithche sin, agus beidh breith an Bhreithimh Chuarda san ar an athchomharc san ina breith dheiridh gan aon dul tháirsi agus ní féadfar athchomharc do dhéanamh ina coinnibh.
Imeachta tar éis gabhála.
19.—Athghairmtear leis seo fo-alt (4) d'alt 88 den Phríomh-Acht agus achtuítear leis seo ina ionad, pé uair a gabhfar go dleathach éinne a bheidh cúisithe i gcionta do dhéanamh, go dtabharfar an duine sin i láthair Feadhmannaigh Shíochána mara mbeidh an Breitheamh den Chúirt Dúithche a bheidh ceaptha don dúthaigh inar gabhadh an duine sin le fáil láithreach agus, tar éis pé fianaise a tairgfar d'éisteacht, go gcuirfidh an Feadhmannach Síochána san an duine sin siar, i gcimeád no fé pé bannaí is oiriúnach leis, agus go gcuirfe sé an cás le n-a éisteacht i láthair an Bhreithimh sin go dtí an suidhe den Chúirt Dúithche a luaidhtear anso ina dhiaidh seo, sé sin le rá:—
(a) más fé bhannaí a cuirfar an duine sin siar agus go bhfuighe sé na bannaí sin láithreach baill, go dtí an chéad shuidhe eile den Chúirt Dúithche don líomatáiste chúirte dúithche in ar gabhadh an duine sin, no
(b) in aon chás eile, go dtí suidhe den Chúirt Dúithche in áit ainmnithe sa dúthaigh in ar gabhadh an duine sin a comórfar laistigh d'ocht lá tar éis na gabhála san.
Alt 94 den Phríomh-Acht do leasú.
20.—Leasuítear leis seo alt 94 den Phríomh-Acht tré sna focail go léir o sna focail “maran dó leis an mBreitheamh” go dtí na focail “ar iarratas aon pháirtí,” atá anois ann do scriosa amach agus tré sna focail seo do chur in ionad na bhfocal a scriostar amach amhlaidh, eadhon, “maran dó leis an gCúirt, ar iarratas a dhéanfidh aon pháirtí aon uair nach déanaí ná seacht lá tar éis fógra trialach, no uaithi féin ag an triail, gur gá coiste dháréag, no gur mhaith an rud é, chun an t-aicsean do thriail sa cheart agus go n-ordóidh sí amhlaidh.”
Alt 70 den Dublin Police Act, 1842, do leasú.
21.—(1) Leasuítear leis seo alt 70 den Dublin Police Act, 1842, tré sna focail “within six calendar months at the farthest next after the commission of such offence, or within such shorter time as shall be limited by the Act specifying the offence, and not afterwards” atá anois ann do scriosa amach.
(2) Bainfidh mír 4 d'alt 10 den Petty Sessions (Ireland) Act, 1851, le cásanna údaráis achmair laistigh de Líomatáiste Chathrach Bhaile Atha Cliath fé mar a bhaineann sí le cásanna údaráis achmair lasmuich de Líomatáiste Chathrach Bhaile Atha Cliath.
Athghairmeanna.
22.—Dintar leis seo na hachtacháin a luaidhtear sa Sceideal a ghabhann leis seo d'athghairm sa mhéid a luaidhtear sa tríú colún den Sceideal san.
Gearr-theideal, léiriú agus luadh.
23.—(1) Féadfar an tAcht Cúirteanna Breithiúnais, 1928, do ghairm den Acht so.
(2) Léireofar an tAcht so mar éinní amháin leis na hAchtanna Cúirteanna Breithiúnais, 1924 go 1927, agus féadfar na hAchtanna Cúirteanna Breithiúnais, 1924 go 1928, do ghairm de sna hAchtanna san agus den Acht so le chéile.
SCEIDEAL.
Achtachain a hAthghairmtear.
Siosón agus caibideal no bliaín agus uimhir. | Gearr-Theideal. | Méid na hAthghairme. |
14 & 15 Vic., c.93. | The Petty Sessions (Ireland) Act, 1851. | Alt 24, mír 5. |
30 & 31 Vic., c.114. | The Court of Admiralty (Ireland) Act, 1867. | Ailt 87, 88 agus 89. |
Ailt 62 agus 85. |
Number 15 of 1928.
COURTS OF JUSTICE ACT, 1928.
ARRANGEMENT OF SECTIONS
Acts Referred to | |
No. 10 of 1924 | |
No. 6 of 1923 | |
Number 15 of 1928.
COURTS OF JUSTICE ACT, 1928.
Interpretation.
1.—(1) In this Act—
the expression “the Minister” means the Minister for Justice; the expression “the Principal Act” means the Courts of Justice Act, 1924 (No. 10 of 1924); and
the expression “the Chief Justice” means the Chief Justice of the Irish Free State.
(2) In every Act passed after this Act references to the Chief Justice shall, unless the context otherwise requires, be construed as references to the Chief Justice of the Irish Free State.
Illness or absence of Chief Justice.
2.—Whenever the Chief Justice is unable through illness or absence from Saorstát Eireann to transact the business of his office, the jurisdictions transferred to and vested in him by section 19 of the Principal Act and all statutory authorities and functions for the time being vested in him in virtue of his office shall be exercised and performed by the President of the High Court or, in the event of the said President being prevented through illness or absence from Saorstát Eireann from exercising the said jurisdictions and authorities and performing the said functions, by the senior ordinary Judge of the Supreme Court or, in the event of both the said President and such ordinary Judge being so prevented, by the junior ordinary Judge of the Supreme Court.
Lunacy jurisdiction.
3.—It is hereby declared that references in the Lunacy Regulation (Ireland) Act, 1871, and the Acts amending the same and any rules and orders made thereunder to “the Lord Chancellor entrusted as aforesaid” shall be construed and have effect as references to the Chief Justice and shall be deemed so to have had effect as from the commencement of Part I of the Principal Act.
Amendment of lunacy forms.
4.—The Chief Justice may from time to time by order made under section 118 of the Lunacy Regulation (Ireland) Act, 1871, amend any form prescribed by or under that Act for use in relation to the jurisdiction in lunacy matters transferred to him by section 19 of the Principal Act by substituting in such form the expression “ward of court” or such other similar expression as he shall think proper for the word “lunatic” and the expression “person of unsound mind” respectively and making such further consequential amendments in such form as shall appear to him to be necessary and proper.
Additional powers of the Court of Criminal Appeal.
5.—(1) In addition to the jurisdictions conferred on the Court of Criminal Appeal by section 34 of the Principal Act, the Court of Criminal Appeal or, on appeal, the Supreme Court shall have the following jurisdictions, that is to say:—
(a) the Court may notwithstanding that they are of opinion that a point raised in an appeal might be decided in favour of the appellant, dismiss the appeal if they consider that no miscarriage of justice has actually occurred;
(b) where the Court reverse a conviction in whole, the Court shall have jurisdiction to make an order (in this section referred to as an order for a re-trial) authorising the person in respect of whom such conviction was obtained to be re-tried for the same offence as that which was the subject of such conviction and shall order that the costs of the appeal and of the new trial of the accused person shall be paid by the State, unless the Court shall be of opinion that the necessity for the appeal and the new trial has been caused or contributed to by the defence, and may by such order or any subsequent order direct the person in respect of whose conviction the order was made to be retained in custody or to be admitted to bail on such terms as they think proper.
(2) Whenever an order for a re-trial is made under this section by the Court of Criminal Appeal or the Supreme Court the person in respect of whose conviction the order was made may, not-withstanding any rule of law, be again indicted and tried and, if found guilty, sentenced for the offence which was the subject of such conviction.
Execution of sentence in case of appeal to the Court of Criminal Appeal.
6.—(1) In the case of a sentence of death or corporal punishment—
(a) the sentence shall not in any case be executed until after the expiration of the time within which notice of appeal or of an application for leave to appeal to the Court of Criminal Appeal may be given in accordance with Rules of Court, and
(b) if such notice is so given, the appeal or the application for leave to appeal shall be heard and determined with as much expedition as practicable, and the sentence shall not be executed until after the determination of the appeal, or, in cases where an application for leave to appeal is refused, of the application.
(2) Where in the case of a conviction involving sentence of death the appeal is dismissed or the application for leave to appeal is refused by the Court of Criminal Appeal, the Court shall fix a day for the execution of the sentence which day shall not be less than 14 or more than 18 clear days after the day when the appeal is dismissed or the application for leave to appeal is refused, and the sentence pronounced at the trial shall have effect as if, for the day therein mentioned, the day fixed in pursuance of this sub-section were substituted.
Interlocutory applications to Court of Criminal Appeal.
7.—Where a person convicted on indictment before the Central Criminal Court or the Circuit Court appeals to the Court of Criminal Appeal or applies to the Court of Criminal Appeal for leave to appeal, any interlocutory application in relation to such appeal or application may be heard and determined by the Chief Justice or by any Judge of the Supreme Court nominated by the Chief Justice for that purpose.
Certain orders of the Master of the High Court not to be impugned.
8.—An order of the Master of the High Court made before the 8th day of December, 1927, in purported exercise of jurisdiction conferred on him by Statute or Rule of Court shall not after the passing of this Act be impugned, set aside or reversed on the ground that the jurisdiction to make such order was not conferred on the said Master by such Statute or Rule of Court.
Additional Judges of the Circuit Court.
9.—(1) So much of section 37 of the Principal Act as limits the number of the Judges of the Circuit Court shall cease to have effect and in lieu thereof it is hereby enacted that the Circuit Court shall consist of not more than ten Judges.
(2) A Judge of the Circuit Court (but not more than two such Judges at any one time) may, in lieu of being permanently assigned to a particular Circuit, be temporarily assigned by the Minister from time to time as occasion requires to any Circuit as an additional Judge for such Circuit and every such Judge shall, while so assigned to a Circuit, have in relation to such Circuit and concurrently with the Judge permanently assigned to such Circuit all the privileges, powers and duties for the time being conferred or imposed by law on the Judge assigned to such Circuit
Judge of the Circuit Court acting outside his own Circuit.
10.—Whenever it appears to the Minister on the representation of a Judge of the Circuit Court that such Judge cannot properly deal with any matter pending before him by reason of the fact that he has a personal interest in such matter or such personal knowledge of the facts or of the parties as might prejudice the trial of such matter, the Minister may appoint another Judge of the Circuit Court (who so consents) to hear and determine such matter in the Circuit of the first mentioned Judge and thereupon such matter may be so heard and determined.
Circuit Court Appeals.
11.—(1) Every appeal under section 61 of the Principal Act from a judgment or order of the Circuit Court shall be expressed in the notice of appeal to be grounded on the evidence at the trial or hearing (as the case may require) before the Circuit Court and shall be heard and determined in accordance with this section.
(2) Subject to the provisions of this section every appeal under section 61 of the Principal Act shall be heard and determined on the report of the official stenographer but the Court hearing such appeal may on such hearing do all or any of the following things, that is to say:—
(a) admit additional evidence either oral or on affidavit;
(b) re-hear the evidence of any witness whose evidence is contained in such report;
(c) refer any matter arising on such report to the Judge of the Circuit Court from whose decision the appeal is taken for his observations thereon;
(d) order a new trial of the case;
(e) enter such judgment in the case as to the Court may seem fit.
(3) Where it appears to the Court hearing an appeal under section 61 of the Principal Act that the report of the official stenographer is, through no default on the part of the appellant, not forthcoming, the Court may either determine the appeal by rehearing the case either on oral evidence or by affidavit or partly on oral evidence and partly by affidavit, or may order a new trial of the case to be had.
(4) This section applies to appeals under section 61 of the Principal Act brought before as well as after the passing of this Act.
Circuit Court Appeals in Admiralty causes.
12.—An appeal from any judgment decree order or decision of the Circuit Court in an Admiralty cause shall lie under the provisions and subject to the terms and conditions of section 61 of the Principal Act.
Assistant Justices of the District Court.
13.—(1) In addition to the number of Justices of the District Court (in this section referred to as ordinary Justices) prescribed by section 68 of the Principal Act, there may be appointed not more than four additional Justices of the District Court (in this Act referred to as assistant Justices) to discharge the duties imposed by this Act on assistant Justices.
(2) An assistant Justice shall be a Justice of the District Court within the meaning of the Principal Act and accordingly all the provisions of the Principal Act in relation to Justices of the District Court shall, so far as they are not inconsistent with this section, apply to assistant Justices.
(3) The age of retirement of an assistant Justice shall be 65 years.
(4) Every assistant Justice shall receive a salary of £800 per annum and such salary shall be charged on and be payable out of the Central Fund or the growing produce thereof.
(5) An assistant Justice shall be eligible to be appointed an ordinary Justice.
(6) Any assistant Justice may be temporarily assigned by the Minister from time to time as occasion requires as an additional Justice for any District and every assistant Justice while so assigned to any District shall have in relation to such District and concurrently with the ordinary Justice permanently assigned to such District all the privileges, powers and duties for the time being conferred or imposed by law on the Justice of the District Court assigned to such District.
Qualification for appointment of assistant Justice of the District Court.
14.—No person admitted to practise as a barrister or admitted a solicitor after the passing of this Act shall be appointed an assistant Justice unless before he is so appointed he satisfies the Minister that he is competent to discharge the duties of his office through the medium of the Irish language.
Justice of the District Court acting outside his own District.
15.—(1) Whenever it appears to the Minister on the representation of a Justice of the District Court that such Justice cannot properly deal with any matter pending before him by reason of the fact that he has a personal interest in such matter or such personal knowledge of the facts or of the parties as might prejudice the trial of such matter, the Minister may appoint another Justice of the District Court (who so consents) to hear and determine such matter in the District of the first mentioned Justice and thereupon such matter may be so heard and determined.
(2) In case of the illness or absence of a Justice of the District Court assigned to a particular District, any other Justice of the District Court may (with the consent of the Minister) in addition to exercising the privileges, powers and duties in relation to the District to which he is assigned, exercise during such illness or absence the privileges, powers and duties for the time being conferred by law on such first named Justice in relation to the District to which such Justice is assigned.
Amendment of section 77 of the Principal Act.
16.—(1) Clause (iii) of paragraph A of section 77 of the Principal Act is hereby amended by the deletion of the sign and figures “£26” now contained therein and the insertion in lieu of the said sign and figures so deleted of the sign and figures “£27.”
(2) Notwithstanding anything in clause (iii) of paragraph A of section 77 of the Principal Act, the District Court shall not have jurisdiction in ejectment for non-payment of rent in respect of tenancies less than tenancies from year to year or where less than one year's rent is in arrear.
Additional jurisdiction of the District Court.
17.—In addition to the jurisdiction now vested in the District Court by the Principal Act as amended by this Act, the District Court shall have and may exercise concurrently with the Circuit Court the jurisdiction under section 82 of the Civil Bill Courts (Ireland) Act, 1851, formerly vested in Recorders and County Court Judges and now vested in the Circuit Court.
Appeals from the District Court in criminal cases.
18.—(1) An appeal shall lie in criminal cases from a Justice of the District Court against any order (not being merely an order returning for trial or binding to the peace or good behaviour or to both the peace and good behaviour) for the payment of a penal or other sum or for the doing of anything at any expense or for the estreating of any recognizance or for the undergoing of any term of imprisonment by the person against whom the order shall have been made.
(2) Where immediately before the commencement of Part III of the Principal Act an appeal lay in a criminal case at the instance of a complainant or prosecutor against an order of a District Justice appointed under the District Justices (Temporary Provisions) Act, 1923 (No. 6 of 1923) an appeal of the like kind shall lie in such criminal case at the instance of a complainant or prosecutor from an order of a Justice of the District Court.
(3) Every appeal under this section from an order of a Justice of the District Court shall lie to the Judge of the Circuit Court within whose circuit the District or any part of the District of such Justice lies, and the decision of such Judge on such appeal shall be final and conclusive and not appealable.
Proceedings on arrest.
19.—Sub-section (4) of section 88 of the Principal Act is hereby repealed and in lieu thereof it is hereby enacted that whenever any person charged with having committed an offence is lawfully arrested such person shall, unless the Justice of the District Court assigned to the district where such person was arrested is immediately available, be brought before a Peace Commissioner and such Peace Commissioner, after hearing such evidence as may be offered, shall remand such person either in custody or in such bail as he shall think fit and remit the case for hearing before such justice to the sitting of the District Court hereinafter mentioned, that is to say:—
(a) if such person is remanded in bail and there and then finds such bail to the next sitting of the District Court for the district court area in which such person was arrested, or
(b) in any other case to a sitting of the District Court at a named place in the district where such person was arrested to be held within eight days after such arrest.
Amendment of section 94 of the Principal Act.
20.—Section 94 of the Principal Act is hereby amended by the deletion of all words from the words “unless the Judge shall consider” to the words “on the application of any party so order” now contained therein and the insertion in lieu of the words so deleted of the words “unless the Court on the application of any party instituted at any time not later than seven days after notice of trial or on its own motion at the trial shall consider a jury to be necessary or desirable for the proper trial of the action and so shall order”.
Amendment of section 70 of the Dublin Police Act, 1842.
21.—(1) Section 70 of the Dublin Police Act, 1842, is hereby amended by the deletion of the words “within six calendar months at the farthest next after the commission of such offence, or within such shorter time as shall be limited by the Act specifying the offence, and not afterwards” now contained therein.
(2) Paragraph 4 of section 10 of the Petty Sessions (Ireland) Act, 1851, shall apply to cases of summary jurisdiction within the Dublin Metropolitan Area in like manner as it applies to cases of summary jurisdiction outside the Dublin Metropolitan Area.
Repeals.
22.—The enactments specified in the Schedule hereto are hereby repealed to the extent specified in the third column of the said Schedule.
Short title construction and citation.
23.—(1) This Act may be cited as the Courts of Justice Act, 1928.
(2) This Act shall be construed as one with the Courts of Justice Acts, 1924 to 1927, and those Acts and this Act may be cited together as the Courts of Justice Acts, 1924 to 1928.
SCHEDULE.
Enactments Repealed.
Session and chapter or year and number. | Short Title. | Extent of Repeal. |
14 & 15 Vic., c. 93. | The Petty Sessions (Ireland) Act, 1851. | Section 24, paragraph 5. |
30 & 31 Vic., c. 114. | The Court of Admiralty (Ireland) Act, 1867. | Sections 87, 88 and 89. |
No. 10 of 1924. | Sections 62 and 85. |