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Uimhir 21 de 1981
AN tACHT UM AN DLÍ TEAGHLAIGH (CÉILÍ AGUS LEANAÍ A CHOSAINT), 1981
[An tiontú oifigiúil]
Léiriú.
1.—(1) San Acht seo—
tá le “céile is iarratasóir” an bhrí a shanntar dó le halt 2 den Acht seo;
tá le “ordú urchoisc” an bhrí a shanntar dó le halt 2 den Acht seo;
ciallaíonn “leanbh” aon leanbh leis an gcéile is iarratasóir nó leis an gcéile is freagróir nó leis an dá chéile nó leanbh a d'uchtaigh ceachtar céile nó an dá chéile faoi na hAchtanna Uchtála, 1952 go 1976, nó a bhfuil ceachtar céile nó an dá chéile in loco parentis maidir leis, ar choinníoll go bhfuil sé faoi bhun ocht mbliana déag d'aois nó, má bhíonn sé os cionn na haoise sin, go bhfuil míchumas meabhrach nó coirp air;
ciallaíonn “an Chúirt” an Chúirt Chuarda nó an Chúirt Dúiche;
ciallaíonn “imeachtaí faoin Acht seo” imeachtaí chun ordú urchoisc a dhéanamh, a athrú nó a urscaoileadh, nó chún ordú cosanta a dhéanamh nó a urscaoileadh, agus aon imeachtaí gaolmhara i modh achomhairc nó mar chás sonraithe;
tá le “ordú cosanta” an bhrí a shanntar dó le halt 3 den Acht seo;
tá le “céile is freagróir” an bhrí a shanntar dó le halt 2 den Acht seo.
(2) Chun críocha aon fhorála de chuid an Achta seo á fhoráil ordú urchoisc a athrú nó a urscaoileadh nó ordú cosanta a urscaoileadh, déileálfar le hordú a rinne cúirt ar achomharc ó chúirt eile ionann is dá mba í an chúirt eile sin a rinne é.
Ordú urchoisc.
2.—(1) Ar iarratas chuici ó chéile (dá ngairtear an “céile is iarratasóir” san Acht seo) féadfaidh an Chúirt, más dóigh léi cúiseanna réasúnacha a bheith ann lena chreidiúint gur gá, ar mhaithe le sábháilteacht nó leas an chéile sin nó aon linbh, le hordú (dá ngairtear “ordú urchoisc” san Acht seo)—
(a) a ordú don chéile eile (dá ngairtear an “céile is freagróir” san Acht seo), má bhíonn cónaí air san áit a bhfuil cónaí ar an gcéile is iarratasóir nó ar an leanbh, an áit sin a fhágáil, agus
(b) cibé acu atá nó nach bhfuil cónaí ar an gcéile is freagróir san áit sin, a thoirmeasc ar an gcéile sin dul isteach san áit sin go dtí go ndéanfaidh an Chúirt ordú eile nó go dtí cibé am eile a shonróidh an Chúirt.
(2) Féadfaidh ordú urchoisc, más oiriúnach leis an gCúirt é, a thoirmeasc ar an gcéile is freagróir forneart a imirt nó a bhagairt, nó araoid nó eagla a chur, ar an gcéile is iarratasóir nó ar aon leanbh, agus féadfar cibé eisceachtaí agus coinníollacha a shonróidh an Chúirt a chur ag gabháil leis.
(3) Féadfaidh an Chúirt ar iarratas ó cheachtar céile ordú urchoisc a athrú.
(4) Rachaidh ordú urchoisc, más í an Chúirt Dúiche nó an Chúirt Chuarda ar achomharc ón gCúirt Dúiche a rinne é, in éag, faoi réir alt 11 den Acht seo, dhá mhí dhéag tar éis dáta a dhéanta.
(5) Ar dhul in éag d'ordú urchoisc nó aon tráth roimhe sin féadfar ordú urchoisc eile a dhéanamh a mbeidh éifeacht leis ón am a rachaidh an t-ordú urchoisc céadluaite in éag.
(6) Chun críocha fho-alt (1) den alt seo, measfar céile is iarratasóir nó leanbh a bheadh, mura mbeadh iompar an chéile is freagróir, ina chónaí in áit áirithe, a bheith ina chónaí san áit sin.
Ordú cosanta.
3.—(1) Más rud é, idir an tráth a dhéanfar iarratas ar ordú urchoisc agus an tráth a dhéanfar cinneadh air, gurb é tuairim na Cúirte go bhfuil cúiseanna réasúnacha ann lena chreidiúint gur gá sin ar mhaithe le sábháilteacht nó leas an chéile is iarratasóir nó aon linbh, féadfaidh an Chúirt ordú a dhéanamh (dá ngairtear “ordú cosanta” san Acht seo) nach ndéanfaidh an céile is freagróir foréigean a imirt ná a bhagairt, ná araoid ná eagla a chur, ar an gcéile is iarratasóir ná ar an leanbh.
(2) Féadfar ordú cosanta a dhéanamh d'ainneoin nach ndearnadh an toghairm i ndáil leis an iarratas ar ordú urchoisc a sheirbheáil ar an gcéile is freagróir.
(3) Scoirfidh ordú cosanta d'éifeacht a bheith leis nuair a dhéanfaidh an Chúirt cinneadh ar an iarratas ar ordú urchoisc.
Orduithe do theacht in éifeacht.
4.—(1) Tiocfaidh ordú urchoisc nó ordú cosanta in éifeacht tráth a thabharfar fógra i dtaobh a dhéanta don chéile is freagróir.
(2) Measfar, gan dochar do leordhóthanacht aon chineál eile fógra, gur leorfhógra don chéile is freagróir i dtaobh an t-ordú a bheith déanta teachtaireacht ó bhéal don chéile is freagróir, arna thabhairt ag an gcéile is iarratasóir nó thar a cheann, á chur in iúl go ndearnadh ordú urchoisc nó ordú cosanta agus cóip den ordú a thabhairt ar aird ina teannta.
(3) Má bhíonn an céile is freagróir i láthair ag an suí den Chúirt ag a ndéanfar an t-ordú urchoisc nó an t-ordú cosanta, measfar, chun críocha fho-alt (1) den alt seo, fógra a bheith tugtha don chéile sin i dtaobh an t-ordú a bheith déanta.
(4) Tiocfaidh ordú ag athrú ordaithe urchoisc in éifeacht ar fhógra i dtaobh a dhéanta a thabhairt don chéile seachas an céile a d'iarr an t-athrú, agus beidh feidhm chun na críche sin ag fo-ailt (2) agus (3) den alt seo, modhnaithe mar is gá.
Cóipeanna d'orduithe a thabhairt do chéilí agus don Gharda Síochána.
5.—(1) Cuirfidh an Chúirt faoi deara, ar ordú urchoisc a dhéanamh, a athrú nó a urscaoileadh di nó ar ordú cosanta a dhéanamh nó a urscaoileadh di, go ndéanfar, a luaithe is féidir, cóip den ordú a bheidh i gceist a thabhairt don chéile is iarratasóir, don chéile is freagróir agus don chomhalta den Gharda Síochána i bhfeighil an stáisiúin Gharda Síochána don cheantar ina bhfuil an áit ar i ndáil léi a rinneadh an t-iarratas ar an ordú urchoisc, nó a sheoladh chucu.
(2) Ní dhéanfaidh neamhchomhlíonadh fho-alt (1) den alt seo difear do bhailíocht an ordaithe.
Cionta.
6.—(1) Céile is freagróir a sháróidh ordú urchoisc nó ordú cosanta nó a dhiúltóidh, le linn d'ordú urchoisc a bheith i bhfeidhm, cead a thabhairt don chéile is iarratasóir nó d'aon leanbh dul isteach san áit agus fanacht san áit lena mbaineann an t-ordú, nó a dhéanfaidh aon ghníomh chun an céile sin nó an leanbh sin a chosc ar é sin a dhéanamh, beidh sé ciontach i gcion agus dlífear ar é a chiontú go hachomair fíneáil nach mó ná £200 nó, de rogha na cúirte, príosúnacht ar feadh téarma nach faide ná sé mhí, nó iad araon, a chur air.
(2) Is fo-alt gan dochar don dlí maidir le díspeagadh cúirte nó d'aon dliteanas eile, sibhialta nó coiriúil, a thabhóidh an céile is freagróir, fo-alt (1) den alt seo.
Cumhacht gabhála.
7.—Féadfaidh comhalta den Gharda Síochána, ar ghearán a dhéanamh leis ag an gcéile is iarratasóir nó thar a cheann, an céile is freagróir a ghabháil gan bharántas i gcás cúis réasúnach a bheith ag an gcomhalta chun a chreidiúint go bhfuil cion faoi alt 6 den Acht seo á dhéanamh nó déanta ag an gcéile is freagróir.
Cionta a dhéanfar agus duine ar bannaí.
8.—(1) Má dhéantar duine a cúisíodh i gcion faoi alt 6 den Acht seo a scaoileadh faoi bhannaí agus go ndéanfaidh sé cion faoin alt sin le linn dó a bheith ar scaoileadh amhlaidh, is pianbhreitheanna comhleanúnacha aon phianbhreitheanna príosúnachta a chuirfear ar an duine sin mar gheall ar chionta faoin alt sin.
(2) Beidh feidhm ag fo-alt (1) den alt seo d'ainneoin aon ní in alt 5 den Acht um Cheartas Coiriúil, 1951, nó in alt 13 den Acht um an Dlí Coiriúil, 1976.
Alt 9 (2) den Acht um Chaomhnú Aras an Teaghlaigh, 1976, do bhaint le horduithe urchoisc, etc.
9.—(1) Beidh feidhm ag alt 9 (2) den Acht um Chaomhnú Áras an Teaghlaigh, 1976 (a chuireann srian le ceart céile airnéisí tí a dhiúscairt nó a aistriú fad a bheidh cinneadh ar imeachtaí maidir le pósadh ar feitheamh), idir an tráth a dhéanfar iarratas ar ordú urchoisc agus an tráth a dhéanfar cinneadh air, agus, má dhéantar ordú urchoisc, fad a bheidh an t-ordú sin i bhfeidhm, amhail mar atá feidhm aige idir an tráth a thionscnófar imeachtaí maidir le pósadh agus an tráth a bheidh cinneadh críochnaitheach déanta orthu.
(2) D'fhonn amhras a sheachaint, dearbhaítear leis seo, d'ainneoin aon ní in alt 10 den Acht sin, gurb í an chúirt dá dtugtar cumhacht faoi mhír (b) den alt sin 9 (2) chun cead a thabhairt aon airnéisí tí a dhiúscairt nó a aistriú an chúirt ar os a comhair a tionscnaíodh na himeachtaí (lena n-áirítear aon imeachtaí le haghaidh ordú urchoisc).
Éifeacht achomhairc i gcoinne orduithe.
10.—(1) Déanfaidh achomharc i gcoinne ordú urchoisc, má dhéanann an chúirt a rinne an t-ordú nó an chúirt a dtabharfar an t-achomharc os a comhair é sin a chinneadh (agus ní ar aon slí eile), oibriú an ordaithe a bhac ar cibé téarmaí (más ann) a fhorchuirfidh an chúirt a mbeidh an cinneadh á dhéanamh aici.
(2) Ní chuirfidh achomharc i gcoinne ordú cosanta bac ar oibriú an ordaithe.
Orduithe a urscaoileadh.
11.—(1) Féadfaidh ceachtar céile a iarraidh ar an gcúirt a rinne ordú urchoisc nó ordú cosanta an t-ordú a urscaoileadh agus urscaoilfidh an chúirt an t-ordú air sin más deimhin léi nach gá an t-ordú a choimeád i bhfeidhm ar mhaithe le sábháilteacht nó leas an chéile nó an linbh ar chun iad a chosaint a rinneadh an t-ordú.
(2) Ar aon chúis nó ábhar maidir le pósadh idir na céilí nó aon imeachtaí eatarthu faoin Acht um Chaomhnóireacht Naíon, 1964, a chinneadh, féadfaidh an chúirt a mbeidh aon chúis, ábhar nó imeachtaí den sórt sin á gcinneadh aici, más oiriúnach léi é, aon ordú urchoisc nó ordú cosanta a bheidh dírithe in aghaidh duine díobh a urscaoileadh.
Feidhmiú dlínse ag an gCúirt.
12.—Féadfar dlínse na Cúirte i leith imeachtaí faoin Acht seo a fheidhmiú—
(a) maidir leis an gCúirt Chuarda, ag an mbreitheamh den chuaird, agus
(b) maidir leis an gCúirt Dúiche, ag an mbreitheamh den Chúirt Dúiche a bheidh sannta de thuras na huaire don dúiche,
ina bhfuil cónaí ar an gcéile is iarratasóir nó ina bhfuil an áit ar i ndáil léi a rinneadh an t-iarratas ar ordú urchoisc.
Rialacha cúirte.
13.—Féadfaidh rialacha cúirte socrú a dhéanamh le iarratas ar ordú urchoisc a éisteacht go luath agus le doiciméid a sheirbheáil ar dhóigh seachas de réir alt 7 d'Acht na gCúirteanna, 1964 (arna leasú le halt 22 d'Acht na gCúirteanna, 1971).
Imeachtaí faoin Acht seo a éisteacht.
14.—(1) Is ar shlí seachas go poiblí a éistfear imeachtaí faoin Acht seo.
(2) Féadfar imeachtaí faoin Acht seo sa Chúirt Chuarda, agus san Ard-Chúirt ar achomharc ón gCúirt Chuarda, a éisteacht i ndlísheomra.
Costais.
15.—Is de réir rogha na Cúirte a bheidh costais aon imeachtaí faoin Acht seo.
Forálacha cosanta.
16.—(1) Más rud é, de bhíthin ordú urchoisc agus dá bhíthin sin amháin, nach mbeidh cónaí ar dhuine in áit le linn aon tréimhse áirithe, measfar, chun críocha aon chearta faoi na hAchtanna um Thiarnaí Talún agus Tionóntaí, 1967 go 1980, faoi Reacht na dTréimhsí, 1957, nó faoi na hAchtanna Srianta Cíosa, 1960 agus 1967, cónaí a bheith air san áit sin le linn na tréimhse sin.
(2) Ach amháin a mhéid a bheidh feidhmiú cirt ag céile is freagróir chun an áit lena mbaineann ordú urchoisc a áitiú ar fionraí de bhua an ordaithe, ní dhéanfaidh an t-ordú difear d'aon eastát nó leas san áit sin a bheidh ag an gcéile sin nó ag aon duine eile.
Aisghairm agus forálacha eatramhacha.
17.—(1) Aisghairtear leis seo alt 22 den Acht um an Dlí Teaghlaigh (Cothabháil Céilí agus Leanaí), 1976, agus na focail “nó 22” in alt 9 (3) den Acht um Chaomhnú Áras an Teaghlaigh, 1976.
(2) Bainfidh an tAcht seo (ach amháin alt 5) le hordú a rinneadh faoin alt sin 22 agus a bheidh i bhfeidhm ag tosach feidhme an Achta seo ionann is dá mba ordú urchoisc é ina raibh an toirmeasc dá dtagraítear in alt 2 (2) den Acht seo.
(3) Iarratas a rinneadh chun na hArd-Chúirte faoin alt sin 22 agus nach mbeidh cinnte roimh thosach feidhme an Achta seo féadfaidh an Chúirt sin déileáil leis faoin Acht seo.
(4) Iarratas a rinneadh ar dóigh seachas chun na hArd-Chúirte faoin alt sin 22 agus nach mbeidh cinnte roimh thosach feidhme an Achta seo déileálfar leis ionann is dá mba faoi alt 2 den Acht seo a rinneadh é.
(5) Ordú a rinne an Ard-Chúirt faoin alt sin 22 agus a bheidh i bhfeidhm ag tosach feidhme an Achta seo, nó ordú urchoisc a rinne an chúirt sin faoi fho-alt (3) den alt seo déileálfar leis, má bhíonn sé le dul in éag tráth is déanaí ná dhá mhí dhéag tar éis dáta a dhéanta, ionann is dá mba í an Chúirt Chuarda a rinne é agus, in aon chás eile, ionann is dá mba í an Chúirt Dúiche a rinne é.
Tosach feidhme.
18.—Tiocfaidh an tAcht seo i ngníomh mí amháin tar éis dáta a rite.
Gearrtheideal.
19.—Féadfar an tAcht um an Dlí Teaghlaigh (Céilí agus Leanaí a Chosaint), 1981, a ghairm den Acht seo.
Na hAchtanna dá dTagraítear | |
Na hAchtanna Uchtála, 1952 go 1976 | |
An tAcht um an Dlí Teaghlaigh (Cothabháil Céilí agus Leanaí), 1976 | |
Na hAchtanna um Thiarnaí Talún agus Tionóntaí, 1967 go 1980 | |
Na hAchtanna Srianta Cíosa, 1960 agus 1967 | |
Number 21 of 1981
FAMILY LAW (PROTECTION OF SPOUSES AND CHILDREN) ACT, 1981
ARRANGEMENT OF SECTIONS
Section | |
Application of section 9 (2) of Family Home Protection Act, 1976, to barring orders, etc. | |
Acts Referred to | |
Adoption Acts, 1952 to 1976 | |
1964, No. 11 | |
1971, No. 36 | |
1951, No. 2 | |
1976, No. 32 | |
1976, No. 27 | |
1976, No. 11 | |
1964, No. 7 | |
Landlord and Tenant Acts, 1967 to 1980 | |
Rent Restrictions Acts, 1960 and 1967 | |
1957, No. 6 | |
Number 21 of 1981
FAMILY LAW (PROTECTION OF SPOUSES AND CHILDREN) ACT, 1981
Interpretation.
1.—(1) In this Act—
“applicant spouse” has the meaning assigned by section 2 of this Act;
“barring order” has the meaning assigned by section 2 of this Act;
“child” means any child of either the applicant spouse or the respondent spouse or of both of them or adopted by either or both of them under the Adoption Acts, 1952 to 1976, or in relation to whom either or both of them is or are in loco parentis, provided that he is under the age of eighteen years or, if over that age, is suffering from mental or physical disability;
“the Court” means the Circuit Court or the District Court;
“proceedings under this Act” means proceedings for the making, variation or discharge of a barring order, or for the making or discharge of a protection order, and any related proceedings by way of appeal or case stated;
“protection order” has the meaning assigned by section 3 of this Act;
“respondent spouse” has the meaning assigned by section 2 of this Act.
(2) For the purposes of any provision of this Act providing for the variation or discharge of a barring order or for the discharge of a protection order, an order made by a court on appeal from another court shall be treated as if it had been made by that other court.
Barring order.
2.—(1) On application to it by a spouse (in this Act called the “applicant spouse”), the Court may, if it is of opinion that there are reasonable grounds for believing that the safety or welfare of that spouse or of any child so requires, by order (in this Act called a “barring order”)—
(a) direct the other spouse (in this Act called the “respondent spouse”), if residing at a place where the applicant spouse or the child resides, to leave that place, and
(b) whether the respondent spouse is or is not residing at that place, prohibit that spouse from entering that place until further order by the Court or until such other time as the Court shall specify.
(2) A barring order may, if the Court thinks fit, prohibit the respondent spouse from using or threatening to use violence against, molesting or putting in fear the applicant spouse or any child and may be made subject to such exceptions and conditions as the Court may specify.
(3) A barring order may be varied by the Court on the application of either spouse.
(4) A barring order, if made by the District Court or by the Circuit Court on appeal from the District Court, shall, subject to section 11 of this Act, expire twelve months after the date of its making.
(5) On or before the expiration of a barring order a further barring order may be made with effect from the expiration of the first-mentioned barring order.
(6) For the purposes of subsection (1) of this section an applicant spouse or a child who would, but for the conduct of the respondent spouse, be residing at a place shall be treated as residing at that place.
Protection order.
3.—(1) If, between the making of an application for a barring order and its determination, the Court is of opinion that there are reasonable grounds for believing that the safety or welfare of the applicant spouse or of any child so requires, the Court may make an order (in this Act called a “protection order”) that the respondent spouse shall not use or threaten to use violence against, molest or put in fear the applicant spouse or the child.
(2) A protection order may be made notwithstanding that the summons in relation to the application for a barring order has not been served on the respondent spouse.
(3) A protection order shall cease to have effect on the determination by the Court of the application for a barring order.
Taking effect of orders.
4.—(1) A barring order or a protection order shall take effect on notification of its making being given to the respondent spouse.
(2) Oral communication to the respondent spouse by or on behalf of the applicant spouse of the fact that a barring order or a protection order has been made, together with production of a copy of the order, shall, without prejudice to the sufficiency of any other form of notification, be taken to be sufficient notification to the respondent spouse of the making of the order.
(3) If the respondent spouse is present at the sitting of the Court at which the barring order or protection order is made, that spouse shall be taken, for the purposes of subsection (1) of this section, to have been notified of its making.
(4) An order varying a barring order shall take effect on notification of its making being given to the spouse other than the spouse who applied for the variation, and for this purpose subsections (2) and (3) of this section shall apply with the necessary modifications.
Copies of orders to be given to spouses and Garda Síochána.
5.—(1) The Court, on making, varying or discharging a barring order or on making or discharging a protection order, shall cause a copy of the order in question to be given or sent as soon as practicable to the applicant spouse, the respondent spouse and the member of the Garda Síochána in charge of the Garda Síochána station for the area in which is situate the place in relation to which the application for the barring order was made.
(2) Non-compliance with subsection (1) of this section shall not affect the validity of the order.
Offences.
6.—(1) A respondent spouse who contravenes a barring order or a protection order or, while a barring order is in force, refuses to permit the applicant spouse or any child to enter and remain in the place to which the order relates or does any act for the purpose of preventing that spouse or child from doing so shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding £200 or, at the discretion of the court, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding six months, or to both.
(2) Subsection (1) of this section is without prejudice to the law as to contempt of court or any other liability, whether civil or criminal, that may be incurred by the respondent spouse.
Power of arrest.
7.—A member of the Garda Síochána may, on complaint being made to him by or on behalf of the applicant spouse, arrest the respondent spouse without warrant where the member has reasonable cause for believing that the respondent spouse is committing or has committed an offence under section 6 of this Act.
Offences committed on bail.
8.—(1) Where a person charged with an offence under section 6 of this Act is released on bail and commits an offence under that section while so released, any sentences of imprisonment passed on that person for offences under that section shall be consecutive.
(2) Subsection (1) of this section shall apply notwithstanding anything contained in section 5 of the Criminal Justice Act, 1951, or section 13 of the Criminal Law Act, 1976.
Application of section 9 (2) of Family Home Protection Act, 1976, to barring orders, etc.
9.—(1) Section 9 (2) of the Family Home Protection Act, 1976 (which restricts the right of a spouse to dispose of or remove household chattels pending the determination of matrimonial proceedings) shall apply between the making of an application for a barring order and its determination, and, if a barring order is made, while that order is in force, as it applies between the institution and final determination of matrimonial proceedings.
(2) For the avoidance of doubt, it is hereby declared that the court which is empowered under paragraph (b) of the said section 9 (2) to grant permission for any disposition or removal of household chattels is, notwithstanding anything in section 10 of that Act, the court before which the proceedings (including any proceedings for a barring order) have been instituted.
Effect of appeal from orders.
10.—(1) An appeal from a barring order shall, if the court that made the order or the court to which the appeal is brought so determines (but not otherwise), stay the operation of the order on such terms (if any) as may be imposed by the court making the determination.
(2) An appeal from a protection order shall not stay the operation of the order.
Discharge of orders.
11.—(1) Either spouse may apply for the discharge of a barring order or a protection order to the court that made the order and thereupon the court shall discharge the order if it is satisfied that the safety or welfare of the spouse or child for whose protection the order was made does not require that the order should continue in force.
(2) On the determination of any matrimonial cause or matter between the spouses or of any proceedings between them under the Guardianship of Infants Act, 1964, the court determining any such cause, matter or proceedings may, if it thinks fit, discharge any barring order or protection order directed against one of them.
Exercise of jurisdiction by Court.
12.—The jurisdiction of the Court in respect of proceedings under this Act may be exercised—
(a) as regards the Circuit Court, by the judge of the circuit, and
(b) as regards the District Court, by the justice of the District Court for the time being assigned to the district,
where the applicant spouse resides or where there is situate the place in relation to which the application for a barring order was made.
Rules of court.
13.—Rules of court may make provision for the expeditious hearing of an application for a barring order and for the service of documents otherwise than in accordance with section 7 of the Courts Act, 1964 (as amended by section 22 of the Courts Act, 1971).
Hearing of proceedings under this Act.
14.—(1) Proceedings under this Act shall be heard otherwise than in public.
(2) Proceedings under this Act in the Circuit Court, and in the High Court on appeal from the Circuit Court, may be heard in Chambers.
Costs.
15.—The costs of any proceedings under this Act shall be in the discretion of the Court.
Saving provisions.
16.—(1) Where, by reason only of a barring order, a person is not residing at a place during any period, he shall be deemed, for the purposes of any rights under the Landlord and Tenant Acts, 1967 to 1980, the Statute of Limitations, 1957, or the Rent Restrictions Acts, 1960 and 1967, to be residing at that place during that period.
(2) Except in so far as the exercise by a respondent spouse of a right to occupy the place to which a barring order relates is suspended by virtue of the order, the order shall not affect any estate or interest in that place of that spouse or any other person.
Repeals and transitional provisions.
17.—(1) Section 22 of the Family Law (Maintenance of Spouses and Children) Act, 1976, and the words “or 22” in section 9 (3) of the Family Home Protection Act, 1976, are hereby repealed.
(2) This Act (except section 5) shall apply to an order made under the said section 22 which is in force at the commencement of this Act as if it were a barring order which included the prohibition referred to in section 2 (2) of this Act.
(3) An application made to the High Court under the said section 22 and not determined before the commencement of this Act may be dealt with by that court under this Act.
(4) An application made otherwise than to the High Court under the said section 22 and not determined before the commencement of this Act shall be treated as if it had been made under section 2 of this Act.
(5) An order made by the High Court under the said section 22 which is in force at the commencement of this Act, or a barring order made by that court under subsection (3) of this section, shall, if due to expire more than twelve months after the date of its making, be treated as if it had been made by the Circuit Court and, in any other case, as if it had been made by the District Court.
Commencement.
18.—This Act shall come into operation one month after the date of its passing.
Short title.
19.—This Act may be cited as the Family Law (Protection of Spouses and Children) Act, 1981.