asked the Minister for Justice when he expects to introduce legislation to increase the jurisdiction of the circuit and district courts.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Court Jurisdiction.
77.
The preliminary text of a comprehensive Courts Bill to deal, inter alia, with the civil jurisdictions of the district and circuit courts is at present under examination in my Department. While work on this draft Bill will be completed as soon as possible, priority has to be given to other and more urgent legislative proposals, such as those in relation to the law of landlord and tenant and compensation for criminal injuries.
Has the Minister any idea of roughly when this measure will be introduced? Many people are very anxious about the small jurisdiction available particularly in the district court?
I am aware of that. That part of the Bill does not pose any difficulties but the Bill is a fairly long one and, unfortunately, some other parts of it are causing drafting difficulties. I regret that this part of it is held up as a result. I do not like to make firm promises of time because I find pretty often that Bills of this nature tend to take longer than one anticipates.
A Bill dealing with the jurisdiction of the two courts could be introduced, apart from anything else that might be required in an updated Courts Bill?
It would be somewhat difficult to do that because many of the other changes are consequential on this proposal. I did think of that but it would be more satisfactory to try to do them all together.