asked the Minister for Justice if he will introduce legislation to increase the civil jurisdiction of the District Court to £8,000 and the civil jurisdiction of the Circuit Court to £40,000; if he will introduce a new informal tribunal to adjudicate on small claims; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - Civil Jurisdiction of Courts.
13.
The last increase in the jurisdiction of the District and Circuit Courts became effective in 1982 under the provisions of the Courts Act, 1981. That Act implemented recommendations made by the Committee on Court Practice and Procedure in its 20th Interim Report. In view of the substantial increases effected at that time, which went beyond compensating for the effect of inflation, I would not feel justified at this stage in asking the committee to undertake a further review of the jurisdictional limits of these courts.
The District Court which is a court of summary procedures is available to people with small claims. I would regard any question of an informal tribunal to adjudicate on small claims as a matter primarily for consideration by the Minister of Industry and Commerce who has responsibility for the area of consumer protection.