asked the Minister for Justice if he is aware that only one day's notice in the "Legal Diary" was given to cases to be heard in the Dublin Circuit Court on the 17th June last; if he is aware of the immense difficulties for parties, witnesses, solicitors and counsel caused by such short notice; and if he will ensure reasonable notice in future of the listing of cases for hearing.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Court Cases Listing.
63.
The list of cases to be heard in the Dublin Circuit Court on 17th June, 1970 was published in the "Legal Diary" of 16th June, 1970. Normally publication would have been some days earlier but, in this instance, I understand that demands on space in the previous week for publication of material precluded earlier publication.
I am looking into the matter to see whether publication at such short notice can be avoided in future.
Would the Minister consider whether it was necessary that the High Court list up to December next should have been published in priority to the circuit court list which was imminent with the inevitable result that many of the cases for the 17th had to be adjourned because the parties to the cases and the witnesses were not available?
Did I hear the Deputy say the High Court list for December next?
Cases which will not be reached until December next were published in the "Legal Diary" in the last ten days.
Jury actions that would be heard between now and the long vacation were published and that was why rather a lot of space was taken up with the High Court and, unfortunately, at that particular time the circuit court got squeezed out. I have asked that, if possible, that should not happen again.