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Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 6 Jul 1982

Vol. 337 No. 5

Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Jury Action Cases.

2.

asked the Minister for Justice if he is aware of the large number of jury actions awaiting hearing; and the steps he intends to take to expedite these cases.

I am aware that there is a large number of High Court jury actions at present awaiting hearing and I understand from the President of the High Court that, in an effort to reduce the backlog, he has arranged special jury sittings of the High Court, the first of which was held in Naas on 14 June and the next in Trim on 5 July, yesterday, at which actions that, in the ordinary course, would not come to trial in Dublin before October next have been offered a hearing. He also proposes to arrange additional jury sittings in October at those venues outside Dublin where the High Court on circuit normally hears such actions. These measures have been made possible following the appointment last March of two additional High Court judges.

The increase in the jurisdiction of the Circuit Court to £15,000, in contract and tort cases, with effect from 12 May 1982, can be expected to divert a substantial number of pending High Court actions to the Circuit Court and this will help to prevent a further build-up in the arrears of jury actions.

One of the jury courts in the Four Courts was destroyed by fire in October of last year. This courtroom is at present being reconstructed and is expected to be ready for use by the commencement of the Michaelmas Term in October next.

Later this year it is proposed to move some High Court offices from the Four Courts to alternative accommodation in order to make space available in the Four Courts for the provision of two more High Court jury courtrooms which, it is hoped, will be provided in 1983.

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