As public health restrictions ease, the Courts Service has confirmed that:

• The Family Law Circuit Court Public Counter in Phoenix House is open from 9.30 am to 3.30 pm through lunchtime, subject to further notice,
• case progression is commencing the week beginning 12 May and every week thereafter, subject to change, and
• the scheduling of County Registrar Motions will commence on 20 May 2021 and weekly thereafter subject to change.

Urgent submissions to the County Register must outline the urgency in writing. This can be submitted via email or by post. All marriage exemption applications are to continue as before.

The list to fix dates is currently underway for the allocation of hearing dates with a further list to be scheduled during the Trinity term.

Progress on rulings

In excess of 400 divorces and judicial separations have been processed by the Courts Service since February 2021. In addition, applications for consent rulings up to 30 April 2021 have now been issued dates for hearing. New consent rulings for divorce and judicial separations will now be given a September date to facilitate general motions, but urgent rulings can be applied for in writing. Additional dates have been made available in September for hearings, consents and urgent applications.

Requirements for practitioners

Should a hearing settle, the office should be notified as soon as possible to make best use of this time to facilitate other urgent matters.

It remains important that all court users continue to abide by public health measures, following the health and safety protocols put in place by the Courts Service.