Courts Service focusing on family-courts start
The Courts Service has welcomed the recent publication of an implementation plan for the Family Courts Act 2024, which introduces changes to the operation of the family-justice system in Ireland.
As part of the plan, launched last month, the first dedicated family courts will begin operating at the start of next year.
In a statement, the Courts Service said that family-law reform had been a priority under its modernisation programme for the past four years and that it aimed to put the needs of children at the centre of family-law proceedings.
Emer Darcy (assistant secretary for strategy and reform, Courts Service) welcomed the implementation plan’s phased approach, as it would minimise disruption to the courts, while introducing significant change “with users for users”.
Resources
She said that the courts body’s focus was now on the exploratory and preparation work needed for the first phase in early 2027.
“We have committed resources within the family-law reform team to specifically support the work needed for the implementation of the Family Courts Act 2024,” she stated.
Darcy added that the Courts Service welcomed every opportunity to work with those drafting legislation and policy to share its insights on the experience of those coming into our courts.
“We have already been working closely with the Department of Justice, Home Affairs and Migration since the development and enactment of this act. We look forward to continuing this collaborative approach and working on the implementation steering group," she concluded.