A staggered call-over system for motions at Phoenix House, to increase both capacity and efficiency in Circuit Court family law motions, will begin on Tuesday, 3 November.

Parties will keep their allocated date but there will be a callover of cases listed at 10am, 10.15am and 10.30am.

Five cases will be called at each callover.

Only one representative from each party will attend the callover to outline to the court whether it is in a position to proceed and the estimated duration.

Court capacity will be adhered to at all times in line with COVID-19 safety guidelines.

• As the case is called, parties can advise the court whether the motion is proceeding that day or if further direction or an adjournment is necessary.

• Where the motion is proceeding, parties will be issued a time and duration for that same day and should leave the building immediately and return at the stated time with their clients or in person.
•  If the motion is not ready to proceed or requires additional time, an appropriate adjournment date will be fixed by the Court at the callover.
• Any case which will take in excess of 30 minutes will be adjourned to an appropriate date unless it can be facilitated on the day.

The Courts Service has asked practitioners to note the following:

It is essential that only one representative from each party be present at the callover, to comply with public health guidelines.

Assigned a time

If  additional persons are required then the matter will be assigned a time in court.

Parties should only attend at their stated time and leave the building after their case has been called and return at the time issued to them at the callover.

Parties should be ready to proceed with all affidavits filed and exchanged prior to the callover date, so as to avoid unnecessary adjournments.

Requests for ‘for mention’ dates will reduce capacity for motions to be heard and may not be facilitated.

Applications on consent such as pension adjustment orders or the release of reports can continue as before, without the need for parties to attend court when accompanied by a letter of consent from the other party.

Allotted times must be strictly adhered to, for the benefit of all court users.

Masks

Parties are requested to wear masks in the building, in line with health and safety recommendations.

Parties whose motion is due to be heard after 2 November will receive written communication from the Circuit Court Family Law Office confirming their callover time.

If parties have any questions or queries, they should contact the Circuit Court Family Law Office.