The Law Society of Ireland has welcomed the publication today (15 March 2019) of the new court rules required under the Domestic Violence Act 2018, having highlighted the urgency of the situation early in the new year.

Keith Walsh, family law solicitor and chair of the Law Society’s Family and Child Law Committee, explains that the new legislation, which came into force on 1 January 2019, required updated rules at District and Circuit Court level in order to better protect victims of domestic violence.

“The new District Court rules are extremely welcome as there should be no uncertainty about the procedures surrounding domestic violence matters, in particular the innovative emergency barring order newly introduced by the Act.”

“The new District Court Rules greatly strengthen and protect the rights of victims of domestic violence and implement in full the Domestic Violence Act 2018. These new rules are of great assistance to those applying for relief under the Domestic Violence Act, to lawyers, judges and court officials in ensuring that proper and correct procedures are in place.”

“The new rules also provide clear precedent documents to court users which will avoid any confusion in making applications under domestic violence legislation.”

The notice of publication is contained in the most recent edition of Iris Oifigiuil.

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