The Digital Rules (Rules) underpinning this pilot programme have also been published via Statutory Instrument (SI) following their adoption by the Superior, Circuit and District Courts Rules Committees in 2024.

End-to-end digitisation

The new Rules allow for online filing, online payments and the tracking of court documents and cases.

They also permit that Statements of Truth, which are electronic alternatives to affidavits, can be filed wherever an affidavit is required or permitted in proceedings. The legal basis for Statements of Truth had been initially provided by Section 21 of the Civil Law and Criminal Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2020 but had yet to be fully implemented until the introduction of these Rules.

Only the Circuit and District Courts are affected for now - nine Circuit Court and eight District Court Rules respectively.

For details see the SIs below:

• S.I. No. 217/2025 - Circuit Court Rules (Digital) 2025

• S.I. No. 218/2025 - District Court (Digital) Rules 2025

Of note is the new definition for “digital delivery” which is defined as the delivery of a document by electronic means by:

1. a Portal user to a court office or officer, 
2. a court officer or staff member to a Portal user, and 
3. a Portal user to another Portal user.

See below for more information about the portal which can be used by a solicitor or a lay litigant.

Pilot programme for Dublin

The new Courts Service portal allows practitioners and the self-represented to manage and track cases online. It is currently being introduced on a phased basis starting with a pilot for Circuit Court Family Law practitioners in Dublin.

You can currently use the portal to:

• Submit applications and supporting documents for Circuit Family Law in Dublin,

• such as an application for Divorce

• Respond to applications filed in cases that you are a party to

• File a Statement of Truth in place of an affidavit

• Digitally serve documents on other parties

• Track your applications online

• Digitally sign documents

Learn more and sign in

• About the Portal
• Log into the portal