District Court sittings to proceed in Level 5

DISTRICT Court sittings will continue under Level 5 Covid-19 restrictions, the Courts Service has confirmed.

The Courts and the justice system have been identified as essential services by the Government in the Framework and will continue to be open for essential business in the District Court.

In all District Courts, only people who have been summoned to court or who have business listed before the courts should attend at court buildings for the foreseeable future

Those with business before the court are asked to come to court only at the time specified. Legal practitioners are asked to have their instructions taken in advance of the court event and to have any settlement talks in advance of court appearances

Solicitors may advise their clients to attend court only for entering their election for summary trial, for service of a book of evidence, to attend a hearing or for sentencing.

Capacity numbers have been placed on courtrooms and judges have strictly ensured adherence to these restrictions.

Those attending court are requested to observe public health guidance regarding social distancing, hand hygiene, cough/sneeze etiquette and use of face coverings while in the court building and the court room.