{"id":11540,"date":"2022-04-25T19:29:20","date_gmt":"2022-04-25T19:29:20","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/legalblog.ie\/?p=11540"},"modified":"2022-11-28T22:50:55","modified_gmt":"2022-11-28T22:50:55","slug":"district-court-jurisdiction","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/legalblog.ie\/district-court-jurisdiction\/","title":{"rendered":"District Court"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_63 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-grey ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title \" >Table of Contents<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><a href=\"#\" class=\"ez-toc-pull-right ez-toc-btn ez-toc-btn-xs ez-toc-btn-default ez-toc-toggle\" aria-label=\"Toggle Table of Content\"><span class=\"ez-toc-js-icon-con\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/legalblog.ie\/district-court-jurisdiction\/#General\" title=\"General\">General<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/legalblog.ie\/district-court-jurisdiction\/#Unmarried_Father\" title=\"Unmarried Father\">Unmarried Father<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/legalblog.ie\/district-court-jurisdiction\/#Guardianship_Custody\" title=\"Guardianship &amp; Custody\">Guardianship &amp; Custody<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/legalblog.ie\/district-court-jurisdiction\/#Family_Home\" title=\"Family Home\">Family Home<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/legalblog.ie\/district-court-jurisdiction\/#Domestic_Violence\" title=\"Domestic Violence\">Domestic Violence<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/legalblog.ie\/district-court-jurisdiction\/#Maintenance\" title=\"Maintenance\">Maintenance<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"https:\/\/legalblog.ie\/district-court-jurisdiction\/#Enforcement_Maintenance\" title=\"Enforcement Maintenance\">Enforcement Maintenance<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-8\" href=\"https:\/\/legalblog.ie\/district-court-jurisdiction\/#Internation_Maintenace\" title=\"Internation Maintenace\">Internation Maintenace<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-9\" href=\"https:\/\/legalblog.ie\/district-court-jurisdiction\/#Child_Care\" title=\"Child Care\">Child Care<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"General\"><\/span>General<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>The District Court has a range of jurisdiction in family matters.\u00a0 Special forms of civil summons apply to various family law proceedings.\u00a0 An appeal lies the Circuit Court from decisions of the District Court in family matters.<\/p>\n<p>Family law matters are not heard in public. There are provisions for applications by members of the media in respect of attendance of family proceedings.\u00a0 There are limited situations in which applications may be granted.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Unmarried_Father\"><\/span>Unmarried Father<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>The District Court has powers in relation to guardianship custody and access to children.\u00a0 It may, on the application of the father of an infant appoint him to be a guardian.\u00a0 This does not affect persons who are guardians already unless the court otherwise orders it.<\/p>\n<p>There is a special procedure where the mother consents in writing to the appointment or where the father is registered as such in the Register of Birth.\u00a0 This procedure is as informal as possible and consistent with the administration of justice.<\/p>\n<p>In proceedings relating to parentage, a blood test may be ordered.\u00a0 An application may be made for a direction for the use of blood tests in a prescribed format.\u00a0 The court may, on its own motion, make a direction for the use of blood tests.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Guardianship_Custody\"><\/span>Guardianship &amp; Custody<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Applications with respect to guardianship are made in accordance with the prescribed form of application.\u00a0 The rules specify who must be served.\u00a0 Typically this is the parents and other guardians. \u00a0An application by a relative for access is also made to the District Court.<\/p>\n<p>Applications may be made in respect of the appointment and removal of a guardian.<\/p>\n<p>Applications to vary and discharge existing guardianship and custody matters are made in a special format.\u00a0 Where a person has failed to afford custody or access, a special procedure allows the applicant to summon the person who has failed to comply.<\/p>\n<p>Applications are generally made on two weeks&#8217; notice. Proceedings certified as urgent may be heard on two days&#8217; notice.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Family_Home\"><\/span>Family Home<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Applications may be made under the Family Home Protection Act to the District Court.\u00a0 There is a prescribed form of application under the rules, including<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>restrictions on disposing of household chattels,<\/li>\n<li>dispensing with consent,<\/li>\n<li>protection of the family home from \u00a0conduct relating to its loss<\/li>\n<li>declaration as conveyance void<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>The prescribed format of summons and applications are set out in the rules.\u00a0 Fourteen days&#8217; notice is generally required.\u00a0 Two will suffice in urgent cases.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Domestic_Violence\"><\/span>Domestic Violence<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Applications are made to the District Court for protection orders, safety orders and barring orders.\u00a0 There is a prescribed form of application in each case.<\/p>\n<p>There is provision for applications for an interim barring order without notice to the other party on the basis of an affidavit.\u00a0 It may be granted without notice where this is expedient in the interest of justice.\u00a0 There are provisions for variation and discharge of interim and permanent protection orders.<\/p>\n<p>The Clerk of the court must send copies of the orders to certain parties, including the applicant, respondent, HSE and Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na. \u00a0Similarly, the Gardai are to be notified when the order is varied or discharged or ceases to have effect.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Maintenance\"><\/span>Maintenance<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>The District Court has powers in relation to maintenance orders limited to \u20ac500 euro per week for a spouse and \u20ac150 per week for the support of a child.\u00a0 Arrears of maintenance up to six months may be claimed.<\/p>\n<p>The District Court has the power to make maintenance orders and lump sum maintenance orders.\u00a0 The application is in a prescribed form.\u00a0 Fourteen days&#8217; notice is generally required.<\/p>\n<p>An application can be made by way of a one-sided application to the effect that payments be made to the District Court clerk&#8217;s office. \u00a0Where payments are made to the clerk and there are arrears, the clerk receives a request from the spouse (maintenance creditor), who may make an application for an attachment of earnings order or other order.<\/p>\n<p>Other maintenance applications and orders on foot thereof include<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>maintenance\u00a0 orders pending proceedings<\/li>\n<li>order to secure an existing order for maintenance<\/li>\n<li>lump sum orders<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Enforcement_Maintenance\"><\/span>Enforcement Maintenance<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>An application for attachment orders may be made to the District Court as well as the High Court or Circuit Court.\u00a0 It is directed to the maintenance debtor, employer or pension trustees.<\/p>\n<p>If granted, it operates as a direction that the person must make periodical deductions and pay them as the court orders. \u00a0A distinction is made between the normal deduction rate and the protected earnings rate.\u00a0 Each must be specified.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Internation_Maintenace\"><\/span>Internation Maintenace<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Ireland is a party to various international Conventions for the recovery of maintenance from persons living in a country which is a party.\u00a0 There are reciprocal arrangements with the jurisdictions in the United Kingdom whereby foreign maintenance orders registered and recognised under the legislation can be enforced in the same way as a domestic maintenance order.\u00a0 The attachment of earnings proceedings may apply.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Child_Care\"><\/span>Child Care<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Child-care proceedings are held in the District Court.\u00a0 As for family proceedings, generally, they are held otherwise in public.\u00a0 There are procedures and provisions in the rules for applying for an emergency care order, an interim care order and a care order.<\/p>\n<p>An application may be made by the HSE and served on the parents having custody. Application may be made for the preparation of the report under the child-care legislation.<\/p>\n<p>Applications can be made for direction and supervision pending care orders.\u00a0 The court may make an order directed to parents requiring contribution towards maintenance.\u00a0 There is also provision for supervision orders, orders for visitations and for other directions. There are provisions for applications to vary the various types of orders.<\/p>\n<p>A request by a child to be present during the hearing may be made by letter addressed to the court or orally.<\/p>\n<!--themify_builder_content-->\n<div id=\"themify_builder_content-11540\" data-postid=\"11540\" class=\"themify_builder_content themify_builder_content-11540 themify_builder tf_clear\">\n    <\/div>\n<!--\/themify_builder_content-->\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>General The District Court has a range of jurisdiction in family matters.\u00a0 Special forms of civil summons apply to various family law proceedings.\u00a0 An appeal lies the Circuit Court from decisions of the District Court in family matters. Family law matters are not heard in public. There are provisions for applications by members of the [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_exactmetrics_skip_tracking":false,"_exactmetrics_sitenote_active":false,"_exactmetrics_sitenote_note":"","_exactmetrics_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[108],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/legalblog.ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/11540"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/legalblog.ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/legalblog.ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/legalblog.ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/legalblog.ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=11540"}],"version-history":[{"count":7,"href":"https:\/\/legalblog.ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/11540\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":20888,"href":"https:\/\/legalblog.ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/11540\/revisions\/20888"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/legalblog.ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=11540"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/legalblog.ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=11540"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/legalblog.ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=11540"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}