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ARTICLE · 23 AUGUST 2023

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The judicial system in Ireland is established by the Constitution of Ireland, the principal courts being the District Courts and Circuit Courts (with limited jurisdiction)...

IrelandCorporate/Commercial Law
Philip Tully
Philip Tully
Trevor Glavey
Trevor Glavey
Emma Doherty
Emma Doherty
Geraldine Carr
Geraldine Carr
Kate McKenna
Kate McKenna
Carlo Salizzo
Carlo Salizzo
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1. Legal System

1.1 Legal System and Judicial Order

The judicial system in Ireland is established by the Constitution of Ireland, the principal courts being the District Courts and Circuit Courts (with limited jurisdiction), the High Court (with unlimited jurisdiction in civil and criminal matters), the Court of Appeal (with appellate jurisdiction) and the Supreme Court (which usually exercises final appellate jurisdiction only). The judiciary is independent of the legislature and the executive.

Ireland is a member state of the EU and the United Nations. The Irish legal system is similar in many respects to that of the UK and the US. Irish law is based upon the common law, statute and the Constitution. The EU also represents an important source of Irish law, and decisions of the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) exercise significant influence over Irish law.

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