Courts Bill 2013

The Courts Bill 2013 was published by the Government on 19 March last. The primary objectives of the Bill are to modify the "in camera" rule and to increase the monetary jurisdictions of the Circuit and District Courts. These objectives are described in more detail below.

1. Modify the "in camera" rule. At present, this rule excludes the public, including the media, from family law and child care court proceedings. Part 2 of the Bill seeks to amend this by granting bona fide media representatives access to such proceedings. The attending media will, however, be subject to strict reporting rules, including a prohibition on the publication of material likely to lead to the identification of the parties or any child to whom the proceedings relate. A breach of this prohibition is punishable by a €50,000 fine and/or up to three years' imprisonment.