Jurisdiction limits of District and Circuit Civil Courts to increase on 3 February 2014

January 2014

The Commencement Order relating to Part 3 of the Courts and Civil Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2013 has been signed into law and new monetary jurisdictions applicable to the District and Circuit Courts will come into effect for all proceedings “instituted” on or after 3 February 2014.

From 3 February 2014:

• the jurisdiction of the District Court in civil proceedings will be up to €15,000.
• the jurisdiction of the Circuit Court in civil proceedings (other than personal injury claims) will be from €15,001 to €75,000.
• the jurisdiction of the Circuit Court for personal injury actions (as defined in Section 2 of the Civil Liability and Courts Act 2004) will be limited to €60,000.

The Courts and Civil Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2013 (Jurisdiction of District and Circuit Court)(Commencement) Order 2013 was signed by the Minister for Justice in  December 2013 and establishes 3 February 2014 as the commencement date for the new monetary jurisdictions of the civil courts.

New District Court Rules and Superior Court Rules and new Fees Orders for all courts are to be introduced in January 2014.

The new jurisdiction limits will not affect proceedings instituted prior to 3 February 2014.