The Family Courts Bill Summit

The Family Courts Bill (2022) is currently before the Houses of the Oireachtas and will form an intrinsic part of the reform of the family justice system.

The Bar of Ireland and The Family Lawyers Association are generally supportive of the Bill, but they have strong concerns about one specific aspect, namely, the proposed reorganisation of jurisdiction for most divorce, judicial separation, and co-habitation proceedings to the District Court. They are calling for this proposal to be amended urgently to avoid the creation of a two-tier family justice system.

A new survey conducted by the Family Lawyers Association of its members on this issue will be launched at the Summit.

The Summit will be moderated by Ingrid Miley BL and will include a panel discussion with:

• Sara Phelan, SC, Chair of the Council of The Bar of Ireland
• Paul McCarthy SC, Chair of The Family Lawyers Association of Ireland
• Keith Walsh, Manager of Keith Walsh Solicitors
• Caroline Counihan BL, Legal Support Manager, Safe Ireland clg

This summit will be held be in the Alex Hotel, Dublin 2, from 11am to 12 pm.

All families and litigants should be treated equally when before the courts on divorce, judicial separation, and co-habitation matters and we are urging Government to amend this specific provision in the Bill.