Circuit Court Rules Committee

Establishment of Committee

The Circuit Court Rules Committee was established under section 69 of the Courts of Justice Act, 1936.

Functions of the Committee

The Circuit Court Rules Committee under section 70 of the 1936 Act was assigned the power (previously exercised by the Minister for Justice under section 65 of the Courts of Justice Act, 1924), exercisable with the concurrence of the Minister for Justice and Equality, to make rules, in particular for regulating the sessions, vacations and circuits of the Circuit Judges and the practice, pleading and procedure generally (including liability of parties as to costs and also the entering-up of judgment and granting of summary judgment in appropriate cases) of the Circuit Court and the use of the national language therein, the fixing and collection of fees and the adaptation or modification of any statute that may be necessary for any of the purposes aforesaid and all subsidiary matters^[1].

This remit was extended in 1995^[2] to include regulation of the disclosure by any party to a personal injuries action of certain information and documentation, and for the admission of same as evidence in personal injuries actions, notwithstanding the rules as to privilege and against hearsay.

Membership of the Committee at 12th October 2026

• The Hon. Mr. Justice Keenan Johnson, President of the Circuit Court (Chairman)
• Her Honour Judge Sinéad Ní Chúlacháin, Judge of the Circuit Court
• His Honour Judge John Aylmer, Judge of the Circuit Court
• Ms. Tracy Ennis Faherty B.L., nominated by the Council of the Bar of Ireland
• Mr. Tomás Keys B.L., nominated by the Council of the Bar of Ireland
• Ms. Siún Hurley, Solicitor, nominated by the Law Society of Ireland
• Mr. Keith Walsh, Solicitor, nominated by the Law Society of Ireland
• Mr. Ann Spaine, Office of the Chief State Solicitor – appointed to act in place of the Attorney General under section 36(4) of the Courts and Court Officers Act 2002 ^[3]
• Mr. James Finn, Director of Reform and Development, Courts Service, to whom membership has been delegated by the Chief Executive Officer of the Courts Service under section 30(2) of the Courts Service Act 1998 ^[4]
• Ms. Patricia Hickey, County Registrar, Dublin
• Mr. Rory Hannify, County Registrar, Laois and Offaly, nominated by the Chief Executive Officer of the Courts Service under section 69(4)(d) of the Courts of Justice Act 1936, as amended.

Administrative and other support

The Secretary to the Committee is Ms. Elaine Ellard. Drafting services are provided by Mr. Sean Barton of McCann Fitzgerald Solicitors.

Classes of records

• Correspondence
• Minutes
• Materials concerning proposals for amendments to rules of court.

Annual report

The Annual Report of the Committee is contained in the Annual Report of the Courts Service.

Organisation and pay and grading structures

The Committee does not employ any staff. Administrative support is provided by the Legislation and Rules Unit, within the Strategy and Reform Directorate of the Courts Service.

Location and contact details

Footnotes

1. Under section 66, Courts of Justice Act 1924.

2. By section 45, Courts and Court Officers Act 1995.

3. This provision has since been repealed and replaced by section 69(9)(c), Courts of Justice Act 1936 (inserted by section 21, Civil Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2008).

4. This provision has since been repealed and replaced by section 69(9)(b), Courts of Justice Act 1936 (inserted by section 21, Civil Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2008).