Superior Courts Rules Committee

Establishment of Committee

The Superior Courts Rules Committee was established under section 67 of the Courts of Justice Act 1936.

Functions of the Committee

The Superior Courts Rules Committee under section 68 of the 1936 Act was assigned the power (previously exercised by the Minister for Justice under section 36 of the Courts of Justice Act, 1924), exercisable with the concurrence of the Minister for Justice and Equality, of making, annulling or altering rules of court, and of making new rules, in particular for:

1. Pleading, practice and procedure generally (including the entering-up of judgment and the granting of summary judgment in appropriate cases) in all civil cases, including revenue cases and proceedings as to the validity of any law having regard to the provisions of the Constitution and proceedings in the nature of a petition of right;
2. Pleading, practice and procedure generally in all criminal cases before the Central Criminal Court or any court of the High Court Circuit or the Court of Criminal Appeal;
3. The sending out of Commissioners of the High Court Circuit at such times, to such centres and for such amalgamated districts as shall seem fit;
4. The sittings of the Central Criminal Court for Dublin and such neighbouring counties as shall be determined by such rules and the cases that shall be disposed of by it, which shall include all cases not disposed of by Commissioners of the High Court Circuit, or in which the venue has been changed to the Central Criminal Court at the instance of the Attorney General or the accused;
5. The use of the national language in the said courts;
6. The mode of address to be adopted to the judges and the robes and official dress to be worn by the Bench and the Bar;
7. The commencement and duration of the sittings and the vacations;
8. The fixing and collection of fees;
9. The adaptation or modification of any statute that may be requisite for any of the purposes of this Act and all subsidiary matters;
10. In relation to proceedings and matters (not being criminal proceedings or matters relating to the liberty of the person) in the High Court and Supreme Court, the authorising of the Master of the High Court and other principal court officers to exercise functions, powers and jurisdiction in uncontested cases and to take accounts, conduct inquiries and make orders of an interlocutory nature ^[1];
11. 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 ^[2].

Membership of the Committee at 12th October 2026

• The Chief Justice, the Hon. Mr. Justice Donal O’Donnell (Chairperson)
• The President of the Court of Appeal, the Hon. Ms. Justice Caroline Costello (Vice Chairperson)
• The President of the High Court, the Hon. Mr. Justice David Barniville
• The Hon. Mr. Justice Brian Murray, Judge of the Supreme Court
• The Hon. Mr. Justice Gerard Hogan, Judge of the Supreme Court
• The Hon. Ms. Justice Nuala Butler, Judge of the Court of Appeal
• The Hon. Ms. Justice Mary Faherty, Judge of the Court of Appeal
• The Hon. Ms. Justice Siobhan Phelan, Judge of the High Court
• The Hon. Mr. Justice Richard Humphreys, Judge of the High Court
• The Master of the High Court (Vacancy)
• Ms. Yvonne McNamara S.C., nominated by the Council of the Bar of Ireland
• Ms. Grainne Larkin B.L., nominated by the Council of the Bar of Ireland
• Ms. Michele O’Boyle, Solicitor, nominated by the Council of the Law Society of Ireland
• Ms. Áine Hynes, Solicitor, nominated by the Council of the Law Society of Ireland
• Mr. James Finn, Strategy and Reform Directorate, 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 ^[3]
• Ms. Mary Cummins, 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 ^[4]
• Ms. Mary Kelly, Registrar of the Supreme Court

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.Section 14(3), Courts (Supplemental Provisions) Act, 1961.

2.The powers listed at (i) to (ix) were granted by section 68(1) of the 1936 Act, by reference to section 36 of the Courts of Justice Act, 1924. Those mentioned at (xi) were granted by section 45(1) and (4), respectively, of the Courts and Court Officers Act, 1995. The powers conferred by section 36 of the Courts of Justice Act, 1924 (No. 10 of 1924), in respect of rules of court include corresponding powers in respect of rules of court for enabling section 2 of the European Communities Act, 1972 (No. 27 of 1972), to have full effect (see regulation 3, European Communities (Rules of Court) Regulations 1972 (S.I. 320 of 1972)).

3.This provision has since been repealed and replaced by section 67(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 67(9)(d), Courts of Justice Act 1936 (inserted by section 21, Civil Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2008).