Survey of Family Law Practitioners highlights widespread concern about key provisions of The Family Courts Bill 2022

The Bar of Ireland and Family Lawyers Association host Summit to discuss concerns about creation of ‘two tier’ family justice system and share results of a The Family Courts Bill Survey.

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17 April 2024

The Family Courts Bill Summit is taking place in Dublin today organised by The Bar of Ireland and the Family Lawyers Association to highlight concerns about proposals in the Family Courts Bill 2022 to reallocate most divorce, judicial separation, and co-habitation proceedings to the District Court.

Details of a survey conducted by the Family Lawyers Association amongst family law practitioners about the proposed change, is being launched at the Summit, and reveals widespread opposition to the proposal, and concerns about its impact. You can read a full report of the survey here.

Results from The Family Courts Bill Survey – Perspectives from the Coalface, include:

• 96% of respondents indicated they do not believe District Court is an appropriate venue for judicial separation, divorce, and cohabitation proceedings.
• 95% of respondents indicated it would result in negative outcomes for parties and the family unit.
• 86% of respondents indicated it will have a negative impact on time, specifically the length of bringing proceedings to conclusion.
• 79% of respondents indicated that insufficient time was the primary existing challenge in family and child related proceedings currently before the District Court.

The Bar of Ireland and the Family Lawyers Association are generally supportive of the proposed reforms set out in the Family Courts Bill 2022 Bill – but are concerned that the reallocation of most divorce, judicial separation, and co-habitation proceedings to the District Court, will create a two-tier family justice system.

Safeguarding Family Justice – The Family Courts Bill Summit is taking place in the Alex Hotel, and is featuring a panel discussion, moderated by Ingrid Miley BL, with contributions from the Chair of the Council of The Bar of Ireland, Sara Phelan SC, Chair of the Family Lawyers Association, Paul McCarthy SC, Keith Walsh SC, Managing Partner of Keith Walsh Solicitors, and Caroline Counihan, Legal Support Manager, Safe Ireland.