Significant reforms to the Family Justice system

Details of the Implementation Plan for the Family Courts Act 2024 were announced today by Minister Jim O'Callaghan. They will result in some of the most significant reforms of the family justice system in the history of the State.

The Family Courts Act 2024 will introduce important changes to the delivery of family justice in Ireland.

These changes will include full-time specialist judges assigned to deal with family law within new family court divisions, each run by a new Principal Judge, and the possibility to provide divorce applications at both District and Circuit Court level.

A planning phase dedicated to setting up the necessary foundations to implement Phase 1 has already commenced and will run until the end of this year. Alongside the implementation of each phase, evaluation and refinement will take place to inform the approach adopted for the subsequent phases.

The Implementation Plan (the Plan) provides for a phased approach and the first steps necessary to implement the Act; implementation is envisioned to proceed in three phases:

Phase 1

• Phase 1 will commence in January 2027. Three locations will be initially selected to commence operating as family courts in the new system. Locations will require a Family District Court, a Family Circuit Court, and a Family High Court.
• Judges with specific expertise in dealing with families and family law matters will be assigned to these first court locations on a full-time basis.
• During this phase, the next set of locations will be identified, training will be delivered to target staff, and information and awareness campaigns will be conducted with practitioners.
• A comprehensive evaluation will be conducted to ensure challenges are addressed promptly.

Phase 2

• Phase 2 is projected to commence in January 2028. Additional family court divisions will be added to those operational from Phase 1.
• Preparations will continue for the final roll-out to remaining locations in the third phase.
• A staggered commencement may involve certain processes coming online at different times, allowing for training and digital capacity to be established as needed and to learn from the results of the evaluation process.

Phase 3

• Phase 3 will see the full implementation of the Act and is envisaged to commence from January 2029.
• Additional family court divisions will be added to those operational from previous phases and additional judges with supporting staff will be assigned to family courts on a full-time basis.
• During the final phase, any last repeals and replacement provisions provided for in legislation should be prepared and commenced.