Ireland’s Courts Service has issued several important notices affecting jury service, court sittings and family law lists. These Courts Service news updates include date changes in Waterford, Portlaoise and Sligo, temporary Dublin court cancellations, and the formal opening of the 2026 legal year.
Courts Service news: key updates for 7 October 2026
Members of the public, legal representatives and parties with cases listed should check the latest notice before attending court. The most recent announcements include:
- Waterford jury service: Jury Panel 42, originally summonsed for 12 October, will now attend on Thursday, 15 October 2026, at 10:30am.
- Portlaoise District Court: The sitting scheduled for Wednesday, 14 October, has moved to Tuesday, 13 October, at 10:30am.
- Dublin Family Law Courts: Courts 20 and 47 at Dolphin House could not sit on 7 October. The office remains open and is prioritising domestic violence applications.
- Dublin Circuit Family Court: Court 31 at Phoenix House was also unable to sit on 7 October due to circumstances outside the court’s control.
These notices are operational updates and do not change the legal rights or obligations of people involved in proceedings. Anyone affected should follow direct instructions from the Courts Service, their solicitor or the relevant court office.
Further court timetable changes across Ireland
The Courts Service also confirmed changes affecting the High Court and regional civil lists. The Wardship Court in Dublin is scheduled to call over cases on 8 and 9 October and may consider extensions under Section 54(2) of the Assisted Decision-Making (Capacity) Act 2015, as amended, where exceptional circumstances require additional time.
In Sligo, the County Registrar’s Civil Motion Court list planned for 14 October has been moved to Monday, 19 October 2026. Separately, the Dublin Family Law Courts at Dolphin House reported cancellations involving Courts 40 and 49 on 6 October.
Why checking official court notices matters
Courts Service announcements can affect attendance, hearing dates and case administration at short notice. The official courts.ie website remains the authoritative source for these changes. Related public bodies, including the Department of Justice, An Garda SÃochána, the Legal Aid Board and the Courts Service, may have separate responsibilities, so members of the public should contact the correct organisation for assistance.
For broader information about public services, gov.ie provides access to government departments and agencies, while Citizens Information offers general guidance on legal and social-service matters.
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Legal year 2026 opens at the Four Courts
The new legal year formally began with an opening ceremony in the Round Hall of the Four Courts on 5 October 2026. The event was addressed by Judge Tomoko Akane, President of the International Criminal Court; Chief Justice of Ireland Donal O’Donnell; and Supreme Court Judge Aileen Donnelly, who is Chairperson of the Courts Service.
The ceremony marked the start of the new legal year and highlighted the role of Ireland’s courts in administering justice. The Courts Service has also published assignments of High Court judges for the Michaelmas Term 2026, identifying the judges in charge of specified High Court lists.
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What people should do next
- Check the latest notice on courts.ie before travelling to court.
- Confirm any changed date, time or courtroom with the relevant office.
- Seek advice from a solicitor or the Legal Aid Board where appropriate.
- For urgent family-law and domestic-violence matters, contact the court office and relevant support services.
Takeaway: The latest Courts Service news shows why court users should rely on official notices, particularly when hearings, jury service or family-law applications are involved. Dates can change quickly, so checking the official update before attendance is essential.
Article/Image Courtesy: Courts Service of Ireland
