Irish Courts News is highlighting a series of important operational and legal updates, including new guidance on generative artificial intelligence, a Dublin civil mediation pilot and changes affecting court users around the country. The announcements were published by the Courts Service in September 2026.
Irish Courts News: New rules for AI in court documents
The Presidents of the Court of Appeal and the High Court have issued Practice Directions concerning the responsible use of generative artificial intelligence in court documents. The directions came into operation on 1 September 2026.
The development reflects the growing use of digital tools in legal work and the need for practitioners to ensure that documents submitted to court remain accurate, reliable and professionally prepared. Legal representatives and court users should consult the official directions for the applicable requirements rather than relying on automated systems without appropriate human review.
Dublin Civil Office launches mediation pilot
A pilot mediation service began at the Dublin Civil Office on 10 September 2026 in partnership with Community Law and Mediation. The initiative is intended to provide an alternative route for resolving eligible civil disputes, potentially helping parties reach an agreement without progressing through every stage of contested litigation.
Mediation is generally based on facilitated discussion, with the parties retaining control over whether a settlement is reached. Anyone involved in a civil matter should seek appropriate information about eligibility, procedure and legal rights before choosing how to proceed.
What court users should check
- Whether their case is suitable for the pilot service.
- Any deadlines or directions already applying to their proceedings.
- Whether independent legal advice is appropriate.
- The latest information issued by the Courts Service.
Four Courts works and access arrangements
The Office of Public Works is carrying out accessibility improvement works at the entrance gates of Dublin’s Four Courts during the long vacation. Separate updates have also referred to fire safety and accessibility upgrades to the ground floor of the Gandon Building.
Practitioners and members of the public returning to the building are advised to check current access arrangements before attending. Temporary works may affect routes, entrances or the movement of court users.
Read more: latest Ireland government announcements and public-service updates from Daily Digest.
Other national court and legal service updates
The Courts Service has also announced that, from 1 October 2026, the administration office for Tipperary District Court will transfer from Clonmel Courthouse to Nenagh Courthouse. Court users dealing with administration in Tipperary should confirm the correct location before visiting.
In Leitrim, a County Registrar case progression list scheduled for 8 October 2026 was cancelled and transferred to 15 October 2026 at 2:30 p.m., according to the published notice.
The Courts Service has additionally refreshed its long-running “Let’s look at the law” schools programme with new lesson plans, videos and mock-trial resources. The programme is designed to support legal education and help students understand how the justice system works.
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What these announcements mean
Together, the notices show how the Irish justice system is adapting to new technology while continuing to improve access, administration and public information. The Courts Service remains the primary source for current directions, office arrangements, list changes and court-specific guidance.
Key takeaway
The latest Irish Courts News includes new AI practice directions, a Dublin mediation pilot, Four Courts accessibility works and changes to local court administration. Court users should verify arrangements directly with the Courts Service before attending or filing documents.
Article/Image Courtesy: Courts Service
