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The Criminal Courts deal with prosecutions brought by the State against persons accused of anti-social behaviour, from petty theft to murder.
Civil Courts hear cases involving disputes between individuals or organisations. These disputes may concern anything from an injury caused in a car accident to a contested corporate take-over. In Civil cases the plaintiff sues the defendant for compensation for the wrong caused. The compensation is usually in the form of a monetary award of damages.
- District Courts hear cases involving claims for damages of up to IR£5,000.
- Circuit courts deal with claims for between IR£5,000 and IR£30,000.
- High Courts deal with claims above IR£30,000.
Criminal Courts
The Criminal Courts deal with prosecutions brought by the State against persons accused of anti-social behaviour, from petty theft to murder. In criminal cases, the District Court deals with minor offences and sits without a jury.
- The Circuit Court deals with more serious offences and sits with judge and jury.
- The Central Criminal Court deals with more serious crimes like rape and murder, and sits with judge and jury.
- The Special Criminal Court deals with terrorism and offences against the State.
- The Court of Criminal Appeal hears appeals from the criminal courts.
Ireland is a member of the European Union, and disputes involving European law raised in the Irish courts may be appealed to the European Court of First Instance and/or the European Court of Justice.
Courts
President
Hugh O'Flaherty