Going to Court to learn

dedon

Hello

I just finished my law degree and want to attend a few cases in Cork. Is there anywhere that I can check what cases are on etc??

Also what is the norm for just attending to watch? Sit at the back - shirt and tie??

Thanks

Our man in Havana

Call into the clerks office and ask to see the list.

Sit at the back and observe. Shirt and tie would be severely overdressed for some district courts. You will see what I mean when you attend your first court.

ronnie3585

http://www.courts.ie/

Go into PDA Legal Diary it contains the lists. If you want you could ring the Circuit Court office in Cork and ask for the next hearing dates, there is no real point attending just to hear applications before the County Reg, its like watching paint dry. Also there are probably some non-jury High Court cases that will be heard in Cork over the next few months.

As for what to wear. As you are only observing there is really no need to wear a shirt and tie, just don't turn up in a burberry tracky!

Our man in Havana

just don't turn up in a burberry tracky!

You don't want to mistaken for a hardened defendant.

NoQuarter

so what would be the most interesting things to go watch???

NUTLEY BOY

I don't know how the District Justices are in Cork but there are some around the country - no venues mentioned - who go blue in the face if they see anyone sitting in their court writing notes !!

No cameras in court including mobile telephone cameras.

ABSOLUTELY no mobile telephones whilst switched on or you may find yourself playing a starring role in which case that shirt-tie combo might be useful.

Also, I think that you cannot bring any recording apparatus in either like a dictation machine.

Enjoy it but don't underestimate the value of the District Court for seeing the application of some of that theory you have been learning up to now as well as learning how basic mistakes are made, not to mention the odd case that can be quite entertaining.

Enjoy.................

dedon

Thanks everyone

Victor

Bond-007 wrote: »

You don't want to mistaken for a hardened defendant.

And make sure the shirt and tie aren't too nice or you'll be asked to represent people.* **




* Insist on cash up front.
** Judge and client are likely to be unimpressed that you representing someone but are still a student.

anonimouse

It depends on what you want to learn, I suppose. Kings Inns send their students on court visits every Monday morning and circulate the groups so that each group sees a different type and stage of case each week.

Criminal can be more interesting but if you're interested in procedural aspects stay away from the District Court. Try to get a visit into a few different types of courts both criminal and civil to get a good all round feel for the goings on. Monday morning is usually busiest, especially in the civil courts.

If you can I would try to come up ho to Dublin maybe to have a look at the Central Criminal Court, the Commercial Court and Masters court. Cloverhill courthouse in Dublin is out of the way but you'll get to hear lots of Bail Applications and Pleas in Mitigation which, if you are intent on becoming a criminal Barrister will be your bread and butter for your fisrt few years.

Our man in Havana

Is the public allowed access to Cloverhill?

anonimouse

Yes unless it's an in camera hearing.

General rule for the court if you're not sure where counsel's benches are, stay at the back.

dee8839

Hi, I'm a third year law student currently on a long work placement in Dublin as part of my degree. I have been lucky enough to attend the Masters Court in the course of my work, perhaps not the most rivetting of courts but I thoroughly enjoyed it regardless. I often get the opportunity to go to the Central Office on errands, and have usually got time to kill while there.

I was wondering, is there a particular day of the week when I am more likely to come across an interesting sitting in the Four Courts? Is there a website or something where a list of times for cases to be heard is posted so that I can plan in advance where and when I want to be?

Many thanks.

Our man in Havana

Check out the PDA legal diary on the courts website. Generally business starts at 10.30 with a callover of cases. If a case is listed on a particular day it may not go ahead at all on that day due to cases being carried over from previous days. There is also an afternoon callover at 2pm. The callover just gives the judge an update on where cases are on his list i.e. if they are settled or if the case is proceeding etc. By being in court for the callovers you will have an idea of when a particular case will be heard.

dee8839

Bond-007 wrote: »

Check out the PDA legal diary on the courts website. Generally business starts at 10.30 with a callover of cases. If a case is listed on a particular day it may not go ahead at all on that day due to cases being carried over from previous days. There is also an afternoon callover at 2pm. The callover just gives the judge an update on where cases are on his list i.e. if they are settled or if the case is proceeding etc. By being in court for the callovers you will have an idea of when a particular case will be heard.

Much appreciated, thank you so much! There's just something about being in a court, it makes the solid hours of monotony at my desk suddenly appear worthwhile! I'm into my last 3 months up here and I really want to make the most of them. Anyone have any other ideas as to what else could be interesting to experience from a wannabe solicitors point of view while in Dublin? I know a lot of my peers are wondering about this!

dedon

I think I will attend the ongoing case tomorrow of the Cocaine smugglers in cork Circuit Criminal Court. Should be interesting one to attend I would say.

Tom Young

Let us know what the interesing "lines" and "high points" are or indeed if there are any witnesses called "charlie" .....

castie

District Court in Cork can be hilarious.

Judge Uinsin MacGruairc is the one to go see.
District court is also an easy walk right in.
The Garda at the door will stop you if people are not meant to be in there

Our man in Havana

District Courts in general can be hilarious. Portlaoise DC was entertaining when Judge Mary martin was sitting. She was always quick to make jokes at the defendants expense. She commented after the electric picnic one year "The local tailors must have had a good week!" refering to all the novice defendants in suits up on drug possesion charges.

Planxty

Where exactly is the Supreme Court in the Four Courts? I've been to the District Court and the Circuit Criminal Court but I'd like to see the Supreme. Is the SC also freely accessible to the public?

NUTLEY BOY

Planxty wrote: »

Where exactly is the Supreme Court in the Four Courts? I've been to the District Court and the Circuit Criminal Court but I'd like to see the Supreme. Is the SC also freely accessible to the public?

Just follow the signs.

Yes it is accessible to the public but a bit uncomfortable if it's a big case with a large audience.

Victor

I think it would be of use to have a look in the district courts, after all thats were an awful lot of stuff happens on a basic level. I imagine half the cases get a result (in either direction) and the rest are put back or moved to the circuit court, etc. You'll probably never be able to follow multi-session case to their conclusion without assistance.

Then move on to the other courts.

April Raine

NUTLEY BOY wrote: »

I don't know how the District Justices are in Cork but there are some around the country - no venues mentioned - who go blue in the face if they see anyone sitting in their court writing notes !!

Why is this. See my question at http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?p=57819970
Thanks;)

Also, I think that you cannot bring any recording apparatus in either like a dictation machine.

correct