Visiting court hearings as a member of the general pop

Red_Marauder

Hi, I was just wondering what the procedure is on this.

I presume it is simple enough for a district or circuit court, but what about High Court or Supreme Court proceedings? I have an interview for a UK law school coming up and it's going to be important. Therefore I would like the experience of having paid attention to some significant cases outside of their regular media coverage, some of which may be of use to me in the interview...perhaps if we have nothing better to talk about!
Is it just a case of combing your hair, showing up, and staying quiet?

Thanks

NoQuarter

Red_Marauder wrote: »

Is it just a case of combing your hair, showing up, and staying quiet?

Yes.

dermot_sheehan

Except for family cases, Hague/Luxembourg Convention requests or Asylum cases or other matters that are held in camera.

To be honest, most cases would be boring to the average spectator given the fact that you don't know whats on the pleadings and unless you're there for the entire case you won't know all the facts.

Mondays is motion day, and motions are heard all week in the Master's Court on the top of the Four Courts. A motion is quick so you can hear the facts from begining to end, but most of it deals with procedural matters (such as seeking discovery of documents).

Personal Injuries Actions are heard in court 4 and are generally quick. As are garda compensation hearings over in bow street court house.

Commercial Court is in Court 6 and extraditions are now down in new criminal courts complex as is central criminal court hearing murders/rapes.

Company Liquidation motions are heard in Court 14 on Mondays.

The legal diary on www.courts.ie is handy to see whats listed.

drkpower

Red_Marauder wrote: »

Hi, I was just wondering what the procedure is on this.

Just walk in, sit down, turn off phone, stay quiet, listen and learn.

Although some judges like the odd mexican wave or appreciate an occasional 'bollox' said under a cough during cross examination;).

Victor

Do you know any solicitors? Ask them to give you a quick briefing on the facts (obviously they will only give you their side) and what dates the case is sitting.

drkpower wrote: »

Although some judges like the odd mexican wave or appreciate an occasional 'bollox' said under a cough during cross examination;).

They may even give you a one day tour downstairs.

eagle_&_bear

if you're looking to see some of the criminal cases. come upto the new Criminal Courts of Justice and once you go through security you pretty much have your pick of the courts to go to.

Courts 1 to 5 are on the ground floor. Court 1,2,3 and 4 are district courts, court 5 is the circuit criminal court (the busiest of the circuit criminals), court 7 (floor 2) is one of the criminal trial courts (there are more depending on availability of judges), court 6 is Judge Carney and the Central Criminal (floor 2). There are various other courts also. Previous poster said to look at the legal diary - very good idea. Good to get to know it. Also in the new CCJ televisions outside the room have that courts list up on it also.

the only courts you can not go into are courts that have a sign ''in camera''

other than that its fair game. but you'll gain more exposure by going to the district and the circuit courts as things happen faster and more applications are made etc

enjoy :P

Red_Marauder

Thanks for all the feedback, that's good to know, cheers

Maximilian

Criminal cases can be interesting and pretty easy to follow.

Just be aware if you try and go see that Lillis case they were hanging out of the ****ing rafters in there yesterday.

Tom Young

Deleted User wrote: »

Just be aware if you try and go see that Lillis case they were hanging out of the ****ing rafters in there yesterday.

Oh it has rafters?

NoQuarter

Deleted User wrote: »

the ****ing rafters

He probably mean the legislating drafters...

Johnny Utah

Don't forget to bring a packed lunch in a Tesco bag- a couple of ham sandwiches, a packet of Taytos and a big 2 litre bottle of 7 Up to wash it down.

A great day out for all the family!

PCPhoto

Red_Marauder wrote: »

Thanks for all the feedback, that's good to know, cheers

if you are coming down the Four Courts - drop me a PM and I'll let you know if I hear of any interesting stories.

Todays "big" stories ....(High Court) a 9yr old kid got awarded €100,000 for injuries after getting knocked down near his house.

ex politician GV Wright gave evidence in a case involving a builder, Patrick Cassidy claiming compensation for work he put into obtaining planning permission for land in Donabate 12years ago.

(Civil Court) Samantha Mumba was told to pay her ex tennant his deposit (just under €4,000) .... she was previously informed to pay him by the PRTB...but hasnt paid (yet).

there was another case involving Jim Mansfield and a former employee (but its put back till Monday ...so nothing to report from it)

if you goto the CCJ - criminal courts of justice (Phoenix Park)...then you can check the list to see whats happening (its already been mentioned above ... www.courts.ie and goto legal diary (on right hand side).... circuit court ...then criminal court

NoQuarter

Spot the journo

NavyandBlue

drkpower wrote: »

Just walk in, sit down, turn off phone, stay quiet, listen and learn.

Although some judges like the odd mexican wave or appreciate an occasional 'bollox' said under a cough during cross examination;).

I visited quite a few High Court cases in some of the smaller courtrooms on the first floor of the Four Courts over the past Summer and got a few dirty looks from whatever Justice was presiding over the affair when I entered mid-trial and failed to bow. On one occasion I just winked back at him;)

PCPhoto

king-stew wrote: »

Spot the journo

me ....ahem...look at the name ... Photographer !! thank you very much !!

PCPhoto

NavyandBlue wrote: »

I visited quite a few High Court cases in some of the smaller courtrooms on the first floor of the Four Courts over the past Summer and got a few dirty looks from whatever Justice was presiding over the affair when I entered mid-trial and failed to bow. On one occasion I just winked back at him;)

sometimes during the summer vacation sittings (August/Sept) they have simulated trials for law students.

eagle_&_bear

Court 5 in the CCJ after 11.15 any morning will have the ''For Sentence'' list and it's usually quite interesting. Unless Judge Delahunt has heard evidence before, any budding law student will see examination of witnesses and cross examination, plea in mitigation aswell as judicial pronouncements.

I wish I had gone to court before going to the Inns - it gives you a real flavour of what court practice and procedure is really like (as opposed to what the text books say it is like).

But Court 5 CCJ this week and next are very interesting.

Just make sure you turn your phones off. the new system picks up the slightest of noises.

special criminal is also open (court 11) on 4th floor. be mindful of other courts if the in camera sign is there. and do bow if you come into court, especially if its not busy- they judge will see you