The Supreme Court is to sit in Waterford for the first time ever this month.

The Supreme Court will sit in Waterford for two days on Monday February 24^th and Tuesday February 25^th.

Chief Justice Frank Clarke made this historic announcement at the Mayo Solicitors’ Bar Association annual dinner in Castlebar last December.

Members of the Court will generously take time out of their busy schedule to engage with local secondary school students and staff and students of Waterford Institute of Technology. They will also visit St. Bridget’s Family and Community Centre in Ballybricken at an event hosted by Waterford Citizen’s Information Centre and Waterford Free Legal Advice Centre.

The Supreme Court of Ireland is the highest judicial authority in Ireland. It is a court of final appeal and exercises, in conjunction with the Court of Appeal and the High Court, jugicial review over Acts of the Oireachtas (Irish parliament). The Supreme Court also has jurisdiction to ensure compliance with the Constitution of Ireland by governmental bodies and private citizens. It usually sits in the Four Courts in Dublin.

The courthouse in Waterford reopened in April 2018 following a €26 Million refurbishment. The building features six courtrooms, compared with the two courtrooms in the old building on Catherine Street, along with consultation rooms; victim-support facilities; a room for vulnerable witnesses; improved custody facilities; a jury reception area; and the latest in information technology. The building is also designed to be universally accessible.

This will be the fourth time the Supreme Court has sat outside of Dublin, following visits to Cork, Limerick and Galway.

NB – This is a guide for information purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. If you have an issue requiring legal advice, please contact any of the team at Nolan Farrell & Goff at 051 859999/ reception@nfg.ie