Hugh Condron - Family Law Consultant

  Family Law Review for 2025 Major Reform to the Family Court System The Family Courts Act 2024 (now being implemented) . Although signed into law late in 2024, the Family Courts Act 2024 has effectively become one of 2025’s central Family Law legislative developments, although it’s full implementation is some way off. Click on the link for a free comprehensive review of the legislation Free Download It establishes dedicated Family Court divisions within the existing court system Family High Court, Family Circuit Court, and Family District Court. Judges with specialist experience will sit full time on these divisions. The Act enshrines a set of guiding principles focussed on the best interests of the child, efficiency, user friendliness, and active case management . T here is emphasis on alternative dispute resolution processes. These reforms are being rolled out progressively throughout 2025 and into early 2026, with a government imple...

The government has recently put more resources into handling domestic violence cases, which was certainly long overdue. However, this increase in capacity is barely keeping up with our growing population and the increased demand for court services. While the increase in capacity is a good thing, all of this progress is likely to be undone by the Family Courts Bill 2022 which is currecny before the Seanad. People who work in family law across the country are confused by the proposal in this bill to add separations, divorces, and cohabitation cases to the workload of the already under pressure District Court. The District Court is not well-suited to handle these types of cases. Separation, divorce, and cohabitation cases are often very complex and can require many hours to resolve. The District Court is not set up to properly deal with this type of work. The bill also proposes an arbitrary financial distinction between which cases will start in the District Court and which will remain in...

  Domestic Violence / Abuse Domestic violence includes, but is not limited to, any act or threat of physical, sexual, or emotional violence, or coercive control. This is also referred to as domestic abuse. These acts or threats can be against you or a family member. Domestic violence also includes acts and threats of a financial or digital nature. This is where someone uses money or online harassment to control another person.  Violent acts or threats can be made by someone who is related to you by blood or adoption, e.g. parents, adult sons and daughters, and grandparents. They can also be made by people the court considers an intimate partner. These include current and former spouses, civil partners, cohabiting partners, your child's other parent, and unmarried intimate partners. Disputes between neighbours, tenants, or roommates are not covered by domestic violence law. You may be eligible to apply for a domestic violence order or a combination of orders. Some orders d...

  Victims of domestic violence to receive full pay as part of new domestic violence leave measures From  Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth     The Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth, Roderic O’Gorman, has today announced that victims of domestic violence will receive their full pay if they need to take domestic violence leave. Domestic violence leave will be formally introduced in the autumn with the publication of regulations setting out the rate of pay and guidance for employers, currently being developed by Women’s Aid. The new form of leave was introduced as part of the Work Life Balance Act, passed earlier this year. Speaking today, Minister O’Gorman said: "Domestic violence leave gives a victim of domestic violence the chance to access support without impacting on their employment and income. It is important that they can take the leave without worrying about losing income or being put at more ri...

  www.familylawcentre.ie