Courts Act, 1981

Temporary discharge of duties of certain judges.

18.—(1) (a) If, during any period, the Chief Justice is unable owing to illness or for any other reason to transact the business of his office or the office of Chief Justice is vacant, all jurisdictions, powers, authorities and functions for the time being vested in him by virtue of his office, other than the power of determination specified in section 7 (4) of the Courts (Supplemental Provisions) Act, 1961 , shall be exercised or performed by the President of the High Court or, if the President of the High Court is unable owing to illness or for any other reason to exercise or perform the said jurisdictions, powers, authorities and functions, or if there is a vacancy in the office of President of the High Court, by the senior ordinary judge of the Supreme Court who is for the time being available.

(b) The power of determination conferred by section 7 (4) of the Courts (Supplemental Provisions) Act, 1961 , on the Chief Justice and exercisable in his absence, by virtue of that provision, by the senior ordinary judge of the Supreme Court for the time being available shall also be exercisable by the latter judge if the office of Chief Justice is vacant.

(2) If, during any period, the President of the High Court is unable owing to illness or for any other reason to transact the business of his office or the office of President of the High Court is vacant, all jurisdictions, powers, authorities and functions for the time being vested in him by virtue of his office, other than those conferred on him by subsection (1) of this section, shall be exercised or performed by the senior ordinary judge of the High Court who is for the time being available.

(3) If, during any period, the President of the Circuit Court is unable to act or the office of President of the Circuit Court is vacant, then, during that period, all powers, authorities and functions for the time being vested in him by virtue of his office shall be exercised or performed by the senior judge for the time being available of the judges of the Circuit Court permanently assigned to the Dublin Circuit.

(4) If, during any period, the President of the District Court is unable to act or the office of President of the District Court is vacant, then, during that period, all powers, authorities and functions for the time being vested in him by virtue of his office shall be exercised or performed by the senior justice of the District Court for the time being available of the justices of the District Court permanently assigned to the Dublin Metropolitan District.