Civil Liability and Courts Act 2004
|
Pre-trial hearings. |
18.—(1) Where, in a personal injuries action, the court considers it appropriate, it shall direct that a hearing be held before the trial of the action for the purposes of determining what matters relating to the action are in dispute. | |
(2) All parties to a personal injuries action shall be entitled to be heard at a hearing held pursuant to a direction under subsection (1). | ||
(3) A hearing held pursuant to a direction under subsection (1) shall be presided over by— | ||
(a) in the case of a personal injuries action brought in the High Court, a judge of the High Court, the Master of the High Court, a Deputy Master of the High Court or an officer nominated under paragraph 6(1) of the Eighth Schedule to the Courts (Supplemental Provisions) Act 1961 , as the President of the High Court may direct, | ||
(b) in the case of a personal injuries action brought in the Circuit Court, a judge of the Circuit Court, the county registrar for the county in which the action was brought or a member of the staff of the Circuit Court Office in the county in which the action was brought, as the President of the Circuit Court may direct, | ||
(c) in the case of a personal injuries action brought in the District Court, a judge of the District Court. | ||
(4) This section is in addition to and not in substitution for any power of a court to give directions in relation to any matter in a personal injuries action. |