Courts Service Annual Report 2024
Description
The Courts Service Annual Report 2024 highlights a transformative year marked by continued modernisation, increased judicial capacity, and improved operational efficiency. With 20 new judges appointed, the judiciary saw a 25% increase in capacity. Technology upgrades enabled 165 courtrooms for video hearings, and 95% of charge sheets were processed electronically.
# Key Highlights
* _20 new judges were appointed_, representing a 25% increase in judicial capacity.
## Criminal Cases:
* 390,158 new criminal matters presented; 356,045 finalised.
* Central Criminal Court: 24% increase in disposals, 16% reduction in cases-on-hand.
* 27,821 serious offences finalised (up from 26,486 in 2023).
* 434 rape sentences were handed down; 62% ranged from 10 years to life imprisonment.
## District Court:
* 350,852 less serious cases received; 309,787 disposed.
* Drug offences: 27,783 new cases (down 16.5% over six years).
* Public order & assault: 47,956 cases (up 9.6%).
* Road traffic: 185,578 new cases (up 8.6%).
## Civil Cases
* Nearly 184,000 new cases (up from 180,000 in 2023).
* High Court: 21,371 new cases (33% increase over two years).
* Personal injury: 12,989 new cases (down 41% from 2019); awards reduced by over 45%.
## Family Law
* Domestic violence: 25,270 applications (steady with 2023).
* Supervision & Care Orders: 21,684 applications (up 45% over two years).
* Divorce: 5,004 applications (down 10% over two years).
## Appellate Courts
* Court of Appeal: 341 new criminal appeals; 269 disposed of involving 2,014 offences.
## Other Civil Areas
* Possession cases: 1,135 new; 141 orders granted.
* Debt recovery: 22,584 new cases (up 31% over two years).
* Planning & Environment: 241 new cases; 253 resolved (up 96%).
Resources
| Name |
Format |
Description |
Link |
|
8 |
|
https://data.courts.ie/files/annual-report/2024/annual-report-2024.csv |
|
23 |
|
https://data.courts.ie/files/annual-report/2024/annual-report-2024.json |
Tags
- crime-and-justice
- courts
- civil