The Sligo-based senior vicepresident of the Law Society of Ireland says there's a need to enact new court rules to deal with domestic violence cases.
The Law Society says the new district and circuit court rules must be implemented as a matter of urgency as they are required under the Domestic Violence Act 2018.
The rules have not been published, leaving solicitors, barristers, court staff and judges in a difficult position.
For example, current District Court rules do not provide for a new emergency barring order that would last eight days, possibly leading to serious consequences for some victims of domestic violence.
Michelle O Boyle, of O Boyle Solicitors in Sligo, outlined to Ocean FM News the nett effect of the situation as it now stands.
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