Commercial court plan welcomed

The Minister for Justice has welcomed recommendations on the establishment of a commercial court in Dublin and is seeking advice on implementation.

If the recommendations are implemented there will be a specialised commercial court in Dublin, similar to that which exists in London and Edinburgh. This would involve a separate list, distinct from other High Court cases, and specialist judges.

It is also likely that there will be an arbitration centre, linked to the court, to attempt to solve international commercial disputes before they reach a court hearing.

The recommendations come in a report from the Committee on Court Practice and Procedure, which was presented by the chairwoman of the committee, Mrs Justice Susan Denham, yesterday.

In a statement last night welcoming the report, Mr O'Donoghue said he was asking the Courts Service Board to examine the report without delay and advise him on the implications for its implementation.

The establishment of an international arbitration centre in Dublin has been talked about for some time.

Delays in the processing of commercial cases by the High Court, due to the general burden of work in the courts, has also been the subject of criticism.

The growth of e-commerce in Ireland has also fuelled the demand for specialised courts to deal with commercial disputes in this area, and to enhance the attractions of Ireland for this type of business.

Already a programme of information technology has been agreed by the Courts Service, with a commitment to provide services electronically by 2003.

Legislation has been put in place for the acceptance by the courts of electronically-filed documents.

It is understood that the report from the Committee on Practice and Procedures recommends the setting up of a commercial court on a pilot basis.