Introduction to the Courts Portal
You can use the Courts Portal to submit and respond to Circuit Court Family Law applications in Dublin.
The Portal allows you to:
- Submit applications and supporting documents for Circuit Family Law in Dublin. For example, you can submit an application for Divorce
- Respond to applications filed in cases that you are a party to
- File a Statement of Truth in place of an affidavit
- Digitally serve documents on other parties
- Track your applications online
This is a pilot service. It is only available for Dublin-based Family Law cases in the Circuit Court.
Watch: Introducing the Courts Portal
Owen Harrison, CIO of the Courts Service, explains how the portal fits into our wider digital transformation programme.
Watch the short introduction video (1–2 minutes)
Who can use the Portal
Members of the public who are representing themselves, and solicitors who are representing their clients, in Circuit Family Law proceedings in Dublin can use the Courts Portal.
Support will be extended to include Circuit Family Law applications throughout the country after the current pilot is completed.
The Portal will also support additional case types and jurisdictions in the future.
Updates will be published on courts.ie in relation to changes as they happen.
About Statements of Truth
A Statement of Truth is filed in place of an affidavit for applications made through the Portal. It is used to confirm that information provided is true and accurate.
Statements of Truth can be completed, signed and submitted entirely online in the Courts Portal.
Statements of Truth are backed by legislation and filing them in the Courts Portal is provided for by the Digital Court Rules. You can find more information on this here.
How digital service works
Service of documents is an important legal step in court proceedings. It ensures that the person being served is properly informed of the legal action or proceedings being taken against them, and has an opportunity to respond or appear in court.
The Courts Portal supports digital service of documents that were filed through the Portal.
If a served party does not accept digital service, you can still serve the documents using existing methods of service like personal delivery or registered post.
New court rules supporting this change
New Digital Rules introduced by the court rules committees allow for:
- Electronic filing, signing, sealing and service of documents
- Filing of Statements of Truth
- Online payment of court fees
You can read the full rules here.
Give feedback
This is a new service. We’re keen to hear your feedback from portal users — including legal practitioners and self-represented users — to help us improve it before the national rollout.
Email: [email protected]