The changes to the monetary jurisdictions of the civil courts provided for in Section 2(1) and Part 3 of the Courts and Civil Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2013 took effect on 3 February 2014. The Circuit Court limit has been increased from €38,092 to €75,000, and the District Court limit increased from €6,384 to €15,000. The Act also restricts the Circuit Court limit to €60,000 for personal injury actions. PI claims resulting from injury during the course of employment are included in the jurisdictional limits.
The new limits will only apply to proceedings lodged from 3 February 2014. The new jurisdictions will not apply to proceedings already in train, although parties to existing actions may potentially be able to withdraw cases and re-lodge or recommence them in the lower courts to avail of the change. Further rules of court with guidance on related matters such as this, are expected to be published shortly.
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