Guide to Foreign and International Legal Citations - New York ...

support of the majority of the House of Representatives, the result is either the dissolution of the
House of Representatives and a general election, or the formation of a successor Government.
Judicial power is vested in public courts established by law. Judges are appointed by the
President on the advice of the Government. The courts consist of the following: The court of
first instance is the District Court (an Chuirt Duiche), which hears minor cases. More serious
cases are heard in the Circuit Court (an Chuirt Chuarda). The High Court (an Ard-Chuirt) has
full original jurisdiction in and power to determine all matters and questions, whether of law or
fact, civil or criminal. When exercising its criminal jurisdiction, the High Court is known as the
Central Criminal Court. The jurisdiction of the High Court extends to the question of the
constitutional validity of any law (except laws which the President has already referred to the
Supreme Court) and no such question may be raised in any court other than the High Court or the
Supreme Court. The High Court also hears appeals from decisions of the Circuit Court in civil
matters. The High Court also has power to review the decisions of all inferior tribunals by the
issue of prerogative orders of mandamus, prohibition and certiorari.
The Supreme Court (an Chuirt Uachtarach) consists of the Chief Justice (who is exofficio
an additional judge of the High Court) and 7 ordinary judges. The Supreme Court has
final appellate jurisdiction. The Supreme Court also has original jurisdiction to decide whether a
bill referred to it by the President is repugnant to the Constitution. If a question of the permanent
incapacity of the President arises, it is decided by the Supreme Court.
Internet Resources:
88
Government of Ireland
http://www.irlgov.ie
Irish Law Site at UCC
http://www.ucc.ie/ucc/depts/law/irishlaw
Courts Service of Ireland
http://www.courts.ie
II. CITATION GUIDE
1.0 Constitution
Cite the Constitution by title (either in English, “Constitution of Ireland, 1937”, or in Irish,
“Bunreacht na Éireann, 1937”), preceded or followed by “Art.” or “Article” and article number:
Art. 2, Constitution of Ireland, 1937.
Constitution of Ireland, 1937, Article 40.1.
The “Constitution of the Irish Free State, 1922” (Bunreacht na Saorstát Éireann) may be cited
for the previous Irish Constitution (1922-1937).
2.0 Legislation
Cite acts by title and year, followed by “Section”, “s.” or “Sec.” and section referenced (if
appropriate):