County Registrar

Background

The County Registrar is a legal professional court officer in the Circuit Court. The Circuit Court is the higher of the two courts of local and limited jurisdiction and exercises first instance jurisdiction in civil proceedings and criminal proceedings on indictment, as well as an appellate jurisdiction in civil and criminal proceedings from the District Court.

The County Registrar performs duties in civil (including family) cases which are conferred on them by primary legislation (in particular as set out in the Second Schedule to the Courts and Court Officers Act 1995, as amended) and Rules of Court, as well as certain other functions in relation to Circuit Court proceedings.

Principal Duties and Functions

The following are the principal duties of the County Registrar:

• To determine, at formal sittings, applications for interlocutory orders which may be made by a County Registrar in civil and family law proceedings in the Circuit Court;

• To preside over case progression hearings in both family law and civil proceedings as provided for by Rules of Court;

• To make determinations by arbitration of various issues in connection with the acquisition of the fee simple or other interests in land under the Landlord and Tenant (Ground Rents) Act 1967;

• To take of evidence in civil or commercial matters under EU Regulation 1206/2001 where a request for evidence to be taken in Ireland is made by another Member State;

• To exercise such other powers and performing such other functions or duties as have been or may be conferred on County Registrars by statute or Rules of Court;

• The County Registrar may from time to time be required to perform the duties of another County Registrar in addition to their own duties following consultation with the Courts Service;

• To cooperate with the Chief Executive Officer and senior management of the Courts Service in relation to the administration of the business of the County Registrar’s lists;

• To provide advice and assistance, where required, to the Officer Managers on issues relating to the legal framework of practice and procedure in the Circuit Court;

• To undertake under-sheriff functions for County Louth;

• To act as Returning Officer for elections and referenda;

• To discharge the functions of District Probate Registrar.

Essential Qualifications:

Candidates must, on the latest date for receiving completed application forms:

• Be a solicitor of not less than eight years standing who is currently practising in the State or has previously practised in the State for not less than eight years:

Or

• Be a barrister of not less than eight years standing who is currently practising in the State or has previously practised in the State for not less than eight years.

Note: If successful, you will be required to provide evidence of 8+ years as a solicitor or barrister (e.g. practising certificate), therefore please be prepared to provide this information.

The ideal candidate will demonstrate:

• A comprehensive knowledge and understanding of the jurisdiction of the Circuit Court;

• A comprehensive knowledge and understanding of the litigation process associated with civil and family law proceedings and a working knowledge of criminal case processing;

• A good knowledge and understanding of the role of the County Registrar in the administration of justice in the Circuit Court;

• A broad general understanding of the role of the Courts Service in the court system;

• The ability to exercise independent judgement and decision making in a courtroom environment;

• The ability to manage a large, diverse and complex caseload, both on an individual basis and in a team environment;

• The ability to work and interact effectively and efficiently with members of the judiciary, legal practitioners and lay litigants in a courtroom environment;

• In discharging the role of County Registrar the capacity, capability and commitment to delivering justice which is fair, equitable and accessible to all;

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills;

• The ability to build relationships with colleagues and key stakeholders for delivery of results;

• A record of leadership and initiative in a legal environment;

• A personal drive for the delivery of results;

• A personal commitment to change and the implementation of new or revised processes to deliver benefit to court users;

• The ability to perform, or to quickly develop skills and competencies required to perform, the role of District Probate Registrar, Returning Officer and under-sheriff functions.

In addition to the above, candidates must also be able to demonstrate the Key Competencies identified for effective performance at this level (detailed overleaf).

Key Competency Areas for the role of County Registrar:

The Key Competencies to be assessed as part of this selection process include (but not limited to) the following:

Specialist Expertise and Knowledge

• extensive legal experience

• a comprehensive knowledge and understanding of the jurisdiction of the Circuit Court

• a comprehensive knowledge and understanding of the litigation process associated with civil and family law proceedings and a working knowledge of criminal case processing

• a good knowledge and understanding of the role of the County Registrar in the administration of justice in the Circuit Court

• a broad general understanding of the role of the Courts Service in the court system

• in discharging the role of County Registrar the capacity, capability and commitment to delivering justice which is fair, equitable and accessible to all

Leadership and Initiative

• a record of leadership and initiative in a legal environment

• the ability to manage a large, diverse and complex caseload, both on an individual basis and in a team environment

• a personal commitment to change and the implementation of new or revised processes to deliver benefit to court users

• capacity to critically analyse the deployment of resources and readjust priorities in order to gain maximum benefit

• capacity for innovative thinking

• understanding of the challenges within the role and how they may be overcome

Independent Judgement & Decision Making and Delivery Focus

• ability to exercise independent judgement and decision making in a courtroom environment

• in discharging the role of County Registrar the capacity, capability and commitment to delivering justice which is fair, equitable and accessible to all

• wide experience of making significant decisions

• deep understanding of, and appreciation for, the County Registrar role

• capacity to quickly acquire a thorough knowledge and understanding of public administration, including the legislative framework, finance, corporate governance and accountability mechanisms

• demonstrated self-reliance

• excellent problem-solving skills

• a personal drive for the delivery of results

• ability to structure the planning and delivery of work

• strong motivation and ability to bring a consistently high level of personal and professional commitment to the role

• demonstrated commitment to the delivery of a high-quality service

• ability to use a PC and basic word processing and e-mail applications

Managing Relationships / Communication

• excellent communication and interpersonal skills including the ability to establish and maintain good working relations with a wide range of people

• the ability to work and interact effectively and efficiently with legal practitioners and lay litigants in a courtroom environment

• the ability to build relationships with colleagues and key stakeholders for delivery of results

• an excellent understanding of the requirements of the role and clear demonstration as to how s/he will meet these

• demonstrates sincerity and conviction

Eligibility to compete and certain restrictions on eligibility

Citizenship Requirements

Eligible candidates must be:

(a) A citizen of the European Economic Area (EEA). The EEA consists of the Member States of the European Union, Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway; or

(b) A citizen of the United Kingdom (UK); or

(c) A citizen of Switzerland pursuant to the agreement between the EU and Switzerland on the free movement of persons; or

(d) A non-EEA citizen who has a stamp 4 permission1 or a Stamp 5 permission.

To qualify candidates must be eligible by the date of any job offer.

Collective Agreement: Redundancy Payments to Public Servants

The Department of Public Expenditure and Reform letter dated 28th June 2012 to Personnel Officers introduced, with effect from 1st June 2012, a Collective Agreement which had been reached between the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform and the Public Services Committee of the ICTU in relation to ex-gratia Redundancy Payments to Public Servants. It is a condition of the Collective Agreement that persons availing of the agreement will not be eligible for re-employment in the Public Service by any Public Service body (as defined by the Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest Acts 2009 – 2011) for a period of 2 years from termination of the employment. People who availed of this scheme and who may be successful in this competition will have to prove their eligibility (expiry of period of non-eligibility).

General

The County Registrar will be required to perform any duties which may be assigned to them by statute or Rule of Court and any other duties which may be assigned to them from time to time by the direction of the Chief Executive Officer of the Courts Service, as appropriate to their post.

The statutory functions of the County Registrar must be carried out within the legal parameters set by statute.

The County Registrar, in addition, and at the direction of the Courts Service, may be authorised on a temporary basis to perform the duties of another County Registrar pursuant to Section 9(1)(a) and/or Section 9(1)(b) of the Courts Officers Act 1945.

County Registrars hold office under statute at the pleasure of the Government and inadequate performance and / or misconduct may result in removal from office.

Salary

A single point salary rate applies to this position as follows:

€166,208 per annum – Personal Pension Contribution (PPC) rate with effect from 1 February 2026.

The associated Probate Allowance for this role is €9,891 per annum. Personal Pension Contribution (PPC) rate with effect from 1 February 2026.

The probate allowance will be reviewed in the event that the Probate function is centralised by the Courts Service.

The PPC pay rate applies when the individual is required to pay a Personal Pension Contribution (otherwise known as a main scheme contribution) in accordance with the rules of their main/personal superannuation scheme. This is different to a contribution in respect of membership of a Spouses’ and Children’s scheme, or the Additional Superannuation Contributions (ASC).

The non-PPC rate will apply where the appointee is not required to make a Personal Pension Contribution in accordance with the rules of their main/personal superannuation scheme. An appointee assigned a non-PPC rate will still be liable for contributions in respect of membership of a Spouses’ and Children’s scheme, and the Additional Superannuation Contribution (ASC).

Candidates should note that the rate of remuneration may be adjusted from time to time in line with Government pay policy.

Tenure

The appointment will be in a permanent full-time capacity. The County Registrar for Louth will be assigned to Dundalk Courthouse, Dundalk, Co. Louth, A91 XHP6.

Restriction in Engaging in Outside Occupation

The County Registrar shall devote the whole of their time to the duties of their office. The County Registrar may not engage in, or be connected with, any outside business or activity which would in any way conflict with the interest of, or be inconsistent with, their official position or which would tend to impair their usefulness in that position. In particular, they may not engage in private practice as a solicitor or barrister.

Attendance at Office

The County Registrar is required to attend the Circuit Court Office (when not necessarily engaged elsewhere on official duties) on such days and during such hours as may be fixed by the Chief Executive Officer, Courts Service. The CEO typically requires County Registrars to work on-site in the Court Office from 09:00 to 17:00 from Monday to Friday. There is no remote working.

Annual Leave

Annual leave will be 30 working days per year and is exclusive of the usual public holidays. Annual leave should be taken within vacation times, and all annual leave should be taken in the year in which it was accrued.

Travelling and Subsistence

Travelling and subsistence expenses properly incurred by the County Registrar in the performance of their duties will be paid by the Courts Service in accordance with prevailing Civil Service regulations and at rates fixed from time to time by the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation.

For the purpose of calculating travelling and subsistence payable, the successful applicant’s work base is Dundalk Court Office.

Health and Character

Candidates for and any person holding office must be in a state of health such as would indicate a reasonable prospect of ability to render regular and efficient service.

Candidates for and any person holding office must be of good character.