S.I. No. 400/2012 - Rules of the Superior Courts (Robes of Bench) 2012.

Notice of the making of this Statutory Instrument was published in

“Iris Oifigiúil” of 23rd October, 2012.

We, the Superior Courts Rules Committee, constituted pursuant to the provisions of the Courts of Justice Act 1936 , section 67, by virtue of the powers conferred upon us by The Courts of Justice Act 1924 , section 36, and the Courts of Justice Act 1936 , section 68 (as applied by the Courts (Supplemental Provisions) Act 1961 , section 48), the Courts (Supplemental Provisions) Act 1961 , section 14, and of all other powers enabling us in this behalf, do hereby make the following Rules of Court.

Dated this 18th day of October, 2012.

Susan Denham

Donal O’Donnell

William McKechnie

John Edwards

Paul McGarry

Gerard Meehan

Patrick Groarke

Noel Rubotham

John Mahon

I concur in the making of the following Rules of Court.

Dated this 18th day of October, 2012.

ALAN SHATTER,

Minister for Justice and Equality.

S.I. No. 400 of 2012

RULES OF THE SUPERIOR COURTS (ROBES OF BENCH) 2012

1. (1) These Rules, which may be cited as the Rules of the Superior Courts (Robes of Bench) 2012, shall come into operation on the 23rd day of October 2012.

(2) These Rules shall be construed together with the Rules of the Superior Courts.

(3) The Rules of the Superior Courts as amended by these Rules may be cited as the Rules of the Superior Courts 1986 to 2012.

2. The Rules of the Superior Courts are hereby amended by the substitution for rule 2 of Order 119 of the following:

“2. (1) Save as otherwise provided by Statute or these Rules—

(a) the Judges of the Supreme Court shall on all occasions during the sittings, including sittings of the Court of Criminal Appeal, wear a black woollen gown of uniform make with sleeves bearing green double ribbon banding and a single white neck tab,

(b) the Judges of the High Court shall on all occasions during the sittings, including sittings of the Court of Criminal Appeal and the Central Criminal Court, wear the following costume, namely, a black coat and vest of uniform make and material of the kind worn by Senior Counsel, a black Irish poplin gown and white bands.

(2) A Judge shall not be required to wear a wig of a ceremonial type during such sittings.”

EXPLANATORY NOTE

(This does not form part of the Instrument and does not purport to be a legal interpretation).

These Rules replace the existing official costume of judges of the Supreme Court (viz. a coat and vest of the kind worn by Senior Counsel, gown and bands) with a gown and neck tab.