Family Courts Act 2024: new family courts from 2027, tracked

What it affects: Which court hears your case, the forms, the venues, and the District Court's monetary limit in family cases.

1. 1 December 2022 · Done

   Family Courts Bill 2022 published

   The Bill was published by the Department of Justice and introduced in the Seanad.

   Oireachtas: Family Courts Bill 2022

2. Date not yet known · Now

   Signed into law as the Family Courts Act 2024

   The Act was signed by the President in late 2024. Signing does not change the rules: each provision starts only when commenced by ministerial order. Date to be recorded from the Oireachtas record.

   Oireachtas: Family Courts Bill 2022

3. Date not yet known · Ahead

   First Family District and Circuit Courts sit

   The Department's stated plan is January 2027. No commencement order has been published yet; the date here is updated when one is.

   Department of Justice, Home Affairs and Migration

4. Date not yet known · Ahead

   Full commencement

   The Family High Court, the new rules of court and the revised District Court family jurisdiction (the Act provides for a limit of €1,000,000 in certain family proceedings) all depend on further orders.

   Oireachtas: Family Courts Bill 2022

What it affects: A starting point for child maintenance discussions. Not binding; does not change a court order.

1. 1 January 2026 · Now

   Child maintenance calculator launched

   The Department of Justice, Home Affairs and Migration launched childmaintenancecalculator.ie. Its own wording: a guide only, not legally binding or enforceable, and it will not change an existing court order. Exact launch day to be recorded from the Department's press release.

   childmaintenancecalculator.ie

What it affects: Whether you qualify for legal aid: disposable income under €18,000 and disposable capital under €100,000.

1. 16 September 2013 · Now

   Thresholds last changed

   The Civil Legal Aid Regulations 2013 set the current income and capital limits and contribution scale. A Government review of the civil legal aid scheme reported in 2024; no new regulations have been made.

   Legal Aid Board: financial eligibility