[2] It has responsibility for hearing minor criminal matters, small civil claims, liquor licensing, and certain family law applications.
[7][8] The family jurisdiction of the court includes the power to award guardianship, grant protection or barring orders, and award maintenance of up to €150 a week per child, €500 per week for a spouse or a lump sum up to €15,000.
[11] Indictable offences may also be tried by the court provided the accused, the judge and the Director of Public Prosecutions agree.
[11][12] In such a case the maximum penalty imposed by the judge for the indictable offence can not exceed 12 months imprisonment.
Murder, treason, rape and aggravated sexual assault are crimes that can not be disposed of summarily in such a manner.
During the War of Independence, the Royal Irish Constabulary retreated to barracks, and petty sessions could not be held in most of the country.
A Dáil parish court exercised summary jurisdiction in IRA-controlled areas.
[31] After the outbreak of the Irish Civil War, however, the Provisional Government decided to "revert" to the British courts, pending the report of a commission headed by Lord Glenavy on what would replace them.
[32] It decided, however, immediately to make changes to summary jurisdiction by dismissing all remaining resident magistrates and terminating the commissions of justices of the peace, many of whom had resigned anyway.