1. The High Court has full jurisdiction to determine any matter in law, fact, civil or criminal cases. Matters coming before the High Court are normally heard and determined by one judge but the President of the High Court may decide that any cause or matter or any part thereof may be heard by three judges in what is known as a divisional court. The High Court sits in Dublin to hear original actions. If the District Court refuses bail, application may be made to the High Court. In addition, the High Court sits in provincial venues to hear appeals from the Circuit Court in civil and family law matters

2. HC has exclusive jurisdiction to deal with the following ‘reserved offences’ Treason, the encouragement of treason or its concealment offences relating to the obstruction of government and obstruction of the President murder, attempted murder, conspiracy to murder piracy offences under the Genocide Act, 1973 and the Geneva Conventions Act 1962 rape, aggravated sexual assault and attempted aggravated sexual assault Offences under the Criminal justice (UN Convention Against Torture Act) 2000 and Criminal Justice (Safety of UN Workers) Act 2000 Obstruction of Government/President

3. This court was established by the Offences Against the State Act 1939. This court sits with three judges and no jury. There is a panel of 11 judges appointed to the court who are drawn from the High, Circuit and District Courts. An appeal to a sentence or conviction may be heard at the court of criminal appeal. The court tries offences under the following laws: Conspiracy and Protection of Property act 1875 Explosive substances act 1883 Offences against the state 1939 Firearms act 1925-1990 Criminal damage act 1991

4. The court was established by the Government to hear cases that the ordinary courts might be unable to deal with, because of fears of the possibility of jury intimidation. It can also be used where the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) certifies that the ordinary courts are inadequate. The Special Criminal Court was specially established by Act of Oireachtas.