Hearings may take place at the Tribunal’s premises at:
6/7 Hanover Street
Dublin 2
D02 W320.
Hearings may also take place online via the use of audio-video technology as an ‘A/V hearing’ unless it is considered that an A/V hearing would be unfair to the person, or that it would otherwise be contrary to the interests of justice to conduct the hearing online. This page has general information regarding what to expect from a hearing at the Tribunal.
Informational videos
This video provides all the essential information you’ll need for your visit.
Getting there
The Tribunal building is located at:
6/7 Hanover Street East
Dublin 2
D02 W320.
The Tribunal is easily accessible by public transport. Connolly Train station and Busáras are both a 15 minute walk away. The DART stops at Pearse Station, which is a 5 minute walk from the Tribunal. Many of the main city buses operated by Dublin Bus travel along Pearse Street, again a 5 minute walk from the Tribunal. There is limited paid on-street parking available in the vicinity of the Tribunal.
On arrival
On arrival at the building, please report to the security officer located just inside the main door of the building. Identify yourself, either by telling the security officer your name or by showing them an identity document. The security officer will ask you to step through a metal detector. You will then be shown to the Reception area, where one of the Tribunal’s Reception staff will record that you have arrived, and ask you to wait in the waiting area until the hearing starts.
It is good practice to aim to arrive 15 minutes before a hearing is due to start. Please do not arrive earlier than this. Other appellants and their legal representatives who are attending hearings on the same day may also be in the waiting area.
When the hearing is ready to start, a member of the Tribunal’s Reception staff will show you to the hearing room. If you would like to use the toilet facilities please ask Reception staff to show you where to go.
What happens at a hearing?
A hearing, whether online or in person, will have the following people in attendance:
At the start of the hearing the Appellant will be asked to take an oath on a holy book from his or her religion, or to make an affirmation if you are not religious. In most cases, the Appellant will ‘give evidence’ at the hearing, which means they will be answering questions that are asked by their legal representative(s) first, then by the Presenting Officer. The Tribunal Member may also as question to ensure that the ground of appeal have been submitted in full.
The Tribunal Member will not make his or her decision on the day of the hearing – a written decision will come in the post. The Tribunal makes every effort to deliver its decisions without delay. A hearing generally takes roughly 2 hours, although some can last longer than that.
Water is provided in the hearing room. Appellants and their legal representatives as well as the Presenting Officer can ask for a break at any time – please do not hesitate to do so.
If there are witnesses in a case, they will wait outside until they are called in by the Tribunal Member to give their evidence.
Further information on giving evidence before the Tribunal can be found in the Chairperson’s Guidelines and the Tribunal’s Administrative Practice Note.
What to bring to a hearing
Those attending Tribunal hearings can bring personal belongings into the hearing room. You can bring your own water, snacks and any medication you are taking with you. Mobile telephones must be switched off during Tribunal hearings and the recording of hearings are not permitted.
What not to bring
Anyone attending a Tribunal hearing will go through a metal detector. Please do not bring any metal items with you (apart from essential items like a mobile telephone, keys, etc.).
The Tribunal has no childcare facilities so please make alternative arrangements for the care of any children. There is an exception for mothers who are breastfeeding an infant – breastfed babies may be brought to the Tribunal and a room will be provided on request for privacy if desired.
When the hearing is over, the Tribunal Member will leave the room first and let the Reception staff know that you are finished. They will show you out of the building.
Online hearings
Hearings may also take place online as an ‘Audio Visual (AV) hearing’ via the secure Webex meeting platform.
Hearing participants will be provided with a link to join the online hearing room in advance of the hearing. Link details for each Tribunal AV Hearing will only be provided to the legal representative instructed by the appellant to act on his or her behalf.
Please join your AV hearing from a computer or laptop if possible. If you do not have a computer, and wish to use one, your solicitor may be able to facilitate this for you.
You should connect to the online hearing from a private place where you will not be disturbed. No other person should be in the room with you, or able to overhear the Appellant’s evidence (apart from their legal representative(s), who may be in the same room). If a family member is involved in the hearing as a witness or a joint-appellant they are likely to be asked to leave the room while the other Appellant gives evidence.
The Appellant must have a private room for the hearing and it is the responsibility of the legal representative to arrange or facilitate that or alternatively, to request an in-person hearing on the Tribunal premises.
It is not permitted to record the hearing in any format. It is a criminal offence to record a hearing without permission of the Tribunal, under Section 31(5A) of the Civil Law and Criminal Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2020.
Please click on the following link for further details on the Tribunal’s AV Hearing Protocols and Guidance.
Please see the Chairperson’s Guideline on and the Tribunal’s Administrative Practice Note for further information.