On enactment of the Assisted Decision Making (Capacity) (Amendment) Bill 2026 the Wardship Court shall sit during the Easter Vacation to extend the time period specified in Section 54(2) Assisted Decision Making (Capacity) Act, 2015 (as amended) for the making of a declaration under Section 55(1), where the Wardship Court is satisfied that:
- good reason has been shown as to why the time period specified in Section 54(2) Assisted Decision Making (Capacity) Act, 2015 will not be met, and
- it is in the interests of justice to do so
The Court Lists will be published as soon as is practically possible indicating the matters listed and the dates on which the court will sit.
The Registrar of Wards of Court shall inform the Court as to the reason in cases where a Functional Capacity Assessment has not been made available by the Wards of Court Office to the solicitor on record in the discharge proceedings.
In all other circumstances, the cases will be listed on dates between 13th April and 24th April 2026 and the solicitor on record in the discharge proceedings will swear and file an affidavit providing good reason as to why the time period will not be met, to include but not limited to;
- the matter is before the Court but has been adjourned for…;
- service papers have been received, and service is expected to be effected by….;
- a plan for the future management of the assets of ward where applicable is awaited;
- an appeal has been lodged on foot on an Order made by the Wardship Court;
- an additional functional capacity assessment report is awaited;
- clarification on an aspect of the functional capacity assessment report is awaited; or
- a question has arisen in relation to the appointment of an appropriate person to support the ward in decision-making
Affidavits can be filed electronically to [email protected] and original forwarded on in due course.
Alice White
Registrar of Wards of Court
24th March 2026
