Probate service to be reviewed in bid to cut backlog

A review of Ireland’s probate system is underway in a bid to eliminate a backlog and to reduce waiting times for grant of probate applications.

Justice Minister Frances Fitzgerald said backlogs in the probate system are a “cause of concern” for the Courts Service of Ireland.

The current waiting time for a grant of representation in the Dublin Probate Office is 15 weeks for applications lodged by a solicitor and 28 weeks for personal applications.

Waiting times vary at 14 District Probate Registries due to “the volume of applications received and the skill sets and operational priorities within the offices”, she said.

Priority is given to probate applications where there is a particular urgency or in extenuating circumstances.

Ms Fitzgerald said: “It is anticipated that a report with recommendations for the modernisation of the process will be presented by mid 2017 to the senior management team of the Courts Service and to the Courts Service Board which should further assist in improving waiting times.”