The Courts Service is to pilot a new video link system this month, which would allow courts to sit remotely.

The Chief Justice Frank Clarke and the Presidents of the Court Jurisdictions have issued a statement outlining the plan.

It would see the remote hearing of some cases via video forums.

The scheme is to be piloted from the third week in April.

The Courts Service says this will allow "the possibility of hearing some cases without bringing parties into the one court room".

This would be carried out where it is suitable and where they can be conducted in a manner which is fair and where the parties and their representatives can comply with all HSE guidance.

It comes on top of other measures, which were put in place since the start of national isolation process.

This includes high levels of court administration being dealt with electronically, social distancing measures in court sittings and those not in custody needing to not attend court.

Courts have also seen an extension of the use of video link in criminal and bail proceedings.

The Chief Justice and Court Presidents say: "It does remain the case that the administration of justice in urgent matters remains a vital part of the structure of the State.

"It must be acknowledged, that there are many cases which are urgent.

"Criminality and the arrest of suspects has not ceased. Urgent family and childcare issues remain.

"The legal rights of the vulnerable continue to require vindication. There has been an increase in urgent corporate insolvency matters".