There was a 15 per cent increase in the number of cases coming before the courts last year, according to the Courts Service annual report published today.
The report says 750,000 cases were handled in 2001, compared to 630,000 cases in 2000.
Of the cases 748 were initiated in the Supreme Court (including the Court of Criminal Appeal), 460 were disposed of by the Supreme Court, 23,729 cases were initiated in the High Court while 10,410 cases were disposed of in the High Court.
The report shows that the Service managed €800 million on behalf of minors and wards of court in 2001 and collected €29 million in fines and fees.
Mrs Justice Susan Denham, Judge of the Supreme Court and Chairperson of the Courts Service board said the report was "a record of effort, planning, commitment and growth which is transforming the administration of the courts in Ireland".
The Chief Justice Mr Justice Ronan Keane said: "I am proud of the success of the service in the short period since its establishment and I look forward to a continuation of this momentum in the coming year."
