THE new "second" Supreme Court has started hearing cases following the appointment of three additional judges after Easter. The court has allocated dates for appeals from High decisions in about 60 personal injuries cases and should be up to date with such cases before the end of the year.
It is also dealing with the backlog of procedural problems up High Court cases which require the Supreme Court's views before they can proceed.
The main Supreme Court will continue to hear major cases, mostly those requiring five judges. The eight Supreme Court judges will move between the two courts.