Courts Service plans to issue panic alarms to judges over disruptive and violent behaviour

The contractor will supply and maintain fixed panic alarms in court buildings and portable personal alarms for members of the judiciary

The procurement follows warnings from senior judges about a rise in threatening behaviour by litigants and their supporters. File picture

The Courts Service is planning a €1.8m upgrade of security systems across the courts, including issuing personal panic alarms to every judge following concerns over increasingly disruptive and sometimes violent behaviour in court.

A newly published tender seeks a single supplier to provide, install, monitor, and maintain panic alarm systems under a framework agreement worth an estimated €1.8m over four years. 

The initial contract covers new alarm systems at the Four Courts campus and Chancery Street in Dublin, personal panic alarms for all members of the judiciary, and ongoing monitoring and maintenance services.

The procurement follows warnings from senior judges about a rise in threatening behaviour by litigants and their supporters.

Last December, High Court president David Barniville said there had been an increasing number of incidents involving "extremely disruptive and, on occasions, violent conduct" in court. 

He warned that such behaviour endangered judges, registrars, and court staff and said respect for the authority of the courts was essential to maintaining public confidence in the administration of justice.

The tender documents say the successful contractor will supply and maintain both fixed panic alarms in court buildings and portable personal alarms for members of the judiciary. 

The project is intended to improve emergency response arrangements while enhancing the safety and security of judges and Courts Service staff.

The framework agreement will run initially for 12 months, with the option to extend it by up to three further one-year periods. 

The estimated value of the contract is €1.8m, excluding Vat. The Courts Service is accepting tenders until September 4.