There has been a significant increase in the number of cases of serious crime coming before the courts.
The annual report of the Courts Service shows an increase in the number of cases involving murders, drugs, and sexual offences.
51 new murder cases were heard last year - an increase of 30%.
Serious drugs cases were up 18%, guns 5.5%, while sex offences before the District Court increased by 390%
Overall there were more than 500,000 cases before the District Court last year - an increase of 26%.
There has also been a substantial increase in the number of children being brought before the courts; over 3,180 last year.
708 of these were sent to places of detention.
The number of cases seeking repossession of homes, land and businesses has more than doubled to 758 - more than two a day.
There were also twice as many applications to the High Court about the work and conduct of solicitors.
