A friend or family member can accompany you to the Courthouse, but they will not be allowed to come into the Court room itself as all family law cases must be heard “in camera”. This means that no-one else is allowed to come into the Court room apart from the applicant and respondent and their legal representatives. Sometimes a case worker or support worker will be allowed to come into the Court room, but only if the other party doesn’t object to this. A Garda may also be present for the hearing but this will depend on the circumstances.