News & Insights
The Irish Independent’s Love Letter to the Injuries Resolution Board Ignores the Grim Reality for Claimants
In a world where headlines are increasingly crafted to pacify rather than provoke, the Irish Independent’s recent ode to the Injuries Resolution Board (IRB) reads less like journalism and more like institutional flattery. Titled “Injuries Resolution Board is a cheap and effective way to settle claims – here’s how it works”, the article is an airy, […]
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Why the Injuries Resolution Board Is Not in Claimants’ Best Interests — A Response to the Alliance for Insurance Reform
We recently came across a blog post from the Alliance for Insurance Reform titled “Public unaware Injuries Resolution Board is cheaper than court”, and the bias was, frankly, astonishing. It reads like a promotional piece for insurers dressed up as public interest commentary. The idea being sold is that the Injuries Resolution Board (IRB) — […]
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Revenue fee arrangement with solicitor not champertous
The Court of Appeal has dismissed an appeal concerning an allegedly champertous contingency fee arrangement between Revenue and its solicitors. Delivering judgment for the Court of Appeal, Mr Justice Donald Binchy agreed with the respondent that its fee arrangements were not champertous, that costs do not form part of the “proceeds” of litigation and that […]
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Aviva Chief ‘Dismayed’ by Plan to Raise Personal Injury Payout Levels
The head of Aviva Insurance Ireland has urged the Government to reject a draft proposal to the Judicial Council that would raise the guidelines for personal injury award payouts, claiming it would undo a decade of reforms. Aviva Insurance Ireland CEO Declan O’Rourke states that Aviva’s average prices for motor insurance in Ireland are lower […]
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High Court: Judge handing legislation to barrister during hearing not evidence of bias
The High Court has refused to grant leave for judicial review of a judge’s refusal to recuse herself due to allegations of bias and of an order lifting the in camera rule. Delivering judgment for the High Court, Ms Justice Mary Rose Gearty explained: “At its height, this is a case in which, as the Supreme Court […]
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Damages of over €83,500 awarded for rear-ending collision
The High Court has awarded damages of €83,563.97 to a man who suffered lumbar and leg injuries in a rear-ending collision in 2020. Delivering judgment for the High Court, Ms Justice Emily Egan found that the plaintiff’s refusal to undergo an epidural injection due to his fear of needles would not be considered a failure […]
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‘Price-fixing’ arrangement alleged between plant hire firms
Manager claims he was ordered to sign off on ‘inflated’ prices and demoted, Workplace Relations Commission hears. A plant hire manager has alleged he was ordered to sign off on “inflated” machinery hire prices as part of an alleged “price-fixing” arrangement – and suffered demotion for raising concerns about it with his bosses. Declan Culliton […]
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Judges’ proposal to increase injury payouts would undo motor insurance progress, Justice Minister is warned
Justice Minister Jim O’Callaghan has been told not to “derail” progress made in reducing the cost of motor insurance claims. There are fears that a move to go along with judges, who have recommended increasing payout guidelines for claims, will send motor premiums higher. Latest inflation figures show that the cost of motor insurance has […]
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Company awarded €40,000 for defamatory online reviews
The High Court has awarded €40,000 to a gas and plumbing company for defamatory reviews posted online by a disgruntled customer. Delivering an judgment for the High Court, Mr Justice Conleth Bradley remarked that the untrue words describing the company “as ‘cowboys’, ‘gangsters’, ‘absolute con men’ and that the ‘gardai’ were ‘investigating the removing of […]
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High Court Draws Inference from Failure to Call GP Witnesses
The High Court has dismissed a personal injuries claim arising from a 2016 road traffic accident. In Daly v Ryans Investments Limited T/A Hertz [2024] IEHC 703, the court had particular regard to the plaintiff’s decision not to call as witnesses her treating GPs and the GP whose report was submitted to the Personal Injuries Resolution Board (PIAB). […]
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Supreme Court ready to shed light on Bewley’s Windows Case
RGRE Grafton Limited v Bewley’s Café Grafton Street Limited and Bewley’s Limited. On Wednesday 5 February 2025, the Supreme Court granted leave for a further appeal over the ownership of the Harry Clarke stained glass windows (the “Windows”) in Bewley’s Café, Grafton Street, Dublin. This follows the judgment of the Court of Appeal (the “COA”) […]
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Defamation case against CNN can proceed in Ireland
The High Court has refused to stay Irish defamation proceedings against CNN on the basis that the plaintiffs should have issued proceedings in Washington DC, finding that the plaintiffs acted reasonably in issuing proceedings solely in Ireland. Delivering judgment for the High Court, Mr Justice Garrett Simons highlighted that “the failure of a defendant to […]
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