European Union: Litigation, Mediation & Arbitration

A recent Workplace Relations Commission decision highlights the risks of relying on AI-generated legal submissions in employment disputes, as an adjudicator dismissed a former Ryanair cabin crew member's claim after finding he failed to engage substantively with evidence. The case demonstrates how well-documented employer defenses can expose the limitations of AI-drafted claims that lack genuine engagement with contractual and evidential details.

The Paris Local Division of the Unified Patent Court issued a decision on the merits in an infringement action brought by Orange SA against HMD Global Oy concerning European Patent EP 2 345 029. The case involved jurisdictions across France, Germany, and Italy, with the defendant filing a conditional counterclaim for revocation under Article 33(3) of the UPCA and Article 69 of the EPC.

The Unified Patent Court's Court of Appeal examines critical questions of patent validity, including whether omitting disclosed features constitutes added matter when functional or structural links exist, and how technical effects factor into determining essential features for inventive step analysis. The decision also addresses procedural boundaries for raising new legal arguments on appeal.

Dillon Eustace offers comprehensive commercial litigation services, handling complex business disputes through their specialized litigation and dispute resolution practice. Their expertise spans a wide range of commercial conflicts, providing strategic legal representation for businesses navigating contentious matters.

Malta's 2026 reforms replace the traditional guardianship framework with a modern system of personal autonomy safeguards and support persons. How does this legislative transformation balance the protection of vulnerable adults with respect for individual autonomy, and what mechanisms ensure that support arrangements remain proportionate to each person's circumstances?

Maltese legal practice employs three distinct instruments—legal letters, judicial letters, and sworn judicial letters under Article 166A—each serving different purposes and producing different legal effects. Understanding when to use each instrument requires careful assessment of the claim's nature, value, and whether formal court proceedings or executive enforcement is necessary. The choice between these tools can determine whether a creditor obtains an executive title without litigation or mus

Work at height remains one of the most dangerous occupations despite technological advances, with falls from scaffolding, cranes, and platforms continuing to cause fatal workplace accidents. Understanding the complex web of legal liability—from employers to equipment owners—and knowing the compensation rights available to surviving families becomes crucial when tragedy strikes on construction sites and elevated workspaces.

This article examines the operational framework of Malta's Protection of Adults in Situations of Vulnerability Act, detailing the investigative process triggered by reports of concern, the range of assistance and protective measures available, and the judicial procedures through which intervention orders may be obtained, reviewed and enforced.

The High Court's recent judgment in O'Shaughnessy v Health Service Executive provides crucial guidance on when medical negligence proceedings may be dismissed for want of prosecution, particularly examining the significance of warning letters and the four-year inactivity threshold. Building on the Supreme Court's reformulated principles in Kirwan v Connors, the decision clarifies what procedural steps genuinely interrupt periods of delay and when the burden shifts to plaintiffs to justify continuation of st

Work at height remains one of the most dangerous occupations despite technological advances, with falls from scaffolding, cranes, and platforms continuing to cause fatal workplace accidents. Understanding the complex web of legal liability—from employers to equipment owners—and knowing the compensation rights available to surviving families becomes crucial when tragedy strikes on construction sites and elevated workspaces.

A Paris division of the Unified Patent Court granted a moderate €100,000 top-up to security for legal costs in a patent infringement case, balancing the defendant's increased defense expenses against the claimant's fundamental right to access justice. The court rejected demands for a much larger security increase, finding that the claimant's status as a micro-enterprise required careful consideration of proportionality principles under EU law.

Cyprus reformed its civil procedure on 1 September 2023 with new rules modelled on the English system, introducing active case management and an overriding objective to handle cases justly and proportionately. How do these reforms change the way civil claims progress through the Cyprus courts, from pre-action protocols through to trial and enforcement?