Ireland: Civil Law

The High Court has ruled on whether lenders must halt possession proceedings after re-engaging with borrowers under mortgage arrears protocols. This case examines the interplay between the Code of Conduct on Mortgage Arrears and ongoing court proceedings, clarifying when post-commencement borrower communications affect a lender's ability to obtain possession orders.

Recent Irish court decisions clarify complex jurisdictional rules for serving proceedings on co-defendants across multiple jurisdictions, addressing when leave is required for EU versus non-EU defendants and establishing when courts should exercise discretion to assume jurisdiction. These rulings resolve widespread misconceptions about service requirements and provide critical guidance on the "anchor defendant" gateway and forum conveniens considerations in cross-border litigation.

Ireland's new Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation Bill 2026 introduces comprehensive protections against abusive litigation designed to silence journalists, activists, and citizens exercising their right to public participation. The legislation empowers courts to swiftly dismiss meritless claims, impose costs and damages on plaintiffs, and provides mechanisms to address cross-border SLAPP proceedings.

The Irish Council for Civil Liberties has initiated Ireland's first representative action. The action has been taken against Microsoft on behalf of affected people in Ireland.

On 31 January 2025, a new statutory instrument came into force providing for significant changes to the Rules of the Superior Courts ("RSC").

The European Court of Justice has issued a landmark preliminary ruling in Sanofi Pasteur SA that clarifies the relationship between strict liability under the Product Liability Directive and fault-based liability claims under national law.

The Civil Law and Criminal Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2020 ("the Act") is now in force.

Lex Mundi has recently made available a new Global Attorney-Client Privilege (ACP) Guide.

The Irish Supreme Court has confirmed in a recent case the courts' jurisdiction to make a person who is not a party to proceedings, but who funds and directs the proceedings on behalf of an impecunious corporate...