Should You Settle or Go to Court in a Medical Negligence Claim in Ireland?

This information is for educational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Every case is different and outcomes vary. Consult a qualified solicitor for advice specific to your situation.

In Ireland, settling a medical negligence claim means agreeing to accept compensation from the defendant without a judge deciding the outcome at trial. The vast majority of Irish medical negligence claims settle this way. According to the State Claims Agency Annual Report (2024), just 35 out of 2,593 clinical care claims finalised between 2021 and 2024 were resolved by court ruling. Yet most settlements happen late, typically only after a trial date has been fixed. Since 28 April 2025, new High Court Practice Directions HC131 and HC132 (April 2025) have changed the rules. You must now offer mediation before applying for a trial date, exchange all expert reports, and file a Certificate of Compliance. This creates a structured pressure point that often produces stronger offers for claimants who've prepared properly.

Quick Answers

Do most cases settle? Yes. Just over 1% of clinical negligence claims reach a contested court hearing. The rest settle.

Is mediation required? Effectively yes since April 2025. HC131 requires a mediation offer before a trial date is fixed.

What is a lodgment? Money paid into court by the defence. Fail to beat it at trial and you pay their costs from that date.

How long does it take? Average 4 years (1,462 days). Simple cases can settle in 12 to 18 months.

Contents

Trial rate: Just over 1% of clinical negligence claims go to a contested court hearing. SCA 2024

Average duration: An Irish medical negligence claim takes roughly 4 years (1,462 days) to resolve on average. Tumelty 2023

Mediation uptake: 43% of SCA clinical claims involving damages used mediation in 2024. ¹

New rules: HC131 requires a Certificate of Compliance and mediation offer before any trial date is fixed. ²

How often do medical negligence claims go to trial in Ireland?

According to the State Claims Agency (2024), just over 1% of clinical negligence claims reach a contested High Court judgment in Ireland. Of 2,593 finalised clinical care claims between 2021 and 2024, only 35 were decided by a judge. The remaining roughly 98.5% resolved through negotiation or mediation. Peer-reviewed research by Tumelty (2023) in the International Journal of Law in Context (Tumelty, 2023) found a settlement rate of 92.8% in the studied sample, with a critical detail: 13 out of 14 settlements occurred only after a trial date had been obtained.

The pattern is clear. Cases don't settle early because the defence wants to delay. They settle when the pressure of an imminent trial forces realistic negotiation. A detail that catches many claimants off guard: the first offer is rarely the best one. The strongest offers tend to arrive after both sides have exchanged their expert evidence and a trial date looms.

How clinical negligence claims are resolved in Ireland

Resolution route	Approximate share	Typical timing
Settlement before proceedings issued	~56%	Variable (often under 24 months)
Settlement after proceedings, before trial	~43%	Average 4 years overall
Contested High Court trial judgment	Just over 1%	Highly protracted (4+ years)

Data: State Claims Agency 2024 Annual Report (pre-proceedings percentage is SCA-wide, covering clinical and general claims) and Tumelty 2023 (clinical claims sample). Trial rate based on 35 court rulings from 2,593 clinical claims (2021-2024). Figures are indicative. Your case may differ based on liability, complexity, and defendant response.

How settlement works in an Irish medical negligence case

Settlement happens through "without prejudice" negotiations, meaning nothing said during those discussions can be used in court if talks break down. Your solicitor and the defence (usually the State Claims Agency for public hospitals, or a private insurer) exchange positions based on the medical evidence, expert reports, and calculated losses.

Medical negligence claims in Ireland don't go through the Injuries Resolution Board (IRB). They're exempt from the mandatory IRB process. According to Section 3(d) of the PIAB Act 2003, claims alleging "negligence relating to the provision of any health service" are excluded and proceed directly to litigation. This is a critical difference from standard personal injury claims, such as road traffic accidents or workplace injuries, that must pass through the IRB before court.

Once your solicitor issues a High Court Personal Injuries Summons, the defence files a response. Both sides then exchange evidence through a process called discovery. Expert reports are shared. At some point, the defence may make a formal or informal offer. Your decision at that moment is the fundamental question: accept the offer and settle, or reject it and prepare for trial.

Settlement vs trial: what each path looks like in Irish medical negligence

Attribute	Settlement	High Court trial
Who decides the outcome	You and the defence agree	A High Court judge decides
Typical timeframe	Months to 4 years	4+ years (average 1,462 days overall)
Privacy	Confidential (especially in mediation)	Public hearing (reporting restrictions possible)
Cost certainty	Costs largely known and controlled	Costs risk if lodgment not beaten
Emotional toll	Lower (no cross-examination)	Higher (giving evidence, reliving events)
Accountability	Often without admission of liability	Public judgment on the record
Appeal risk	Final once signed (no appeal)	Either side can appeal to Court of Appeal
Court approval needed	Only for minors and wards of court	Judgment is the court's own order

Three windows when settlement is most likely

Settlement doesn't happen at random. In Irish medical negligence, offers cluster around three distinct pressure points. Understanding when these windows open can prevent you from accepting too early or holding out too long.

Window 1: after expert reports, before proceedings. According to the State Claims Agency, 56% of all claims it resolved in 2024 (across clinical and general categories) concluded without court proceedings ever being served. ¹ This is where the defence reviews the independent medical evidence and decides whether to make an early offer. Claims that settle here tend to involve clear liability and straightforward injuries.

Window 2: after the HC131 trial-date application, during mandatory mediation. The Certificate of Compliance forces both sides to exchange all expert reports and witness schedules. With full evidence on the table and a mediation offer due within 3 weeks of the trial date being fixed, realistic negotiations become unavoidable. In every case we handle, the strongest offers arrive in this window, after expert reports force the defence to confront the evidence but before trial costs escalate further.

Window 3: the door of the court. The Tumelty study (2023) found that 13 out of 14 settlements in the sample occurred only after a trial date had been obtained. ³ Some cases settle on the morning of the trial itself, when both sides face the immediate financial and emotional reality of a contested hearing. This pattern has persisted for years in Ireland, though HC131 is designed to pull more settlements into Window 2.

How HC131 and HC132 changed the settlement calculation (April 2025)

Two new Practice Directions from the President of the High Court, effective 28 April 2025, have transformed how medical negligence cases move toward trial in Ireland. According to the Courts Service (April 2025), Practice Direction HC132 created a dedicated Clinical Negligence List, and HC131 introduced mandatory pre-trial compliance requirements. ² Here's what they mean for your case.

HC132: the dedicated Clinical Negligence List

Practice Direction HC132 created a dedicated Clinical Negligence List within the Dublin Personal Injuries List. Cases are now managed by judges who specialise in clinical negligence, not general personal injury. The Judge in Charge can set timetables for expert report exchange, direct mediation, and order witness statements. This structured management replaces the old system where clinical cases could drift for years without active judicial oversight.

HC131: the trial-date gateway

Practice Direction HC131 (Kennedys Law, April 2025) changed how you apply for a trial date. Before a date is fixed, the applicant must give 28 days' notice and submit a Certificate of Compliance confirming that:

• The case is fully pleaded (all particulars of negligence, defence, and causation delivered).
• A complete schedule of all witnesses (factual and expert) has been exchanged.
• All expert reports intended for trial have been shared with the other side.
• The applicant undertakes to offer mediation within 3 weeks of the trial date being fixed.
• The parties will engage in mediation within 6 weeks of the offer being accepted.

The court can refuse a trial date if these conditions aren't met, and sanctions including cost orders can follow non-compliance. The practical effect is that both sides must show their full hand before they can get near a courtroom. This transparency often triggers realistic settlement offers, because the defence can no longer hide behind unanswered pleadings or delayed expert exchange. The timing is important: the window between expert exchange and the HC131 application is when the strongest settlement pressure builds.

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How mediation works in medical negligence in Ireland (and is it mandatory?)

Mediation is a confidential, voluntary process where a neutral mediator helps both parties reach agreement without a judge deciding the outcome. According to the Mediation Act 2017, your solicitor is legally required to advise you about mediation before issuing court proceedings. Since HC131, mediation has become an effective precondition for getting a trial date.

According to the State Claims Agency (2024), 43% of clinical claims where damages were paid involved mediation in 2024, up from 32% in 2022. ¹ Mediation works particularly well in medical negligence because claimants often want more than money. They want an explanation, an acknowledgment of what went wrong, and an assurance that it won't happen to someone else. Mediation offers a private space for that conversation in a way that a courtroom cannot.

An important practical point: mediation outcomes are binding once both parties sign the agreement. You don't lose any rights by trying mediation first. You can still proceed to trial if it fails.

What is a lodgment, and why does it shape the settlement decision?

A lodgment is money paid into court by the defendant as a formal settlement offer, and failing to "beat" it at trial can wipe out your entire compensation. According to Order 22 of the Rules of the Superior Courts, the trial judge doesn't know about the lodgment until after delivering judgment. If the judge awards you less than the lodged amount, you'll typically be ordered to pay the defendant's legal costs from the date of the lodgment. Given how expensive High Court medical negligence trials are, this can completely erase your damages award.

A 2022 amendment (S.I. No. 186/2022) introduced an additional window. The defence can now make or increase a lodgment within 21 days of receiving a new medical report from you. In medical negligence, where updated condition reports are common before trial, this means the cost risk can shift right up to the courthouse steps.

The difference between assessment and acceptance often comes down to this: a lodgment of €400,000 creates enormous financial pressure. Reject it, go to trial, and the judge awards €380,000? You've won the case on liability but lost financially because the defendant's post-lodgment costs will be deducted from your award.

What does going to trial cost in an Irish medical negligence case?

The average legal cost for a medical negligence claim in Ireland is roughly €34,646, which is 191% more expensive than the equivalent in England and Wales. According to a Medical Protection Society report (2024), Irish claims also take 56% longer to resolve than UK claims. The cost structure is driven by expert fees (often multiple UK-based experts), barrister brief fees for multi-day High Court hearings, court fees, and discovery costs.

The general rule on costs in Irish litigation is "costs follow the event." The losing party typically pays the winning party's legal costs. Win your case and the defence usually covers your fees. Lose, and you face their costs on top of your own outlays. The lodgment mechanism (above) creates a third scenario where you win on liability but lose on costs.

In 2024, the State Claims Agency paid €210.5 million in clinical care damages, with associated legal costs for clinical claims reaching €115 million (covering both plaintiff and defence costs). Across all SCA claim categories, the outstanding liability reached €5.35 billion at the end of 2024, up from €5.18 billion a year earlier. ¹ This cost environment creates strong incentives for both sides to settle. However, accepting an inadequate offer to avoid costs risk means you live with that figure for the rest of your life. Proper case preparation and accurate quantum assessment are what protect you from both dangers.

Should I accept a settlement offer? Factors that determine the decision

The decision isn't simply "take the money or fight." According to the Personal Injuries Guidelines (Judicial Council, 2021), the same compensation bands apply whether a case settles or goes to trial. The difference lies in cost risk, timing, emotional toll, and at least five other factors that interact differently in every case.

Decision factors: settle vs trial in Irish medical negligence

Factor	Points toward settlement	Points toward trial
Liability position	Defence admits liability	Liability denied or heavily disputed
Quantum gap	Offer is close to expert valuation	Offer is significantly below expert assessment
Expert evidence strength	Both sides' experts broadly agree	Your experts are stronger on causation
Lodgment amount	Lodgment matches or exceeds your realistic range	No lodgment made, or lodgment is clearly low
Costs exposure	High accumulated costs, case is finely balanced	Strong case with minimal costs risk
Emotional readiness	You want closure, cross-examination would be harmful	You want a public ruling and accountability
Time pressure	Health deteriorating, funds needed now	Stable condition, can wait for better outcome
Minor/ward of court	Settlement reached, needs court approval only	Judge can refuse inadequate settlement (cannot reduce)

This table is educational only. Your solicitor can apply these factors to the specific evidence in your case.

Settlement without admission of liability

A ninth factor that many claimants don't anticipate: most Irish medical negligence settlements are agreed "without admission of liability." The hospital or the State Claims Agency pays compensation but does not formally accept that its care was substandard. This is standard SCA practice. It protects the institution's insurability and public reputation. For some claimants, the compensation is what matters and the absence of a formal admission is acceptable. For others, particularly those who lost a family member or suffered life-changing harm, the refusal to admit fault is a reason to reject the offer and seek a public court finding. The IRB statistics don't capture this distinction, but it's one of the most emotionally charged decision points in any medical negligence claim.

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Which path fits your situation?

When settlement may not be the right choice

Some cases should go to trial because the system needs accountability, not just compensation. A claimant may reject a reasonable offer when the case involves systemic failures that need a public judgment. Repeated errors at a particular hospital unit, cover-ups in medical records, or cases where the defence denies liability despite overwhelming evidence can all justify proceeding to a hearing.

According to the Personal Injuries Guidelines (2021), the same compensation ranges apply to settled and tried cases. ¹⁴ A judge won't necessarily award more than a properly negotiated settlement. However, a trial produces a public record. In catastrophic injury cases, such as birth injuries resulting in cerebral palsy, a trial can also result in compensation structures that reflect the true lifetime cost of care more accurately than a rushed settlement.

Between assessment and settlement, the sticking point is usually liability. The defence may admit that something went wrong but deny that the error caused your specific injury. When causation is genuinely disputed, trial may be the only route to a resolution. Your expert medical report is the single most important factor in deciding whether that fight is winnable.

What actually happens at a High Court medical negligence trial (and how long does it take)?

A contested medical negligence trial in Ireland typically lasts between 3 and 10 hearing days, depending on the number of experts and the complexity of the medical issues. According to the Courts Service of Ireland, High Court personal injury actions (including clinical negligence) are heard by a judge sitting alone, without a jury. Understanding the courtroom process removes much of the fear that leads people to accept inadequate settlements.

The trial follows a set sequence. Your barrister opens by outlining your case to the judge. You then give evidence first, in what's called examination-in-chief, where your own barrister asks questions to present your account. The defence barrister then cross-examines you. The reality of cross-examination is that you'll be asked to relive the worst medical experience of your life in precise detail. Thorough preparation with your legal team beforehand is what makes this manageable.

After your evidence, your medical experts take the stand and are cross-examined by the defence. The defence then calls its own experts, and your barrister cross-examines them. Both sides make closing legal submissions. The judge may deliver judgment immediately or "reserve" it, meaning a written decision follows days or weeks later.

Under the new Clinical Negligence List (HC132, effective April 2025), cases are assigned to judges experienced in clinical disputes. ² Reporting restrictions can be requested for sensitive cases, such as those involving children or sexual health, so a trial does not always mean a fully public hearing. Family members can attend to support you, though they should be prepared for the adversarial nature of cross-examination.

What if your case involves additional complexity?

The core settlement-versus-trial decision applies to straightforward medical negligence claims in Ireland. However, several situations add layers that affect the timing, mechanics, and strategy of resolution. According to the State Claims Agency (2024), the SCA's total outstanding liability for clinical claims reached €5.35 billion at the end of 2024. ¹ Complex cases involving open disclosure obligations, claims for children, and upcoming pre-action protocol reforms contribute disproportionately to that figure. Below, we cover each.

Open disclosure and the Patient Safety Act 2023

Since 26 September 2024, healthcare providers in Ireland must by law disclose specific serious incidents to patients and families. According to the Patient Safety (Notifiable Incidents and Open Disclosure) Act 2023, a formal disclosure meeting is required for events such as wrong-site surgery, unanticipated death, or retained surgical instruments.

A key provision protects the healthcare provider: any information shared or apology made at a disclosure meeting cannot be used as evidence of fault or liability in court proceedings (Section 10). It won't void their insurance either. For you as a claimant, this means an apology may signal that the hospital recognises a failure. It can smooth the path to negotiation. However, it doesn't replace the legal requirement to prove breach of duty and causation with independent expert evidence.

Claims involving children: mandatory court approval

Every settlement for a child under 18 must be approved by a judge, even when both sides agree on the amount. Under Irish law, a minor can't execute a binding settlement. According to Courts.ie guidance, a parent or guardian acting as "next friend" must apply to the court with full medical reports and a written opinion from counsel confirming the settlement is fair.

This isn't an adversarial trial. There's no cross-examination. The judge reviews the proposed amount, can refuse the settlement if not satisfied it is adequate, but cannot reduce the amount. The judge approves it in the child's best interests. Compensation is then held in a court-controlled account until the child turns 18. Early release for medical or educational expenses requires a further court application. For families dealing with birth injury cases, this process adds time but provides an independent safeguard that the settlement truly reflects lifetime needs.

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Pre-action protocols: what's coming next

Pre-action protocols (PAPs) for clinical negligence in Ireland are expected to be introduced during 2026, though they've been delayed for a decade. According to Section 219 of the Legal Services Regulation Act 2015, the LSRA has the statutory power to make these regulations, but the necessary Ministerial commencement orders have never been signed. According to the Irish Medical Times (May 2025), fourteen organisations, including the RCSI, ICGP, and Medical Protection Society, jointly urged the Government to act. ¹³

When PAPs are introduced, the settlement calculation will shift again. Both sides will be required to exchange medical records, expert evidence, and detailed letters of claim before proceedings can even be issued. The Courts and Civil Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2023 has already created Section 17A of the 2004 Act for pre-action offers in clinical negligence. Part 15 of the 2015 Act will also extend the limitation period from 2 to 3 years when commenced. This is a reform to watch closely. For now, your solicitor follows best practice by sending a pre-action letter voluntarily, but there's no legal penalty for the defence ignoring it.

Related guides in this series

How Long Does a Medical Negligence Claim Take in Ireland?

Common Defences in Medical Negligence Claims

Medical Negligence Legal Costs in Ireland

No Win No Fee Medical Negligence Ireland

Common Questions

Do most medical negligence cases in Ireland go to court?

No. Just over 1% of clinical negligence claims in Ireland reach a contested trial. According to State Claims Agency data, just 35 out of 2,593 clinical claims finalised between 2021 and 2024 went to full judgment.

• Most settle after proceedings are issued but before trial.
• Settlements often happen after expert reports are exchanged.
• The new HC131 rules push parties to mediate before any trial date is fixed.

Why it matters: The threat of trial drives settlement. Preparation for court strengthens your negotiating position.

Next step: SCA Annual Report (2024) • Claim timeline guide

What happens if I reject a settlement offer?

In Ireland, your case continues toward trial. Rejecting an offer doesn't end your claim. Your solicitor will advise whether the offer is reasonable based on your injuries, expert evidence, and comparable awards under the Personal Injuries Guidelines (2021). ¹⁴

• Check whether the defence has made a formal lodgment (costs risk if you don't beat it).
• Consider the strength of your expert evidence on liability and causation.
• Weigh the emotional and time costs of continuing to trial.

Why it matters: A premature rejection without proper quantum assessment creates risk. A justified rejection after expert exchange can produce a higher offer.

Next step: Compensation guide • Expert report guide

Will I have to give evidence in court?

In Ireland, only if your case reaches a contested trial, which happens in just over 1% of cases. At trial, you would give evidence about your injuries, treatment, and how negligence affected your life. The defence barrister would cross-examine you. Your experts would also testify.

• Mediation and settlement remove the need to testify.
• Reporting restrictions can be requested for sensitive cases.
• Your solicitor and barrister prepare you thoroughly if trial becomes necessary.

Why it matters: Fear of the witness box is one of the biggest reasons people accept low offers. Proper preparation reduces that fear and protects your position.

Next step: Claims process overview

How long does a medical negligence claim take to settle in Ireland?

In Ireland, the average is roughly 4 years (1,462 days) from initiation to resolution. According to the Medical Protection Society (2024), Irish claims take 56% longer than equivalent claims in England and Wales, largely because Ireland lacks mandatory pre-action protocols. ⁹

• Simple cases with admitted liability can settle in 12 to 18 months.
• Catastrophic injury cases with disputed causation can take 5 to 7 years.
• HC131/HC132 are designed to reduce delays by imposing structured case management.

Why it matters: Understand the timeline so you can plan financially and emotionally.

Next step: Full timeline guide

What are the cost risks of going to trial?

In Ireland, the primary risk is an adverse costs order if you lose or fail to beat a lodgment. The general rule is "costs follow the event," meaning the losing party pays both sides' legal costs.

• According to the Medical Protection Society (2024), average claimant legal costs are approximately €34,646.
• Failing to beat a lodgment shifts costs from the lodgment date.
• "No win, no fee" covers professional fees, but outlays (expert reports, court fees) may still apply.

Why it matters: Cost risk is the single biggest pressure point in the settle-or-trial decision.

Next step: Legal costs guide • No Win No Fee explained

Is mediation mandatory in Irish medical negligence cases?

In Ireland, mediation isn't technically mandatory, but since April 2025 it's effectively a precondition for getting a trial date. HC131 requires the applicant to undertake to offer mediation within 3 weeks of a trial date being fixed.

• According to the Mediation Act 2017, solicitors must advise on mediation before proceedings.
• According to the State Claims Agency (2024), 43% of SCA clinical claims used mediation in 2024.
• Mediation outcomes are binding once both parties sign.

Why it matters: Mediation is now embedded in the clinical negligence process, not an optional extra.

Next step: Mediation Act 2017 (full text)

What is a lodgment and how does it affect my claim?

In Irish medical negligence litigation, a lodgment is money paid into court by the defendant as a formal settlement offer. The judge doesn't see it until after judgment. If your award is less than the lodgment, you pay the defendant's costs from that date.

• The defence can make or increase a lodgment within 21 days of receiving your medical report (S.I. 186/2022).
• The risk is financial, not legal. You can still win on liability but lose on costs.
• Your solicitor will assess whether a lodgment is realistic or tactically low.

Why it matters: Lodgments are the primary financial weapon used by defendants to pressure settlement.

Next step: Courts.ie: Order 22 rules

Can I settle a medical negligence claim for my child without going to court?

No. In Ireland, every settlement for a person under 18 must be approved by a judge. This applies even where both sides agree on the amount. The judge reviews the settlement. The judge can refuse an inadequate amount but cannot reduce what the parties agreed.

• Funds are held in a court-controlled account until the child turns 18.
• Early release for medical or educational needs requires a court application.
• This is a protective review, not an adversarial trial.

Why it matters: Parents handling birth injury claims should expect this step and plan for the additional time.

Next step: Courts.ie: approving a settlement for a minor

Do I need a solicitor to settle a medical negligence claim?

There's no legal requirement, but medical negligence is among the most complex areas of Irish litigation. Expert reports from UK-based specialists are standard. High Court pleading rules are strict. The costs risk from lodgments and the technical demands of HC131 compliance make professional representation essential in practice.

• Solicitors handle medical records requests, expert instruction, and settlement negotiation.
• Barristers draft the High Court Personal Injuries Summons.
• Your solicitor advises on whether a settlement offer is adequate based on the specific evidence.

Why it matters: One missed procedural step can defeat a valid claim or leave money on the table.

Next step: Medical negligence solicitor Dublin

Related questions you may ask next

What if the HSE denies liability but offers a small payment?
A "nuisance value" offer with no admission of fault is common in early-stage negotiations. According to the State Claims Agency (2024), the SCA favours mediation to resolve claims, but that doesn't mean early offers reflect the true value. ¹ Your solicitor can assess whether the denial is sustainable once expert evidence is reviewed. Rejecting a low offer after expert reports are exchanged often produces a stronger position under the new HC131 framework.

Can I claim for medical negligence that happened years ago?
The limitation period is two years from the date of knowledge, not two years from the event itself. The "date of knowledge" is when you first knew (or should reasonably have known) that your injury was significant and may have been caused by negligence. This is set out in the Statute of Limitations (Amendment) Act 1991. See our date of knowledge guide for details.

Does a settlement include an admission of fault by the hospital?
Not always. According to the State Claims Agency (2024), the SCA's policy is to contain liability at the lowest achievable level, and many settlements are agreed "without admission of liability." ¹ The hospital pays compensation but does not formally accept that its care was substandard. For some claimants, this is acceptable. For others, the absence of accountability is a reason to consider trial.

References

[1] State Claims Agency, Annual Report 2024. Accessed March 2026.

[2] Courts Service of Ireland, Practice Direction HC132: Clinical Negligence List. Effective 28 April 2025.

[3] Tumelty, M.E. (2023). "Delay and settlement: The disposition of medical negligence claims in Ireland." International Journal of Law in Context, 19(4).

[4] Personal Injuries Assessment Board Act 2003, Section 3(d). Irish Statute Book.

[5] Kennedys Law, "New procedures set to streamline clinical negligence proceedings in Irish High Court" (April 2025).

[6] Mediation Act 2017. Irish Statute Book.

[7] Courts Service of Ireland, Personal Injuries Proceedings (S.I. No. 17/2014), including Order 22 lodgment rules.

[8] S.I. No. 186/2022: Rules of the Superior Courts (Lodgment and Tender) 2022. Irish Statute Book.

[9] Medical Protection Society, "The Human and Financial Cost of Clinical Negligence Claims" (January 2024).

[10] Patient Safety (Notifiable Incidents and Open Disclosure) Act 2023. Irish Statute Book.

[11] Courts Service of Ireland, Minors and Other Persons Under Disability (Court Rules).

[12] Legal Services Regulation Act 2015, Section 219. Irish Statute Book.

[13] Irish Medical Times, "Patients, health professionals and lawyers call for action on negligence claim reforms" (May 2025).

[14] Judicial Council of Ireland, Personal Injuries Guidelines (2021).

[15] Courts Service of Ireland, What Happens in the High Court. Accessed March 2026.

[16] Statute of Limitations (Amendment) Act 1991. Irish Statute Book.

Related internal guides: Claims process hub • Compensation guide • Expert medical report • Breach of duty • Causation explained

This information is for educational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Every case is different and outcomes vary. Consult a qualified solicitor for advice specific to your situation. In contentious business, a solicitor may not calculate fees or other charges as a percentage or proportion of any award or settlement.