Court Representation & Dispute Resolution

At O’Connor O’Donoghue & Co we have extensive experience representing litigants in a wide variety of forums. There are a number of ways in which a dispute can be resolved at an early stage though engagement with the third party directly, or alternatively through Mediation or Arbitration.

However, if a satisfactory result cannot be reached in the matter one is left with no other alternative than to seek redress from the Courts. Other matters such as Landlord and Tenant disputes, Employment Law matters, and Personal Injury matters have their own designated forums with the Courts retaining ultimate jurisdictions to resolve all matters.

The High Court has unlimited jurisdiction meaning that there is no limit to an award which a Judge can make. The High Court is the correct forum for large Personal Injury claims and claims in respect of Medical Negligence.

As costs generally are awarded to the successful party, O’Connor O’Donoghue & Co, will assess the merits of your case at an early stage to protect from an award of costs being made against you. We will also ensure that your action is brought against the correct Defendant in the correct jurisdiction.

District Court

The District Court is a Court of limited jurisdiction sitting in 23 different District Court areas nationwide. It allows for a quick and relatively cheap resolution to your complaint.

Given the limited jurisdiction, the District Court can only hear cases where the requested damages or compensation is less than €15,000. For example, the District Court can hear:

• Breach of Contract cases where the claim does not exceed €15,000
• Debt collection, hire-purchase, and credit-sale agreement actions where the value of the goods, or the amount of the claim does not exceed €15,000
• Personal injury cases where General and Special damages do not exceed €15,000
• Eviction cases for non-payment of rent, or for remaining in a property after getting a valid notice, if the annual rent does not exceed €15,000 per year

Should you bring a large claim in the District Court you may be inadequately compensated by receiving the maximum allowed by the District Court’s jurisdiction.

Circuit Court

The Circuit Court is also a Court of limited jurisdiction. 

Under Part 3 of the Courts and Civil Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2013 the monetary jurisdiction of the Circuit Court increased to €75,000 with effect from 3 February 2014. For personal injury actions the limit is €60,000.

Matters commonly heard in the Circuit Court include:

• Breach of Contract cases where the claim does not exceed €75,000
• Debt collection, hire-purchase, and credit-sale agreement actions where the value of the goods, or the amount of the claim does not exceed €75,000
• Personal injury cases where General and Special damages do not exceed €60,000
• Probate cases and claims against the administration of estates, where the market value of the real estate does not exceed €3,000,000
• Boundary or Rights of Way disputes between neighbours
• Larger residential and Commercial Tenancy Disputes

High Court

Article 34 of the Irish Constitution states that the High Court has "full original jurisdiction in and power to determine all matters and questions, whether of law or fact, civil or criminal". This means that there is no limit or restriction on where proceedings begin or how much money can be awarded by the High Court in compensation or damages.

The High Court can:

• Hear cases about claims for damages of over €75,000 (personal injury €60,000)
• Hear questions about the validity of a law
• Hear appeals from the Circuit Court in civil matters
• Review the decisions of all lower courts by judicial review
• Give rulings on a question of law submitted by the District Court and can hear appeals in certain other circumstances provided by statute
• Review decisions of certain Tribunals of Inquiry