Month: April 2022

‘Colossal’ drop in personal injury awards which fall by 42% after new guidelines (via Irish Times)

PIAB guidelines have ‘immediate and colossal’ impact on insurance payout

By Mary Carolan, 12th April 2022

The Personal Injuries Assessment Board’s average award last year dropped by 42 per cent in the wake of new guidelines slashing awards for minor personal injuries entering into force and fuelling calls for cheaper insurance.

Almost half – 49 per cent – of awards were under €10,000, compared to just 12 per cent of awards in 2020. The overall average general damages award across the motor, employer and public liability claims was €11,583, a drop of 47 per cent on the €21,850 average in 2020.

The PIAB report concerns 4,731 claims assessed by it between April 24th, 2021 – when the guidelines came into effect after being approved by a majority of the Judicial Council – and December 31st, 2021.

The number of claims has fallen 31 per cent since 2019, when PIAB received 31,078 applications, to 21,410 last year but much of that decline is attributed to the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Irish motor insurers last year enjoyed their highest level of profitability since at least 2009 – as the level of road accidents and claims declined during Covid-19 restrictions, according to a Central Bank of Ireland report – reaping profits equaling 12 per cent of total income.

To read the full story please visit:
https://www.irishtimes.com/news/consumer/colossal-drop-in-personal-injury-awards-which-fall-by-42-after-new-guidelines-1.4850301?localLinksEnabled=false

Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Tribunal to begin processing complaints (via Irish legal News)

The new Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Tribunal (LPDT) is set to begin processing complaints of misconduct against solicitors and barristers later this month.

Established under the Legal Services Regulation Act 2015, the commencement of the new tribunal’s functions was delayed due to the Covid-19 pandemic. It was formally brought into effect in November 2020 with the appointment of its 33 members, most of whom are lay members.

The LPDT has the same rights and powers as the High Court regarding the enforcement of the attendance of witnesses, as well as the production and the discovery of documents. It can subpoena witnesses to attend and give evidence, including under cross-examination.

Tribunal findings and sanctions imposed by the tribunal can be appealed to the High Court. Complaint decisions taken by the tribunal will be published by the Legal Services Regulatory Authority (LSRA).

An official launch event at the National Gallery in Dublin this morning heard from the tribunal’s chairperson Tom Coughlan, High Court president Mrs Justice Mary Irvine and James Browne, minister of state at the Department of Justice.

Speaking at the event, Mr Coughlan said: “The Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Tribunal will play an essential role in ensuring accountability and transparency in the legal profession, and in upholding high professional standards.

“As the successor body to the Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal and the Barristers Professional Conduct Tribunal, the LPDT will deal with allegations of professional misconduct raised against both solicitors and barristers and is entirely independent of the regulatory authority and the legal professional bodies in the exercise of its functions.

To read the full story please visit:

https://www.irishlegal.com/articles/legal-practitioners-disciplinary-tribunal-to-begin-processing-complaints

Owners of husky-type dog that attacked boy during hurling training must pay €95,000 compensation (via Independent.ie)

By Tim Healy, 5th April 2022

A boy who was attacked by a husky-type dog as he played hurling on a GAA pitch has settled his High Court action for €95,000.

Aaron Heavey-Sharpe suffered multiple lacerations to his lower legs and has been left with permanent and significant scarring after the attack by the Alaskan Malamute dog, Mr Justice Paul Coffey was told.

The boy’s counsel Gabriel Gavigan SC, instructed by Feargal White solicitor, told the court Aaron was on the pitch when the dog ran onto the grass and attacked and bit him savagely.

The court heard that liability was admitted in the case.

To read the full story please visit:

https://www.independent.ie/irish-news/courts/owners-of-husky-type-dog-that-attacked-boy-during-hurling-training-must-pay-95000-compensation-41522651.html