Market Intelligence

Ireland's new High Court rules establish a clear procedural framework for representative consumer actions, while the landmark ICCL v Microsoft case clarifies key questions about admissibility requirements and the burden of proof under GDPR. These developments provide businesses and qualified entities with greater certainty about how collective redress claims will be conducted, though significant cost barriers remain despite the new court fee exemption.

Manchester City faces 114 proven charges out of 115 brought by the Premier League for financial rule breaches spanning nearly a decade. The independent Commission found evidence of a "Disguised Funding Scheme" that overstated the club's revenue by over £830 million, raising questions about potential sanctions, appeals, and compensation claims from rival clubs.

The Irish High Court has clarified the standards for material non-disclosure in ex parte Letters Rogatory applications, examining when procedural omissions warrant setting aside judicial assistance orders. This decision explores the balance between full disclosure obligations and the court's discretion to maintain orders where non-disclosure was inadvertent and no prejudice resulted.

The High Court examined whether an order giving effect to Letters Rogatory should be set aside due to alleged material non-disclosure and claims of oppression. The case arose from a dispute over the sale of the World Marathon Challenge event, involving intellectual property rights and parallel proceedings in multiple jurisdictions.

This decision is the first resolution of the Superior Courts in the Irish jurisdiction to address whether the provisions of section 26(1) of the Civil Liability and Courts Act 2004 can be extended to apply in proceedings where an unverified claim for loss of earnings is jettisoned without any explanation prior to the commencement of the trial.

Matheson's ESG & Sustainability Group has published a comprehensive practice note on LexisNexis examining the civil litigation risks associated with environmental, social, and governance matters from an Irish legal perspective. The guide offers practical insights for understanding and navigating ESG-related litigation exposure in Ireland's evolving regulatory landscape.