The General Scheme of the Civil Reform Bill 2025 has recently been published and proposes a number of changes to how civil cases, including personal injury claims, may be dealt with in the future.
While the Bill has not yet been enacted, it gives a clear indication of the reforms being considered and how they could affect people bringing personal injury claims in Ireland.
Increased Monetary Jurisdiction of the Courts
One of the most significant proposed changes is an increase in the monetary limits of the lower courts:
• The District Court limit would increase from €15,000 to €20,000
• The Circuit Court limit would increase from €60,000 to €100,000
These limits determine which court a personal injury claim must be brought in.
While higher limits may reduce the number of cases going to the High Court, they also mean that more serious personal injury claims may be dealt with in courts that were traditionally intended to deal with lower-value and less complex claims, especially in the District Court.
Why This Matters in Personal Injury Claims
Personal injury claims are not decided on value alone. Many cases involve:
• Disputed liability
• Conflicting medical evidence
• Psychological injuries alongside physical injuries
• Long-term or permanent effects
As claim values increase, so too does the complexity of the case. There is a risk that increasing court limits without corresponding safeguards could result in complex injury claims being dealt with in forums not originally designed for them.
Pre-Existing Injuries: Increased Obligations on Claimants
Claimants in personal injury cases are already required to disclose relevant pre-existing injuries or medical conditions. However, the Civil Reform Bill 2025 proposes to strengthen and clarify this obligation by expressly requiring plaintiffs to fully particularise any pre-existing injuries and clearly distinguish them from the injuries that are the subject of the claim.
While transparency has always been a feature of personal injury litigation, this proposed change places an increased emphasis on early, accurate, and well-prepared medical evidence, particularly in cases involving complex or overlapping injuries.
Faster Progression but Less Margin for Error
The Bill introduces formal case-conduct principles aimed at reducing delays and encouraging efficiency, including earlier identification of issues, greater emphasis on alternative dispute resolution, and more active judicial case management.
In principle, this should speed up cases. In practice, it may also mean that mistakes made early in a claim are harder to fix later, particularly where medical or liability issues are complex.
The Personal Injuries Guidelines Context
In recent years, the Personal Injuries Guidelines have significantly reduced compensation levels for many injuries. Proposed revisions to those Guidelines were considered in 2024 but did not come into effect.
If court jurisdictions are increased, there is a strong argument that damages guidelines should be reviewed at the same time. Without alignment, injured parties may find themselves involved in more complex litigation in lower courts not fit for such claims.
A Developing Area of Law
The Civil Reform Bill 2025 forms part of wider efforts to make the civil justice system more efficient and cost-effective. While these objectives are welcome, reforms must also ensure that injured people continue to have meaningful access to justice.
As the Bill progresses, its practical impact will become clearer. Early legal advice is particularly important in cases involving complex injuries, disputed liability, or overlapping medical conditions.
