Legal

New guidelines reducing injury awards have legal effect, Supreme Court rules

The landmark ruling came after a judicial review was taken by Waterford woman Bridget Delaney over a €3,000 award for an ankle injury

The guidelines were adopted by the state's judges in 2021, and have resulted in payouts being reduced by 40 per cent on 2020 levels.

Guidelines voted in by judges that reduce awards for mostly minor personal injuries are legally binding, the Supreme Court has ruled.

The landmark ruling, which was backed by five judges to two, means the benchmarks can only be departed from in cases where there is no reasonable proportion between the guidelines and the damages awarded.

The seven judge court dismissed most of the issues raised in an appeal brought by Bridget Delaney, from Co Waterford, ...