JUDGMENT FIGURES FALL IN NORTHERN IRELAND
Both the number and total value of small claims and High Court judgments in Northern Ireland have decreased in the first half of 2019 compared to the same period the previous year, according to figures released today (July 18) by Registry Trust.
In the first six months of 2019 there were 3,721 defaults and small claims judgments. This is a 19 percent decrease compared to HY1 2018 figures. The total value fell by 16 percent to £7.8million, though the average value increased by four percent to £2,094.
Record lows can be seen in the number and total value of High Court judgments in Northern Ireland during the first half of 2019. There were 30 High Court judgments, five fewer than in HY1 2018. The total value of judgments in the High Court fell by 19 percent to £2.3 million and the average value decreased by five percent to £77,935.
The total value of judgments in the first half of the year in all courts in Northern Ireland was £10.1m compared with £12.2m in HY1 2018.
During the first six months of 2019, 3.33 percent of judgments were marked as satisfied. This is an increase from last year despite the volume of judgments falling this year. This contrasts with 13.88 percent satisfaction in England and Wales, where satisfaction rates are generally higher owing to differences between legal systems.
Trust deputy chairman Mick McAteer said: “Although concerns have been expressed about the robustness of the Northern Ireland economy during this period of pre-Brexit uncertainty, the latest analysis from Registry Trust showing significant falls in judgments paints a more positive picture. But, it is too early to reach conclusions as these falls could represent legacy problems falling out of the system. We will continue to monitor the data to see if these improvements are sustained.”
Registry Trust is a non-profit organisation which collects judgment information throughout the British Isles and Ireland. In Northern Ireland it collects information on defaults and small claims judgments, and High Court judgments. A judgment is a warning that debt may be out of control.
Registry Trust received 19,861 requests to search the register for Northern Ireland online at www.trustonline.org.uk during the first half of 2019. TrustOnline allows anyone to search for judgments and similar information registered against consumers and businesses in any jurisdiction across the British Isles and Ireland. “We have upgraded TrustOnline to make it mobile friendly,” said Mr McAteer. “It is now cheap, quick and efficient to enquire about whoever you transact with. If there's a judgment on their record, think twice.”
Q1+Q2 2018 |
Q1+Q2 2019 | Change (compared with Q1+Q2 2018) | |
Defaults and small claims |
|||
volume | 4,603 | 3,721 | -19% |
total value | £9.3m | £7.8m | -16% |
Average* value | £2,019 | £2,094 | +4% |
High Court judgments |
|||
volume | 35 |
30 [record low] |
down five |
total value | £2.9m |
£2.3m [record low] |
-19% |
Average* value | £82,095 | £77,935 | -5% |