JUDGMENTS AGAINST IRISH CONSUMERS RISE 20 PERCENT IN THE FINAL QUARTER OF 2019

IRISH SMALL BUSINESSES SEE 66 PERCENT INCREASE IN JUDGMENTS IN Q4 2019

There was a 20 percent rise in the number of judgments recorded against consumers in the Republic of Ireland in Q4 2019, compared to the same period last year, figures released (date: 27/01/2020) by registrar Irish Judgments show.

Consumer judgment numbers rose from 516 in Q4 2018 to 618 Q4 2019, while the total value grew by 31 percent from €47,606,712 in Q4 2018 to €62,393,251. The average and median values saw increases of nine and ten percent respectively suggesting larger judgments were being registered against consumers compared to the same quarter in 2018.

Judgments against all types of businesses, particularly small businesses, saw even larger increases than consumer judgments. Small business judgments increased 66 percent compared to 46 percent registered against all types of Irish businesses.

The total and average values of judgments registered against all businesses dropped significantly in the final quarter of 2019 compared to the same quarter of 2018.

Irish Judgments collects information on judgments from courts across Ireland registered by creditors at the Four Courts in Dublin. It is operated by Registry Trust, a non-profit company which collects court judgment information across the UK and Ireland

Mick McAteer as Registrar commented: “Registry Trust data on judgments provides a useful indicator of the state of household finances and the economy in Ireland. Judgments against both consumers and business saw significant rises. We will continue to monitor this closely”.