Commercial Court
Table of contents
Why choose us
Cases are continuously case-managed from entry to judgment to keep them on track and ensure that commercial disputes are resolved at the earliest opportunity. Key benefits include:
English-speaking common law jurisdiction
Ireland is the only EU Member State with an English-speaking, common-law court system operating under the doctrine of precedent, promoting certainty and consistency.
Experienced court and specialist lists
Established in 2004, the Commercial Court has developed significant expertise. A dedicated panel of judges (former senior counsel/solicitors) hear cases, with specialist lists for Competition, Arbitration, Strategic Infrastructure Developments, Insolvency, and (forthcoming) the Intellectual Property & Technology List.
Independent and impartial judiciary
Judicial independence is guaranteed by the Constitution. Courts administration is managed independently by the Courts Service, separate from Government.
Expeditious case handling
The Court is known for prompt case disposal. Robust directions and active case management keep matters moving.
Case management & strict timetables
Directions set clear steps and deadlines. Each party must nominate a solicitor to undertake compliance. Variations require a court order.
Independent Bar and legal expertise
Ireland has an independent referral Bar and a strong community of commercial litigators with extensive EU and multi-jurisdictional experience. Professions are regulated by the Bar Council, Law Society and the Legal Services Regulatory Authority.
Enforcement
Ireland has a long-standing regime for enforcing judgments. Irish judgments are enforceable across the EU under the Recast Brussels Regulation.
Practical access
EU citizens (including counsel/witnesses) do not require visas to attend. Evidence can be given by video link where appropriate.
Document handling
Discovery (often e-discovery) is closely managed. Paper-light/“paperless” trials are supported.
Commercial sensitivity
While hearings are generally in public, the Court can protect confidential information (e.g. by hearing parts in private or by redaction) where justified.
How the Commercial Court operates
Process overview
- Issue proceedings in the Central Office of the High Court.
- Apply for entry to the Commercial Court (by one or more parties).
- Entry decision: if granted, the entry application usually doubles as the initial directions hearing (directions may be on consent or ruled by the Court).
- Second directions hearing when pleadings are closed or nearly closed. The judge will normally fix a hearing date and set strict directions. Urgent cases may receive a date at the initial hearing.
- Callover (week before hearing): listed to confirm readiness and compliance with directions.
- Trial: the case is heard by an assigned Commercial Court judge.
Directions and compliance
The Court sets steps and deadlines for pleadings, discovery, and exchange of witness statements. Directions must be strictly observed. Each party nominates a solicitor to undertake compliance. Directions cannot be varied by agreement between parties; any change requires a court application.
Alternative dispute resolution (ADR)
The Court encourages and facilitates ADR, particularly mediation, reflecting its importance in the Irish legal system.
Judicial allocation
A dedicated panel of judges with extensive commercial and trial expertise is assigned to the list.
Rules and practice directions
See Practice Direction HC122 (Commercial Court List). The Commercial List is governed by Order 63A of the Rules of the Superior Courts.
Fees
Court fees are set by statutory fees orders. The party seeking entry to the Commercial Court must pay a fee of €5,000. See the Superior Courts Fees Order for details.
Calendar and listings
Hearings are published in the High Court Legal Diary (opens in a new tab) .
Judgments
Reserved (written) judgments of the Commercial Court are available on the Judgments page.
Commercial Court judges
Mr Justice Mark Sanfey
Mr Justice Mark Sanfey studied Law in Trinity College Dublin and graduated in 1982. He obtained a Barrister-at-Law degree from the King’s Inns in 1987 and commenced practice that year. He was called to the Inner Bar in 2004, and practised primarily in chancery, commercial, insolvency and construction law. He was appointed to the High Court in December 2019, and has presided mainly in the Chancery and Commercial courts. He was appointed Judge in charge of the Chancery List in October 2023, and Judge in charge of the Commercial List in December 2024; he has also presided as Judge in charge of the Arbitration, Personal Insolvency, and Bankruptcy Lists.
Mr Justice Michael Twomey
Mr Justice Michael Twomey was appointed to the High Court of Ireland in January 2016 and has spent the majority of his time sitting in the Commercial Division. He studied law in University College Cork, holds a Ph.D. in law from University College Dublin, was a Visiting Researcher in Harvard Law School and a lecturer in law in Trinity College Dublin. He was elected a bencher of King’s Inns in 2016 and is an accredited mediator with CEDR. Prior to his appointment, he practised in commercial law, specialising in partnership law and was a consultant to the Law Commission of England & Wales and the Scottish Law Commission. He is the author of “Twomey on Partnership” (Bloomsbury Professional, 2nd ed., 2020).
Mr Justice Michael Quinn
Mr Justice Michael Quinn was appointed a judge of the High Court in 2018. He is assigned to the Commercial Division and to hear examinership and insolvency matters under the Companies Act 2014. He is a Bencher of the King’s Inns. Prior to his appointment he practised as a solicitor specialising in corporate restructuring and insolvency and was a CEDR-accredited mediator. He is a Past President of INSOL Europe and Co-Chair of its Judicial Wing, and serves on the Advisory Board of the EU Project on Judicial Co-Operation for Economic Recovery in Europe.
Ms Justice Eileen Roberts
Ms Justice Eileen Roberts is a graduate of Trinity College Dublin. She was appointed to the High Court in July 2022 (chancery division) and to the Commercial Court in October 2023. She also hears examinership and insolvency matters under the Companies Act 2014. She is a Bencher of the King’s Inns, a CEDR-accredited mediator and a former committee member of the Irish Commercial Mediation Association. She helped develop the CLAI discovery good-practice guide and was appointed a Part-Time Commissioner of the Law Reform Commission for a five-year term commencing 1 February 2024.
Mr Justice Max Barrett
The Commercial List is also supported by Mr Justice Max Barrett.
Contact
The Commercial Court is supported by the Central Office of the High Court.
Email: [email protected]
For office details see: Find us (Central Office of the High Court).
