Significant changes are coming to civil litigation in Northern Ireland. From 30 November 2026, the financial jurisdiction of the County Court will increase substantially, representing one of the most important procedural developments for litigants, insurers, businesses and claims professionals in recent years.  

This change is expected to alter where many personal injury, property damage and general civil disputes are litigated, with a much greater volume of claims now capable of proceeding through the County Court rather than the High Court. The reforms have the potential to deliver greater cost certainty and efficiencies, but they also raise important strategic and operational considerations for those handling claims in Northern Ireland.  

It’s critical that insurers review their litigation strategies, reserving practices and claims handling procedures ahead of implementation.  

 

What’s Changing? 

The Department of Justice (DoJ) has introduced the necessary secondary legislation to increase the general civil jurisdiction of the County Court. With effect from 30 November 2026:  

  • The upper financial limit for County Court claims will increase from £30,000 to £60,000.  
  • The jurisdiction of District Judges will increase from £10,000 to £20,000.  

These changes will not affect proceedings that were issued before 30 November 2026. Existing cases will continue under the current jurisdictional framework.  

 

Why Does it Matter? 

The increase effectively doubles the value of claims that can be heard within the County Court. As a result, many cases that would previously have been litigated in the High Court may now remain within the County Court system.  

For insurers, this is likely to influence: 

  • Litigation strategy and forum selection 
  • Claims valuation and reserving practices 
  • Cost exposure and recovery 
  • Case management timelines 
  • Settlement negotiations and commercial decision-making   

The practical impact of will only become fully apparent once the courts and practitioners begin operating under the new jurisdictional limits, but now is the time to prepare. 

 

POTENTIAL BENEFITS 

Greater Cost Predictability 

One of the anticipated benefits is improved clarity and predictability of legal costs for claims valued between £30,000 and £60,000, particularly once the revised County Court cost scales are formally established.  

Reduced Counsel Costs 

For claims that fall within the new County Court limits, counsel fees may be lower than those in higher-value High Court litigation which could help manage litigation expenditure more effectively.  

Increased Opportunity for Early Resolution 

A more streamlined procedural environment may encourage earlier settlement discussions and potentially reduce the need for expensive litigation processes. 

 

POTENTIAL CHALLENGES 

Ongoing Uncertainty of Costs 

Amendments to the County Court cost scales are proposed but until the final statutory rules are confirmed, there remains some uncertainty of the precise cost consequences.  

This is likely to be of particular interest to insurers and others when assessing litigation risk and forecasting potential cost exposure. 

Pressure on Court Resources 

An increase in the number of higher-value claims being heard in the County Court could place additional pressure on court resources and contribute to delays, or it could lead to more efficient case progression and earlier settlements. The long-term impact remains to be seen.  

 

What Should Organisations Do Now? 

With implementation imminent, insurers should: 

  • Review existing claims portfolios to identify cases that may be affected by the new jurisdictional limits 
  • Consider the impact on reserving and litigation budgeting 
  • Update internal claims handling and escalation procedures 
  • Monitor publication of the final County Court cost rules 
  • Obtain legal advice on strategy for claims approaching the new jurisdictional thresholds. 

 

How We Can Help 

The increase in County Court jurisdiction is a significant procedural shift for civil litigation in Northern Ireland. Understanding how the changes affect costs, strategy and case progression will be key to managing risk effectively. 

Our Northern Ireland team is closely monitoring developments, including the publication of the final costs rules, providing tailored advice on the impact of the reforms on processes, claims portfolios, insurers and their customers. 

To discuss how these changes may affect your business and for specialist advice, contact Matthew Fitzpatrick, Partner and Head of Northern Ireland matthew.fitzpatrick@h-f.co.uk or contact Mrs Grace Corr, Associate grace.corr@h-f.co.uk