PRACTICE NOTES
This Practice Note explores the law of maintenance and champerty and its impact on third party litigation funding in Ireland. It outlines the stance of the Irish courts, the recognised exceptions, and recent developments concerning third‑party funding. For general guidance on litigation costs, see Practice Note: Ireland—Legal costs in civil proceedings...
The rules against maintenance and champerty
Third party litigation funding arises where an unrelated party (with no prior link to the dispute) agrees to pay all or part of the legal expenses in return for a share of any award or settlement obtained. Such funding has long been unlawful in Ireland under the Maintenance and Embracery Act 1634 (UK), preserved by the Statute Law Revision Act 2007 (Ireland), which prohibits maintenance and champerty and continues to have effect. Maintenance involves supporting litigation by strangers who lack a legitimate interest. Champerty is funding
Ireland - Dispute Resolution