Irish business judgments decline

Latest figures released by the Registry Trust shows that the number of business debt judgements declined in Ireland during Q1 2019.

The number, total value and average value of judgments registered against businesses in Ireland in Q1 2019 were the lowest on record for a first quarter-year, with 112 judgments registered, eight fewer than the first quarter of 2018. The total value of business judgments dropped by 40 percent to €1.6million, compared to Q1 2018, and the average value fell 36 percent to €14,622.

The median value of a business judgment dropped to €7,964 in Q1 2019, a decrease of 21 percent compared to Q1 2018.

The figures are based only on judgments registered at the request and cost of creditors at the Four Courts in Dublin and therefore provide only a partial picture of unmanaged debt judgments in the country. By comparison, in the much smaller economy of Northern Ireland, where judgments from all courts are registered, there were 1768 judgments in first quarter of 2019.

Malcolm Hurlston as Registrar said “The business stats point to a stronger economy with scope for increased safe borrowing.”

Judgments against businesses Q1 2018 Q1 2019 Change (compared with Q1 2018)
volume	120	112 [record low]	down eight
total value	€2.8m	€1.6m [record low]	-40%
Average* value	€22,900	€14,622 [record low]	-36%
median	€10,045	€7,964	-21%