Legal News ()

In a welcome development for both patients and hospital staff, the Health Service Executive (HSE) together with the Clinical Indemnity Scheme have recently launched National Policy and National Guidelines 2013 documents on open disclosure.

Further to our recent article on the publication of the Protected Disclosures Bill 2013, the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, Mr Brendan Howlin T.D., has introduced an amendment to the Bill.

New monetary jurisdiction limits for the District and Circuit Courts are due to commence on 3 February 2014. The changes are provided for in Section 2(1) and Part 3 of the Courts and Civil Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2013.

The long mooted increase to the limit for an award of solatium in fatal injury cases to €35,000 was introduced on 11 January 2014.

Fíona Murphy offers a brief guide to the Local Property Tax (LPT).

Tough economic times increase the risk for co-defendants in litigation, along with their insurers/indemnifiers, that one of them could end up footing the bill for a full award of damages - even if they have only been found partly responsible, explains Martha Wilson.