Northern Ireland

InjuryWise covers the Republic of Ireland only. Nothing on this site applies to an accident in Northern Ireland: the time limit, the body that handles claims, the guidelines on what an injury is worth and the courts are all different there.

What is different

• There is no Injuries Resolution Board. A claim is made against the other side or its insurer and, if it is not settled, in the County Court or the High Court in Belfast.
• The limitation period is three years from the accident or the date of knowledge, not two.
• General damages are assessed by reference to the Judicial Studies Board for Northern Ireland’s guidelines, not the Judicial Council’s Personal Injuries Guidelines, and the figures differ.
• The Motor Insurers’ Bureau, the Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme and the welfare payments are all the United Kingdom’s.

Where to look

• NI Direct: making a personal injury claim
• The Law Society of Northern Ireland: find a solicitor

An accident across the border

Where the accident happened, where the other side is, and where proceedings are issued all matter, and the two-year and three-year limits can both be in play. That is a question for a solicitor in the jurisdiction concerned, at once. For an accident in the Republic, start with the time-limit checker and the guides.