Changes announced to the financial jurisdiction of the County Court in Northern Ireland

The Department of Justice (DOJ) has signalled a significant reform to the civil justice landscape in Northern Ireland with its proposal to raise the general civil jurisdiction of the county courts.

In a stakeholder update issued in January 2026, the Justice Minister confirmed that the jurisdictional limit of the county court, which has been unchanged since 2013, will increase from £30,000 to £60,000, with district judges’ limits rising from £10,000 to £20,000.

The cap for defamation cases, a specific category within the civil jurisdiction, is also proposed to rise from £3,000 to £10,000. It is anticipated that these changes will be implemented through secondary legislation during the current Assembly mandate, with the aim of commencement in autumn 2026.

The proposal reflects the DOJ’s intention to modernise the civil justice system by reallocating more cases to the county court level, thereby improving accessibility and overall system efficiency. We welcome those changes and suggest that any rise in jurisdiction should be accompanied by broader structural reforms to ensure county courts are equipped to manage higher‑value and more complex cases. We await the changes with interest.

If you would like any further information or advice on the information mentioned, please contact Cathal O'Neill from our Defence Insurance Litigation team.

*This information is for guidance purposes only and does not constitute, nor should be regarded as, a substitute for taking legal advice that is tailored to your circumstances.