Law Society of Ireland PPC1 - Litigation & Dispute Resolution Exam

Under the Civil Liability and Courts Act 2004, what is the default limitation period for initiating a personal injuries action in Ireland?

• A1 year from the date of the accident or date of knowledge
• B2 years from the date of the accident or date of knowledge
• C3 years from the date of the accident or date of knowledge
• D6 years from the date of the accident or date of knowledge

Within what period must a claimant serve a Section 8 notice on a proposed defendant after the cause of action accrues under the Civil Liability and Courts Act 2004 (as amended)?

• A1 month
• B2 months
• C6 months
• D1 year

What is the consequence under Section 8 of the Civil Liability and Courts Act 2004 if a claimant fails to serve a Section 8 notice within the required statutory period without reasonable cause?

• AThe action is automatically struck out by the Court.
• BThe defendant is granted automatic summary judgment.
• CThe Court may draw adverse inferences or penalize the claimant in costs.
• DThe Statute of Limitations is reduced to one year.

Which of the following personal injury claims is NOT required to be submitted to the Injuries Resolution Board (formerly PIAB) before commencing court proceedings?

• AA claim arising from a road traffic accident
• BA claim arising from a slip and fall in a supermarket
• CA claim alleging professional medical negligence
• DA claim arising from an accident in the workplace

What is the statutory effect of making an application to the Injuries Resolution Board on the running of the limitation period under the Statute of Limitations?

• AIt permanently stops the limitation period from running.
• BIt has no effect, and the claimant must issue protective writ proceedings.
• CIt suspends the running of the limitation period for the duration of the Board's assessme…
• DIt extends the limitation period by a flat period of 2 years.

What document must a claimant receive from the Injuries Resolution Board before they are legally permitted to issue court proceedings for a personal injury claim?

• AA Certificate of Readiness
• BAn Authorization
• CAn Assessment Order
• DA Decree Nisi

If a defendant wishes to participate in the Injuries Resolution Board assessment process, within what timeframe must they consent to the assessment after receiving formal notice from the Board?

• A21 days
• B28 days
• C90 days
• D6 months

What is the standard timeframe within which the Injuries Resolution Board must complete its assessment of a claim, once the respondent has consented to the process?

• A3 months, with no possibility of extension
• B9 months, which can be extended by a further 6 months
• C12 months, which can be extended by a further 12 months
• D2 years, with no possibility of extension

Under Section 14 of the Civil Liability and Courts Act 2004, what document must be sworn by both the claimant and the defendant verifying the assertions in their respective pleadings?

• AAffidavit of Discovery
• BAffidavit of Verification
• CAffidavit of Means
• DStatement of Truth

Within what period after the service of a pleading must an Affidavit of Verification under Section 14 of the Civil Liability and Courts Act 2004 be filed in court?

• A7 days
• B14 days
• C21 days
• D28 days

What is the primary statutory instrument or guide currently used by the Injuries Resolution Board and the courts to determine the level of general damages in personal injury actions in Ireland?

• AThe Book of Quantum
• BThe Personal Injuries Guidelines
• CThe Civil Liability Regulations
• DThe Judicial Tariffs

If both the claimant and the respondent accept an assessment of damages made by the Injuries Resolution Board, what document does the Board issue to give the assessment legal effect?

• AAn Order to Pay
• BA Consent Decree
• CAn Authorization
• DA Writ of Execution

What is the legal consequence if a claimant rejects an assessment of damages made by the Injuries Resolution Board, but the respondent accepts it?

• AThe claimant is barred from taking the case to court.
• BThe Board issues an Authorization allowing the claimant to issue court proceedings.
• CThe respondent is deemed to have won the case automatically.
• DThe claimant must pay the respondent's administrative costs immediately.

What is the cost penalty under the PIAB Act 2003 if a claimant rejects an assessment, the respondent accepts it, and the claimant subsequently fails to obtain a higher award in a court action?

• AThe claimant must pay double damages to the defendant.
• BThe claimant cannot recover the costs of the court proceedings and must pay the defendant…
• CThe court proceedings are declared void and struck out.
• DThe claimant is fined for contempt of court.

Which specific originating document must be used to commence a personal injuries action in the High Court, Circuit Court, or District Court?

• APlenary Summons
• BCivil Bill
• CPersonal Injuries Summons
• DSpecial Summons

What information must be specifically detailed in a Personal Injuries Summons under Section 10 of the Civil Liability and Courts Act 2004?

• AThe claimant's tax records for the past five years
• BThe full names and addresses of all intended witnesses
• CFull particulars of the injuries alleged, the negligence alleged, and the items of specia…
• DA complete copy of the claimant's medical history since birth

What constitutes 'special damages' in the context of an Irish personal injuries claim?

• ACompensation for pain, suffering, and loss of amenity
• BPunitive damages designed to punish the defendant
• COut-of-pocket financial expenses incurred by the claimant as a result of the accident
• DDiscretionary damages awarded only in extraordinary cases

Under the Civil Liability and Courts Act 2004, what is the maximum criminal penalty for a person who knowingly gives false or misleading evidence or swears a false Section 14 affidavit?

• AA fine of up to €3,000 and/or 6 months in prison
• BA fine of up to €10,000 and/or 1 year in prison
• CA fine of up to €100,000 and/or up to 10 years in prison
• DThere is no criminal penalty; it is treated as a civil breach only

Which body is responsible for compensating victims of road traffic accidents in Ireland caused by uninsured or untraced drivers?

• AThe Injuries Resolution Board
• BThe Motor Insurers' Bureau of Ireland (MIBI)
• CThe Road Safety Authority (RSA)
• DThe State Claims Agency

In personal injury litigation, when a claimant's solicitor receives an Authorization from the Injuries Resolution Board, within what period must court proceedings be issued if the 2-year limitation period would otherwise have expired?

• AWithin 1 month from the date of the Authorization
• BWithin 6 months from the date of the Authorization
• CWithin 1 year from the date of the Authorization
• DBy the original 2-year anniversary date regardless of the application

Which type of originating summons is used in High Court proceedings where the claimant's claim is for a liquidated sum of money arising from a contract?

• APlenary Summons
• BSummary Summons
• CSpecial Summons
• DPersonal Injuries Summons

Which originating summons is used in the High Court for claims that are required by the Rules of the Superior Courts to be heard on affidavit, such as foreclosure or administration of estates?

• APlenary Summons
• BSummary Summons
• CSpecial Summons
• DGeneral Summons

What is the standard period of validity for an originating summons in the High Court for the purpose of service?

• A6 months from the date of issue
• B12 months from the date of issue
• C2 years from the date of issue
• DIndefinite, until served or struck out

Under Order 9 of the Rules of the Superior Courts, how must an originating summons normally be served on an individual defendant in Ireland?

• ABy ordinary pre-paid post to their place of work
• BBy personal service, by handing a copy of the summons to the defendant
• CBy leaving it with any neighbor at the defendant's address
• DBy publishing a notice in a national daily newspaper

What order must a claimant obtain if a defendant is evading personal service and it is impossible to serve them directly?

• AAn Order for Substituted Service
• BAn Order for Default Judgment
• CAn Order for Specific Performance
• DAn Order for Third-Party Service

Within what period must a defendant enter an Appearance in the High Court after being served with an originating summons?

• A8 days
• B10 days
• C14 days
• D21 days

What is the primary purpose of entering an Appearance in civil proceedings?

• ATo admit liability for the claim
• BTo state the legal defense to the court
• CTo formally submit to the jurisdiction of the court and indicate an intention to defend t…
• DTo request a stay on the proceedings

If a defendant wishes to contest the jurisdiction of the Irish High Court (e.g., under the Brussels Recast Regulation), what type of appearance should they enter?

• AAn Unconditional Appearance
• BA Conditional Appearance
• CAn Appearance under Protest
• DA Special Appearance

In a High Court action commenced by Plenary Summons, what pleading must be delivered by the claimant setting out the details of their claim, if not already served with the summons?

• AOriginating Affidavit
• BStatement of Claim
• CNotice for Particulars
• DRequisition for Trial

What is the default timeframe within which a claimant must deliver a Statement of Claim after the defendant has entered an appearance?

• A21 days
• B28 days
• C8 weeks
• D6 months

If a defendant believes a Statement of Claim is vague or lacks necessary details to allow them to plead, what procedural step should they take before delivering their Defense?

• AFile an immediate Motion for Judgment in Default
• BDeliver a Notice for Particulars
• CApply for a Stay of Execution
• DDeliver a Replication

What is the default timeframe within which a defendant must deliver a Defense in the High Court after receiving the Statement of Claim?

• A8 days
• B14 days
• C28 days
• D8 weeks

If a defendant fails to enter an appearance in a High Court plenary action within the required time, what motion must the claimant bring to obtain judgment?

• AMotion for Judgment in Default of Appearance
• BMotion for Judgment in Default of Defense
• CMotion for Summary Judgment
• DMotion to Strike Out the Pleading

What is the procedure if a defendant has entered an appearance but fails to deliver a Defense within the statutory 28-day period?

• AThe claimant receives automatic judgment from the Central Office.
• BThe claimant must issue a Motion for Judgment in Default of Defense.
• CThe trial is automatically set down for hearing without a defense.
• DThe claimant must re-issue the Plenary Summons.

If a defendant claims that a third party is liable to contribute or indemnify them against the claimant's claim, what procedure must the defendant use to join that party to the action?

• APlead a Counterclaim against the claimant
• BIssue a Third-Party Notice
• CApply for a Joinder of Parties under inherent jurisdiction
• DPlead contributory negligence in the Defense

What is the first step in the discovery process in High Court litigation?

• ASwear an Affidavit of Discovery
• BIssue a Motion for Discovery
• CSend a letter seeking voluntary discovery
• DApply to the Master of the High Court

In a letter seeking voluntary discovery, what legal test must the requesting party satisfy for each category of documents they seek?

• AThey must show the documents are interesting to the public.
• BThey must show the documents are relevant and necessary for disposing fairly of the cause…
• CThey must show the documents are in the sole possession of the defendant's solicitor.
• DThey must prove the documents contain an admission of liability.

Which document must be sworn by a party listing the documents that are or were in their possession, power, or procurement relating to the categories of discovery?

• AStatement of Truth
• BAffidavit of Discovery
• CAffidavit of Documents
• DSchedule of Pleadings

Under which ground of privilege can a party refuse to produce a document on discovery because it was created for the dominant purpose of obtaining legal advice?

• AWithout Prejudice privilege
• BLegal Advice privilege
• CLitigation privilege
• DPublic Interest privilege

What is the dominant purpose test in relation to Litigation Privilege in Irish civil procedure?

• AThe document must be created for the sole purpose of commercial gain.
• BThe document must be created for the dominant purpose of preparing for actual or reasonab…
• CThe document must be written by a senior counsel.
• DThe litigation must be the only event occurring in the company in that year.

What is the general monetary jurisdiction limit of the District Court in Irish civil actions (other than family law or personal injuries)?

• AUp to €6,350
• BUp to €15,000
• CUp to €75,000
• DUp to €150,000

What is the monetary jurisdiction limit of the Circuit Court for personal injury claims in Ireland?

• AUp to €15,000
• BUp to €60,000
• CUp to €75,000
• DUp to €150,000

What is the monetary jurisdiction limit of the Circuit Court for general civil claims (excluding personal injury actions) such as breach of contract or non-personal injury torts?

• AUp to €15,000
• BUp to €75,000
• CUp to €150,000
• DUnlimited

Which originating document is used to commence a standard civil action in the Circuit Court?

• AClaim Notice
• BCivil Bill
• CPlenary Summons
• DOriginating Petition

Which originating document is used to commence a standard civil action in the District Court?

• AClaim Notice
• BCivil Bill
• CCivil Summons
• DNotice of Motion

Under the Circuit Court Rules, how may a Civil Bill be served on a defendant in Ireland as a primary method of service?

• ABy ordinary pre-paid post only
• BBy registered post or personal service
• CBy publication in the Iris Oifigiuil
• DBy verbal notification over the telephone

Within what period after service of a Civil Bill must a defendant enter an Appearance in the Circuit Court?

• A8 days
• B10 days
• C21 days
• D28 days

Under the Circuit Court Rules, within what period after entering an appearance must the defendant deliver a Defense?

• A10 days
• B21 days
• C28 days
• D6 weeks