Week ending 19 July 2026: Immigration, planning and revenue law dominate; Court of Appeal clarifies procedural principles on natural justice and public law remedies

Case of the week

Nowak -v- The Courts Service of Ireland applies two recent Supreme Court decisions (Kirwan v Connors and Barlow) to clarify procedural fairness in administrative law, establishing binding appellate authority on natural justice requirements in public law contexts. The decision's reliance on consolidated recent Supreme Court doctrine makes it the week's most significant development for public law practitioners.

Immigration and asylum: cluster of High Court decisions on International Protection Appeals Tribunal jurisdiction

Five High Court decisions address applications concerning the International Protection Appeals Tribunal and related immigration matters. S.H.E. -v- The International Protection Appeals Tribunal and Ors ([2026] IEHC 464), A.H.O. -v- The International Protection Appeals Tribunal and Anor ([2026] IEHC 469), and O.A.S.A. -v- The Chief International Protection Officer and Ors ([2026] IEHC 470) signal continued scrutiny of asylum determinations. A.I. -v- The Minister For Justice ([2026] IEHC 489) and the extradition applications by the Minister for Justice in Saby ([2026] IEHC 480) and Bolmadir ([2026] IEHC 481) establish ongoing judicial review of immigration and criminal proceedings. [2026] IEHC 489 follows M.K.I.A. (Palestine) & anor -v- The International Protection ([2018] IEHC 134); [2026] IEHC 481 follows the principles established in Attorney General -v- Pal ([2020] IEHC 143).

[2026] IEHC 464[2026] IEHC 469[2026] IEHC 470[2026] IEHC 489[2026] IEHC 480[2026] IEHC 481

Planning law: multiple High Court challenges to An Coimisiún Pleanála

Three planning disputes reached the High Court this week. Lissan Coal Company [Ireland] Limited -v- An Coimisiún Pleanála ([2026] IEHC 457) concerns a substantial development decision. D'Alton and Ors -v- An Coimisiún Pleanála and Anor ([2026] IEHC 487) and the third judgment in South Dublin City Council, O'Neill -v- Threshford Limited and Ors ([2026] IEHC 484) address planning permissions and enforcement. Brownfield Restoration Ireland Limited -v- Wicklow County Council ([2026] IEHC 485), in its twelfth iteration, applies the court's earlier decision ([2023] IEHC 137) and continues a long-running dispute over environmental compliance and contaminated land remediation.

[2026] IEHC 457[2026] IEHC 487[2026] IEHC 484[2026] IEHC 485

Revenue law: High Court settles valuation and tax assessment principles

O'Sullivan Fabrications Limited -v- The Revenue Commissioners ([2026] IEHC 488) consolidates established authority on revenue assessments, following precedent in Stanberry Investments Ltd. -v- Commissioner of Valuation ([2020] IECA 33), Glynn & Ors -v- Revenue Commissioners ([2021] IEHC 780), Byrne -v- Revenue Commissioner ([2021] IEHC 262), and Revenue Commissioners -v- Getty Images International ULC ([2025] IEHC 268). Mohan -v- The Revenue Commissioners and Ors ([2026] IEHC 468) applies principles from Doherty -v- Minister for Justice Equality & Law Reform & ors ([2009] IEHC 246) in a separate revenue dispute.

[2026] IEHC 488[2026] IEHC 468

Contract, commercial and corporate law: contract enforcement and company law applications

FW Aviation [Holdings] 1 Limited -v- VietJet Joint Stock Aviation Company ([2026] IEHC 459) involves commercial contract principles, applying Hughes -v- The Revenue Commissioners & Ors ([2021] IECA 5). QPQ Limited -v- Schute ([2026] IEHC 463) applies established defamation and civil wrong principles from Lowry -v- Mr Justice Michael Moriarty ([2014] IEHC 602) and follows Thema International Fund Plc -v- HSBC Institutional Trust Se ([2011] IEHC 357). ISON Innovations Limited -v- Companies Act 2014 ([2026] IEHC 486) applies Pasrm LTD -v- Companies Act ([2023] IEHC 149) in a statutory interpretation question. Piramal Critical Care B.V. -v- Brepco Biopharma Limited ([2026] IEHC 467) addresses pharmaceutical supply arrangements.

[2026] IEHC 459[2026] IEHC 463[2026] IEHC 486[2026] IEHC 467

Family law, employment and public law: wardship, school employment and contractual damages

In The Matter Of An Intended Application For Minor Wardship: TN [A Minor] ([2026] IEHC 477) addresses child protection and guardianship. The Board Of Management Of Wilson's Hospital School -v- Burke [No. 7] ([2026] IEHC 478) continues employment disputes in the education sector. Martin -v- Martin and Ors ([2026] IEHC 483) DISTINGUISHES English -v- O'Driscoll & Ors ([2019] IECA 153) on family property principles, marking a significant treatment event. Keane -v- Clarke ([2026] IEHC 497) follows Tracey t/a Engineering Design & Management -v- Burton & ors ([2016] IESC 16) in addressing contractual damages. Everyday Finance Designated Activity Company -v- Wales ([2026] IEHC 473) applies Campbell -v- Geraghty Executor Of Margaret Ahern Deceased ([2022] IEHC 241) and follows Charleton & Anor -v- Scriven ([2025] IEHC 6) on debt recovery and financial remedies.

[2026] IEHC 477[2026] IEHC 478[2026] IEHC 483[2026] IEHC 497[2026] IEHC 473

Court of Appeal and Northern Ireland: procedural principles and administrative law

O'Donnell -v- Dowling & Ors ([2026] IECA 127) applies the Supreme Court's decision in Kirwan v Connors & ors ([2025] IESC 21), establishing procedural principles on natural justice in civil proceedings. Nowak -v- The Courts Service of Ireland ([2026] IECA 131) also applies Kirwan and the Supreme Court's earlier decision in Barlow & Ors -v- The Minister for Communications, Marine & N ([2025] IESC 14), clarifying procedural fairness requirements in public law contexts. Both decisions reinforce recent Supreme Court doctrine on administrative procedural standards. In Northern Ireland, AB and Western Health and Social Care Trust ([2026] NICA 35) addresses health authority obligations, The Law Society of Northern Ireland and Christopher J Rafferty ([2026] NICh 18) follows established professional conduct principles from [2008] NIQB 11, and Gallagher (Michael) Application for Judicial Review ([2026] NIKB 32) engages judicial review in the criminal context.

[2026] IECA 127[2026] IECA 131[2026] NICA 35[2026] NICh 18[2026] NIKB 32

Authority under scrutiny this week