Courts’ busiest year due to downturn

THE Courts Service had its busiest year ever in 2009 as its workload swelled due to the impact of the economic crash.

A huge surge in bankruptcies, liquidations and house repossessions fuelled the rise in workload, which was dealt with despite a cut in budgets and fewer staff.

There has been a 40% increase in court business in the past five years, but last year saw a rise in the overall number of cases, particularly in areas linked to the recession. Bankruptcies doubled to 17, there was a 6% rise in court ordered company wind-ups and 293 orders for possession made in the High Court — up 23% on the figure for 2008.