Michael Flatley's case against former solicitor over Cork mansion files to go to mediation

Michael Flatley is seeking to compel Maxwell Mooney and Company solicitors, with offices in Maynooth, Co Kildare, to hand over the files relating to the proceedings about and linked to his Cork mansion, Castlehyde, in Fermoy, Co Cork.

Mediation talks are set to begin in the next few weeks in Michael Flatley’s legal battle against his former solicitor.

The president of the High Court Mr Justice David Barniville on Friday welcomed the prospect of mediation in the case and said he would urge the sides to redouble their efforts to resolve the matter.

The legal row between the entertainer and his former solicitor erupted at the start of the year amid allegations on both sides about legal fees and an alleged hold on files.

Michael Flatley is seeking to compel Maxwell Mooney and Company solicitors, with offices in Maynooth, Co Kildare, to hand over the files relating to the proceedings about and linked to his Cork mansion, Castlehyde, in Fermoy, Co Cork.

In court on Friday, Niall Buckley SC, for Mr Flatley, said it had been agreed the parties would go to mediation, with talks expected to take place at the end of March or at dates in April.

He said if the mediation was not successful, the court would have to set aside a half day for the hearing of the case. Counsel said there was a continuing urgency, as the Michael Flatley appeal against a €1.1m security for costs order made against him in his €30m court action over works carried out at his Cork mansion was now due to be heard by the Court of Appeal on June 7.

Mr Justice Barniville in the High Court on Friday welcomed the prospect of mediation and said there were complex issues in the case and he would have told the parties ”mediation, mediation, mediation”. 

He said the case “was crying out for it”. The judge made directions in relation to documentation in the case and it will next be mentioned before the court on April 24 next.

In the case, the Flatley side are seeking that Mr Mooney be directed to produce or deliver the client files in respect of all legal services provided to Mr Flatley.

The Flatley side are also seeking an order compelling Mr Mooney to provide a copy of the Flatley client account.

The court previously heard the breakdown in the relationship between Mr Flatley and his former solicitor had had happened last November.

In an affidavit to the High Court, the entertainer said it was not correct that invoices relating to legal fees had not been paid to Mr Mooney. 

Mr Flatley said he could confirm the payments set out in the affidavit of his new solicitor Barry Creed, which stipulated a total of €487,837 had been paid by Mr Flatley, or on his behalf, between May 2022 and August 2025. 

Mr Creed stated it was unclear whether €290,000 had been applied as fees or whether they remain held on account.

Mr Flatley also alleged in the document before the court that there was an alleged failure to provide all client account information, which he claimed he requested three months ago. This, Mr Flatley alleges, is impeding the orderly progression of his litigation.

Mr Flatley also claimed in July last year he was concerned about how his proceedings were being managed, “and in particular the many negative headlines which were published about me”. 

“At all time, I was informed that matters were progressing positively however, the media depicted a very different picture,” he claimed.

In an affidavit, solicitor Barry Creed said extensive correspondence was exchanged with Mr Mooney and Mr Mooney wrote that his office was “exercising a general lien” over all files and papers relating to Mr Flatley "until we and counsel are paid in full.”