Collins v Doyle

• Jurisdiction: Ireland
• Judge: Finlay P.
• Judgment Date: 08 February 1982
• Neutral Citation: 1982 WJSC-HC 1849
• Docket Number: No 10163P/1980
• Court: High Court
• Date: 08 February 1982

COLLINS v. DOYLE

COLLINS

Plaintiff

.v.

DOYLE

Defendant

1982 WJSC-HC 1849

No 10163P/1980

THE HIGH COURT

1 Judgment delivered on the 8th day of February, 1982by Finlay P.

2 This is an application by the Defendant for security for costs.

3 The Plaintiff's claim is for damages for personal injuries caused by the Defendant's breach of duty to him as an invites in the Defendant's premises The Defendant in his affidavit applying for security has established a prima facie defence in that he alleges that the accident complained of did not occur and that if the Plaintiff was injured that it resulted from a fracas in which the Plaintiff was crushed outside the Defendant's premises.

4 The Plaintiff in reply states that he is residing and has for some time resided outside the jurisdiction in England and that by reason of the injuries suffered by him in the accident complained of he has since that time been unable to earn and is accordingly unable to provide any security for costs. It is argued on his behalf that to make an order for security would be effectively to determine the issues arising in the case against the Plaintiff.

5 I have been referred to the following decisions which I haveconsidered.

6 Flynn .v. Eivers 86 I.L.T.R. (1952)

7 Heaney .v. Malocca 1958 I.R.

8 Peppard & Co. Ltd. .v. Bogoff 1962 I.R.

9 Cahane .v. Cahane 1968 I.R.

10 From these decisions the following principles of law appear toarise.

11 (1) Prima facie a Defendant establishing a prima facie defence to a claim made by a Plaintiff residing outside the jurisdiction has got a right to an order for security for costs.

12 (2) This is not absolute right and the Court must exercise a discretion based on the facts of each individual case.

13 (3) Poverty on the part of...