Flatley v Austin Newport Group Limited (Irish proceedings 2023/5909P; [2024] IEHC 359; Appeal 2025/320; [2026] IECA 192)

Procedural record

1. 28 February 2024Ireland

   28 February 2024Ireland

   Ruling of the High Court in the case 2023/5909P dated 28 February 2024

   High Court

   Decision summary

   The High Court refused Michael Flatley’s interlocutory injunction application seeking to prevent Hiscox from ceasing insurance cover and permitted amendments to the pleadings without prejudice to referral of the issues to arbitration under the policy.

   Participants

   Michael Flatley

   Hiscox Societe Anonyme

   High Court

   Judge

   Roberts J.

   3 months and 17 days later · 107 days

2. 14 June 2024Ireland

   14 June 2024Ireland

   Judgment of the High Court in the case 2023/5909P dated 14 June 2024

   High Court

   Decision summary

   The High Court referred Michael Flatley’s dispute with Hiscox concerning insurance coverage for Castlehyde to arbitration under the policy’s arbitration clause. It rejected the arguments that the clause was an unfair, legally ungoverned, non-transparent, unclear, or bad-faith consumer-contract term, and held that the scope of the claims under the 2022/2023 and 2023/2024 renewals was for the arbitrator to determine.

   Participants

   Michael Flatley

   Representative

   AON plc (For: Michael Flatley)

   Austin Newport Group Limited

   David Cushion

   MS Amlin Underwriting Limited

   AXA XL Underwriting Agencies Limited

   Hamilton Managing Agency Limited

   Hiscox Société Anonyme

   High Court

   Judge

   Mr Justice Twomey

   Authorities cited

   5

   • Consumer Rights Act 2022
     statute
   • Arbitration Act 2010
     statute
   • Arbitration Act 1954
     statute
   • UNCITRAL Model Law on International Commercial Arbitration
     model law
   • Marshall v Capital Holdings Ltd t/a Sunworld [2006] IEHC 27
     case

   2 years, 3 months and 4 days later · 826 days

3. 18 September 2026Ireland

   18 September 2026Ireland

   Judgment of the Court of Appeal in the case 2025 320 dated 18 September 2026

   Court of Appeal

   Case no.

   2025 320

   Citation

   [2026] IECA 192

   Decision summary

   The Court of Appeal dismissed Michael Flatley’s appeal on all grounds and affirmed the High Court order requiring security for the defendants’ costs in the sum of €1.1 million.

   Participants

   Michael Flatley

   Austin Newport Group Limited

   David Cushion

   MS Amlin Underwriting Limited

   AXA XL Underwriting Agencies Limited

   Hamilton Managing Agency Limited

   Hiscox S.A.

   Lloyds Insurance Company SA (LIC)

   Court of Appeal

   Judge

   Allen J.

   Judge

   McDonald J.

   Authorities cited

   11

   • Unfair Terms in Consumer Contracts Regulations, 1995
     regulation
   • Companies Act 2014
     statute
   • Rules of the Superior Courts, Order 29
     rule
   • Lugano Convention
     treaty
   • Sweeney v. The Voluntary Health Insurance Board [2025] IECA 15
     case
   • Sweeney v. The Voluntary Health Insurance Board [2026] IESC 32
     case
   • Harlequin Property (SVG) Limited v. O’Halloran [2012] IEHC 13
     case
   • Ditt v. Krohne [2012] IEHC 312
     case
   • Thalle v. Soares [1957] I.R. 182
     case
   • Farrell v. Bank of Ireland [2013] 2 I.L.R.M. 183
     case
   • Fallon v. An Bord Pleanála [1992] 2 I.R. 380
     case