Do I need a solicitor to make a claim to the Injuries Board?

You can represent yourself

You are not required to have a solicitor to submit a personal injury claim to the Injuries Resolution Board (IRB). In fact, one of the original goals of the Board, when it was first established, was to streamline the process and reduce reliance on legal representation during the assessment of compensation.

If you choose to represent yourself, the IRB will not discourage or penalise you for doing so. The process is designed to be accessible to members of the public, and many straightforward claims can be completed without legal assistance.

When it might make sense to represent yourself

In cases where the circumstances are uncomplicated, legal liability is clear, and the value of the claim is relatively easy to estimate, it may not be necessary to hire a solicitor. For example:

• The responsible party is obvious.
• Your injuries are clearly documented and well-understood.
• You are confident that the IRB’s assessment will be fair and proportionate.

In such situations, the cost of legal representation may not significantly improve your outcome. It is reasonable to consider handling the claim on your own.

The risks of proceeding without legal advice

That said, there are many situations where having legal representation is strongly advisable. This is particularly true when:

• Liability is disputed or unclear.
• There are multiple parties potentially at fault.
• The value of your injuries is difficult to assess.
• You are unsure whether to accept the IRB’s assessment.

It is important to remember that most respondents in IRB cases are represented by insurance companies, which have expert legal teams and experience in defending claims. Without similar knowledge or guidance, you may be at a disadvantage.

Deciding whether to accept an IRB assessment

Once the IRB issues its compensation assessment, you will have only twenty-eight days to decide whether to accept or reject it. If you are unsure whether the amount offered is fair, it can be very difficult to get a solicitor involved at such short notice to review the full case and provide informed advice.

Since most claimants will only go through this process once in their lives, it is natural to lack the experience needed to evaluate an offer properly. A solicitor, on the other hand, will have the knowledge and background to assess whether the figure is in line with the Personal Injury Guidelines and comparable cases.

Is the IRB entirely neutral?

While the IRB is intended to function as an impartial body serving the public interest, the reality of how claims are processed and assessed is more complex. Whether the system always produces fair outcomes is a subject that continues to be debated. We will explore this further in future articles.