Fields v. Woodland Products Ltd. [1999] IESC 55 (16th July, 1999)

Fields v. Woodland Products Ltd. [1999] IESC 55 (16th July, 1999)

The defendant is entitled to discovery of the plaintiff's income tax returns as they are directly relevant to the claim for loss of earnings, and the request is confined and not oppressive. Confidentiality does not preclude discovery when the documents are relevant to the litigation.

Citation
[1999] IESC 55
Parties
Plaintiff: Plaintiff; Defendant: Defendant
Jurisdiction
Ireland
Procedural Posture
Personal Injury / Appeal From High Court to Supreme Court
Outcome
appeal allowed
Legal Topics
Discovery, Damages, Loss of Earnings, Confidentiality of Tax Returns
Civil Procedure Tort Law Discovery Damages Loss of Earnings Confidentiality of Tax Returns

Case Brief

Summary, issues, holding and outcome

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Parties

Plaintiff

Plaintiff

Defendant

Defendant

Procedural Posture

Personal Injury / Appeal From High Court to Supreme Court

Legal Issues

  1. 1 Whether the defendant is entitled to discovery of the plaintiff's income tax returns in a personal injury claim for loss of earnings

Ratio Decidendi

The defendant is entitled to discovery of the plaintiff's income tax returns as they are directly relevant to the claim for loss of earnings, and the request is confined and not oppressive. Confidentiality does not preclude discovery when the documents are relevant to the litigation.

Court Disposition

appeal allowed

Orders

  • Order of the Master for discovery of plaintiff's income tax returns restored