PIAB
The Personal Injuries Assessment Board, a statutory body in Ireland that assesses most personal injury claims before they can proceed to court.
What it means in practice.
Most Irish PI claims start at PIAB. Either side can reject the assessment and proceed to litigation; if both accept, the assessment becomes binding.
PIAB, the Personal Injuries Assessment Board, is the Irish state body that deals with personal injury claims before they can go to court. It now operates as the Injuries Resolution Board, under the Personal Injuries Resolution Board Act 2022. According to the Board, all personal injury claims in Ireland must come to it unless they settle early.
A claimant applies with a medical report from the treating doctor and a fee. Every application is considered for assessment, where the Board values the claim, and a claimant can also opt for mediation, where both sides try to agree a figure with an impartial mediator at no extra cost. If both sides accept an assessment, the claim is resolved; if either rejects it, the Board authorises the claimant to go to court.
Both the Board and the courts must have regard to the Personal Injuries Guidelines, published by the Judicial Council, when valuing injuries, and must explain any departure from them. While a claim is with the Board, the time limit for going to court is paused.
How it works, step by step.
| Stage | What happens | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Applying | Complete an application form with a medical report from the treating doctor; you do not need a solicitor. | Injuries Resolution Board, Making a claim |
| Fee | €45 for claims submitted online and €90 by post; no extra fee for mediation. | Injuries Resolution Board, Making a claim |
| Mediation | Voluntary and confidential; 54% of mediations reached agreement in 2025, taking about three months on average. | Annual Report 2025 press release |
| Valuing the injury | The Board and the courts must have regard to the Personal Injuries Guidelines and give reasons for any departure. | Injuries Resolution Board, Injury Compensation Guidelines |
| Time limit | Two years for personal injury actions; the period from the application until six months after the Board authorises court proceedings is disregarded. | Civil Liability and Courts Act 2004, s 7; PIAB Act 2003, s 50 |
| The Board’s name | Renamed the Injuries Resolution Board by the 2022 Act, which also added mediation. | Personal Injuries Resolution Board Act 2022 |
A worked example.
What the Board handled in 2025
- Applications received
- 20,077 (35% below 2019)
- Awards issued
- 10,032
- Total value of awards
- €213 million
- Median award
- €14,020
- Median award without special damages
- €12,000
- Mediation agreement rate
- 54%
The median award in 2025 was 24% lower than the 2020 median of €18,459, which the Board attributes to the Personal Injuries Guidelines.
Injuries Resolution Board, Annual Report 2025 and Award Values Report