The Cabinet has agreed to amend insurance legislation in order to make it harder for personal injuries claimants to take legal action against businesses and community groups
The move will also limit circumstances where a court can impose liability on the occupier of a premises where a person has entered it to commit an offence.
The amendments are aimed at reducing the cost of insurance cover.
Justice Minister Helen McEntee said she has Cabinet backing to amend the Occupiers’ Liability Act in a bid to rebalance the duty of care.
It comes as courts have been repeatedly accused of imposing an absolute duty of care on businesses, charities, sports clubs and community groups, and of ignoring the role played by the injured party themselves.
The duty of care refers to the obligations placed on people to act towards others in a certain way, in accordance with certain standards.
Ms McEntee said occupiers’ duty of care responsibilities must be balanced with personal responsibilities, including those of consumers.
The reforms proposed include a voluntary assumption of risk.
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