IrelandCan I take a small claim against a trader?
Yes, you can take a small claim against a trader in Ireland through the Small Claims Procedure, which is designed for consumer disputes up to €2,000.
What the Law Says
The Consumer Protection Act 2007 gives consumers a clear right to pursue small claims against traders for breaches of consumer rights, including faulty goods or poor services.
Under Section 42 of the Consumer Protection Act 2007, the District Court may hear and determine claims by consumers against traders relating to goods or services supplied in the course of business. This provision supports the Small Claims Procedure, a simplified, low-cost route for resolving disputes without needing a solicitor.
The procedure applies only to claims not exceeding €2,000. It covers issues like defective products, failure to deliver, or services not carried out with reasonable care and skill.
You must bring your claim within six months from the date the cause of action arose — for example, the date you discovered the fault or the service was completed.
Statutory TextThe District Court may, on the application of a consumer, hear and determine a claim against a trader in respect of goods or services supplied to the consumer by the trader in the course of the trader’s business.
— Consumer Protection Act 2007, s. 42 — Small claims procedure
What to Do
Contact the trader first to try to resolve the issue informally.
Complete Form SC1 (Small Claim Application) available from your local District Court office or online at courts.ie.
Pay the €25 filing fee and submit the form within 6 months of the problem arising.
Attend the hearing — no legal representation is required, and the process is informal.
If successful, the court will order the trader to pay compensation, repair, replace, or refund.
Sources
Not legal advice. This article is general information based on publicly available sources, written for educational purposes. Laws change and individual situations vary. Consult a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction before acting on anything you read here. Last reviewed: 2026-06-08.