Enhancing Digital Hearings for Multi-Party Litigation

In a significant legal case that tested the adaptability of the Irish justice system, TrialView was the platform of choice to conduct a multi-party litigation hearing. The case, involving six parties and four separate law firms, was set to run for eight weeks in the Dublin Commercial Court. The claims were substantial, focusing on business interruption against FBD Insurance. As the proceedings were set to take place during the heightened restrictions of the COVID-19 pandemic, a robust and reliable digital solution was not just a preference but a necessity.

The Challenge

The sheer scale and complexity of the case, combined with the logistical challenges posed by the pandemic, demanded an innovative and robust digital solution that could facilitate a fully remote, yet seamless, hearing. The primary challenge was to ensure that a trial involving thousands of documents and multiple parties could proceed efficiently and fairly, without the need for physical presence in the courtroom.

The Solution

TrialView was chosen as the platform to facilitate this landmark digital hearing. Recognising the need to reduce the number of people physically present in court, the parties leveraged TrialView’s integrated video conferencing tool. This allowed witnesses to give evidence remotely, while also providing a facility for clients to follow proceedings and view evidence online from any location.

With thousands of documents to manage, the case required a fully digital approach. TrialView’s comprehensive suite of tools, including full bundling, case preparation, and digital trial capabilities, were fully employed. The platform’s advanced evidence presentation features were particularly vital, enabling the parties to navigate and present the voluminous evidence with speed and efficiency.

The functionality of these tools did not go unnoticed. At the conclusion of the liability hearing, the presiding judge, Mr Justice McDonald, publicly thanked TrialView “for the exceptional way it managed to bring up every single document, no matter how many documents were referred to by counsel.”

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The Outcome

The use of TrialView proved to be a resounding success, earning praise from both the legal teams and the judiciary. The platform’s high functionality was a key factor in ensuring the hearing proceeded smoothly, even under what were described as "very testing conditions."

Gavin Simons of Amoss Solicitors further underscored the platform’s necessity and flawless performance. Speaking after the trial, he commented that due to the COVID-19 restrictions, the case could not have proceeded without TrialView and that the platform “worked without a hitch.”

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This sentiment was echoed by others involved in the case. After the hearing, Barry Cahir, a Senior Partner for Beauchamps, attested to the platform's performance, stating, “I can attest fully to the high functionality of TrialView.”

This case stands as a powerful testament to TrialView's capability to facilitate complex, large-scale digital hearings, ensuring that justice can be served efficiently and effectively, even in the most challenging of circumstances. It is one of hundreds of examples where TrialView's comprehensive digital tools have been fully deployed to deliver successful outcomes.