High Court Clarifies Law on Dismissal of Cases for Delay
The High Court has clarified the law on dismissal of claims for want of prosecution and/or delay
Garrett Breen is a seasoned commercial litigator with a breadth of experience representing clients in large, novel, complex and multi-jurisdictional litigation, particularly in the Commercial Division of the Irish High Court as well as before the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU). He is regularly asked to advise clients who appear before specialist Tribunals and Commissions of Inquiry, in Ireland and abroad.
Garrett represents clients in financial services litigation and advises financial services firms and individuals who are subject to the Administrative Sanctions Procedures of the Irish Central Bank. In addition, he regularly advises professional advisors, including auditors and tax advisors on their statutory obligations and key regulatory decision-making processes.
For many years, Garrett has advised sector-specific regulators both within and outside Ireland, including having acted for ComReg the Irish telecoms regulator since its inception and currently acting for EirGrid the Irish Electricity Transmission Systems Operator (TSO).
Garrett has also had an extensive Intellectual Property litigation and advisory practice and has run many anti-counterfeiting campaigns in Ireland for well-known multinational brand holders such as Nike, Levi Strauss & Co. and Microsoft.
Garrett is Vice-Chairman of the Commercial Litigation Association of Ireland (CLAI) and is also a member of the Commercial Law Users Group (CLUG). He was a founding board member of the Irish Arbitration Association. As well as lecturing in Criminal Law he was a lecturer in the Law Society Law School on Intellectual Property and Anti-Counterfeiting matters. Garrett co-authored the textbook, Intellectual Property Law (Cavendish).
Significant cases Garrett has been involved in include representing:
- Thema International Fund Plc. in its action against HSBC Bank seeking the recovery of over USD1 Billion following the Madoff fraud.
- The Department of Finance, before the Commission of Investigation into Irish Bank Resolution Corporation (IBRC).
- Sir David and Sir Frederick Barclay, in proceedings relating to the purchase of loans from the Special Liquidators of IBRC.
- Hines Cherrywood Development Fund ICAV, in Commercial Court proceedings against Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council in relation to the largest housebuilding and town development project in Ireland.
- An Irish Pillar Bank, in relation to all aspects of its participation in the Joint Oireachtas (Parliamentary) Committee of Inquiry into the Banking Crisis.
2026 Legal 500 EMEA
"Paul Convery, Garrett Breen and Laura Murdock know how to guide their clients around complex issues and in crises. They bring experience, expertise, strategic-thinking and pragmatism to help their clients at every step of a complex white collar issue."
2026 Chambers Global
"He is very strong on the big picture and agreeing the approach. He listens to the facts and provides appropriate challenges. He helps to keep a positive tone in the room to ensure we focus on defending the key issues." "Garrett Breen's experience provides the reassurance that takes the stress out of litigation." "He's very easy to work with in difficult situations."
2025 Legal 500 EMEA
"Garrett Breen is hugely experienced and a pleasure to work with."
2025 Chambers Global
"Garrett is able to understand his clients so quickly - what kind of positions they have, what they want to achieve and how they operate." "Garrett is an astute, practical and client-focused lawyer experienced in providing strategic legal advice across a wide range of areas."
2025 Chambers Europe
"Garrett Breen is an excellent litigator." "He is superb at advising on matters in the context of judicial review proceedings. He is able to see the bigger picture no matter how complex the litigation and is a sage adviser no matter the issue."
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