Privilege and Shareholders’ Rights in Ireland
The Irish High Court rejects the shareholder rule, confirming legal advice privilege can be asserted against shareholders.
Fergus has over 25 years experience specialising in
- complex domestic and international restructurings, and insolvencies;
- liability management exercises and special situations;
- Commercial litigation, with a particular expertise in shareholder disputes, contractual disputes, financial services disputes and tax litigation.
Recent significant Restructuring & Insolvency work includes:
- acting for the Ardagh Group on its financial restructuring;
- acting for Goldstein Property ICAV in Commercial Court proceedings relating to loans in excess of €100 million advanced to it by a lender;
- acting for the successful investor in the Examinership of Cityjet;
- acting for the Nordic Aviation Capital Group on its restructuring of c. $6.8 billion of debt through Chapter 11 proceedings in the U.S.;
- acting for two landlords in a successful application to dismiss a petition for the appointment of an examiner to New Look Retailers (Ireland) Limited;
- advising Irish companies in the Skillsoft Group of companies on their restructuring through Chapter 11 in the US;
- advising a secured lender in the enforcement of a share pledge over shares in an aircraft leasing company;
- acting for Michael McAteer of Grant Thornton as examiner of Weatherford International Limited;
- a number of retailers through examinership processes, including:
- Debenhams Retail (Ireland) Limited;
- B&Q Ireland Limited;
- Mothercare Ireland Limited;
Recent significant Commercial Litigation work includes:
- acting for Uniphar PLC in defending claims brought against it by a contractual counterparty in the High Court;
- acting for the Respondents in a multi-million euro shareholder dispute heard by the Commercial Court and the Court of Appeal where the Petitioner issued proceedings alleging minority oppression;
- ICDL GCC Foundation FZ-LLC in the Commercial Court and the Supreme Court in its successful claim against the European Computer Driving Licence Foundation Limited; and
- acting for a tax payer in successfully challenging an assessment in the Tax Appeals Commission and in the High Court.
Fergus is a member of
- IBA Restructuring & Insolvency
- INSOL
- American Bankruptcy Institute
- Former Co-chair of the British and Irish Commercial Bar Association (“BICBA”)
- Consultative Committee of Accountancy Bodies-Ireland
2026 Legal 500 EMEA
"Fergus Doorly has a great ability to seamlessly deal with complex matters in a calm, balanced manner. Very reassuring for clients."
2026 Chambers Europe
"Fergus Doorly is technically exceptional, brings people along with him in difficult situations and his judgement and commerciality are extremely solid."
2025 Legal 500 EMEA
"Fergus Doorly is a commercially astute practitioner combined with fantastic technical ability, which makes him a standout lawyer." "Fergus is an excellent litigation and insolvency lawyer. Knows his stuff inside out and thinks his way through things very very quickly. Head and shoulders above any other lawyer we work with."
2025 Chambers Europe
"He has the highest level of experience in his field. His approach to work is outstanding and makes you feel part of the team."
2025 IFLR 1000
Fergus is ranked as Highly Regarded in IFLR 1000 for Insolvency & Corporate Restructuring.
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