Legal Risks Facing Directors – A Review of Recent Case Law

This Factsheet is in collaboration with McCann FitzGerald

This Factsheet outlines recent Irish and UK court decisions highlighting the legal risks directors can face in carrying out their duties. It examines cases involving breaches of confidence, governance failures, reckless trading, conflicts of interest, and personal involvement in company disputes. The review shows how courts are increasingly willing to hold directors personally accountable through liability, restriction, disqualification, or costs orders. Key lessons include maintaining proper records, documenting decisions, managing conflicts transparently, and always acting in the best interests of the company.

About McCann FitzGerald

With around 600 people, including c.450 lawyers and professional staff, McCann FitzGerald are one of Ireland’s premier law firms. They are consistently recognised as being the market leader in many practice areas and are endorsed by clients and market commentators alike. Headquartered in Dublin, they have overseas offices in London, New York and Brussels. They provide a full range of legal services, primarily to commercial, industrial and financial services companies. Their clients include international corporations, major domestic businesses and emerging Irish companies. They also have many clients in the State and semi-State sector.