When someone is seriously injured in a road traffic accident or workplace incident, they may face months – or even years – without being able to work. During this time, bills, mortgage payments and treatment costs continue to build. That’s where ‘interim payments’ come in.
At Lacey Solicitors, with offices in Belfast and Dublin, our personal injury lawyers can clients secure early part-payments of compensation to relieve financial pressure long before their case concludes.
What Is an Interim Payment?
An interim payment is an early payment of part of the compensation owed to an injured person before the final settlement or court award. It is not a loan or an advance – it is money paid directly to the plaintiff on account of damages that are certain to be awarded later.
Under Order 29 Rule 12 of the Rules of the Supreme Court (Northern Ireland) 1980, a plaintiff can apply to the court for an interim payment if liability for the accident has already been admitted, either fully or partially.
This mechanism ensures injured victims are not left struggling financially while waiting for a lengthy claims process to conclude.
A Real Case Study: Aisling Creegan’s Recent High Court Success
Lacey Solicitors recently acted on behalf of a self-employed individual who suffered life changing spinal fractures following a motorway collision outside Newry. Both defendants admitted full liability.
Our team applied to the High Court of Justice in Northern Ireland under Order 29 Rule 12 seeking two interim payments while proceedings were still ongoing. Both applications were successfully granted and our client received £300,000,00 as an interim payment while the matter was ongoing.
This allowed our client to access essential rehabilitation, private physiotherapy, and cover household expenses during recovery – without waiting years for the case to finish.
Serious Injuries and Rising Rehabilitation Costs
For clients who have suffered catastrophic or life-changing injuries, an interim payment can be absolutely vital.
Serious injuries often come with extensive and unexpected expenses – well before a case is ready for final settlement.
Examples include:
- Amputations, where prosthetic limbs and ongoing physiotherapy can cost tens of thousands of pounds.
- Spinal injuries, requiring specialist wheelchairs, home adaptations, and long-term care.
- Severe burns or scarring, which may need multiple reconstructive surgeries and psychological support.
- Brain injuries, leading to significant rehabilitation, occupational therapy, and support worker costs.
An interim payment can bridge this financial gap – allowing injured individuals to access essential private treatment and equipment immediately, instead of waiting years for compensation.
At Lacey Solicitors, our lawyers prioritise these applications in serious injury cases to ensure our clients’ recovery and dignity are protected throughout the litigation process.
Building a Strong Application: The “Cards on the Table” Approach
To strengthen an interim payment application, transparency is key. At Lacey Solicitors, we advocate for a “cards on the table” approach—serving medical evidence, expert reports, and financial documentation as early as possible.
Early disclosure of medical reports:
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Demonstrates the seriousness of injuries.
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Supports the claim for immediate financial relief.
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Allows insures to seek their own medical evidence and assists in dialogue if there is a a dispute.
Because Lacey Solicitors act for both innocent victims and a number of insurers across Ireland, our team understands how each side of a personal injury claim operates. This dual perspective allows us to anticipate potential challenges, streamline communication, and promote a collaborative approach to resolving injury claims.
We believe that early openness and cooperation benefit everyone involved. By engaging constructively with insurers, sharing evidence promptly, and focusing on fairness rather than confrontation, we achieve faster and more practical outcomes for our clients.
Our proactive, balanced approach ensures that interim payment applications are well-evidenced, persuasive, and strategically presented to secure the best possible result before the High Court or County Court.
The Benefits of Interim Payments for Injured Victims
An interim payment can make a life-changing difference for someone recovering from serious injury. It provides:
- Financial stability – covering mortgage, rent, or living expenses.
- Access to private treatment – physiotherapy, prosthetics, counselling, or surgery.
- Peace of mind – allowing the injured person to focus on rehabilitation rather than financial survival.
Interim payments ensure that justice is not delayed simply because the legal process takes time.
How Lacey Solicitors Can Help
If you’ve been seriously injured and liability for your accident has been admitted, you may be entitled to an interim payment under Order 29 Rule 12. Our experienced personal injury team regularly brings these applications before the High Court in Northern Ireland and achieves successful outcomes for clients across a range of accident types.
With offices in Belfast and Dublin, Lacey Solicitors combine local knowledge with national expertise in serious injury litigation. We act transparently, efficiently, and always in your best interests—ensuring you receive the financial support you need while awaiting full compensation.
Contact Lacey Solicitors – Injury Lawyers Belfast
If you would like advice about a serious accident where you have suffered catastrophic injuries and require an interim payment in a personal injury claim, contact Lacey Solicitors today.
