The High Court has rejected an attempt by Paul Farrell to recast debt proceedings brought against him by Everyday Finance DAC as a separate claim in equity.
Farrell, who is representing himself, is defending summary judgment proceedings arising from loans advanced under contractual arrangements. That application has not yet been determined.
In a motion issued in June 2025, Farrell sought orders requiring the proceedings to be heard exclusively under what he described as the inherent equitable jurisdiction of the High Court of Chancery. He also sought a stay on enforcement and asked the court to accept a separate statement of claim in which he asserted that the alleged debts had been settled and discharged by a promissory note.
In a judgment delivered on December 18, Mr Justice Sean Gillane refused all of those reliefs.
The judge explained that the standalone High Court of Chancery was effectively abolished by legislation in 1877, when common-law and equitable jurisdiction were brought together. The modern High Court can apply equitable principles, so no special order invoking a separate chancery jurisdiction was required.
The court also found that any request for a stay was premature because no summary judgment had yet been entered. Farrell remains entitled to argue that he has a genuine defence, including any properly available equitable arguments, within the existing case.
However, the judge said Farrell could not derail the proceedings by issuing a document styled as a statement of claim and recasting himself as a claimant against individuals who were not parties to the action.
The court did not decide whether Farrell's contention that the debt had been settled by promissory note is legally valid. That issue may still be advanced as part of his defence when Everyday Finance's summary judgment application is heard.
The motion was refused and the lender's case was directed to proceed in the usual way through the High Court's non-jury list.