Basically the High Court is the final step you want to take and it can cost a lot of money. So to us the logical path was to go through all the steps recommended before lodging a case (i.e. file a complaint with AIB -> go through the Appeal Panel -> FSPO). The FSPO was free and if that was unsuccessful then the High Court was our final shot if people were still interested
Given that you and a few others have done the hard yards since the very start, do you feel that from point zero where legal advise fell on the side of AIB, that things have changed to the point where legal advise would point in the opposite direction? Not withstanding the FSPO decision since the Courts wouldn't be judging that case, nor the CBI intervention on the 300, a new case would need to built solely on proving the existence of the prevailing rate.
We would happily contribute to a case but we personally are in bonus territory, our mortgage was only taken out after trackers were withdrawn, 3.2 was our saviour. I can't shake the opinion that a court would have to take that side of things into account were AIB to challenge.
The FSPO process had a certain confidentiality to it, but if AIB wanted to take any case to court, the plaintiff picked would want to be a strong individual who was comfortable to be in the public eye. Here we all have our usernames to post behind etc. I used to work in AIB and I will always remember one staff member taking a case against the bank for a bonus payment, which he won but he was vilified for it.
I dont doubt the bona fidaes of anyone saying they would contribute to the case but that isn't the same as putting your hand up to say I am the perfect candidate for a test case. I'm not trying to be negative or anything but the FSPO action had the Brendan factor as a quarter back. I dont know where that impetus/co-ordination would come from for a legal challenge, with all the best will in the world.
Maybe some legal council is weighing this up for a big reveal, €200k would be nothing to be sneezed at but the herding cats analogy is really relevant.
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Separately, I know you mentioned in another thread that once refunds came out there might be a mechanism whereby we could contribute something towards Brendan for all his efforts. I think that would be great if we could do something on that score if you had any ideas on same..
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