The number of debt judgments recorded in the Four Courts during the first six months of the year was down substantially on the same period in 2015, new figures show.

The total number of judgments against businesses fell 17 per cent to 530. The value of such judgments rose 56 per cent, however, from €18.7 million to €29.2 million.

According to figures collated by Registry Trust, the average value of a business judgment increased 88 per cent to €55,182, its highest since before 2008.

The trends between incorporated and unincorporated businesses were broadly consistent.

There was a total of 1,101 judgments registered against consumers during the first half of 2015, down 39 per cent on the corresponding period a year earlier. The value of such judgments also declined, falling 34 per cent to €139 million.

The average value of a consumer judgment was down 9 per cent to €126,485.

Registry Trust’s figures are based only on judgments registered at the request and cost of creditors at the Four Courts in Dublin, and therefore provide only a partial picture of unmanaged debt judgments in the country.

In Northern Ireland, where judgments from all courts are registered, there were 3,765 judgments in the first six months of the year.