Debt judgments registered against businesses in Ireland fell by 8 per cent in 2015, the fourth consecutive year in which there has been a decline.

New figures compiled by the non-profit organisation Registry Trust shows there were 1,062 judgments against Irish businesses last year with the number of judgments against incorporated firms falling 17 per cent to 578.

However, the latest figures show a 7 per cent rise in judgments against unincorporated businesses to 484.

Registry Trust's data is based only on judgments registered at the request and cost of creditors at the Four Courts and therefore only provide a partial representation of unmanaged debt judgments in the country. In Northern Ireland, where judgments from all courts are registered, there were 8,625 judgments last year.

Judgments against consumers in the Republic fell for the fourth consecutive year to 3,457, down 3 per cent and the fewest debts registered since before 2011. However, the total value of judgments rose by 9 per cent to €461.6 million.