Michael Flatley Wins Legal Battle to Reclaim 'Lord of the Dance' Involvement

Court Lifts Injunction Against Flatley

Michael Flatley, the renowned Irish-American dancer and creator of Lord of the Dance, has won a significant legal challenge in Belfast, allowing him to fully resume his involvement with the iconic stage production. On Thursday, January 29, 2026, Mr. Justice Simpson, presiding over the Chancery Court in the Royal Courts of Justice, discharged a temporary injunction that had previously barred Flatley from participating in upcoming shows.

The legal action was initiated by entertainment company Switzer Consulting Ltd., which had claimed a breach of contract by Flatley. The firm had secured a temporary order to prevent Flatley from interfering with, cancelling, or postponing the productions.

Details of the Legal Dispute

The core of the dispute revolved around a terms of service agreement established in July 2024. Under this agreement, Flatley had transferred intellectual property rights for 'Lord of the Dance' to Switzer Consulting, which was then tasked with providing business management services for the production. Switzer Consulting alleged that Flatley had subsequently 'gone on a solo run' and attempted to restructure this existing deal.

During the proceedings, Mr. Justice Simpson noted that 'trenchant and quite personal' allegations had been made by both sides. However, in his ruling, the judge stated he was 'satisfied that damages are an adequate remedy for the plaintiff and that the money is available to pay for any damages sustained,' leading to the decision to discharge the injunction.

Flatley's Reaction and Future Plans

Following the court's decision, a delighted Michael Flatley expressed his satisfaction, telling reporters, 'I'd just like to say thank God, I'm delighted with the judge's decision today.' He confirmed he was '100%' back in control of the production.

The ruling comes just ahead of the highly anticipated 30th-anniversary tour of 'Lord of the Dance,' which is scheduled to commence with a performance at Dublin's 3Arena on February 5, 2026. Flatley enthusiastically stated, 'I won't be in the car 10 seconds, and I'll be calling all my dancers, all of the cast and crew.' He further promised that the upcoming tour would be 'the greatest version of this show that you will ever see.'