The High Court will give judgment today on whether the Laffoy Commission can continue to investigate into allegations against Christian Brothers who are old, infirm, untraceable or dead.
The judgment, which is likely to be appealed to the Supreme Court, will affect the remit and extent of the operation of the Laffoy Commission's Investigation Committee.
Mr Justice Abbott reserved judgment after a five-day hearing last May on a challenge to the work of the Laffoy Commission, set up to inquire into the abuse of children in residential institutions.
The Christian Brothers had argued that it was contrary to fair procedure to hear allegations against people who might be too old or infirm to give instructions, or who are untraceable or deceased. They sought a declaration from the court that deceased members of the order could not be named in the commission's eventual report.
About 700 allegations against the order have been made to the commission.