A Commercial Court judge denied a government request to clarify legal points in the EU Tobacco Products Directive before hearing a suit brought by Japan Tobacco International (JTI) against Ireland’s plain-packaging law, The Irish Times said.

The state had sought guidance from the Court of Justice of the European Union, however the Irish court ruled the same issues were put before the EU court by the United Kingdom. Both the UK and Ireland have adopted laws to mandate uniform packaging and remove branding for cigarettes and related combustible products. Rejection of the Irish government motion means the JTI suit will be heard in Commercial Court, the newspaper said.