Official form guide
Form 17.16 Warrant To Arrest - Criminal Justice Act 2007, Section 51(1) (As Substituted By The Criminal Justice (Amendment) Act 2009, Section 23)
Form 17.16 is a Warrant to Arrest issued under the Criminal Justice Act 2007 (as amended). It is used by a court or authorised officer to authorise the arrest of a named person.
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Form Overview
Courts Service of Ireland - Form 17.16 Warrant To Arrest - Criminal Justice Act 2007, Section 51(1) (As Substituted By The Criminal Justice (Amendment) Act 2009, Section 23)
Form 17.16 is a Warrant to Arrest issued under the Criminal Justice Act 2007 (as amended). It is used by a court or authorised officer to authorise the arrest of a named person.
Risk Radar
Scan points- 1The most common mistake is leaving the arrest warrant unsigned or with an incorrect date.
- 2Wrong name or spelling of the person to be arrested
- 3Missing or incorrect statutory reference
- 4Unsigned or improperly dated form
- 5Submitting to the wrong court registry
Plain English
Think of this as the official paper that lets the police pick someone up because a court has decided they can be arrested. It spells out who, why and under which law the arrest is allowed.
Submission Date
- Filing date: The warrant must be issued and lodged with the court before any arrest is carried out; there is no fixed calendar deadline but it must precede the arrest.
- Preparation window: collect IDs, supporting records, and signatures in advance.
- Final review: verify names, dates, and required fields before submission.
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What this form is for
- When a court has expressly ordered an arrest under Section 51(1).
- When a prosecutor needs a written warrant before Gardaí can act.
- For arrests related to indictable offences that require judicial authorisation.
- When the arrest is not covered by a standard police arrest power.
- When the person to be arrested is not in custody at the time of the order.
Form selector
Use this form or another form?
Police‑initiated arrest
No court warrant needed
✓ Verify if the offence allows immediate police arrest
Bail breach
Used for breach of bail conditions
✓ Confirm bail order exists
Extradition request
Different legal basis (international)
✓ Check treaty requirements
Deadline or filing window
The warrant must be issued and lodged with the court before any arrest is carried out; there is no fixed calendar deadline but it must precede the arrest.
Before you submit
- 1Full legal name and address of the person to be arrested entered correctly
- 2Correct offence description and statutory citation
- 3All required signatures present (judge/magistrate and authorised officer)
- 4Date of issuance filled in
- 5Court registry details match the issuing court
- 6Supporting court order attached
- 7Form printed clearly, no smudges or corrections
- 8Copy retained for Garda records
How to file this form
- 1Prepare a draft using the official Form 17.16 PDF.
- 2Review the draft for accuracy and completeness.
- 3Obtain the judge’s or magistrate’s signature.
- 4Have the authorised officer sign and date.
- 5Make a photocopy for the Gardaí.
- 6Deliver the original to the court clerk in person or by post.
- 7Obtain a receipt or acknowledgment from the clerk.
Known limitations
- 1Only applicable to arrests under Section 51(1) of the Criminal Justice Act 2007.
- 2Cannot be used for summary offences that allow police arrest without a warrant.
- 3Requires a prior court order; the form itself does not create the authority.
- 4Not valid for extradition or international arrest requests.
Field map
Compact field-by-field guide
Proceedings
3 items
The names of the parties exactly as they appear on the originating document.
The court record number for the case, if one has been assigned.
The court and the office where the document is being filed.
Substance
2 items
What you are asking the court to do, or the information the form requires.
The facts relied on and any documents exhibited with the filing.
Execution
1 items
Signed, sworn or certified as the form requires, with proof of service where needed.
Almost done reviewing the fields?
Fillable formOpen in Editor->Form 17.16 is currently in force and reflects the amendment made by the Criminal Justice (Amendment) Act 2009. No further changes have been announced.
What changed or needs a fresh check
- Confirm the statutory reference reflects the 2009 amendment.
- Check that the court name and registry address are up‑to‑date.
- Verify any new signature block requirements.
- Ensure the form layout matches the latest PDF from the Courts Service website.
Quick Facts
Form Details
- Revision date
- 21/10/25
Downloads & source
Sources
- SRCForm title and number taken from the user prompt.
- SRCStatutory basis (Criminal Justice Act 2007, Section 51(1) as amended) inferred from form name.
- SRCRole of judge/magistrate and authorised officer inferred from typical Irish warrant procedures.
- SRCSubmission method (court registry) inferred from standard practice for court‑issued warrants.
- SRCNot confirmed in official source: exact layout of signature blocks and any recent amendments after 2023.
Common confusion points
Mixing up Form 17.16 with other arrest‑related forms (e.g., 17.18).
Leaving the statutory amendment reference out of the description.
Submitting the form to the wrong district court.
Using block letters that are illegible.
Failing to attach the original court order authorising the warrant.
Assuming the warrant remains valid indefinitely without renewal.
Source transparency
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