31.11 Order Authorising Arrest - Criminal Procedure 2010, Section 16 / Section 17

What this form is for

• • When a court explicitly orders an arrest under section 16 or 17.
• • When the arrest is for a serious indictable offence and requires judicial authorisation.
• • When the police need a written order to justify detention before charge.
• • When the accused has previously been released on bail and the court now revokes it.

Use this form or another form?

Deadline or filing window

The order must be issued before the police execute the arrest; any delay can render the arrest unlawful.

Before you submit

• • Case number matches court file.
• • Accused’s full legal name and address are correct.
• • Offence description aligns with the charge sheet.
• • Correct section (16 or 17) is cited.
• • Judge’s signature and date are present.
• • Original submitted to court registry.
• • Certified copy given to Gardaí.
• • Copy retained in the case file.
• • Form version date is current.
• • All mandatory fields are filled, no blanks.

How to file this form

1. 1Download or collect the latest Form 31.11.
2. 2Complete all required fields on the paper or e‑form.
3. 3Present the form to the presiding judge for signature.
4. 4File the signed original at the court registry.
5. 5Provide a certified copy to the Gardaí responsible for the arrest.
6. 6Log the filing date in the case notes.

Known limitations

• • Only applicable to arrests ordered under sections 16 or 17 of the 2010 Act.
• • Does not cover emergency arrests without prior judicial order.
• • Not valid for civil contempt or non‑criminal matters.
• • Must be used in courts that have jurisdiction over the offence.