Official form guide
Form 31.4 Warrant To Arrest - Criminal Justice Act 1984, Section 10(1) (As Amended By The Criminal Justice (Amendment) Act 2009, Section 24)
Form 31.4 is a Warrant to Arrest issued under the Criminal Justice Act 1984, Section 10(1) as amended by the Criminal Justice (Amendment) Act 2009. 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 31.4 Warrant To Arrest - Criminal Justice Act 1984, Section 10(1) (As Amended By The Criminal Justice (Amendment) Act 2009, Section 24)
Form 31.4 is a Warrant to Arrest issued under the Criminal Justice Act 1984, Section 10(1) as amended by the Criminal Justice (Amendment) Act 2009. 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 judge’s signature blank, which renders the warrant invalid.
- 2Incorrect spelling of the suspect’s name
- 3Missing case reference number
- 4Wrong statutory citation
- 5Signature omitted or illegible
Plain English
This is the paper that lets the police legally take someone into custody when a court decides they must be arrested. It spells out who, why and under what law the arrest can happen. You only deal with it if you are a judge, a solicitor acting for the State, or a police officer requesting the warrant.
Submission Date
- Filing date: The warrant must be issued and served before the police move to arrest the person; there is no statutory filing deadline beyond that immediate need.
- 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 and a written warrant is required.
- When police need a formal authorisation before entering a private dwelling to seize a suspect.
- When the suspect is not already in custody and the offence carries a custodial sentence.
- When the arrest is to be made under Section 10(1) of the Criminal Justice Act 1984.
- When a bail order is being revoked and an immediate arrest is needed.
Form selector
Use this form or another form?
Arrest without warrant
Police can act on reasonable suspicion
✓ Verify if a warrant is truly required
Section 4(1) of the Criminal Justice Act
Bail variation
Used to change bail conditions
✓ Use only after court order
Search warrant
Authorises search of premises
✓ Different legal basis
Extradition request
For cross‑border arrests
✓ Separate international protocol
Deadline or filing window
The warrant must be issued and served before the police move to arrest the person; there is no statutory filing deadline beyond that immediate need.
Before you submit
- 1Full legal name and DOB of the person to be arrested
- 2Accurate case reference number
- 3Correct offence description and statutory citation
- 4Judge’s or authorised officer’s signature and date
- 5Two legible copies prepared
- 6Court registry name correctly entered
- 7Garda contact details included
- 8Form signed in ink (if paper) or digitally certified
- 9Submission logged in the court’s docket
- 10Copy retained for records
How to file this form
- 1Complete the suspect details section.
- 2Enter the case number and charge details.
- 3Add the statutory authority citation.
- 4Obtain the judge’s or authorised officer’s signature.
- 5Make two copies of the completed form.
- 6Deliver one copy to the court registry.
- 7Give the second copy to the requesting Garda unit.
Known limitations
- 1Only applicable to arrests under Section 10(1) of the 1984 Act.
- 2Cannot be used for summary offences that do not carry custodial sentences.
- 3Electronic filing may not be available in all districts.
- 4Form does not include space for multiple suspects; a separate warrant is needed per person.
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 31.4 remains in force under the 1984 Act as amended in 2009. No major redesign has been announced, but always verify the latest version on the Courts Service website.
What changed or needs a fresh check
- Confirm the form header shows the 2009 amendment reference.
- Check that the court registry field includes the latest district/circuit court codes.
- Verify the signature block includes the updated title for senior police officers.
- Ensure any electronic filing fields match the current e‑filing portal layout.
Quick Facts
Form Details
- Revision date
- 19/10/25
Downloads & source
Sources
- SRCForm title and number taken from user input.
- SRCLegal basis (Criminal Justice Act 1984, Section 10(1)) inferred from form name.
- SRCAmendment reference (2009 Act) taken from form name.
- SRCTypical issuer (judge or senior police officer) inferred from standard practice.
- SRCSubmission method (court registry, Garda) inferred from typical warrant process.
- SRCNot confirmed in official source: exact layout of signature block.
- SRCNot confirmed in official source: availability of e‑filing for this form.
Common confusion points
Mixing up Form 31.4 with the search warrant (Form 31.3).
Leaving the statutory amendment reference off the header.
Assuming a signature from a junior officer is sufficient.
Submitting only one copy instead of the required two.
Using the form for a bail variation instead of an arrest.
Failing to update the court registry name after jurisdiction changes.
Source transparency
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