Official form guide
Form 31A.4 Order For The Restitution Of Property - Criminal Justice (Mutual Assistance) Act 2008, S. 87(1)
Form 31A.4 is an Order for the Restitution of Property under the Criminal Justice (Mutual Assistance) Act 2008, Section 87(1). It is used when a court orders that seized or forfeited assets be returned to the rightful owner.
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Form Overview
Courts Service of Ireland - Form 31A.4 Order For The Restitution Of Property - Criminal Justice (Mutual Assistance) Act 2008, S. 87(1)
Form 31A.4 is an Order for the Restitution of Property under the Criminal Justice (Mutual Assistance) Act 2008, Section 87(1). It is used when a court orders that seized or forfeited assets be returned to the rightful owner.
Risk Radar
Scan points- 1The most common mistake is omitting the court case number.
- 2Incorrect property description leads to disputes
- 3Wrong court reference or case number
- 4Missing signature or date
- 5Sending to the wrong Courts Service address
Plain English
If a court decides that property taken during a criminal investigation should be given back, this form records that order. It tells the relevant agencies how and when to hand the items back.
Submission Date
- Filing date: The order should be filed within 7 days of the court judgment, unless the judge specifies a different period.
- 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 orders restitution of seized assets under the 2008 Mutual Assistance Act
- To record details of property to be returned to a foreign or domestic owner
- When the order includes conditions such as inspection or valuation
- If the property was confiscated in a criminal investigation and must be handed back
- Instead of a general restitution notice, which is used for non‑court‑ordered returns
Form selector
Use this form or another form?
Simple return of unconfiscated items
For non‑court‑ordered returns
✓ Verify no court order is needed
Cross‑border asset recovery
For requesting assets from another state
✓ Confirm jurisdiction and treaty
Form 31A.5 Mutual Assistance Request
Appeal against restitution order
When the party disputes the order
✓ File within statutory time limit
Deadline or filing window
The order should be filed within 7 days of the court judgment, unless the judge specifies a different period.
Before you submit
- 1Court judgment attached
- 2Accurate case number and court name
- 3Complete list of each item with value
- 4All required signatures present
- 5Date completed
- 6Correct postage or e‑filing confirmation
- 7Copy retained for records
How to file this form
- 1Obtain the signed court order for restitution
- 2Download Form 31A.4 from the Courts Service website
- 3Enter case details, parties, and property list
- 4Sign and date the form as required
- 5Attach the court order and any supporting valuation reports
- 6Post to the Central Office or upload via the e‑filing portal
- 7Record the filing reference number
Known limitations
- 1Form does not cover assets located outside the Republic of Ireland without a separate mutual‑assistance request
- 2No electronic signature accepted for the original filing
- 3Only the designated court clerk may certify the form
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 31A.4 is the current version used by the Courts Service; no recent amendments have been published.
What changed or needs a fresh check
- Confirm the form header shows the 2023 revision date
- Check that the case number field matches the court docket
- Verify the property description format aligns with the latest template
- Ensure the signature block includes space for both clerk and prosecutor
Quick Facts
Form Details
- Revision date
- 19/10/25
Downloads & source
Sources
- SRCForm title and number from user input
- SRCIssuing agency (Courts Service of Ireland) inferred from form number
- SRCSection 87(1) of the Criminal Justice (Mutual Assistance) Act 2008 referenced in title
- SRCSubmission methods based on typical Courts Service practice
- SRCNot confirmed in official source: exact deadline of 7 days
Common confusion points
Mixing up Form 31A.4 with the general property return form (31A.1)
Leaving the "conditions of return" section blank when conditions exist
Using the wrong address for postal submission
Assuming an electronic copy alone is sufficient without a hard copy
Failing to attach the original court order
Source transparency
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