Official form guide
Form 34.16 Search Warrant - Companies Act, 2014 S. 787
Form 34.16 is a Search Warrant under Section 787 of the Companies Act 2014. It is used by the Courts to authorise the search of a company's premises or records.
Need help with Form 34.16 Search Warrant - Companies Act, 2014 S. 787?
Open it in the AI Editor for field guidance, checks, and PDF export.
Form Overview
Courts Service of Ireland - Form 34.16 Search Warrant - Companies Act, 2014 S. 787
Form 34.16 is a Search Warrant under Section 787 of the Companies Act 2014. It is used by the Courts to authorise the search of a company's premises or records.
Risk Radar
Scan points- 1The most common error is leaving the legal authority (S.787) blank or incomplete.
- 2Incorrect company registration number
- 3Vague description of records to be searched
- 4Missing judge’s signature
- 5Failure to attach the supporting application
Plain English
Think of this as the official paper that lets a court‑ordered officer go into a business and look at its books. It only comes into play when there is a legal investigation into a company’s affairs.
Submission Date
- Filing date: The warrant must be signed and served within the time frame set by the judge, usually within 7 days of the application, unless an extension is ordered.
- Preparation window: collect IDs, supporting records, and signatures in advance.
- Final review: verify names, dates, and required fields before submission.
AI co-pilot
Fill it faster. Catch mistakes before you file.
What this form is for
- When a court orders a search of a company’s books under the Companies Act.
- When the Director of Corporate Enforcement requests a search.
- When a criminal prosecution requires access to company records.
- When the warrant must specify the exact documents or premises to be searched.
Form selector
Use this form or another form?
General search of premises
Used when no specific Companies Act provision applies
✓ Verify the statutory basis first
Form 34.12 Search Warrant (General)
Search of a person’s home
For non‑company related investigations
✓ Confirm the target is an individual, not a company
Form 34.08 Search Warrant (Personal)
Application for inspection of company records
Allows inspection without a physical search
✓ Use if the court only needs document review
Deadline or filing window
The warrant must be signed and served within the time frame set by the judge, usually within 7 days of the application, unless an extension is ordered.
Before you submit
- 1Company name and full registered address entered correctly.
- 2Company number matches the Companies Registration Office (CRO) record.
- 3Exact description of records or premises to be searched.
- 4Reference to Section 787 of the Companies Act 2014 included.
- 5Judge’s signature and seal present.
- 6Supporting application from the investigating authority attached.
- 7Correct court registry selected.
- 8If filing electronically, PDF version is under 5 MB.
- 9Copy retained for your records.
How to file this form
- 1Gather the investigating authority’s application.
- 2Complete the form with company details and legal basis.
- 3Have the draft reviewed by the court clerk.
- 4Present the form to the judge for signature.
- 5File the signed warrant at the appropriate court registry or upload via the Courts Service e‑filing portal.
- 6Serve the warrant to the executing officer.
- 7Keep a copy of the filed warrant for future reference.
Known limitations
- 1Only applicable to companies covered by the Companies Act 2014.
- 2Cannot be used for non‑company individuals.
- 3Requires a judge’s approval; not a self‑issued document.
- 4Electronic filing may not be available in all court districts.
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 34.16 is currently active and unchanged since the 2022 Courts Service form redesign. No new amendments have been published.
What changed or needs a fresh check
- Check that the form header shows the 2022 redesign version.
- Confirm the field for "Section 787" is present.
- Verify the signature block includes space for a judge’s seal.
- Ensure the electronic filing option is ticked if using the e‑portal.
Quick Facts
Form Details
- Revision date
- 20/10/25
Downloads & source
Sources
- SRCForm title and number from Courts Service catalogueconfirmed.
- SRCSection 787 reference inferred from Companies Act 2014not confirmed in official source.
- SRCFiling location (court registry or e‑filing) based on typical Courts Service proceduresnot confirmed in official source.
- SRCDeadline of 7 days inferred from standard court practicenot confirmed in official source.
- SRCSignature and seal requirements inferred from other Irish search warrant formsnot confirmed in official source.
Common confusion points
Mixing up Form 34.16 with the general search warrant (Form 34.12).
Leaving the statutory reference (S.787) blank.
Using the wrong company number (e.g., CRO number vs. tax reference).
Submitting the form to the wrong court registry.
Failing to attach the supporting application from the Director of Corporate Enforcement.
Not obtaining the judge’s seal alongside the signature.
Source transparency
Copyright & Licensing — Irish Government Forms
BrieflyGo links to and explains official public form sources. We are not a government agency, and this page is for general form guidance, not legal advice.
Understand the agreement before you sign it.
Review risky clauses in plain English, fix the document, and keep it moving toward signature.