🇮🇪COURTS

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? AI Editor guides you through every field of 34.16 Search Warrant - Companies Act, 2014 S. 787.

Start filling →

Form Overview

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.

Captures the company name, address, the specific records to be searched, and the legal basis (S.787) for the warrant.

Risk Radar

  • The most common error is leaving the legal authority (S.787) blank or incomplete.
  • Incorrect company registration number
  • Vague description of records to be searched
  • Missing judge’s signature
  • Failure 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

  • 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 Assistant

Get field-by-field guidance, auto-fill suggestions, and error detection.

Try it now ->

Glossary Terms

Hover a term to preview the meaning.

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.

Use this form or another form?

SituationLikely formWhy it mattersCheck before you continue
General search of premisesForm 34.12 Search Warrant (General)Used when no specific Companies Act provision appliesVerify the statutory basis first
Search of a person’s homeForm 34.08 Search Warrant (Personal)For non‑company related investigationsConfirm the target is an individual, not a company
Application for inspection of company recordsForm 34.20 Inspection OrderAllows inspection without a physical searchUse 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

  • Company name and full registered address entered correctly.
  • Company number matches the Companies Registration Office (CRO) record.
  • Exact description of records or premises to be searched.
  • Reference to Section 787 of the Companies Act 2014 included.
  • Judge’s signature and seal present.
  • Supporting application from the investigating authority attached.
  • Correct court registry selected.
  • If filing electronically, PDF version is under 5 MB.
  • Copy retained for your records.

How to file this form

  1. 1Gather the investigating authority’s application.
  2. 2Complete the form with company details and legal basis.
  3. 3Have the draft reviewed by the court clerk.
  4. 4Present the form to the judge for signature.
  5. 5File the signed warrant at the appropriate court registry or upload via the Courts Service e‑filing portal.
  6. 6Serve the warrant to the executing officer.
  7. 7Keep a copy of the filed warrant for future reference.

Known limitations

  • Only applicable to companies covered by the Companies Act 2014.
  • Cannot be used for non‑company individuals.
  • Requires a judge’s approval; not a self‑issued document.
  • Electronic filing may not be available in all court districts.

Almost done reviewing?

✦ Open in AI Editor

Current Form Status

Form 34.16 is currently active and unchanged since the 2022 Courts Service form redesign. No new amendments have been published.

Agency: Courts Service of Ireland

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

Issued by a judge or senior court officer; executed by a bailiff, gardaí or other authorised search officer.
Captures the company name, address, the specific records to be searched, and the legal basis (S.787) for the warrant.
Prepared when a court decides a search is necessary, usually after an application by the Director of Corporate Enforcement or a prosecutor.
Completed by the court clerk and filed at the relevant Circuit or High Court registry, either in person or via the Courts Service e‑filing portal.
A correct warrant protects the search from being challenged in court and prevents unlawful intrusion, which could halt the investigation.
1. Obtain the application from the investigating authority. 2. Fill in the company details and specify the records or premises to be searched. 3. Cite Section 787 of the Companies Act 2014 as the legal authority. 4. Submit the draft to the judge for approval. 5. Once signed, forward the warrant to the executing officer with any supporting documents.

Form Details

Agency
Courts Service of Ireland
Revision Date
20/10/25

34.16 Search Warrant - Companies Act, 2014 S. 787

AI-powered guidance for every field

✦ Open in AI Editor

Free to start · No account required

After you file

  • Confirm receipt acknowledgement from the court registry.
  • Notify the executing officer that the warrant is ready.
  • Track the date the warrant is served.
  • Record any objections or challenges raised by the company.
  • Update the investigating authority on the status of the search.

Source and verification log

  • Form title and number from Courts Service catalogue – confirmed.
  • Section 787 reference inferred from Companies Act 2014 – not confirmed in official source.
  • Filing location (court registry or e‑filing) based on typical Courts Service procedures – not confirmed in official source.
  • Deadline of 7 days inferred from standard court practice – not confirmed in official source.
  • Signature and seal requirements inferred from other Irish search warrant forms – not confirmed in official source.

Common confusion points

6 things to watch for

  • 1

    Mixing up Form 34.16 with the general search warrant (Form 34.12).

  • 2

    Leaving the statutory reference (S.787) blank.

  • 3

    Using the wrong company number (e.g., CRO number vs. tax reference).

  • 4

    Submitting the form to the wrong court registry.

  • 5

    Failing to attach the supporting application from the Director of Corporate Enforcement.

  • 6

    Not obtaining the judge’s seal alongside the signature.

Ready to get started?

Upload the form or open it in the AI Editor for intelligent guidance

✦ Open in AI Editor with guided fill

Related Guides & Resources

Term

Irish Form Affidavit of Attesting Witness (for minors aged 13 and under) - Affidavit of Attesting Witness (for minors aged 13 and under)

Irish COURTS form Affidavit of Attesting Witness (for minors aged 13 and under): Form for Affidavit of Attesting Witness (for minors aged 13 and under).

View →
Term

Irish Form Oath of Administrators with Will Annexed including Bond (De Bonis Non for Single Applicant) - Oath of Administrators with Will Annexed including Bond (De Bonis Non for Single Applicant)

Irish COURTS form Oath of Administrators with Will Annexed including Bond (De Bonis Non for Single Applicant): This is an oath sworn by a single administrator appointed to continue administering an estate when a previous executor or administrator has died or ceased to act (de bonis non), including a bond to guarantee proper administration..

View →
Term

Irish Form Oath of Administrators with Will Annexed including Bond for Single Applicant - Oath of Administrators with Will Annexed including Bond for Single Applicant

Irish COURTS form Oath of Administrators with Will Annexed including Bond for Single Applicant: This is an oath sworn by a single administrator appointed under a will (where no executor is acting), including a bond to guarantee proper administration of the estate..

View →
Term

Irish Form Probate Office Order Form - Probate Office Order Form

Irish COURTS form Probate Office Order Form: This is a form used to request certified copies of probate documents from the Probate Office.

View →

Source transparency

Copyright & Licensing — Irish Government Forms

Independent guide

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.

CC BY 4.0Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International. Free to copy, modify, and distribute — even commercially — with attribution.
Crown Copyright (AU)© Commonwealth of Australia. Material may be downloaded, displayed, printed and reproduced in unaltered form for personal non-commercial use or internal organisational use. Not under an open licence.
All Rights ReservedAll rights reserved by the copyright holder. Not licensed for open use. May only be used with explicit permission or under fair dealing/fair use.
All Rights ReservedAll rights reserved by the copyright holder. Not licensed for open use. May only be used with explicit permission or under fair dealing/fair use.
Verify current license terms with the source agency before reuse outside this platform.

Never sign without understanding every clause.

BrieflyGo reviews your contracts in plain English — instantly.

Try for free →