Official form guide
Form 37.1 Summons To Child Or To Child And Parent Or Guardian - Children Act 2001, Section 64 Petty Sessions (Ireland) Act 1851
Form 37.1 is a Summons to a child or to a child and their parent/guardian under the Children Act 2001 and Section 64 of the Petty Sessions (Ireland) Act 1851. It is used to start a court proceeding involving a child, usually for protection or welfare matters.
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Form Overview
Courts Service of Ireland - Form 37.1 Summons To Child Or To Child And Parent Or Guardian - Children Act 2001, Section 64 Petty Sessions (Ireland) Act 1851
Form 37.1 is a Summons to a child or to a child and their parent/guardian under the Children Act 2001 and Section 64 of the Petty Sessions (Ireland) Act 1851. It is used to start a court proceeding involving a child, usually for protection or welfare matters.
Risk Radar
Scan points- 1The most common mistake is leaving the child's date of birth blank or wrong.
- 2Incorrect child details (name or DOB)
- 3Wrong legal reference or section cited
- 4Missing signature or date
- 5Failing to attach required supporting documents
Plain English
If you need the court to officially call a child – and possibly their parent – to appear for a hearing about their safety or care, you fill out this form. It tells the court why the child should be summoned and sets the date for the hearing.
Submission Date
- Filing date: There is no statutory filing deadline, but the summons should be issued well before the hearing date to give adequate notice – typically at least 7 days.
- 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 child needs to be summoned for a protection hearing.
- When a parent or guardian must appear together with the child.
- When the matter falls under the Children Act 2001 or Section 64 of the Petty Sessions Act.
- When you are initiating a new court case, not responding to an existing summons.
- When the court has requested a formal summons for a child.
Form selector
Use this form or another form?
Existing court order already issued
Used for follow‑up hearings
✓ Verify if a new summons is really needed
Only a parent needs to attend
No child attendance required
✓ Check child’s involvement first
Matter relates to a non‑child family dispute
Different legal basis
✓ Use the family law form instead
Deadline or filing window
There is no statutory filing deadline, but the summons should be issued well before the hearing date to give adequate notice – typically at least 7 days.
Before you submit
- 1Child’s full name and date of birth entered correctly
- 2Parent/guardian name and contact details complete
- 3Correct legal provision (Children Act 2001, Section 64) cited
- 4Hearing date, time, and court location filled in
- 5All required signatures present
- 6Date of filing included
- 7Supporting documents attached (e.g., protection order)
- 8Form printed clearly or PDF not corrupted
- 9Correct court registry address used
How to file this form
- 1Complete the form on paper or in the online portal.
- 2Attach any supporting orders or reports.
- 3Sign and date the form.
- 4Make a photocopy for your records.
- 5Deliver the original to the appropriate court registry in person or by post.
- 6If filing online, upload the PDF and confirm receipt.
- 7Obtain the court’s acknowledgment or receipt number.
Known limitations
- 1Only applicable for child‑related matters under the specified Acts.
- 2Does not cover adult‑only proceedings.
- 3Must be filed at the correct court level (District or Circuit).
- 4Online submission may not be available for all courts.
- 5Form does not include a fee field; any court fee must be paid separately.
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 37.1 is the current version used by the Courts Service; no major revisions have been announced in the last year.
What changed or needs a fresh check
- Confirm the form header shows ‘Form 37.1 – Summons to Child…’
- Check that the Children Act 2001 reference is present
- Verify the space for Section 64 of the Petty Sessions Act is included
- Ensure there is a field for both child and parent/guardian details
- Look for any new instruction notes added in the latest PDF
Quick Facts
Form Details
- Revision date
- 20/10/25
Downloads & source
Sources
- SRCForm title and number from Courts Service catalogue
- SRCChildren Act 2001 reference inferred from form name
- SRCSection 64 of Petty Sessions (Ireland) Act 1851 inferred from form name
- SRCFiling locations (court registry, online portal) based on typical Courts Service practice
- SRCNot confirmed in official source: exact deadline requirements
- SRCNot confirmed in official source: availability of online submission for all courts
- SRCNot confirmed in official source: fee details
Common confusion points
Mixing up Form 37.1 with Form 37.2 (order to appear).
Leaving the parent/guardian section blank when both must attend.
Using the wrong legal reference (e.g., citing the Juvenile Courts Act instead of Section 64).
Submitting to the wrong court registry (District vs. Circuit).
Forgetting to attach a current protection order.
Incorrect date format causing processing delays.
Source transparency
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