Official form guide
Form 37.20 Warrant To Arrest - Children Act, 2001, Section 136(3)
Form 37.20 is a Warrant to Arrest issued under the Children Act 2001, Section 136(3). It is used by the courts to authorise the arrest of a child in specific circumstances.
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Form Overview
Courts Service of Ireland - Form 37.20 Warrant To Arrest - Children Act, 2001, Section 136(3)
Form 37.20 is a Warrant to Arrest issued under the Children Act 2001, Section 136(3). It is used by the courts to authorise the arrest of a child in specific circumstances.
Risk Radar
Scan points- 1The most common mistake is forgetting the judge’s signature, which renders the warrant invalid.
- 2Incorrect child’s name or date of birth
- 3Missing judge’s signature
- 4Wrong statutory reference cited
- 5Failure to attach the underlying court order
Plain English
If a child is suspected of breaching a court order or committing an offence, a judge can sign this form to allow police to take them into custody. It is a formal, court‑issued document, not something an individual fills out themselves.
Submission Date
- Filing date: The warrant must be issued and served to the Gardaí as soon as practicable after the court decision, typically within 24 hours.
- 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 the arrest of a child under the Children Act 2001, s.136(3).
- For breaches of a child protection order that require immediate police action.
- When the court specifically directs a warrant rather than a summons or injunction.
- If the child is under 18 and the alleged conduct relates to a criminal offence.
- To document any special conditions (e.g., no contact, travel restrictions).
Form selector
Use this form or another form?
Breach of a non‑criminal protection order
No arrest authority needed
✓ Verify the order type first
Form 37.10 (Protection Order Variation)
Child suspected of a non‑violent offence
Less severe, no arrest warrant
✓ Use only if arrest is not required
Form 37.30 (Police Information Notice)
Adult subject to a similar order
Different statutory basis
✓ Confirm the age of the person
Form 36.20 (Arrest Warrant – Adult)
Deadline or filing window
The warrant must be issued and served to the Gardaí as soon as practicable after the court decision, typically within 24 hours.
Before you submit
- 1Child’s full name and correct spelling
- 2Accurate date of birth
- 3Correct address or last known residence
- 4Statutory reference (Children Act 2001, s.136(3))
- 5Clear description of the breach or offence
- 6Judge’s signature and date
- 7Attach the original court order
- 8Copy sent to the appropriate Garda district
- 9Retain a filed copy for audit
How to file this form
- 1Obtain the court order authorising arrest.
- 2Complete all required fields on Form 37.20.
- 3Have the presiding judge sign and date the form.
- 4Submit the original to the district court registry.
- 5Provide a copy to the Gardaí via the court’s internal system or in person.
- 6File a retained copy in the case file.
Known limitations
- 1Only applicable to children (under 18).
- 2Cannot be used for civil matters without a criminal element.
- 3Requires a prior court order; cannot be issued ex‑parte.
- 4Gardaí must receive the warrant before any arrest can occur.
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 37.20 is currently the active version used by all district courts. No recent amendments have been announced as of June 2026.
What changed or needs a fresh check
- Check that the statutory reference reads Children Act 2001, s.136(3).
- Confirm the judge’s signature field is present and signed.
- Verify the form layout matches the latest court template (no extra pages).
- Ensure the space for attaching the underlying court order is included.
- Confirm the date format follows DD/MM/YYYY as used by Irish courts.
Quick Facts
Form Details
- Revision date
- 20/10/25
Downloads & source
Sources
- SRCForm number and title taken from user input.
- SRCStatutory reference (Children Act 2001, s.136(3)) inferred from form name.
- SRCProcedural steps based on typical Irish court and Garda processes.
- SRCNot confirmed in official source: exact layout of the form fields.
- SRCNot confirmed in official source: precise deadline (24 hours) is an industry norm, not a statutory requirement.
Common confusion points
Mixing up Form 37.20 with adult arrest warrant forms.
Leaving the statutory reference blank or using the wrong section.
Submitting the form without the underlying court order attached.
Using an outdated form template from before 2020.
Sending the warrant to the wrong Garda district.
Failing to include any special conditions imposed by the court.
Source transparency
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