Official form guide
Form 38.1 Notice Of Application For An Order To Inspect And Copy Entries In Books - Bankers Books Evidence Act, 1879 Section 7
Form 38.1 is a Notice of Application for an Order to Inspect and Copy Entries in Bankers' Books under Section 7 of the Bankers' Books Evidence Act 1879. It is used when a party needs the court to allow inspection of a bank's records for legal proceedings.
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Form Overview
Courts Service of Ireland - Form 38.1 Notice Of Application For An Order To Inspect And Copy Entries In Books - Bankers Books Evidence Act, 1879 Section 7
Form 38.1 is a Notice of Application for an Order to Inspect and Copy Entries in Bankers' Books under Section 7 of the Bankers' Books Evidence Act 1879. It is used when a party needs the court to allow inspection of a bank's records for legal proceedings.
Risk Radar
Scan points- 1The most common mistake is omitting the precise dates of the entries you need.
- 2Missing case reference number
- 3Incorrect bank name or branch details
- 4Requesting an overly broad date range
- 5Failing to attach supporting documentation
Plain English
If you are involved in a court case and need to see what a bank has written in its books, you file this form. It asks the court to give you permission to look at and copy those entries.
Submission Date
- Filing date: There is no fixed statutory deadline, but the order should be applied for well before the hearing date to avoid postponement.
- 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 you need to inspect a bank’s ledger for a civil claim.
- When a criminal case requires bank transaction evidence.
- When a family law matter involves financial accounts held by a bank.
- When a probate case needs to verify assets held in bank books.
- When a commercial dispute calls for evidence of payments recorded by a bank.
Form selector
Use this form or another form?
Bankruptcy case
Bankruptcy orders require a different inspection form
✓ Verify bankruptcy status first
Company liquidation
Companies may need CRO‑related documents
✓ Use CRO forms for company records
Tax investigation
Revenue requests are separate from court orders
✓ Check Revenue guidelines
Deadline or filing window
There is no fixed statutory deadline, but the order should be applied for well before the hearing date to avoid postponement.
Before you submit
- 1Case number entered correctly.
- 2Bank name, branch, and account details verified.
- 3Exact date range of entries specified.
- 4Legal basis (Section 7) clearly stated.
- 5Supporting affidavit or court order attached.
- 6Applicant’s signature and date included.
- 7Form printed clearly or uploaded legibly.
- 8Correct court registry address used.
- 9Copy retained for personal records.
How to file this form
- 1Prepare all required information and supporting documents.
- 2Complete each field on Form 38.1 accurately.
- 3Sign and date the form.
- 4Make a photocopy for your records.
- 5Submit the original to the appropriate court registry.
- 6Obtain a receipt or acknowledgment from the clerk.
- 7Notify your solicitor or legal representative of the filing.
Known limitations
- 1Form only applies to banks covered by the 1879 Act.
- 2Does not grant automatic access; court must issue an order.
- 3Limited to inspection and copying, not extraction of data.
- 4May be refused if the request is overly broad or irrelevant.
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 38.1 is currently the standard version used by the Courts Service. No recent amendments have been announced.
What changed or needs a fresh check
- Confirm the form header shows 'Courts Service of Ireland'.
- Check that Section 7 reference is present.
- Verify there is a field for both case number and court name.
- Ensure signature line includes date and applicant’s name.
- Look for any new guidance notes attached to the form.
Quick Facts
Form Details
- Revision date
- 20/10/25
Downloads & source
Sources
- SRCForm title and number taken from user input.
- SRCPurpose inferred from Bankers' Books Evidence Act 1879, Section 7.
- SRCSubmission methods based on typical Courts Service procedures.
- SRCDeadline guidance inferred from general court practice.
- SRCAll specific procedural details marked as not confirmed in official source.
Common confusion points
Mixing up Form 38.1 with other inspection forms (e.g., for companies).
Assuming the form alone grants access without a court order.
Leaving the date range blank or too vague.
Submitting to the wrong court (District vs. High Court).
Not attaching the necessary supporting affidavit.
Failing to sign the form.
Using an outdated version of the form.
Source transparency
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