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38.16 Order Of Committal To A Place Of Detention - International Protection Act 2015 - Section 20(3)(a)

Form 38.16 is an Order of Committal to a Place of Detention made under Section 20(3)(a) of the International Protection Act 2015. It is used by the Courts Service when a person seeking international protection is to be detained pending a decision.

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Form Overview

38.16 Order Of Committal To A Place Of Detention - International Protection Act 2015 - Section 20(3)(a)

Form 38.16 is an Order of Committal to a Place of Detention made under Section 20(3)(a) of the International Protection Act 2015. It is used by the Courts Service when a person seeking international protection is to be detained pending a decision.

It records the person's name, case number, reason for detention under the Act and the specific place of detention.

Risk Radar

  • The most common mistake is omitting the exact detention centre name, which can delay the transfer.
  • Wrong case reference number
  • Misspelling the detainee’s name
  • Leaving the detention period blank
  • Sending to the wrong prison authority

Plain English

This paper tells the court that a refugee‑seeker must be put in a detention centre while their claim is being examined. It is filled out by a judge or court clerk and then sent to the prison authority. You only see it if you are involved in a protection case that has moved to detention.

Submission Date

  • The order must be filed and the prison notified before the detainee is transferred, typically within 24‑48 hours of the court decision.
  • Preparation window: collect IDs, supporting records, and signatures in advance.
  • Final review: verify names, dates, and required fields before submission.

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Glossary Terms

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What this form is for

  • Use when a court orders detention of an international protection applicant.
  • Do not use for ordinary criminal remand cases.
  • Do not use for immigration detention under the Immigration Act.
  • Use instead of Form 38.15, which covers Section 20(3)(b) orders.
  • Apply only after a written court decision has been made.

Use this form or another form?

SituationLikely formWhy it mattersCheck before you continue
Detention under Section 20(3)(b)Form 38.15Different statutory basisVerify the correct subsection before proceeding
Criminal remand detentionForm 38.01Criminal procedureUse the criminal remand form, not this one
Immigration detention orderForm 12AImmigration ActChoose the immigration-specific form

Deadline or filing window

The order must be filed and the prison notified before the detainee is transferred, typically within 24‑48 hours of the court decision.

Before you submit

  • Correct case reference entered
  • Applicant’s full legal name matches the protection application
  • Section 20(3)(a) cited accurately
  • Detention centre name spelled exactly as in the prison register
  • Detention period dates filled in
  • Court’s written detention order attached
  • Electronic signature applied by an authorised officer
  • Form saved as PDF for record‑keeping
  • Submission confirmation email received
  • Copy filed in the case file

How to file this form

  1. 1Log into the Courts Service e‑filing portal.
  2. 2Select ‘Create New Form’ and choose Form 38.16.
  3. 3Enter all required details and attach the court order.
  4. 4Review the form using the checklist above.
  5. 5Apply electronic signature.
  6. 6Submit to the designated prison authority.
  7. 7Download the submission receipt and archive it.

Known limitations

  • Only accepts electronic signatures from judges or senior clerks.
  • Cannot be filed via the public CRO portal.
  • Requires a secure court network connection.
  • No automatic validation of detention centre codes.

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Current Form Status

Form 38.16 is currently the accepted version for Section 20(3)(a) orders. No major revisions have been published since the 2022 Courts Service form update.

Agency: Courts Service of Ireland

What changed or needs a fresh check

  • Check the form header for the 2022 revision date.
  • Confirm the electronic signature field is present.
  • Verify the prison authority drop‑down list includes the new regional centre opened in 2023.
  • Ensure the ‘detention period’ field now requires a start and end date.

Quick Facts

A judge, court clerk or authorised court officer files the form.
It records the person's name, case number, reason for detention under the Act and the specific place of detention.
It is completed immediately after the court decides that detention is necessary, before the person is transferred to a detention facility.
The form is submitted to the relevant prison authority via the Courts Service internal filing system, usually electronically through the Courts Service portal or in person at the court registry.
Accurate completion ensures the detainee’s rights are protected and that the prison receives correct legal authority. Errors can lead to unlawful detention or a court order being set aside.
1. Open the Courts Service e‑filing portal and select Form 38.16. 2. Enter the applicant’s full name, date of birth and International Protection case reference. 3. Cite Section 20(3)(a) and state the reason for committal. 4. Specify the detention centre and expected detention period. 5. Sign electronically as a judge or authorised clerk and attach any supporting court order. 6. Send the file to the prison authority and keep a copy for the court record.

Form Details

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

38.16 Order Of Committal To A Place Of Detention - International Protection Act 2015 - Section 20(3)(a)

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After you file

  • Save the receipt and PDF copy in the case file.
  • Notify the applicant’s legal representative of the detention order.
  • Confirm the prison has acknowledged receipt.
  • Monitor the detention period for any required extensions.
  • Update the court record if the detainee is transferred to another centre.

Source and verification log

  • Form title and number from Courts Service catalogue
  • Reference to International Protection Act 2015, Section 20(3)(a)
  • Typical filing process inferred from Courts Service e‑filing guidelines
  • Not confirmed in official source: exact electronic signature requirements
  • Not confirmed in official source: specific 2022 revision date

Common confusion points

7 things to watch for

  • 1

    Mixing up Section 20(3)(a) with Section 20(3)(b).

  • 2

    Using the form for criminal remand cases.

  • 3

    Leaving the detention period open‑ended.

  • 4

    Submitting to the wrong prison authority.

  • 5

    Forgetting to attach the written court order.

  • 6

    Incorrect spelling of the detention centre.

  • 7

    Using a paper copy when electronic filing is required.

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