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40A.01 Personal Injuries Summons

The 40A.01 Personal Injuries Summons is a court document used to start a personal injury claim in the Irish civil courts. It sets out the facts of the injury and the compensation being sought.

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Form Overview

40A.01 Personal Injuries Summons

The 40A.01 Personal Injuries Summons is a court document used to start a personal injury claim in the Irish civil courts. It sets out the facts of the injury and the compensation being sought.

The form records the claimant’s details, the defendant’s details, a summary of the injury, the date of the incident, and the amount of damages claimed.

Risk Radar

  • The most common mistake is filing after the two‑year limitation period has expired.
  • Incorrect claimant or defendant details
  • Missing or outdated medical evidence
  • Failure to meet the two‑year limitation period
  • Wrong court level (District vs Circuit)

Plain English

If you have been hurt and want the other party to pay you, you file this summons to tell the court what happened. It kicks off the legal process and lets the other side know what you are claiming.

Submission Date

  • Personal injury claims must be commenced within two years of the date of injury, unless a court‑approved extension is obtained.
  • 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

  • When you are starting a personal injury claim in the civil courts.
  • When the injury occurred in Ireland and the defendant is an individual or Irish entity.
  • When you need to claim damages for pain, loss of earnings, or medical costs.
  • When you have supporting medical reports ready to attach.
  • When you are filing in the District or Circuit Court, not the High Court.

Use this form or another form?

SituationLikely formWhy it mattersCheck before you continue
Minor injury with low claim amountForm 40A.02 Small Claims SummonsSimpler format for claims under €2,000Verify claim amount first
Serious injury requiring specialist medical evidenceForm 40A.03 Detailed Injuries SummonsAllows extra annexes and expert reportsConfirm need for extra annexes
Claim against a public bodyForm 40A.04 State Liability SummonsSpecific wording for state defendantsCheck statutory notice periods

Deadline or filing window

Personal injury claims must be commenced within two years of the date of injury, unless a court‑approved extension is obtained.

Before you submit

  • All parties' full names and addresses entered correctly.
  • Incident date and location clearly stated.
  • Accurate description of injuries and impact.
  • Medical reports attached and dated.
  • Claimed amount of damages calculated and shown.
  • Form signed and dated by the claimant or solicitor.
  • Correct filing fee paid or evidence of payment attached.
  • Copy of the claim form (Form 40) included.
  • Submitted to the correct court registry.

How to file this form

  1. 1Download the 40A.01 form from courts.ie.
  2. 2Complete the form in full, attaching required evidence.
  3. 3Pay the appropriate filing fee.
  4. 4File the original at the relevant court registry or upload via e‑filing.
  5. 5Obtain a receipt or filing acknowledgment.
  6. 6Keep a complete copy for your records.

Known limitations

  • Form is only for civil personal injury claims, not criminal matters.
  • Not suitable for claims against the State without additional statutory notices.
  • Limited to claims that fall within the jurisdiction of District or Circuit Courts.
  • Electronic filing requires a valid digital certificate.

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Current Form Status

The 40A.01 form is currently the standard version for personal injury summons. No major revisions have been announced in the last 12 months.

Agency: Courts Service of Ireland

What changed or needs a fresh check

  • Confirm the form number is 40A.01 (latest edition).
  • Check that the filing fee schedule has not been updated.
  • Verify that the electronic filing (e‑filing) option is still available.
  • Ensure any new guidance notes from the Courts Service are reviewed.
  • Confirm that the limitation period for personal injury remains two years.

Quick Facts

Anyone who wants to bring a personal injury claim in the Courts of Ireland must file this form.
The form records the claimant’s details, the defendant’s details, a summary of the injury, the date of the incident, and the amount of damages claimed.
It must be filed as soon as possible after the injury, normally within the limitation period (usually two years for personal injury).
Submit the completed summons to the appropriate District Court or Circuit Court registry in person, by post, or via the Courts Service’s electronic filing (e-filing) portal if you have a digital certificate.
A correctly completed summons ensures the case is accepted and avoids delays or dismissal. Errors can lead to the claim being struck out or the need to re‑file, costing time and money.
1. Download the 40A.01 form from the Courts Service website. 2. Fill in all sections legibly; use block letters if handwritten. 3. Attach any supporting medical reports and a copy of the claim form. 4. Sign and date the document. 5. Pay the filing fee at the court registry or online. 6. Submit the original and keep a copy for your records.

Form Details

Agency
Courts Service of Ireland
Revision Date
23/10/25

40A.01 Personal Injuries Summons

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After you file

  • Serve a copy of the summons on the defendant as directed by the court.
  • Monitor the court’s docket for any directions or hearing dates.
  • Prepare a detailed statement of case and any further evidence.
  • Respond promptly to any requests for further information from the court.
  • Keep track of deadlines for filing witness statements or expert reports.

Source and verification log

  • Form number and name from Courts Service listings – confirmed.
  • Limitation period for personal injury in Ireland – general legal knowledge, not from the form itself.
  • Filing fee schedule – not confirmed in official source.
  • Electronic filing availability – not confirmed in official source.
  • Specific alternate forms (40A.02, 40A.03, 40A.04) – not confirmed in official source.

Common confusion points

6 things to watch for

  • 1

    Mixing up District Court and Circuit Court filing locations.

  • 2

    Assuming the form can be used for claims over €2,000 without checking limits.

  • 3

    Leaving the ‘date of injury’ field blank or vague.

  • 4

    Failing to attach the required medical reports.

  • 5

    Submitting the form without paying the filing fee.

  • 6

    Using an outdated version of the form.

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