Official form guide
Form 41B.01 Notice Of Commencement Of Proceedings
Form 41B.01 is the Notice of Commencement of Proceedings issued by the Courts Service of Ireland. It is filed when a party wants to start a civil case or other court action and must inform the court and the other side.
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Form Overview
Courts Service of Ireland - Form 41B.01 Notice Of Commencement Of Proceedings
Form 41B.01 is the Notice of Commencement of Proceedings issued by the Courts Service of Ireland. It is filed when a party wants to start a civil case or other court action and must inform the court and the other side.
Risk Radar
Scan points- 1The most common mistake is submitting the notice to the wrong court registry.
- 2Wrong court selected
- 3Missing signature or date
- 4Incorrect party details
- 5Failure to attach required supporting documents
Plain English
If you are beginning a lawsuit or any formal court action, you fill out this notice to tell the court you are starting the case. It lets the court open a file and lets the other party know they are being sued.
Submission Date
- Filing date: The notice should be filed as soon as you decide to commence proceedings, typically within 5‑7 days, but check any specific time limits that apply to your case type.
- 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
- Use when starting a new civil claim in any Irish court.
- Do not use for criminal matters – separate forms apply.
- Not for appeals; a different notice of appeal form is required.
- If you are filing a statutory demand, a specific demand form is needed.
- Use instead of a simple letter of claim when the court requires formal notice.
Form selector
Use this form or another form?
Appeal of a judgment
Appeals need a separate notice after a judgment is given
✓ Verify you have a final judgment before filing
Criminal charge
Criminal matters follow the Director of Public Prosecutions process
✓ Use only for criminal cases
Statutory demand
Debt recovery without court proceedings
✓ Issue only when debt is undisputed
Deadline or filing window
The notice should be filed as soon as you decide to commence proceedings, typically within 5‑7 days, but check any specific time limits that apply to your case type.
Before you submit
- 1Correct court selected
- 2All party names and addresses accurate
- 3Claim description concise and clear
- 4Signature and date present
- 5Supporting documents attached
- 6Form printed legibly or uploaded as a clear PDF
- 7Receipt of filing obtained
How to file this form
- 1Download the latest 41B.01 from courts.ie.
- 2Complete the form on paper or in a PDF editor.
- 3Gather any required annexes (e.g., copy of claim).
- 4Submit in person, by post, or via the e‑filing portal.
- 5Obtain and keep the filing receipt.
- 6Serve a copy on the other party as directed by the court.
Known limitations
- 1Form does not cover criminal or family law matters.
- 2Only accepted by courts that support electronic filing for this form.
- 3No guidance on service method – separate rules apply.
- 4Not a substitute for a formal claim or statement of case.
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 41B.01 is currently the up‑to‑date version on the Courts Service website. No major revisions have been announced in the last 12 months.
What changed or needs a fresh check
- Check the form version date on the header.
- Confirm the court list matches the current court structure.
- Verify any new mandatory fields (e.g., electronic filing reference).
- Ensure the signature block includes space for a solicitor’s signature if applicable.
Quick Facts
Form Details
- Revision date
- 23/10/25
Downloads & source
Sources
- SRCForm number and title taken from user input.
- SRCIssuing agency (Courts Service of Ireland) confirmed from input.
- SRCPurpose and typical use inferred from form name.
- SRCFiling locations based on general Courts Service procedures.
- SRCSpecific deadlines not listed in sourcenoted as typical practice.
- SRCNot confirmed in official source: exact filing time‑limits and electronic availability.
Common confusion points
Mixing up the District Court and Circuit Court sections.
Leaving the ‘type of proceeding’ box blank.
Using informal abbreviations for party names.
Assuming electronic filing is available for all courts.
Forgetting to attach a copy of the claim document.
Not signing the form when a solicitor files on behalf of a client.
Source transparency
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