Official form guide
Form 51A.09 Warrant For Arrest Of Debtor
This form is a Warrant For Arrest Of Debtor (Form 51A.09) issued by the Courts Service of Ireland. It officially requests that someone be arrested because they owe money.
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Form Overview
Courts Service of Ireland - Form 51A.09 Warrant For Arrest Of Debtor
This form is a Warrant For Arrest Of Debtor (Form 51A.09) issued by the Courts Service of Ireland. It officially requests that someone be arrested because they owe money.
Risk Radar
Scan points- 1Ensure the Debt Amount matches exactly what is claimed in your supporting documentation.
- 2Incorrectly identifying the debtor's full name or address.
- 3Failing to specify the exact amount of the outstanding debt.
- 4Submitting the form to the wrong local court office.
- 5Not citing the correct legal authority for the warrant.
Plain English
If someone owes money to you, this document tells the courts that an arrest should happen. You use it when simple demands for payment haven't worked. It starts the official process to bring a debtor before a court officer.
Submission Date
- Filing date: There is no general filing deadline, but submission should happen as soon as the debt becomes legally due and recovery efforts fail.
- 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
- You need this form when a debtor owes money and you require an official court order for their arrest.
- Use it when other collection methods have failed or are insufficient to secure payment.
- This form specifically relates to debt owed, not general legal breaches (unless the breach is tied directly to a debt).
- It is used to instruct law enforcement to physically detain someone because they cannot satisfy a financial obligation.
Form selector
Use this form or another form?
Debt exists but you want payment first
This form initiates arrest; the other might precede it or cover non-arrest actions.
✓ Check if your goal is immediate arrest.
The debt relates to a specific CRO filing failure
The Courts Service may have a specialized form for company debts.
✓ Confirm the exact nature of the debt.
You want judgment first, then consider arrest
A different application might be needed to secure the initial court order before issuing this warrant.
✓ Does your process require a formal judgment certificate first?
Deadline or filing window
There is no general filing deadline, but submission should happen as soon as the debt becomes legally due and recovery efforts fail.
Before you submit
- 1Ensure the debtor's full name and address are correctly entered.
- 2Clearly state the exact amount of debt owed.
- 3Attach documentation proving the debt (e.g., invoices, judgment copies).
- 4Verify the court case number associated with this warrant.
- 5Confirm the date the warrant is to take effect from.
How to file this form
- 1Complete all required fields on Form 51A.09 accurately.
- 2Attach supporting evidence of the debt owed.
- 3Sign and date the form according to court requirements.
- 4Submit the completed package to the relevant Courts Service office or portal.
Known limitations
- 1This form only *requests* an arrest; it is not the actual arrest itself. The Gardaí execute this warrant.
- 2The validity period of the warrant must be clearly defined on the form.
- 3Not confirmed in official source: It does not guarantee payment, only that the debtor can be arrested to compel payment.
- 4If the debt amount changes after filing, you may need an amendment or a new warrant.
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->This is the current Warrant For Arrest Of Debtor (Form 51A.09) from the Courts Service of Ireland. It remains the standard document for initiating arrest proceedings due to unpaid debts.
What changed or needs a fresh check
- Check the date stamp on the form itself.
- Verify if any specific section headings have been updated (e.g., references to Revenue Online Service).
- Confirm the current court jurisdiction listed at the top.
- Review the required signatures/stamps needed from the issuing court officer.
Quick Facts
Form Details
- Revision date
- 23/10/25
Downloads & source
Sources
- SRCIssued by: Courts Service of Ireland (COURTS)
- SRCForm Number: 51A.09
- SRCPurpose: Warrant For Arrest Of Debtor
- SRCNot confirmed in official source: Specific required supporting documents list.
Common confusion points
Mistaking this for a simple payment reminder notice (it's an official instruction).
Forgetting to attach proof that the debt actually exists.
Not clearly stating *who* owes the money (the debtor) versus *who* is owed the money (the creditor).
Using the wrong court jurisdiction if dealing with a multi-area debt.
Source transparency
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