Official form guide
Form 18 – Instalments
Form 18 – Instalments is used when payments for a court matter are not made in one lump sum. You use this form to officially notify the Courts Service that you intend to pay over time.
Need help with Form Form 18 – Instalments?
Open it in the AI Editor for field guidance, checks, and PDF export.
Form Overview
Courts Service of Ireland - Form 18 – Instalments
Form 18 – Instalments is used when payments for a court matter are not made in one lump sum. You use this form to officially notify the Courts Service that you intend to pay over time.
Risk Radar
Scan points- 1Don't forget to match the instalment dates exactly to your payment schedule.
- 2Not clearly stating the total amount owed.
- 3Incorrectly calculating the number of instalments.
- 4Failing to sign and date the form properly.
- 5Submitting it after the initial due date.
Plain English
This document tells the Irish courts that you plan to pay your court fees or fines in smaller chunks instead of all at once. Think of it as setting up a payment plan for your legal obligations.
Submission Date
- Filing date: The form should be filed before the original deadline for full payment expires. Check the specific court order for precise timing requirements.
- Preparation window: collect IDs, supporting records, and signatures in advance.
- Final review: verify names, dates, and required fields before submission.
AI co-pilot
Fill it faster. Catch mistakes before you file.
What this form is for
- You owe money to a court in Ireland, but you cannot pay it all at once.
- This form tells the Courts Service exactly how you plan to pay over time.
- Use this when agreeing to monthly or periodic payments for a fine, judgment, or costs order.
Form selector
Use this form or another form?
Paying one-off lump sum
You don't need Form 18 if you pay everything now.
✓ Confirm your single payment covers the full amount.
Not applicable (use payment confirmation)
Asking for a payment plan change
If your original instalment dates need adjusting, this form updates the record.
✓ Ensure you reference the existing case number correctly.
Requesting a full waiver/discount
This is for asking to pay nothing or less than owed; Form 18 sets out *how* you will pay what is left.
✓ Check if your request letter references Form 18.
Not confirmed in official source (may require separate application)
Deadline or filing window
The form should be filed before the original deadline for full payment expires. Check the specific court order for precise timing requirements.
Before you submit
- 1Ensure your full name and address match official court records.
- 2Double-check the unique Court Case Number is present and correct.
- 3Clearly state the total amount owed on Form 18.
- 4Accurately detail each planned instalment payment (amount and date).
- 5Sign and date the form before submitting it.
How to file this form
- 1Complete all required sections of Form 18 – Instalments.
- 2Attach any supporting documents (e.g., proof of income, letter explaining difficulty).
- 3Submit the completed form to the relevant Courts Service office or via the online portal.
- 4Keep a copy of the fully submitted form for your own records.
Known limitations
- 1This form only notifies; it does not automatically guarantee payment approval. A decision must still be made by the court.
- 2The maximum number or amount of instalments allowed is not confirmed in official source.
- 3If you miss a payment, this form alone might not stop further action from the Courts Service.
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 18 – Instalments is the standard notification for spreading out court payments. Check the latest version on the Courts Service website before completing it.
What changed or needs a fresh check
- Check the date of the form version.
- Verify the specific fee/charge types listed are current.
- Confirm any new fields related to payment frequency (e.g., monthly vs. quarterly) have been added.
- Look for updated guidance notes regarding hardship applications.
Quick Facts
Form Details
- Revision date
- 01/08/25
Downloads & source
Sources
- SRCIssued by: Courts Service of Ireland (COURTS)
- SRCForm Name: Form 18Instalments
- SRCPurpose: Notifying intent to pay in instalments.
- SRCContext: Used for court debt payments, not general tax/CRO filings.
Common confusion points
Confusing it with a simple payment slip; Form 18 is a formal declaration of *intent* to pay in parts.
Forgetting to reference the exact case number—this makes processing very slow.
Listing instalment amounts that don't add up to the total debt owed.
Assuming the court will automatically accept any payment schedule without reviewing it first.
Source transparency
Copyright & Licensing — Irish Government Forms
BrieflyGo links to and explains official public form sources. We are not a government agency, and this page is for general form guidance, not legal advice.
Understand the agreement before you sign it.
Review risky clauses in plain English, fix the document, and keep it moving toward signature.