Official form guide
Form 21.7 – Warrant Of Committal Of Witness (Refusal To Give Evidence Or Produce Documents)
This form is a Warrant of Committal issued by the Courts Service of Ireland. You use it when a witness refuses to give evidence or fails to bring required documents to court.
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Form Overview
Courts Service of Ireland - Form 21.7 – Warrant Of Committal Of Witness (Refusal To Give Evidence Or Produce Documents)
This form is a Warrant of Committal issued by the Courts Service of Ireland. You use it when a witness refuses to give evidence or fails to bring required documents to court.
Risk Radar
Scan points- 1Ensure you specify whether the issue is a refusal to give evidence OR a failure to produce documents.
- 2Not clearly identifying the specific court order being violated.
- 3Omitting the full name/details of the refusing witness.
- 4Failing to specify *what* document was refused (if applicable).
- 5Submitting without a signature from an authorized party.
Plain English
Simply put, this document forces someone in court to show up and talk, or hand over paperwork. It acts as an official instruction from the courts regarding non-cooperation during legal proceedings in Ireland.
Submission Date
- Filing date: There is no fixed deadline listed in the form itself, but submission should happen as soon as the witness's non-compliance occurs or shortly thereafter.
- 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 this form when a witness actively refuses to give evidence.
- Use it if a required witness fails to produce necessary documents for trial.
- This is specifically about refusal, not just inability (which might use another warrant).
- It initiates the formal court order compelling attendance or production.
Form selector
Use this form or another form?
Witness refuses to give evidence in court
This form officially orders the witness to appear or provide documents.
✓ Check that the specific refusal reason is noted.
Witness fails to bring required documents to trial
Courts use this warrant to force compliance with court orders regarding evidence production.
✓ Verify the exact document(s) listed are correct.
The witness is already before the judge/magistrate
Even if they are present, this form formalises the official order for their attendance or compliance.
✓ Ensure the court details match where the refusal occurred.
You need to enforce a previous court order
This is used when a witness has been previously ordered but still refuses to cooperate.
✓ Confirm the original case reference number is clearly stated.
Deadline or filing window
There is no fixed deadline listed in the form itself, but submission should happen as soon as the witness's non-compliance occurs or shortly thereafter.
Before you submit
- 1Ensure the Judge or authorized Court official has signed it.
- 2Double-check that the witness's full name and address are correct.
- 3Verify the specific court case number is clearly entered.
- 4Confirm the exact nature of the refusal (e.g., 'refuses to testify', 'fails to produce XYZ document').
- 5Make sure the date the warrant is issued is accurate.
How to file this form
- 1Fill out all sections completely using black ink or digital text.
- 2Have the issuing court official sign and date the form.
- 3Submit it through the required Courts Service portal (if applicable).
- 4Keep a scanned copy for your own case file record.
- 5File the original with the relevant Court Registry.
Known limitations
- 1This form itself is not the final judgment; it's the order to compel action.
- 2It does not specify the penalty yet, only that committal will occur (unless otherwise noted).
- 3The specific rules regarding when this warrant becomes enforceable depend on the type of court case.
- 4Not confirmed in official source: It doesn't detail which penalties apply automatically.
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 standard warrant used when a witness refuses to speak or bring paperwork in court. It remains a key document within the Courts Service of Ireland process.
What changed or needs a fresh check
- Check the date stamp on the form header.
- Verify if any specific court/jurisdiction codes have changed.
- Confirm the exact title wording matches 'Warrant Of Committal Of Witness'.
- Look for updates regarding digital submission requirements.
Quick Facts
Form Details
- Revision date
- 18/10/25
Downloads & source
Sources
- SRCIssued by the Courts Service of Ireland (COURTS).
- SRCForm Number is 21.7.
- SRCIt deals specifically with Witness Refusal/Non-production.
- SRCThe function is to issue a Warrant of Committal.
Common confusion points
Confusing it with a subpoena; this is the *order* resulting from refusal, not just the request.
Not knowing whether to cite 'refusal to give evidence' or 'failure to produce documents'—use both if necessary.
Assuming filing it automatically means they will be jailed; committal usually starts with a fine/warning first.
Not clearly stating *what* document was refused.
Source transparency
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