Official form guide
Form 84.1 – Notice Of Application For An Emergency Care Order (Where Child Is In Custody Of Health Board) - Child Care Act, 1991 Section 12 (4)
This form is used to apply for an Emergency Care Order under the Child Care Act, 1991 when a child is in the custody of a Health Board and there's an urgent need for intervention to protect the child's welfare.
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Form Overview
Courts Service of Ireland - Form 84.1 – Notice Of Application For An Emergency Care Order (Where Child Is In Custody Of Health Board) - Child Care Act, 1991 Section 12 (4)
This form is used to apply for an Emergency Care Order under the Child Care Act, 1991 when a child is in the custody of a Health Board and there's an urgent need for intervention to protect the child's welfare.
Risk Radar
Scan points- 1The most common mistake is failing to demonstrate sufficient evidence of immediate risk to the child, which is essential for an Emergency Care Order.
- 2Incomplete information about the child's current situation
- 3Missing evidence of immediate risk to the child
- 4Incorrect court jurisdiction
- 5Delays in submitting the form
Plain English
This form helps you tell the court that you need an urgent order to take care of a child who is currently with a Health Board. It's used when there's immediate concern about a child's safety or wellbeing and you need legal authority to step in quickly.
Submission Date
- Filing date: Emergency Care Orders must be filed as soon as there's an immediate risk to a child's welfare, as courts prioritize these applications, but there's no specific deadline beyond the urgency of the situation.
- 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 a child is already in the custody of a Health Board
- Use when there's an immediate risk to the child's welfare
- Use when you need urgent court intervention
- Use when standard care arrangements are not working
- Use when a child's safety cannot be assured without court intervention
Form selector
Use this form or another form?
Child in parental custody
Different legal basis when child is not with Health Board
✓ Check who currently has custody of the child
Form 84 – Notice of Application for Emergency Care Order
Standard care order application
Not urgent, regular court process
✓ Assess if the situation requires immediate intervention
Form 83 – Notice of Application for Care Order
Interim care order application
Used when waiting for full hearing
✓ Determine if this is a temporary measure or full emergency order
Form 84.2 – Notice of Application for Interim Care Order
Child assessment order
For assessment rather than care
✓ Check if you need assessment or immediate care intervention
Form 85 – Notice of Application for Child Assessment Order
Deadline or filing window
Emergency Care Orders must be filed as soon as there's an immediate risk to a child's welfare, as courts prioritize these applications, but there's no specific deadline beyond the urgency of the situation.
Before you submit
- 1All sections of the form are completed
- 2Child's personal details are accurate
- 3Health Board information is complete
- 4Evidence of immediate risk is attached
- 5Proposed care arrangements are clearly outlined
- 6All required signatures are included
- 7Copies are made for your records
How to file this form
- 1Complete the form with all required information about the child and situation
- 2Gather supporting evidence demonstrating immediate risk
- 3Submit the completed form to the appropriate District Court or Family Court
- 4Ensure all relevant parties, including the Health Board, are properly notified
- 5Attend any required court hearings
- 6Keep copies of all submitted documents for your records
Known limitations
- 1This form only applies when the child is in the custody of a Health Board
- 2It cannot be used for routine care arrangements that don't require immediate intervention
- 3The court must be satisfied there's an immediate risk to the child's welfare
- 4The form doesn't guarantee the court will grant the Emergency Care Order
- 5Additional documentation may be required depending on the specific circumstances
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 form is current as per the Child Care Act, 1991, but always verify you're using the latest version from the Courts Service of Ireland website before submitting.
What changed or needs a fresh check
- Verify the form number matches the current version on the Courts Service website
- Check if any sections have been updated to reflect recent legislative changes
- Ensure all contact information for the Health Board is current
- Confirm that the legal references to the Child Care Act are still accurate
- Check if any additional documentation requirements have been added
Quick Facts
Form Details
- Revision date
- 18/10/25
Downloads & source
Sources
- SRCForm issued by Courts Service of Ireland
- SRCBased on Child Care Act, 1991 Section 12 (4)
- SRCUsed for Emergency Care Orders when child is in Health Board custody
- SRCNot confirmed in official source: specific submission methods
- SRCNot confirmed in official source: exact processing timeframes
- SRCNot confirmed in official source: current version number
- SRCNot confirmed in official source: specific documentation requirements
Common confusion points
Confusing this form with standard care order applications
Not understanding the difference between emergency and non-emergency orders
Uncertainty about which court has jurisdiction
Misunderstanding what constitutes 'immediate risk' to a child
Confusion about who can submit this form
Not knowing what supporting evidence is required
Uncertainty about the time limits for Emergency Care Orders
Source transparency
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