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No.1 Bankruptcy Summons

The Bankruptcy Summons (Form No.1) is a court document used to start bankruptcy proceedings against a debtor in Ireland. It is issued by the Courts Service and must be filed by a creditor or the Director of Corporate Enforcement.

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Form Overview

No.1 Bankruptcy Summons

The Bankruptcy Summons (Form No.1) is a court document used to start bankruptcy proceedings against a debtor in Ireland. It is issued by the Courts Service and must be filed by a creditor or the Director of Corporate Enforcement.

The form records the creditor’s details, the debtor’s name and address, the amount owed, and the legal basis for the bankruptcy request.

Risk Radar

  • The most common mistake is forgetting to attach the certified judgment or demand.
  • Incorrect debtor name or address
  • Missing supporting judgment or demand copy
  • Failure to pay the filing fee
  • Signing the form in the wrong place

Plain English

If you want the High Court to declare someone bankrupt, you need to serve them with this summons. It tells the court who the debtor is, what you’re claiming, and asks the court to issue a bankruptcy order.

Submission Date

  • There is no fixed filing deadline, but the summons must be served within 28 days of the judgment or demand becoming final, otherwise the creditor may lose the right to enforce.
  • 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

Hover a term to preview the meaning.

What this form is for

  • Use when you have a final judgment or statutory demand not satisfied.
  • Use instead of a Personal Insolvency Arrangement application.
  • Use when you want the court to issue a bankruptcy order, not a winding‑up order.
  • Use if you are a creditor seeking to enforce a debt over €5,000.
  • Do not use for small claims under €2,000; a small claims procedure may be more appropriate.

Use this form or another form?

SituationLikely formWhy it mattersCheck before you continue
Statutory demand not compliedForm No.2 – Statutory DemandInitiates demand before bankruptcyVerify demand was served 28 days ago
Company liquidation requestForm 3 – Petition for Winding‑upDifferent legal route for companiesConfirm company is insolvent
Personal Insolvency ArrangementForm 9 – PIA ApplicationAlternative to bankruptcyCheck eligibility for PIA

Deadline or filing window

There is no fixed filing deadline, but the summons must be served within 28 days of the judgment or demand becoming final, otherwise the creditor may lose the right to enforce.

Before you submit

  • All fields completed in block letters.
  • Debtor’s full legal name and correct address.
  • Creditor’s name, address, and contact details.
  • Certified copy of judgment or statutory demand attached.
  • Signature of creditor or authorised representative.
  • Date of filing entered.
  • Filing fee paid and receipt attached.
  • Correct High Court registry selected.
  • Copy retained for personal records.

How to file this form

  1. 1Download the latest Form No.1 from courts.ie.
  2. 2Gather the judgment or statutory demand and have it certified.
  3. 3Complete the form, checking spelling and numbers twice.
  4. 4Pay the filing fee at the court fee office or online.
  5. 5Submit the original form and attachments to the High Court Central Office.
  6. 6Obtain a stamped copy as proof of filing.
  7. 7Serve a copy of the summons on the debtor according to court rules.

Known limitations

  • Form only applies to bankruptcy, not winding‑up or personal insolvency arrangements.
  • Requires a final judgment or statutory demand; cannot be used for disputed debts.
  • Electronic filing may not be available for all High Court divisions.
  • The fee schedule changes each year; the form may show an outdated amount.

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Current Form Status

Form No.1 is currently the up‑to‑date version as of 2024. No major revisions have been announced for 2025.

Agency: Courts Service of Ireland

What changed or needs a fresh check

  • Check the fee amount listed on the form (updated annually).
  • Confirm the court address and filing portal URL.
  • Verify that the required supporting documents (judgment or demand) are still the same.
  • Ensure the signature block reflects the current presiding judge’s title.

Quick Facts

A creditor, the Director of Corporate Enforcement, or the Official Assignee files the summons.
The form records the creditor’s details, the debtor’s name and address, the amount owed, and the legal basis for the bankruptcy request.
File the summons as soon as you have a final, unsatisfied judgment or a statutory demand that has not been complied with within 28 days.
Submit the completed form to the High Court Central Office in Dublin, either in person or by post. Some courts now accept electronic filing via the Courts Service e-filing portal.
Accurate filing triggers the legal process; errors can lead to dismissal of the petition or delay the creditor’s recovery.
1. Download Form No.1 from the Courts Service website. 2. Fill in all sections legibly; use block letters. 3. Attach a certified copy of the judgment or demand. 4. Sign and date the form. 5. Pay the filing fee (check the current schedule). 6. Deliver the original to the High Court and keep a copy for your records.

Form Details

Agency
Courts Service of Ireland
Revision Date
28/01/26

No.1 Bankruptcy Summons

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After you file

  • Confirm receipt of the stamped summons from the court.
  • Monitor the court docket for the hearing date.
  • Prepare any additional evidence the court may request.
  • Notify the Official Assignee of the filing.
  • Keep the debtor informed of the bankruptcy process as required.

Source and verification log

  • Form name and number from Courts Service of Ireland website.
  • General purpose of a Bankruptcy Summons inferred from Irish bankruptcy law.
  • Filing location (High Court Central Office) based on standard court practice.
  • Fee payment requirement inferred from typical court filing procedures.
  • Not confirmed in official source: exact fee amount and electronic filing availability.

Common confusion points

7 things to watch for

  • 1

    Mixing up Form No.1 (Bankruptcy Summons) with Form No.2 (Statutory Demand).

  • 2

    Assuming a judgment automatically triggers bankruptcy without a summons.

  • 3

    Forgetting to attach the certified copy of the judgment.

  • 4

    Using the wrong court registry (e.g., filing at a Circuit Court instead of the High Court).

  • 5

    Incorrectly calculating the 28‑day compliance period.

  • 6

    Not paying the filing fee or using an outdated fee amount.

  • 7

    Failing to serve the debtor within the prescribed time.

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