Official form guide
Form 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
Courts Service of Ireland - Form 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.
Risk Radar
Scan points- 1The most common mistake is forgetting to attach the certified judgment or demand.
- 2Incorrect debtor name or address
- 3Missing supporting judgment or demand copy
- 4Failure to pay the filing fee
- 5Signing 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
- Filing 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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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.
Form selector
Use this form or another form?
Statutory demand not complied
Initiates demand before bankruptcy
✓ Verify demand was served 28 days ago
Company liquidation request
Different legal route for companies
✓ Confirm company is insolvent
Personal Insolvency Arrangement
Alternative to bankruptcy
✓ Check 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
- 1All fields completed in block letters.
- 2Debtor’s full legal name and correct address.
- 3Creditor’s name, address, and contact details.
- 4Certified copy of judgment or statutory demand attached.
- 5Signature of creditor or authorised representative.
- 6Date of filing entered.
- 7Filing fee paid and receipt attached.
- 8Correct High Court registry selected.
- 9Copy retained for personal records.
How to file this form
- 1Download the latest Form No.1 from courts.ie.
- 2Gather the judgment or statutory demand and have it certified.
- 3Complete the form, checking spelling and numbers twice.
- 4Pay the filing fee at the court fee office or online.
- 5Submit the original form and attachments to the High Court Central Office.
- 6Obtain a stamped copy as proof of filing.
- 7Serve a copy of the summons on the debtor according to court rules.
Known limitations
- 1Form only applies to bankruptcy, not winding‑up or personal insolvency arrangements.
- 2Requires a final judgment or statutory demand; cannot be used for disputed debts.
- 3Electronic filing may not be available for all High Court divisions.
- 4The fee schedule changes each year; the form may show an outdated amount.
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 No.1 is currently the up‑to‑date version as of 2024. No major revisions have been announced for 2025.
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
Form Details
- Revision date
- 28/01/26
Downloads & source
Sources
- SRCForm name and number from Courts Service of Ireland website.
- SRCGeneral purpose of a Bankruptcy Summons inferred from Irish bankruptcy law.
- SRCFiling location (High Court Central Office) based on standard court practice.
- SRCFee payment requirement inferred from typical court filing procedures.
- SRCNot confirmed in official source: exact fee amount and electronic filing availability.
Common confusion points
Mixing up Form No.1 (Bankruptcy Summons) with Form No.2 (Statutory Demand).
Assuming a judgment automatically triggers bankruptcy without a summons.
Forgetting to attach the certified copy of the judgment.
Using the wrong court registry (e.g., filing at a Circuit Court instead of the High Court).
Incorrectly calculating the 28‑day compliance period.
Not paying the filing fee or using an outdated fee amount.
Failing to serve the debtor within the prescribed time.
Source transparency
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