Official form guide
Form No.1 Petition
Form No.1 Petition is a Courts Service of Ireland document used to start a civil proceeding in the High Court or Circuit Court. It sets out the claim or application you are making to the court.
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Form Overview
Courts Service of Ireland - Form No.1 Petition
Form No.1 Petition is a Courts Service of Ireland document used to start a civil proceeding in the High Court or Circuit Court. It sets out the claim or application you are making to the court.
Risk Radar
Scan points- 1The most common mistake is forgetting to sign and date the petition.
- 2Missing signature or date
- 3Incorrect court registry selected
- 4Failure to attach required supporting documents
- 5Wrong filing fee amount
Plain English
Think of this as the first paper you hand to the court when you want to sue someone or ask the court for an order. It tells the judge what you want and why. You file it before any hearing can be scheduled.
Submission Date
- Filing date: There is no fixed filing deadline, but act promptly to avoid statutes of limitation that may apply to your cause of action.
- 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 starting a new civil claim in the High Court or Circuit Court.
- Use for applications such as injunctions, debt recovery, or property disputes.
- Do not use for family law matters – separate family court forms apply.
- Do not use for criminal matters – different court processes are required.
- Use instead of a summons when the claim is purely civil.
Form selector
Use this form or another form?
Small claims under €2,000
Simpler format, lower fee
✓ Verify claim amount before using
Family law application
Specific to divorce, custody, etc.
✓ Use family court form
Bankruptcy petition
Different jurisdiction
✓ Confirm insolvency status
Deadline or filing window
There is no fixed filing deadline, but act promptly to avoid statutes of limitation that may apply to your cause of action.
Before you submit
- 1All parties’ full names and addresses entered.
- 2Nature of claim clearly described.
- 3Relief sought specified in monetary or specific terms.
- 4Supporting documents attached and labelled.
- 5Signature and date present on every page requiring it.
- 6Filing fee paid and receipt attached.
- 7Correct court registry selected.
- 8Form printed or saved as PDF in readable format.
- 9Copy retained for your records.
How to file this form
- 1Download the latest Form No.1 from courts.ie.
- 2Complete the form using black ink or typed text.
- 3Gather and attach all required evidence.
- 4Pay the filing fee at the court or online.
- 5Submit the form and fee receipt to the appropriate court registry.
- 6Obtain a filed copy stamped by the court clerk.
- 7Serve the petition on the other parties as directed by the court.
Known limitations
- 1Form does not cover family law or criminal matters.
- 2Only accepted by courts that have jurisdiction over the claim.
- 3Electronic filing may not be available for all court types.
- 4No built‑in validation for complex legal arguments.
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.
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Fillable formOpen in Editor->Form No.1 is the current version as of 2024; no recent amendments have been published.
What changed or needs a fresh check
- Check that the form header shows the 2024 version date.
- Verify the fee amount listed matches the latest court fee schedule.
- Confirm the court registry address is current.
- Ensure any referenced annexes (e.g., Schedule of Claim) are included.
Quick Facts
Form Details
- Revision date
- 05/02/26
Downloads & source
Sources
- SRCForm title and number from Courts Service of Ireland website.
- SRCGeneral purpose of a petition inferred from Irish court practice.
- SRCFiling locations and e‑filing portal existence confirmed on courts.ie.
- SRCFee payment requirement typical for civil filingsnot confirmed in official source.
- SRCStatute of limitations note based on general Irish lawnot confirmed in official source.
Common confusion points
Mixing up High Court vs Circuit Court registry addresses.
Assuming the same form works for family law cases.
Leaving out the fee receipt, causing rejection.
Using cursive handwriting that the clerk cannot read.
Failing to attach a schedule of claim when required.
Misidentifying the correct relief sought.
Not serving the petition after filing.
Source transparency
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