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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

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.

The form captures the parties’ details, the nature of the claim, the relief sought, and any supporting facts or documents.

Risk Radar

  • The most common mistake is forgetting to sign and date the petition.
  • Missing signature or date
  • Incorrect court registry selected
  • Failure to attach required supporting documents
  • Wrong 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

  • 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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Glossary Terms

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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.

Use this form or another form?

SituationLikely formWhy it mattersCheck before you continue
Small claims under €2,000Form No.2 Small ClaimsSimpler format, lower feeVerify claim amount before using
Family law applicationForm No.5 Family CourtSpecific to divorce, custody, etc.Use family court form
Bankruptcy petitionForm No.12 BankruptcyDifferent jurisdictionConfirm 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

  • All parties’ full names and addresses entered.
  • Nature of claim clearly described.
  • Relief sought specified in monetary or specific terms.
  • Supporting documents attached and labelled.
  • Signature and date present on every page requiring it.
  • Filing fee paid and receipt attached.
  • Correct court registry selected.
  • Form printed or saved as PDF in readable format.
  • Copy retained for your records.

How to file this form

  1. 1Download the latest Form No.1 from courts.ie.
  2. 2Complete the form using black ink or typed text.
  3. 3Gather and attach all required evidence.
  4. 4Pay the filing fee at the court or online.
  5. 5Submit the form and fee receipt to the appropriate court registry.
  6. 6Obtain a filed copy stamped by the court clerk.
  7. 7Serve the petition on the other parties as directed by the court.

Known limitations

  • Form does not cover family law or criminal matters.
  • Only accepted by courts that have jurisdiction over the claim.
  • Electronic filing may not be available for all court types.
  • No built‑in validation for complex legal arguments.

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Current Form Status

Form No.1 is the current version as of 2024; no recent amendments have been published.

Agency: Courts Service of Ireland

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

Anyone who wishes to commence a civil case or seek a court order must file this form.
The form captures the parties’ details, the nature of the claim, the relief sought, and any supporting facts or documents.
File the petition as soon as you are ready to start the case; there is no statutory deadline unless a specific time limit applies to your cause of action.
Submit the completed form to the relevant District Court, Circuit Court or High Court registry in person, by post, or via the Courts Service’s e-filing portal where available.
A correctly filed petition ensures the court can issue a summons and prevents delays or dismissal for procedural non‑compliance.
1. Download Form No.1 from the Courts Service website. 2. Fill in all sections legibly; use block letters if handwritten. 3. Attach any required supporting documents (e.g., contracts, statements). 4. Sign and date the form. 5. Pay the filing fee and attach the receipt. 6. Deliver the package to the court registry or upload it through the e‑filing system.

Form Details

Agency
Courts Service of Ireland
Revision Date
05/02/26

No.1  Petition

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After you file

  • Keep the filed copy safe for future reference.
  • Track the court’s acknowledgment and case number.
  • Serve the petition on the respondent within the time the court orders.
  • Monitor any court notices for hearing dates.
  • Prepare any further pleadings or evidence as required.

Source and verification log

  • Form title and number from Courts Service of Ireland website.
  • General purpose of a petition inferred from Irish court practice.
  • Filing locations and e‑filing portal existence confirmed on courts.ie.
  • Fee payment requirement typical for civil filings – not confirmed in official source.
  • Statute of limitations note based on general Irish law – not confirmed in official source.

Common confusion points

7 things to watch for

  • 1

    Mixing up High Court vs Circuit Court registry addresses.

  • 2

    Assuming the same form works for family law cases.

  • 3

    Leaving out the fee receipt, causing rejection.

  • 4

    Using cursive handwriting that the clerk cannot read.

  • 5

    Failing to attach a schedule of claim when required.

  • 6

    Misidentifying the correct relief sought.

  • 7

    Not serving the petition after filing.

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