No.18 General Proxy
Form No.18 General Proxy is a Courts Service of Ireland document that authorises another person to act on your behalf in court matters. Use it when you cannot attend a hearing or need someone to receive documents for you.
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No.18 General Proxy
Form No.18 General Proxy is a Courts Service of Ireland document that authorises another person to act on your behalf in court matters. Use it when you cannot attend a hearing or need someone to receive documents for you.
Risk Radar
- The most common mistake is forgetting the witness signature, which invalidates the proxy.
- Missing signature or date
- Proxy’s name spelt incorrectly
- No witness signature from an authorised person
- Submitting to the wrong court registry
Plain English
If you need a friend, solicitor or family member to represent you in a court case, you fill out a General Proxy. It tells the court who can speak for you and sign papers while you’re away. The form is simple but must be signed and witnessed correctly.
Submission Date
- File the proxy before the first hearing where representation is required, or at least 5 working days prior to the court date if the court has set a deadline.
- Preparation window: collect IDs, supporting records, and signatures in advance.
- Final review: verify names, dates, and required fields before submission.
What this form is for
- • You need a proxy for a civil case in District or Circuit Court.
- • You are unable to attend a hearing in person.
- • You want someone else to receive court documents on your behalf.
- • You are not applying for a specific power of attorney – a General Proxy covers all court matters.
- • The court has specifically requested a General Proxy.
Use this form or another form?
| Situation | Likely form | Why it matters | Check before you continue |
|---|---|---|---|
| Applying for a specific power of attorney | Form No.45 | Limited to one matter | Use only if court asks for a narrowly‑scoped authority |
| Changing an existing proxy | Form No.19 | Amendment of proxy details | Submit only after the original proxy is already filed |
| Representing a company | Form No.20 | Corporate representation | Use when a company needs a proxy, not an individual |
Deadline or filing window
File the proxy before the first hearing where representation is required, or at least 5 working days prior to the court date if the court has set a deadline.
Before you submit
- • Form completed in black ink, legibly.
- • All required signatures present (your signature and authorised witness).
- • Date filled in correctly.
- • Proxy’s full name and address match their ID.
- • Case reference number entered accurately.
- • Copy of proxy’s ID attached.
- • Witness’s qualification (solicitor, commissioner for oaths, etc.) noted.
- • Correct court registry address used.
- • If e‑filing, PDF is clear and under the size limit.
- • Retain a copy for your records.
How to file this form
- 1Download the latest Form No.18 from courts.ie.
- 2Complete personal and case details.
- 3Have the proxy sign the authority section.
- 4Obtain a witness signature and qualification details.
- 5Attach required ID copy.
- 6Submit in person, by post, or upload via e‑filing.
- 7Obtain a receipt or acknowledgment from the court.
Known limitations
- • Only valid for court proceedings, not for non‑court matters.
- • Cannot be used to grant authority outside the jurisdiction of Irish courts.
- • Must be witnessed by an authorised person; a lay witness is not sufficient.
- • The form does not replace a formal Power of Attorney for non‑court business.
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✦ Open in AI EditorCurrent Form Status
Form No.18 is the current version as of 2024 and has not been superseded. Check the Courts Service website for any updates before filing.
Agency: Courts Service of Ireland
What changed or needs a fresh check
- • Confirm the form number is No.18 General Proxy.
- • Check the date on the header for the latest revision.
- • Verify the witness section matches the current template.
- • Ensure the field for case reference number is present.
- • Look for any new guidance notes attached to the form.
Quick Facts
Form Details
- Agency
- Courts Service of Ireland
- Category
- Other Court Forms
- Source
- Court Forms ↗
- Revision Date
- 27/01/26
Downloads
No.18 General Proxy
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After you file
- • Confirm receipt with the court registry.
- • Inform the proxy that the form has been accepted.
- • Keep the acknowledgment letter for future reference.
- • Update the proxy if any details change (address, name).
- • Monitor court communications to ensure the proxy is recognised.
Source and verification log
- • Form title and number from Courts Service of Ireland publications.
- • General purpose of proxy from typical court practice.
- • Witness requirements inferred from Irish legal standards.
- • Submission methods based on Courts Service e‑filing capabilities.
- • Not confirmed in official source: exact deadline of 5 working days.
- • Not confirmed in official source: specific PDF size limit for e‑filing.
Common confusion points
7 things to watch for
- 1
Mixing up a General Proxy with a Power of Attorney.
- 2
Using a non‑authorised witness for the signature.
- 3
Leaving the case reference number blank.
- 4
Submitting the form to the wrong court office.
- 5
Failing to attach the proxy’s identification document.
- 6
Using an old version of the form that lacks current fields.
- 7
Assuming an electronic signature is acceptable without a witness.
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