Official form guide
Form 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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Form Overview
Courts Service of Ireland - Form 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
Scan points- 1The most common mistake is forgetting the witness signature, which invalidates the proxy.
- 2Missing signature or date
- 3Proxy’s name spelt incorrectly
- 4No witness signature from an authorised person
- 5Submitting 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
- Filing 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.
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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.
Form selector
Use this form or another form?
Applying for a specific power of attorney
Limited to one matter
✓ Use only if court asks for a narrowly‑scoped authority
Changing an existing proxy
Amendment of proxy details
✓ Submit only after the original proxy is already filed
Representing a company
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
- 1Form completed in black ink, legibly.
- 2All required signatures present (your signature and authorised witness).
- 3Date filled in correctly.
- 4Proxy’s full name and address match their ID.
- 5Case reference number entered accurately.
- 6Copy of proxy’s ID attached.
- 7Witness’s qualification (solicitor, commissioner for oaths, etc.) noted.
- 8Correct court registry address used.
- 9If e‑filing, PDF is clear and under the size limit.
- 10Retain 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
- 1Only valid for court proceedings, not for non‑court matters.
- 2Cannot be used to grant authority outside the jurisdiction of Irish courts.
- 3Must be witnessed by an authorised person; a lay witness is not sufficient.
- 4The form does not replace a formal Power of Attorney for non‑court business.
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.18 is the current version as of 2024 and has not been superseded. Check the Courts Service website for any updates before filing.
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
- Revision date
- 27/01/26
Downloads & source
Sources
- SRCForm title and number from Courts Service of Ireland publications.
- SRCGeneral purpose of proxy from typical court practice.
- SRCWitness requirements inferred from Irish legal standards.
- SRCSubmission methods based on Courts Service e‑filing capabilities.
- SRCNot confirmed in official source: exact deadline of 5 working days.
- SRCNot confirmed in official source: specific PDF size limit for e‑filing.
Common confusion points
Mixing up a General Proxy with a Power of Attorney.
Using a non‑authorised witness for the signature.
Leaving the case reference number blank.
Submitting the form to the wrong court office.
Failing to attach the proxy’s identification document.
Using an old version of the form that lacks current fields.
Assuming an electronic signature is acceptable without a witness.
Source transparency
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