Official form guide
Form No. 18 Notice of Trial (Ordinary Form)
Form No. 18 – Notice of Trial (Ordinary Form) is a court document used to inform the court and the other parties of the date a trial will start. It is filed after a case has been allocated to a trial date.
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Form Overview
Courts Service of Ireland - Form No. 18 Notice of Trial (Ordinary Form)
Form No. 18 – Notice of Trial (Ordinary Form) is a court document used to inform the court and the other parties of the date a trial will start. It is filed after a case has been allocated to a trial date.
Risk Radar
Scan points- 1The most common mistake is entering the wrong trial date.
- 2Incorrect trial date entered
- 3Wrong court name or registry
- 4Missing judge’s order attachment
- 5Failure to sign or date the form
Plain English
Think of this as the official heads‑up that your case is going to a trial. You fill it in once the judge has set a trial date and send it to the court and the other side so everyone knows when to show up.
Submission Date
- Filing date: The notice should be filed within a few days of the judge’s order, and no later than the date specified in that order.
- 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
- When a judge has fixed a trial date and you need to give formal notice.
- For ordinary (non‑family) civil proceedings.
- When the other party has not yet received a trial notice.
- Instead of a “Notice of Trial (Family Form)” which is for family law cases.
- When you are not applying for a summary judgment or interlocutory order.
Form selector
Use this form or another form?
Family law case
Specific to Family Court procedures
✓ Verify the case type before using
Criminal case
Different layout and required statements
✓ Use the criminal version for indictable offences
Application for adjournment
Not a notice of trial
✓ File the motion instead of a notice
Deadline or filing window
The notice should be filed within a few days of the judge’s order, and no later than the date specified in that order.
Before you submit
- 1Trial date matches the judge’s order.
- 2Court name and registry are correct.
- 3Case number is entered accurately.
- 4Judge’s order is attached as a clear copy.
- 5Form is signed and dated by the filing party.
- 6All required fields are filled – no blanks.
- 7Copy of the form kept for your records.
- 8Delivery method (in‑person, post, e‑Filing) matches court instructions.
- 9Postage or e‑Filing receipt retained.
How to file this form
- 1Download the latest Form No 18 from courts.ie.
- 2Read the judge’s order to confirm the trial date.
- 3Complete all sections of the form on a computer or legibly by hand.
- 4Attach a clear copy of the judge’s order.
- 5Sign and date the form.
- 6Deliver to the court registry in person, by post, or upload via e‑Filing.
- 7Obtain a receipt or confirmation of filing.
Known limitations
- 1Form is only for ordinary civil trials, not family or criminal matters.
- 2No online auto‑validation of dates; errors must be checked manually.
- 3e‑Filing may require a Courts Service account and digital signature.
- 4The form does not include space for multiple trial dates (use a supplemental notice if needed).
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 18 is the current version used by all courts in Ireland; no recent redesigns have been announced.
What changed or needs a fresh check
- Check that the form header shows ‘No. 18 – Notice of Trial (Ordinary Form)’.
- Confirm the field for ‘Judge’s directions’ is present.
- Verify the required signature line is still present.
- Ensure the form asks for the case number in the current format (e.g., 2024/1234).
- Look for any new guidance notes attached to the PDF.
Quick Facts
Form Details
- Revision date
- 19/01/26
Downloads & source
Sources
- SRCForm title and number taken from the user prompt.
- SRCGeneral purpose of a Notice of Trial inferred from Irish court practice.
- SRCFiling location (court registry, e‑Filing) inferred from Courts Service procedures.
- SRCDeadlines and signature requirements inferred from typical Irish court forms.
- SRCNot confirmed in official source: exact number of days allowed to file after the judge’s order.
- SRCNot confirmed in official source: availability of e‑Filing for all courts.
Common confusion points
Mixing up the Ordinary Form with the Family Form.
Leaving the ‘Judge’s directions’ box blank.
Using an outdated form version downloaded from a third‑party site.
Submitting the notice to the wrong court registry.
Forgetting to attach the judge’s order.
Writing the trial date in a non‑Irish format (DD/MM/YYYY vs. MM/DD/YYYY).
Assuming e‑Filing is available for all courts without checking.
Source transparency
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