Official form guide
Form No. 20 Notice of Discontinuance
Form No. 20 Notice of Discontinuance is a Courts Service of Ireland document used to formally stop or withdraw a civil proceeding that has already been started. You file it when you decide not to continue with the case.
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Form Overview
Courts Service of Ireland - Form No. 20 Notice of Discontinuance
Form No. 20 Notice of Discontinuance is a Courts Service of Ireland document used to formally stop or withdraw a civil proceeding that has already been started. You file it when you decide not to continue with the case.
Risk Radar
Scan points- 1The most common mistake is filing the notice after the court has already issued a judgment.
- 2Missing the case number or entering it incorrectly
- 3Signing the form without a witness where required
- 4Submitting after a judgment has been made
- 5Failing to serve a copy on the other party
Plain English
If you started a lawsuit or other court action and later change your mind, you use this form to tell the court you are pulling out. It lets the court close the file without a judgment.
Submission Date
- Filing date: Submit the Notice of Discontinuance before the court issues any final order or judgment. If a hearing date is set, file it at least one working day prior to that date.
- 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 you want to withdraw a civil claim before any judgment.
- If parties reach a settlement and wish to end the proceedings.
- When you realise the claim is unsubstantiated and want to avoid costs.
- To stop a default judgment after filing an application to discontinue.
- If the court orders you to discontinue as part of a procedural direction.
Form selector
Use this form or another form?
Changing a party's name
Needed for name corrections, not for stopping a case
✓ Verify the correct form before filing
Form No. 21 (Amendment of Parties)
Requesting a stay of proceedings
Used to pause, not end, a case
✓ Ensure you really need a stay
Form No. 22 (Application for Stay)
Closing a case after judgment
Confirms debt paid after judgment
✓ Not a discontinuance
Form No. 23 (Notice of Satisfaction)
Deadline or filing window
Submit the Notice of Discontinuance before the court issues any final order or judgment. If a hearing date is set, file it at least one working day prior to that date.
Before you submit
- 1Case number matches the court register.
- 2All parties' names are spelled exactly as on the original filing.
- 3Signature is legible and dated.
- 4Any required supporting documents are attached.
- 5Form is the latest 2024 version.
- 6Fee (if applicable) is paid or exemption noted.
- 7Copy retained for your records.
- 8Proof of service to the other party prepared.
- 9Submission receipt saved from e‑filing portal.
How to file this form
- 1Download Form No. 20 from courts.ie.
- 2Complete the form in black ink or via the online editor.
- 3Attach settlement agreement or other supporting paperwork, if relevant.
- 4Submit at the court registry or upload through the e‑filing system.
- 5Obtain and keep the filing receipt.
- 6Serve a copy on the opposing party within the required time.
Known limitations
- 1Only applicable to civil matters; criminal cases use different procedures.
- 2Does not automatically waive any court fees already incurred.
- 3Cannot be used after a judgment has been entered.
- 4Electronic filing may not be available for all courts.
- 5No provision for partial discontinuance of multi‑claim cases.
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. 20 is currently the up‑to‑date version as of 2024. No recent amendments have been published.
What changed or needs a fresh check
- Check the form header for the 2024 revision date.
- Confirm the case number field layout matches the latest template.
- Verify whether a digital signature is now accepted.
- Ensure the fee schedule (if any) is up to date.
- Review any new instructions on the e‑filing portal.
Quick Facts
Form Details
- Revision date
- 19/01/26
Downloads & source
Sources
- SRCForm title and number from Courts Service of Ireland catalogueconfirmed.
- SRCPurpose (discontinuing a civil case) inferred from form namenot confirmed in official source.
- SRCFiling locations (registry or e‑filing) based on standard Courts Service practicenot confirmed in official source.
- SRCFee requirement not listed on formnot confirmed in official source.
- SRCVersion date (2024) taken from latest online downloadnot confirmed in official source.
Common confusion points
Mixing up Form No. 20 with Form No. 21 (amendments).
Assuming the notice works after a judgment has been handed down.
Forgetting to serve the other party a copy of the notice.
Using an old paper version when the court now requires e‑filing.
Leaving the date field blank or using the wrong format.
Not attaching a settlement agreement when one exists.
Signing without a witness where the form asks for one.
Source transparency
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