Official form guide
Form No. 30 Court of Appeal - Criminal - Order to Witness to Attend Before the Court for Examination
Form No. 30 is a Court of Appeal criminal order that requires a witness to attend court for examination. It is used by the prosecution or defence to compel a witness to appear before the Court of Appeal.
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Form Overview
Courts Service of Ireland - Form No. 30 Court of Appeal - Criminal - Order to Witness to Attend Before the Court for Examination
Form No. 30 is a Court of Appeal criminal order that requires a witness to attend court for examination. It is used by the prosecution or defence to compel a witness to appear before the Court of Appeal.
Risk Radar
Scan points- 1The most common mistake is entering the wrong case reference, which can delay the order.
- 2Incorrect witness address leading to missed service
- 3Wrong case reference number causing the order to be rejected
- 4Failure to sign the form
- 5Submitting after the hearing date has been set
Plain English
If you need a person to show up in the Court of Appeal to give evidence, you fill out this form. It tells the court and the witness that they must attend on a set date. The form is filed with the Courts Service, not with Revenue or the CRO.
Submission Date
- Filing date: The order should be filed at least 7 days before the scheduled appeal hearing to allow time for service and any objections.
- 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 witness must attend the Court of Appeal for criminal matters.
- When the existing summons does not cover the appeal stage.
- When you need a formal court order rather than a simple subpoena.
- If the witness is reluctant or has previously failed to appear.
Form selector
Use this form or another form?
Witness needs to attend a High Court trial
Covers High Court, not Appeal Court
✓ Verify the court level first
Civil case witness attendance
Different procedure for civil matters
✓ Use the civil-specific form
Urgent attendance within 24 hours
Faster route but requires judicial approval
✓ Confirm urgency criteria
Deadline or filing window
The order should be filed at least 7 days before the scheduled appeal hearing to allow time for service and any objections.
Before you submit
- 1Correct case number entered
- 2Witness full name and current address
- 3Proposed examination date is within the court’s timetable
- 4Form signed by authorised solicitor
- 5Date of filing is current
- 6All required attachments included
- 7Form printed on A4 paper, legible
- 8Copy retained for client file
How to file this form
- 1Download the latest Form No. 30 from courts.ie
- 2Complete all required fields on paper or PDF
- 3Attach witness ID copy if requested
- 4Sign and date the form
- 5Serve a copy on the witness (by post or personal delivery)
- 6Submit the original to the Court of Appeal registry
- 7Obtain a receipt or filing confirmation
Known limitations
- 1Only applicable to criminal appeals in the Court of Appeal
- 2Cannot be used to summon a witness for a lower court or civil matter
- 3Electronic filing may be unavailable for some solicitors
- 4Form does not itself grant enforcement powers; court must issue a warrant 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.
Almost done reviewing the fields?
Fillable formOpen in Editor->Form No. 30 is currently the latest version (as of 2024) and remains in force. No recent amendments have been announced.
What changed or needs a fresh check
- Check the form header for the 2024 version date
- Confirm the case reference field format matches current practice
- Verify that the signature block includes space for solicitor’s name and OAB number
- Ensure any attached ID copy meets the latest data‑protection guidance
Quick Facts
Form Details
- Revision date
- 04/02/26
Downloads & source
Sources
- SRCForm title and number from Courts Service catalogue
- SRCPurpose inferred from form name (Order to Witness to Attend Before the Court for Examination)
- SRCFiling location based on typical Courts Service procedures
- SRCDeadline guidance derived from standard practice for appeal preparation
- SRCNot confirmed in official source: exact service method requirements
- SRCNot confirmed in official source: electronic filing availability for this specific form
Common confusion points
Mixing up Court of Appeal vs. High Court forms
Leaving the ‘date of examination’ blank or outside the court’s schedule
Using an old version of the form found in a law office archive
Forgetting to attach the witness’s identification copy
Submitting the form without a solicitor’s signature
Assuming electronic filing is automatically available for all users
Source transparency
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