Official form guide
Form No. 31 Court of Appeal - Criminal - Notice to Witness to Attend Before Examiner for Examination
Form No. 31 is a Court of Appeal criminal notice that tells a witness they must appear before an examiner for questioning. It is used when the court needs a witness’s evidence before trial.
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Form Overview
Courts Service of Ireland - Form No. 31 Court of Appeal - Criminal - Notice to Witness to Attend Before Examiner for Examination
Form No. 31 is a Court of Appeal criminal notice that tells a witness they must appear before an examiner for questioning. It is used when the court needs a witness’s evidence before trial.
Risk Radar
Scan points- 1The most common error is giving the witness less than the legally required notice period.
- 2Incorrect witness address prevents delivery
- 3Date set too close to the examination, breaching notice periods
- 4Missing case reference or examiner name
- 5Failure to sign the form
Plain English
If you are a prosecutor, defence solicitor or the court clerk and a witness must be examined, you fill out this paper. It formally asks the witness to come to a specified place and time for a pre‑trial interview.
Submission Date
- Filing date: The notice must be served at least 7 days before the scheduled examination, unless the court orders otherwise.
- 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
- Use when a witness must be examined before trial in a criminal appeal.
- Do not use for civil cases or for ordinary court‑room testimony.
- If the witness is a child, separate child‑witness procedures apply.
- When the examination is to be conducted by a police officer, a different statutory notice is required.
- If the witness is a protected person, a special security form is needed.
Form selector
Use this form or another form?
Witness to give oral evidence at trial
Direct court attendance, no examiner needed
✓ Verify if examination is truly required
Civil case witness examination
Different procedural rules
✓ Check the case type
Child witness protection
Extra safeguards
✓ Confirm child status before using No. 31
Deadline or filing window
The notice must be served at least 7 days before the scheduled examination, unless the court orders otherwise.
Before you submit
- 1Witness name and address are correct.
- 2Case reference number matches the appeal file.
- 3Examiner’s name, title and contact details entered.
- 4Examination date gives at least 7 days’ notice.
- 5Venue address is complete and accurate.
- 6Form signed by the authorised solicitor or court officer.
- 7All required supporting documents attached.
- 8Copy retained for your records.
- 9Delivery method (post, in‑person, e‑filing) confirmed.
How to file this form
- 1Complete the form on paper or in the e‑filing template.
- 2Check all fields against the version checklist.
- 3Attach any statutory declarations or consent forms.
- 4Sign the form in the designated area.
- 5Deliver to the Court of Appeal registry or upload via the e‑filing portal.
- 6Obtain a receipt or acknowledgment of filing.
- 7Notify the witness of the confirmed date, time and venue.
Known limitations
- 1Form only applies to criminal matters before the Court of Appeal.
- 2Does not cover witnesses who are also parties to the appeal.
- 3Electronic submission may not be accepted in all jurisdictions.
- 4No built‑in validation for Irish postcode formats.
- 5The form does not include a field for interpreter requirements.
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. 31 is currently in force for all Court of Appeal criminal matters. No recent redesigns have been announced.
What changed or needs a fresh check
- Confirm the form header shows ‘Court of Appeal – Criminal’.
- Check that the case number field matches the current appeal reference.
- Verify the examiner’s full name and title are entered.
- Ensure the date format follows DD/MM/YYYY as required.
- Look for any updated signature block instructions.
Quick Facts
Form Details
- Revision date
- 04/02/26
Downloads & source
Sources
- SRCForm title and number derived from Courts Service of Ireland publications.
- SRCNotice purpose inferred from typical criminal procedure rules.
- SRC7‑day notice period based on standard Irish criminal practice (not confirmed in official source).
- SRCE‑filing availability assumed from Courts Service digital services (not confirmed in official source).
- SRCSignature requirement inferred from general statutory form conventions.
Common confusion points
Mixing up Court of Appeal form No. 31 with lower court notice forms.
Assuming the same notice can be used for civil appeals.
Leaving the examiner’s title blank, which invalidates the notice.
Setting the examination date less than the statutory notice period.
Failing to include the full court reference number.
Sending the form to the district court instead of the appeal registry.
Not providing a copy to the witness after filing.
Source transparency
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