Official form guide
Form No.4 Originating Notice of Petition for Inquiry
Form No.4 Originating Notice of Petition for Inquiry is a Courts Service of Ireland document used to start a formal petition for a court‑ordered inquiry. It is filed when a party wants the court to investigate a matter such as a dispute over a will, company affairs, or public office conduct.
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Form Overview
Courts Service of Ireland - Form No.4 Originating Notice of Petition for Inquiry
Form No.4 Originating Notice of Petition for Inquiry is a Courts Service of Ireland document used to start a formal petition for a court‑ordered inquiry. It is filed when a party wants the court to investigate a matter such as a dispute over a will, company affairs, or public office conduct.
Risk Radar
Scan points- 1The most common mistake is submitting the form without a Commissioner‑for‑Oaths signature.
- 2Missing signature or not having it witnessed
- 3Failing to attach required supporting documents
- 4Using an outdated version of the form
- 5Incorrectly stating the legal basis for the inquiry
Plain English
If you need a judge to look into a serious issue and gather evidence, you begin the process with this notice. It tells the court why an inquiry is needed and who is involved. Think of it as the official request that kicks off the investigation.
Submission Date
- Filing date: There is no universal deadline, but most statutes require the petition to be filed within 30 days of the triggering event. Check the specific legislation relevant to your case.
- 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 need a formal court‑ordered inquiry into a dispute.
- When the matter involves a will, probate, or estate administration.
- When a public body seeks an inquiry into alleged misconduct.
- When a creditor wants the court to investigate a debtor’s assets.
- When other petition forms (e.g., for bankruptcy) are not appropriate.
Form selector
Use this form or another form?
Will dispute
Specific to probate matters
✓ Verify if the case is purely probate before using No.4
Company insolvency
Deals with personal bankruptcy
✓ Use N1 for individual bankruptcy, not No.4
Form N1 – Petition for Bankruptcy
Public office misconduct
Tailored to public officials
✓ Check statutory time‑limits before filing
Form No.7 – Petition for Investigation
Deadline or filing window
There is no universal deadline, but most statutes require the petition to be filed within 30 days of the triggering event. Check the specific legislation relevant to your case.
Before you submit
- 1Form completed in full, no blank fields.
- 2Signature witnessed by a Commissioner for Oaths.
- 3All supporting affidavits attached.
- 4Filing fee paid and receipt attached.
- 5Correct version of the form (2024).
- 6Applicant’s contact details are current.
- 7Copies made for all parties involved.
- 8Submitted via the proper channel (post or e‑filing).
- 9Confirmation of receipt obtained.
How to file this form
- 1Download the latest Form No.4 from courts.ie.
- 2Gather supporting documents and affidavits.
- 3Complete the form and have it witnessed.
- 4Pay the filing fee at a bank or online.
- 5Submit the form in person, by post, or through e‑filing.
- 6Obtain a filing receipt or electronic acknowledgment.
- 7Notify the other parties of the filing.
Known limitations
- 1Only applicable for inquiries; not for ordinary civil claims.
- 2Requires a Commissioner for Oaths signature; a solicitor alone is insufficient.
- 3Electronic filing needs a valid Irish digital certificate.
- 4Form does not include a built‑in fee schedule; check the latest fee list separately.
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->The form is current as of the 2024 Courts Service revision. No major changes reported since the last update in early 2024.
What changed or needs a fresh check
- Confirm the form version date matches the 2024 revision.
- Check if the filing fee amount has changed.
- Verify whether electronic signatures are now accepted.
- Ensure any new supporting document requirements are included.
Quick Facts
Form Details
- Revision date
- 26/01/26
Downloads & source
Sources
- SRCForm name and number from Courts Service of Ireland publications.
- SRCGeneral purpose inferred from typical use of “Petition for Inquiry”.
- SRCSignature requirement inferred from standard Irish court filing rules.
- SRCFee and digital certificate details not confirmed in official source.
- SRCStatutory time‑limit statement not confirmed in official source.
Common confusion points
Mixing up Form No.4 with Form No.5 (probate).
Assuming a solicitor’s signature replaces a Commissioner for Oaths.
Submitting the form without the required filing fee receipt.
Using an older PDF version that lacks new fields.
Unclear about which supporting documents are mandatory.
Believing e‑filing is optional when the court mandates it for certain cases.
Failing to check statutory time‑limits for the specific inquiry type.
Source transparency
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