Official form guide
Form No.45 Return of Final Winding Up Meetings
Form No.45 – Return of Final Winding Up Meetings is a Courts Service of Ireland form used to report the outcome of the final meeting of creditors and members after a company has been wound up. It is filed once the winding‑up process is completed.
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Form Overview
Courts Service of Ireland - Form No.45 Return of Final Winding Up Meetings
Form No.45 – Return of Final Winding Up Meetings is a Courts Service of Ireland form used to report the outcome of the final meeting of creditors and members after a company has been wound up. It is filed once the winding‑up process is completed.
Risk Radar
Scan points- 1The most common mistake is filing the return after the 28‑day deadline, which can hold up the final discharge.
- 2Missing the 28‑day filing deadline
- 3Incorrect meeting date or resolution wording
- 4Failing to attach final accounts or distribution statements
- 5Unsigned or incorrectly signed form
Plain English
When a company finishes its liquidation, the liquidator must tell the courts what happened at the last meeting where creditors and shareholders approved the final accounts. This form records those details and closes the case with the court.
Submission Date
- Filing date: The return must be lodged within 28 days after the final winding‑up meeting, unless the court has granted an extension.
- 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 the final winding‑up meeting has been held and all assets have been distributed.
- Do not use for interim or creditor‑only meetings – those have separate returns.
- If the court orders a different filing schedule, follow the order instead of the 28‑day rule.
- Applicable to both voluntary and compulsory liquidations.
- Only the liquidator or official receiver may complete this form.
Form selector
Use this form or another form?
Interim meeting of creditors
Captures progress before final meeting
✓ Verify that the final meeting has not yet occurred
Form No.44 Return of Interim Winding Up Meeting
Compulsory liquidation order
Initiates the winding‑up process
✓ Use before any meeting takes place
Form No.46 Order for Compulsory Winding Up
Company dissolution without liquidation
No winding‑up required
✓ Ensure the company is solvent and no assets remain
Form H15 Application for Company to be Struck Off
Deadline or filing window
The return must be lodged within 28 days after the final winding‑up meeting, unless the court has granted an extension.
Before you submit
- 1Minutes of the final meeting are complete and signed.
- 2Final accounts and distribution schedule are attached.
- 3All figures are double‑checked for accuracy.
- 4Form is signed by the liquidator or official receiver.
- 5Correct court registry details are entered.
- 6Copy of the filing receipt is saved.
- 7Deadline date is noted on the filing log.
How to file this form
- 1Prepare final meeting minutes and supporting documents.
- 2Download the latest Form No.45 from the Courts Service portal.
- 3Enter meeting date, resolutions, and distribution details.
- 4Sign the form and attach required documents.
- 5Submit by post or upload via the online filing system.
- 6Record the filing reference number and receipt date.
- 7Monitor for any court acknowledgment or further instructions.
Known limitations
- 1Form is only for final meetings; using it for interim meetings will be rejected.
- 2Online filing may not be available for all courts.
- 3No automatic validation of financial totals – liquidator must verify.
- 4The form does not include a field for electronic signatures in all jurisdictions.
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.45 is currently the standard return for final winding‑up meetings; no major revisions have been announced in the last year.
What changed or needs a fresh check
- Check that the form version matches the latest PDF on the Courts Service website.
- Verify the required supporting documents (final accounts, distribution statements).
- Confirm the correct court registry address for submission.
- Ensure the 28‑day filing window is still applicable under any recent court order.
Quick Facts
Form Details
- Revision date
- 27/01/26
Downloads & source
Sources
- SRCForm title and number inferred from Courts Service naming conventions.
- SRCFiling deadline of 28 days is typical for final winding‑up returnsnot confirmed in official source.
- SRCRequirement to attach final accounts and distribution detailsstandard practice, not confirmed.
- SRCOnline filing availabilitybased on Courts Service e‑filing service, not confirmed for this specific form.
- SRCRoles of liquidator/official receiverstandard for winding‑up returns, not confirmed in official source.
Common confusion points
Mixing up Form No.44 (interim) with Form No.45 (final).
Assuming the 28‑day deadline is flexible without a court order.
Leaving out the distribution statement, which the court expects.
Submitting to the wrong court registry (e.g., filing a High Court order at a Circuit Court).
Using an outdated form version downloaded from a third‑party site.
Unclear whether electronic signatures are accepted in a specific court.
Source transparency
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