After court in the High Court

Get a copy of a court order

When a judge or the Master of the High Court has made an order, the order setting out the details is prepared and perfected (signed) by a Registrar.

Parties to a case or solicitors can request both plain and attested (signed and certified) copies of orders. For most purposes, plain copies are acceptable. However, an attested copy, which attracts court stamp duty — currently €15.00 — is required for some purposes.

If you are representing yourself you can request a copy of an order by email. If you are represented by a solicitor, your solicitor must make the request. The email must include the High Court record number, the title of the case, date of the order and, in the case of solicitors, the party they represent.

• Request a plain copy: [email protected]
• Request an attested copy: book an appointment online and attend in person via the online booking system (opens in a new tab) (choose Central Office → High Court Attested Orders and Documents Collection).

When attending, please ensure:

• The order has been perfected — check the High Court Search (opens in a new tab).
• You have a fee card of €15 per order (from the Stamping Office, where fees apply).
• You have photographic ID (may be requested).
• You have the High Court record number, case title and date of the order(s).

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Contact a registrar

To contact a registrar about an order, email [email protected]. Please state that the email is for the attention of the registrar in the subject line. Include the High Court record number, the title of the case, date of the order and the party you represent.

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Get a copy of a document from the court file

If you represent yourself you can make the request. If you are represented by a solicitor, the solicitor must make the request. If the case has concluded you can request a copy document. You must pay court stamp duty — currently €15.00 — for each copy of a document.

Request a copy in person at the Central Office and attend to collect your document(s). Processing usually takes two to three working days.

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Get a copy of a written judgment

A written judgment, which usually concludes a case, sets out the reasons for a decision delivered by a judge. More commonly, an ex tempore (oral) judgment may be delivered. Judgments can be downloaded free of charge from this website.

For an attested copy of a judgment (e.g. to lodge an appeal), email [email protected]. Include the High Court record number, case title and the date of the judgment. Court stamp duty is currently €14.00 plus €1.00 for every four pages. We will confirm the amount payable upon receipt of your request.

Collect attested copies in person from the Central Office. If you are representing yourself, photographic identification may be requested on collection.

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Appeals

Appeal a High Court order to the Court of Appeal

An Order of the High Court can be appealed to the Court of Appeal. See the Rules of the Superior Courts (Order 86A) (opens in a new tab) .

Appeal an order of the Master of the High Court

An Order of the Master of the High Court can be appealed to the High Court.

• File a notice of motion and affidavit in the Central Office to be allocated a date.
• If the Master refused the application, you have six days to file the notice of motion appealing the decision.
• If the Master granted the application, you have six days from the date of perfection of the order to appeal.

See: Rules of the Superior Courts (Order 63, Rule 9) (opens in a new tab) .

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Digital Audio Recording (DAR) transcripts

Court hearings are recorded using Digital Audio Recordings (DAR). If you require a transcript, apply to the judge who heard the matter by notice of motion and grounding affidavit. See S.I. No. 101 of 2013: Rules of the Superior Courts (Order 123) 2013 (opens in a new tab) .

The notice of motion will be listed before the judge who heard the matter, on a date assigned by the Principal Registrar. Include the High Court record number, case title, hearing date, the judge, and the courtroom. Serve the notice of motion on the other parties. The judge may grant access to all or part of the record and may set terms.

Applications are granted on the applicant’s undertaking to pay for the transcript, unless the judge directs otherwise. If granted, contact Epiq Global Limited and provide a copy of the order: 4 Chancery Lane, Dublin 8. Tel: 01 571 0220. Email: [email protected]. (Costs are a matter for the supplier.)

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Judgment debt

How to obtain monetary judgment in the Central Office

You must lodge a set of documents called a judgment set, either by post or over the counter at the Judgments Section of the High Court Central Office. The documents required differ slightly depending on the type of judgment.

Judgments Section staff check the documents to ensure compliance with the Rules of the Superior Courts (opens in a new tab) . If any documents do not comply, the judgment set will be queried. Queries are listed on a query sheet for the solicitor to review. Include the query sheet when you re-lodge the papers.

Judgment in default of appearance

This judgment can be obtained on foot of a summary summons, or a liquidated claim in a plenary summons, where no appearance has been entered by the defendant(s). Lodge:

• The original sealed summary summons with indorsement of service
• Affidavit of service
• Affidavit of debt
• Judgment form
• Signed solicitor’s certificate
• Order of Fieri Facias (FIFA) (if you intend to enforce the judgment)
• Praecipe for Fieri Facias (signed)

Interest: If interest was claimed in the indorsement of claim, it must either be calculated and shown in the affidavit of debt or expressly waived (e.g. by letter).

Judgment pursuant to order of the Master

This judgment follows an order of the Master of the High Court granting liberty to enter final judgment. Lodge:

• Copy of the Master’s order
• Copy of the summons
• Affidavit of debt (if interest is awarded in the Master’s order)
• Judgment form
• Signed solicitor’s certificate
• Order of Fieri Facias (FIFA) (if you intend to enforce)
• Praecipe for Fieri Facias (signed)

Judgment in default of defence

Available where a plaintiff’s claim is for a debt or liquidated demand in a plenary matter and the defendant does not deliver a defence within time (see Order 27, Rule 2 – Rules of the Superior Courts (opens in a new tab) ).

In contested summary cases on consent, the Master may adjourn to plenary hearing with timelines for statements of claim/defence. If those timelines are not met, judgment may be obtained in default of defence (see Order 37, Rule 6 – Rules of the Superior Courts (opens in a new tab) ).

Lodge:

• Copy of the summons
• Order adjourning to plenary hearing (if applicable)
• Affidavit of debt
• Judgment form
• Signed solicitor’s certificate
• Order of Fieri Facias (FIFA) (if you intend to enforce)
• Praecipe for Fieri Facias (signed)

Interest: If interest was claimed on the summons, it must be calculated and shown in the affidavit of debt or expressly waived.

After judgment: execution, registration, satisfaction

For guidance on enforcement options (e.g. FIFA, registration, instalment orders) and marking a judgment as satisfied, see After judgment: execution, registration, satisfaction (opens in a new tab) .

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Remitting a case to the Circuit Court

When an order is made remitting a High Court case to the Circuit Court, the file is transferred to the relevant Circuit Court Office once the order has been perfected.

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Orders to be entered in the Central Office

Some High Court orders must be produced by a party/solicitor in the Central Office with the correct documentation. This commonly applies where parties are joined, a summons is amended, or the title of the proceedings has changed. Bring the original summons in these cases.

See the Rules of the Superior Courts (opens in a new tab) for other instances where an order must be entered in the Central Office.

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Court awards to children & accessing awards at 18

Money awarded to a child at the conclusion of a case is invested by the Courts Service until the child turns eighteen unless otherwise directed by the court.

Some funds may be released to meet health and welfare needs before the child turns eighteen. The ‘Next Friend’ (usually a parent or guardian) can request a release by email or post. Include the child’s name, High Court record number (if available), case title, reason for payment (with invoices/quotes), and the Next Friend’s name and contact phone number.

• Email: [email protected] (use subject: Minor Request)
• Post: Minor Payments, Central Office, High Court, Four Courts, Dublin 7.

Requests are usually considered by the Master of the High Court. Apply two months before you require payment to allow time to consider the request. If approved, the Courts Service Accountants Office will arrange payment (by cheque or bank transfer). Requests for release on turning eighteen should be made directly to the Courts Service Accountants Office (opens in a new tab) .

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