While debt claims can be made in any of the three Irish court jurisdictions, including the High Court, most are heard in the District Court or Circuit Court.
The person who is owed money is called a creditor. If the creditor makes a debt claim, they are referred to as a claimant or plaintiff.
The person who owes money is called a debtor. If a debt claim is made against the debtor, they are referred to as a respondent or defendant.
The claimant/plaintiff and respondent/defendant are known as parties to the case.
Making a debt claim involves a number of steps. Each court jurisdiction has its own rules, documents, and procedures.
Court Jurisdiction
The court jurisdiction the claim will be made in usually depends on how much money is being claimed. Generally, if the debt being claimed is:
- Up to €15,000, the claim will be in the District Court.
- Above €15,000 and up to €75,000, the claim will be in the Circuit Court.
- More than €75,000, the claim will be in the High Court.
All information provided is for guidance only. Before making a decision on how to proceed, you may wish to check relevant legislation and court rules to ensure your understanding of the process is correct. You can find links below to information about legal advice and mediation, and other support services that may help you with your debt matters.
More information on available legal and mediation services
More information on support services
Steps Involved in Making a Debt Claim
The information below is specific to each court jurisdiction. Depending on where you are making your claim, please click on the relevant tab.
Where to Make Your Debt Claim (District)
How to identify the district number, district court area, and court office where you will make your claim.
More information on this step >
Complete Your Debt Claim Form
Once you have identified where to make the debt claim, you or your solicitor must complete the initial debt claim form.
Submit Your Claim Notice
You must submit the completed original debt claim form to the relevant court office.
Serve Your Claim Notice
Once you have submitted your Claim Notice, you must then send a copy of your Claim Notice to the respondent. This is called serving the claim.
After the Claim Is Served
When you serve the debt claim, the respondent can choose to repay the debt, ignore the claim, or defend the claim and/or make a counterclaim.
Where to Make Your Debt Claim (Circuit)
How to identify the circuit, county, and court office where you will make your claim.
More information on this step >
Complete Your Debt Claim Form
Once you have identified where to make the debt claim, you or your solicitor must complete the initial debt claim form.
Submit Your Claim Notice
You must submit the completed original Claim Notice form (known as a Civil Bill in the Circuit Court) to the relevant court office.
Serve Your Claim Notice
Once you have submitted your Claim Notice, you must then send a copy of your Claim Notice to the respondent. This is called serving the claim.
After the Claim Is Served
When you serve the debt claim, the respondent can choose to repay the debt, ignore the claim, or defend the claim and/or make a counterclaim.
Where to Make Your Debt Claim (High)
All High Court claims are made in the Central Office of the High Court in the Four Courts complex in Dublin.
More information on this step >
Complete Your Debt Claim Form
Once you have decided to make your debt claim in the High Court, you or your solicitor must complete the initial debt claim form.
Submit Your Claim Notice
You must submit the completed original Claim Notice form (known as a Summary Summons in High Court) to the Central Office of the High Court.
Serve Your Claim Notice
Once you have submitted your Claim Notice, you must then send a copy of your Claim Notice to the respondent. This is called serving the claim.
After the Claim Is Served
When you serve the debt claim, the respondent can choose to repay the debt, ignore the claim, or defend the claim and/or make a counterclaim.
