Starting an Irish Court Case: Plenary Summons vs. Civil Bill (Free Templates)

If you are representing yourself in a lawsuit in Ireland (as a lay litigant), you must use the correct legal document to officially start your case. These are called originating documents. Using the wrong form can cause the court office to reject your paperwork or delay your case.

Below is a plain-English guide to help you choose, complete, and download the right template for your lawsuit.

⚖️ Which Legal Form Do You Need?

The form you use depends entirely on the value of your claim and the court hearing your case. [pp-restrict]

1. High Court: Plenary Summons

1. When to use it: For monetary claims greater than €75,000.
2. What it does: It acts as a formal notice to the defendant. It names the parties, states the general nature of your claim, and lists the remedy (such as financial damages) you are seeking.
3. Note: It does not require a detailed, paragraph-by-paragraph breakdown of events yet; that comes later in a document called a Statement of Claim.

2. Circuit Court: Ordinary Civil Bill

1. When to use it: For monetary claims between €15,001 and €75,000.
2. What it does: It sets out the legal remedy you want from the Circuit Court.
3. Note: Unlike the High Court summons, an Ordinary Civil Bill usually requires an attached “Indorsement of Claim,” which is a concise, numbered summary of the facts of your dispute.

📥 Free Document Downloads
Click below to download editable Word document templates to draft your paperwork:

Download Sample Plenary Summons (High Court)
Download Sample Ordinary Civil Bill (Circuit Court)

📋 Next Steps for Lay Litigants

1. Fill in the blanks: Enter your full name and address (as the Plaintiff) and the opponent’s details (as the Defendant).
2. State your remedy: Clearly write what you want the court to grant you (e.g., “The Plaintiff claims damages for breach of contract”).
3. Issue the document: Take the completed forms to the relevant court public office (the Central Office for High Court, or your local Circuit Court office) to have them stamped and officially issued.
4. Pay court fees: Ensure you check the current stamped court fees required to issue your specific document.

Disclaimer: This page provides general informational templates for ordinary citizens representing themselves. It does not constitute formal legal advice. If you are unsure about monetary jurisdictions or complex legal points, consider consulting a legal professional.

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