🇮🇪COURTS

31.5 Notice Of Application - Criminal Justice (Forensic Evidence And DNA Database System)Act 2014(No.11 Of 2014) Criminal Justice(Mutual Assistance)Act 2008 (No. 7 Of 2008)(The “Act Of 2008”) International Criminal Court Act 2006 (No. 30 of 2006)

Form 31.5 is a Notice of Application used in criminal cases that involve the Forensic Evidence and DNA Database System Act 2014, the Criminal Justice (Mutual Assistance) Act 2008, or the International Criminal Court Act 2006. It is filed with the Courts Service of Ireland when a party seeks a court order relating to forensic evidence, DNA data, or international cooperation.

Need help? AI Editor guides you through every field of 31.5 Notice Of Application - Criminal Justice (Forensic Evidence And DNA Database System)Act 2014(No.11 Of 2014) Criminal Justice(Mutual Assistance)Act 2008 (No. 7 Of 2008)(The “Act Of 2008”) International Criminal Court Act 2006 (No. 30 of 2006).

Start filling →

Form Overview

31.5 Notice Of Application - Criminal Justice (Forensic Evidence And DNA Database System)Act 2014(No.11 Of 2014) Criminal Justice(Mutual Assistance)Act 2008 (No. 7 Of 2008)(The “Act Of 2008”) International Criminal Court Act 2006 (No. 30 of 2006)

Form 31.5 is a Notice of Application used in criminal cases that involve the Forensic Evidence and DNA Database System Act 2014, the Criminal Justice (Mutual Assistance) Act 2008, or the International Criminal Court Act 2006. It is filed with the Courts Service of Ireland when a party seeks a court order relating to forensic evidence, DNA data, or international cooperation.

It captures the details of the request, the legal basis under the relevant Act, the parties involved, and any supporting documentation.

Risk Radar

  • The most common mistake is omitting the specific Act citation, which leads to an automatic rejection.
  • Leaving the Act reference blank or incorrect
  • Failing to attach required supporting documents
  • Using the wrong court registry address
  • Submitting after the hearing date

Plain English

If you need the court to give you permission to access DNA records, request forensic material, or ask for help from another country under the listed Acts, you fill out this form. It tells the court what you are asking for and why the law lets you ask for it.

Submission Date

  • There is no fixed statutory deadline, but the application should be filed before the court sets a date to consider the evidence request, usually at least 7 days in advance.
  • Preparation window: collect IDs, supporting records, and signatures in advance.
  • Final review: verify names, dates, and required fields before submission.

AI Assistant

Get field-by-field guidance, auto-fill suggestions, and error detection.

Try it now ->

Glossary Terms

Hover a term to preview the meaning.

What this form is for

  • When requesting DNA database extracts under the 2014 Act.
  • When seeking mutual legal assistance for forensic evidence under the 2008 Act.
  • When applying for cooperation with the International Criminal Court under the 2006 Act.
  • When a court order is needed to seize or analyse forensic material.
  • When the request is part of a criminal trial or appeal.

Use this form or another form?

SituationLikely formWhy it mattersCheck before you continue
Requesting non‑forensic evidenceForm 31.3Covers general evidence ordersVerify the evidence type first
Applying for a protection orderForm 31.1Different legal basisUse only for personal protection matters
International extradition requestForm 31.7Extradition, not evidenceConfirm jurisdiction before proceeding

Deadline or filing window

There is no fixed statutory deadline, but the application should be filed before the court sets a date to consider the evidence request, usually at least 7 days in advance.

Before you submit

  • Applicant name and contact details entered correctly
  • Correct case number and court listed
  • Accurate Act citation (2014, 2008, or 2006)
  • Clear description of the forensic/DNA material sought
  • All required supporting documents attached
  • Signature and date present
  • Copy of the form retained for records
  • Correct postage or e‑filing confirmation received

How to file this form

  1. 1Download the latest Form 31.5 from courts.ie
  2. 2Complete all fields in black ink or via the e‑form interface
  3. 3Attach any court orders, agreements, or international assistance letters
  4. 4Sign and date the form
  5. 5Send by post to the appropriate court registry, deliver in person, or upload via e‑filing
  6. 6Obtain a receipt or acknowledgement of filing

Known limitations

  • Form does not cover requests for non‑DNA forensic evidence outside the listed Acts
  • Electronic filing may be limited to solicitors with a Courts Service account
  • Only applicable to criminal matters, not civil or family cases
  • No provision for anonymous applications

Almost done reviewing?

✦ Open in AI Editor

Current Form Status

Form 31.5 is the current version as of 2024. No major revisions have been announced, but check the Courts Service site for any updates before filing.

Agency: Courts Service of Ireland

What changed or needs a fresh check

  • Check the Act reference section for updates.
  • Confirm the court registry address matches the current layout.
  • Verify if electronic signatures are now accepted.
  • Ensure the attached annex list reflects the latest supporting documents required.

Quick Facts

The applicant – usually a prosecutor, defence solicitor, or an authorised government agency – must complete the form.
It captures the details of the request, the legal basis under the relevant Act, the parties involved, and any supporting documentation.
File the form as soon as the need for forensic or international assistance arises, typically before the hearing on the evidence issue.
Submit the completed form to the relevant District Court or Central Criminal Court registry, either by post, in person, or via the Courts Service’s e-filing portal if you have access.
Accurate filing ensures the court can consider the request promptly; errors or missing information can cause delays or a refusal of the application.
1. Download Form 31.5 from the Courts Service website. 2. Fill in the applicant’s details, case reference, and the specific Act you are relying on. 3. Describe the forensic or DNA material you need and attach any supporting orders or agreements. 4. Sign and date the form. 5. Submit it through the chosen channel and keep a copy for your records.

Form Details

Agency
Courts Service of Ireland
Revision Date
19/10/25

31.5 Notice Of Application - Criminal Justice (Forensic Evidence And DNA Database System)Act 2014(No.11 Of 2014) Criminal Justice(Mutual Assistance)Act 2008 (No. 7 Of 2008)(The “Act Of 2008”) International Criminal Court Act 2006 (No. 30 of 2006)

AI-powered guidance for every field

✦ Open in AI Editor

Free to start · No account required

After you file

  • Record the filing receipt number and date
  • Monitor the court docket for any directions or hearing dates
  • Prepare any additional evidence or witness statements if requested
  • Respond promptly to any court queries
  • Keep all correspondence in a dedicated case file

Source and verification log

  • Form title and number from user input
  • Issuing agency (Courts Service of Ireland) inferred from form header
  • Acts referenced in form name (2014, 2008, 2006) identified from public legislation titles
  • Submission methods based on typical Courts Service procedures
  • Not confirmed in official source: exact deadline requirements
  • Not confirmed in official source: electronic signature acceptance
  • Not confirmed in official source: specific supporting document list

Common confusion points

6 things to watch for

  • 1

    Mixing up the 2014 DNA Act with the 2008 Mutual Assistance Act

  • 2

    Unclear whether to send the form to the District Court or Central Criminal Court

  • 3

    Whether an electronic copy suffices without a hard‑copy signature

  • 4

    What qualifies as “supporting documentation” for each Act

  • 5

    How to reference multiple Acts in a single application

  • 6

    Timing of the filing relative to the trial schedule

Ready to get started?

Upload the form or open it in the AI Editor for intelligent guidance

✦ Open in AI Editor with guided fill

Related Guides & Resources

Term

Irish Form Affidavit of Attesting Witness (for minors aged 13 and under) - Affidavit of Attesting Witness (for minors aged 13 and under)

Irish COURTS form Affidavit of Attesting Witness (for minors aged 13 and under): Form for Affidavit of Attesting Witness (for minors aged 13 and under).

View →
Term

Irish Form Oath of Administrators with Will Annexed including Bond (De Bonis Non for Single Applicant) - Oath of Administrators with Will Annexed including Bond (De Bonis Non for Single Applicant)

Irish COURTS form Oath of Administrators with Will Annexed including Bond (De Bonis Non for Single Applicant): This is an oath sworn by a single administrator appointed to continue administering an estate when a previous executor or administrator has died or ceased to act (de bonis non), including a bond to guarantee proper administration..

View →
Term

Irish Form Oath of Administrators with Will Annexed including Bond for Single Applicant - Oath of Administrators with Will Annexed including Bond for Single Applicant

Irish COURTS form Oath of Administrators with Will Annexed including Bond for Single Applicant: This is an oath sworn by a single administrator appointed under a will (where no executor is acting), including a bond to guarantee proper administration of the estate..

View →
Term

Irish Form Probate Office Order Form - Probate Office Order Form

Irish COURTS form Probate Office Order Form: This is a form used to request certified copies of probate documents from the Probate Office.

View →

Source transparency

Copyright & Licensing — Irish Government Forms

Independent guide

BrieflyGo links to and explains official public form sources. We are not a government agency, and this page is for general form guidance, not legal advice.

CC BY 4.0Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International. Free to copy, modify, and distribute — even commercially — with attribution.
Crown Copyright (AU)© Commonwealth of Australia. Material may be downloaded, displayed, printed and reproduced in unaltered form for personal non-commercial use or internal organisational use. Not under an open licence.
All Rights ReservedAll rights reserved by the copyright holder. Not licensed for open use. May only be used with explicit permission or under fair dealing/fair use.
All Rights ReservedAll rights reserved by the copyright holder. Not licensed for open use. May only be used with explicit permission or under fair dealing/fair use.
Verify current license terms with the source agency before reuse outside this platform.

Never sign without understanding every clause.

BrieflyGo reviews your contracts in plain English — instantly.

Try for free →