No.18 Notice of Change of Solicitor
Form No.18 Notice of Change of Solicitor is a Courts Service of Ireland document used to inform the court that a party’s legal representation is being changed. It is required whenever a solicitor is replaced or added in an ongoing court matter.
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No.18 Notice of Change of Solicitor
Form No.18 Notice of Change of Solicitor is a Courts Service of Ireland document used to inform the court that a party’s legal representation is being changed. It is required whenever a solicitor is replaced or added in an ongoing court matter.
Risk Radar
- The most common mistake is forgetting the new solicitor’s practising certificate.
- Leaving the declaration unsigned
- Omitting the practising certificate of the new solicitor
- Sending the form to the wrong court registry
- Filing after a filing deadline has passed
Plain English
If you’ve hired a new solicitor or your current solicitor is stepping down, you must tell the court using this form. It tells the judge who is now handling your case so all future papers go to the right person.
Submission Date
- The notice should be filed before any further pleadings are served in the case, typically at least 5 working days before the next court date.
- Preparation window: collect IDs, supporting records, and signatures in advance.
- Final review: verify names, dates, and required fields before submission.
What this form is for
- • When you replace your current solicitor in an ongoing case.
- • When you add a co‑solicitor to represent you.
- • When a solicitor withdraws and you need to confirm the change formally.
- • When the court specifically requests a notice of change.
Use this form or another form?
| Situation | Likely form | Why it matters | Check before you continue |
|---|---|---|---|
| Changing address only | Form No.12 (Notice of Change of Address) | Only address details needed, not solicitor change | Verify you are not also changing solicitors |
| Changing party name | Form No.20 (Notice of Change of Party) | Different purpose – name change, not representation | Use Form No.18 for solicitor changes |
| Stopping representation without replacement | Form No.19 (Notice of Withdrawal of Solicitor) | No new solicitor to notify | Ensure you still have a solicitor or represent yourself |
Deadline or filing window
The notice should be filed before any further pleadings are served in the case, typically at least 5 working days before the next court date.
Before you submit
- • Case number entered correctly.
- • Outgoing solicitor’s full name and address provided.
- • Incoming solicitor’s full name, address, and practising certificate attached.
- • Declaration signed by the new solicitor.
- • Form dated today’s date.
- • Copy of the new solicitor’s practising certificate attached.
- • Correct court registry address or e‑filing portal selected.
- • All required signatures present.
How to file this form
- 1Download the latest Form No.18 from courts.ie.
- 2Complete all fields in clear black ink or via the PDF editor.
- 3Have the incoming solicitor sign the declaration.
- 4Attach the practising certificate copy.
- 5Submit to the court registry in person, by post, or via e‑filing.
- 6Obtain a receipt or confirmation email.
- 7Keep a copy for your records.
Known limitations
- • Form not accepted for electronic filing in all courts – check local registry.
- • Only one change of solicitor per submission; multiple changes need separate forms.
- • No provision for temporary or ad‑hoc representation.
- • Practising certificate must be current; expired certificates cause rejection.
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✦ Open in AI EditorCurrent Form Status
Form No.18 is currently the latest version (as of 2024) and remains in active use. No recent amendments have been published.
Agency: Courts Service of Ireland
What changed or needs a fresh check
- • Check the form header for the 2024 revision date.
- • Confirm the court registry field matches the court handling your case.
- • Verify the declaration wording matches the current version.
- • Ensure the signature block includes space for the new solicitor’s signature.
Quick Facts
Form Details
- Agency
- Courts Service of Ireland
- Category
- Other Court Forms
- Source
- Court Forms ↗
- Revision Date
- 28/01/26
Downloads
No.18 Notice of Change of Solicitor
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After you file
- • Confirm receipt with the court registry.
- • Ask the new solicitor to verify that future correspondence is redirected.
- • Update any court‑issued deadlines in your personal calendar.
- • Monitor the case docket for acknowledgment of the change.
- • Retain the receipt and a signed copy of the notice.
Source and verification log
- • Form name and number from Courts Service of Ireland publication list.
- • Purpose inferred from form title – notice of change of solicitor.
- • Submission methods based on typical Courts Service e‑filing options.
- • Deadlines inferred from standard court practice – notice before next filing.
- • Not confirmed in official source: exact number of days before a hearing required.
- • Not confirmed in official source: availability of e‑filing for every court.
Common confusion points
6 things to watch for
- 1
Mixing up Form No.12 (address change) with Form No.18 (solicitor change).
- 2
Leaving the practising certificate attachment out.
- 3
Signing the declaration yourself instead of the new solicitor.
- 4
Submitting to the wrong court registry.
- 5
Using an older PDF template that lacks the latest declaration wording.
- 6
Assuming e‑filing is available for all courts.
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