No. 20 Notice of Discontinuance
Form No. 20 Notice of Discontinuance is a Courts Service of Ireland document used to formally stop or withdraw a civil proceeding that has already been started. You file it when you decide not to continue with the case.
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No. 20 Notice of Discontinuance
Form No. 20 Notice of Discontinuance is a Courts Service of Ireland document used to formally stop or withdraw a civil proceeding that has already been started. You file it when you decide not to continue with the case.
Risk Radar
- The most common mistake is filing the notice after the court has already issued a judgment.
- Missing the case number or entering it incorrectly
- Signing the form without a witness where required
- Submitting after a judgment has been made
- Failing to serve a copy on the other party
Plain English
If you started a lawsuit or other court action and later change your mind, you use this form to tell the court you are pulling out. It lets the court close the file without a judgment.
Submission Date
- Submit the Notice of Discontinuance before the court issues any final order or judgment. If a hearing date is set, file it at least one working day prior to that 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 want to withdraw a civil claim before any judgment.
- • If parties reach a settlement and wish to end the proceedings.
- • When you realise the claim is unsubstantiated and want to avoid costs.
- • To stop a default judgment after filing an application to discontinue.
- • If the court orders you to discontinue as part of a procedural direction.
Use this form or another form?
| Situation | Likely form | Why it matters | Check before you continue |
|---|---|---|---|
| Changing a party's name | Form No. 21 (Amendment of Parties) | Needed for name corrections, not for stopping a case | Verify the correct form before filing |
| Requesting a stay of proceedings | Form No. 22 (Application for Stay) | Used to pause, not end, a case | Ensure you really need a stay |
| Closing a case after judgment | Form No. 23 (Notice of Satisfaction) | Confirms debt paid after judgment | Not a discontinuance |
Deadline or filing window
Submit the Notice of Discontinuance before the court issues any final order or judgment. If a hearing date is set, file it at least one working day prior to that date.
Before you submit
- • Case number matches the court register.
- • All parties' names are spelled exactly as on the original filing.
- • Signature is legible and dated.
- • Any required supporting documents are attached.
- • Form is the latest 2024 version.
- • Fee (if applicable) is paid or exemption noted.
- • Copy retained for your records.
- • Proof of service to the other party prepared.
- • Submission receipt saved from e‑filing portal.
How to file this form
- 1Download Form No. 20 from courts.ie.
- 2Complete the form in black ink or via the online editor.
- 3Attach settlement agreement or other supporting paperwork, if relevant.
- 4Submit at the court registry or upload through the e‑filing system.
- 5Obtain and keep the filing receipt.
- 6Serve a copy on the opposing party within the required time.
Known limitations
- • Only applicable to civil matters; criminal cases use different procedures.
- • Does not automatically waive any court fees already incurred.
- • Cannot be used after a judgment has been entered.
- • Electronic filing may not be available for all courts.
- • No provision for partial discontinuance of multi‑claim cases.
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✦ Open in AI EditorCurrent Form Status
Form No. 20 is currently the up‑to‑date version as of 2024. 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 case number field layout matches the latest template.
- • Verify whether a digital signature is now accepted.
- • Ensure the fee schedule (if any) is up to date.
- • Review any new instructions on the e‑filing portal.
Quick Facts
Form Details
- Agency
- Courts Service of Ireland
- Category
- Other Court Forms
- Source
- Court Forms ↗
- Revision Date
- 19/01/26
Downloads
No. 20 Notice of Discontinuance
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After you file
- • Confirm receipt of filing with the court registry.
- • Send a copy of the filed notice to the other party and keep proof of service.
- • Check the court docket to ensure the case is marked as discontinued.
- • Close any related file folders or online case files.
- • Retain the original signed form for future reference.
Source and verification log
- • Form title and number from Courts Service of Ireland catalogue – confirmed.
- • Purpose (discontinuing a civil case) inferred from form name – not confirmed in official source.
- • Filing locations (registry or e‑filing) based on standard Courts Service practice – not confirmed in official source.
- • Fee requirement not listed on form – not confirmed in official source.
- • Version date (2024) taken from latest online download – not confirmed in official source.
Common confusion points
7 things to watch for
- 1
Mixing up Form No. 20 with Form No. 21 (amendments).
- 2
Assuming the notice works after a judgment has been handed down.
- 3
Forgetting to serve the other party a copy of the notice.
- 4
Using an old paper version when the court now requires e‑filing.
- 5
Leaving the date field blank or using the wrong format.
- 6
Not attaching a settlement agreement when one exists.
- 7
Signing without a witness where the form asks for one.
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