Here you will find information about the civil work of the District Court and about interacting with the District Court office
What happens in the District Court?
What happens in the District Court?
The District Court is a court of local and limited jurisdiction. It derives its powers from the Constitution and from Statute law.
How do I bring a civil matter before the District Court?
How do I bring a civil matter before the District Court?
You commence proceedings by way of a document called a claim notice.
What do I do if I am served with a claim notice?
What do I do if I am served with a claim notice?
If you are served a claim notice, you must decide if you are going to defend the case or not.
How do I make a counterclaim?
How do I make a counterclaim?
If you receive a claim notice and you decide that it was the claimant who did the wrong, you may bring a claim against the claimant, called a counterclaim.
What if a claim notice is not responded to?
What if a claim notice is not responded to?
If the respondent does not respond to a claim notice within 28 days indicating that they intend to defend the case, the claimant can apply to the District Court clerk for a judgment in default.
Licensing
Licensing
Find out what you need to know for District & Circuit Court licensing matters.
Want to pay by card?
Want to pay by card?
Cash is disappearing from our wallets and being replaced by cards and other payment methods. If you need to make a payment through the Courts Service, you have the option to make a payment by card in Circuit and District Court offices nationwide.