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A Statement of Claim is the formal document that kicks off a civil lawsuit in Irish courts. It spells out your legal case against another party, detailing what happened, how you've been wronged, and what you want the court to do about it. This critical filing sets out the key facts, legal grounds, and specific remedies you're seeking, like compensation or other court orders.

Under Irish civil procedure rules, you must file your Statement of Claim with the court and serve it on the defendant within set timeframes. The document needs to be clear and complete - you can't usually add new claims later. Courts expect to see all relevant dates, events, and damages laid out in a logical way that gives the defendant a fair chance to respond.

File a Statement of Claim when you need to start legal proceedings in an Irish court to recover money, resolve a contract dispute, or seek compensation for damages. This formal document becomes essential once negotiations have failed and you're ready to take the matter to court. Common situations include unpaid business debts, property disputes, or professional negligence cases.

Timing matters - Irish law sets strict deadlines for filing claims, often within six years of the incident for contract disputes and three years for personal injury cases. Starting the process early gives you the strongest position, preserves evidence, and keeps your legal options open. Many businesses file claims after exhausting mediation or when facing significant financial losses.

• Standard Civil Claims: The most common type of Statement of Claim in Irish courts, used for contract disputes, debt recovery, and property matters
• Personal Injury Claims: Specifically structured to detail accidents, injuries, medical evidence, and special damages under the Personal Injuries Assessment Board Act
• Commercial Claims: Tailored for business-to-business disputes, featuring detailed sections on contractual terms, business losses, and industry-specific damages
• Employment Claims: Used in the Workplace Relations Commission, focusing on workplace issues, unfair dismissal, or discrimination
• Professional Negligence Claims: Structured to demonstrate breach of professional duty, featuring specialist evidence and expert testimony requirements

• Plaintiffs/Claimants: Individuals, businesses, or organizations who initiate legal proceedings in Irish courts to seek remedies or compensation
• Solicitors: Legal professionals who draft and file Statements of Claim on behalf of their clients, ensuring compliance with court rules
• Barristers: Often consulted to review and refine complex Statements of Claim, particularly for High Court matters
• Court Officials: Process and maintain filed Statements of Claim, ensuring proper documentation and procedure
• Defendants: Parties who receive the Statement of Claim and must respond within court-specified timeframes

• Gather Facts: Collect all relevant dates, documents, correspondence, and evidence supporting your claim
• Identify Parties: List complete legal names and addresses of all plaintiffs and defendants involved
• Document Timeline: Create a clear chronological record of events leading to the dispute
• Calculate Damages: Compile detailed figures of financial losses, including supporting documentation
• Check Deadlines: Verify the statute of limitations for your type of claim under Irish law
• Draft Details: Use our platform to generate a properly structured Statement of Claim that includes all required legal elements
• Review Format: Ensure compliance with Irish court rules regarding formatting, content, and filing requirements

• Title and Court Details: Correct court jurisdiction and record number at the top
• Party Information: Full legal names and addresses of all plaintiffs and defendants
• Cause of Action: Clear statement of legal basis for the claim under Irish law
• Material Facts: Chronological listing of relevant events supporting your case
• Relief Sought: Specific remedies or compensation you're asking the court to grant
• Monetary Claims: Detailed breakdown of damages with supporting calculations
• Statement of Truth: Signed verification that all facts stated are accurate
• Filing Details: Date, solicitor's details, and service requirements

A Statement of Claim differs significantly from a Witness Statement in both purpose and legal effect within the Irish court system. While both documents play crucial roles in legal proceedings, they serve distinct functions and are used at different stages.

• Primary Purpose: A Statement of Claim initiates legal proceedings and outlines your case against another party, while a Witness Statement provides factual testimony supporting evidence in an existing case
• Timing: Statements of Claim come at the start of proceedings, while Witness Statements are typically submitted during the evidence-gathering phase
• Content Focus: Claims detail legal grounds, damages sought, and remedies requested; Witness Statements narrate specific observed facts or events
• Legal Effect: A Statement of Claim creates the framework for the entire legal action, whereas a Witness Statement serves as supporting evidence within that framework