Responding to a debt claim (Civil / Summary Summons)

If a creditor sues you for a debt, court proceedings begin with a Civil Summons (District Court, for claims up to €15,000) or a Summary Summons (Circuit or High Court for larger amounts). Being served does not mean you have lost — you have the right to defend the claim, dispute the amount, or seek time to pay. Ignoring the summons is the most common way people end up with a judgment against them by default.

✅ What to do

1. Read the summons carefully and note the return date (the date the matter is listed) and the amount claimed, including interest and costs.
2. Decide your position: do you dispute owing the money, dispute the amount, or accept it but need time to pay?
3. If you intend to defend, notify the court and the claimant that you wish to defend the proceedings (in the District Court this is done by lodging a Notice of Intention to Defend within the time stated on the summons).
4. Gather documentary evidence — the contract, invoices, statements, correspondence, and any proof of payments already made.
5. If you accept the debt but cannot pay in full, you can offer to pay by instalments; the court can make an instalment order.
6. Attend court on the return date (or as directed). If you do not appear and have not defended, the court may grant judgment in the creditor's favour by default.
7. Consider free advice from a solicitor, the Money Advice and Budgeting Service (MABS), or a Citizens Information Centre before the hearing.

⚠️ What to watch out for

• If you do nothing, the creditor can obtain judgment in default and then move to enforcement.
• A judgment can be registered and published, affecting your credit rating.
• Court costs and interest can be added to the amount you owe.
• Do not admit liability in writing before checking that the debt is correct and within the limitation period (contract debts are generally statute-barred after six years).

⚖️ Legal basis

❓ Frequently asked questions