An affidavit of verification is required in the High Court to verify assertions or facts alleged in personal injury actions and defamation proceedings. It is to verify a pleading or replies to a request for further information and is required pursuant to section 14 of the Civil Liability and Courts Act, 2004 in personal injury actions, and pursuant to section 8 of Defamation Act, 2009.
A copy is served on the party who is being served with the pleading or replies to further information.
(4) An affidavit under this section shall be lodged in court not later than—
(a) 21 days after the service of the pleading concerned or such longer period as the court may direct or the parties may agree, or
(b) in the case of a requirement to which subsection (8)(b) applies, 7 days before the date fixed for the trial of the personal injuries action concerned. (Section 14 Civil Liability and Courts Act 2004).
The form it should take is as follows:
O. 1A, r. 10
THE HIGH COURT
20…. No……
Between A.B., …………….. Plaintiff,
and C.D., …………. Defendant.
I, AB, ……………….. of …………………. , the (plaintiff, defendant or state other capacity or authority) in the above-entitled proceedings, aged eighteen years and upwards MAKE OATH and say as follows:
1. I beg to refer to the contents of the (personal injuries summons, defence, reply, further information etc. – as the case may be) delivered herein on behalf of the (plaintiff/ defendant) on the ….. day of ………….. 20 …. *[upon which this affidavit is endorsed] *[and upon a true copy of which marked “A” I have signed my name prior to the swearing hereof].
2. The assertions, allegations and information contained in the said (personal injuries summons, etc.) which are within my own knowledge are true. I honestly believe that the assertions, allegations and information contained in the said (personal injuries summons, etc.) which are not within my own knowledge are true.
3. I am aware that it is an offence to make a statement in this affidavit that is false or misleading in any material respect and that I know to be false or misleading.
SWORN etc
It is an offence to make a statement in an affidavit that is false or misleading and you can be fined up to €100,000 and/or imprisoned for up to 10 years, pursuant to section 29 of the Civil Liability and Courts Act, 2004.
Circuit Court and District Court
An affidavit of verification is also required in personal injury claims in the District Court and Circuit Court.