Chapter 6 of 13 · At court · Court date and appeal clock

How long have I got?

Checked 15 Oct 2026the District Court Rules, Order 101 and the Courts (No. 3) Act 1986.

Enter the date on your summons, charge sheet, adjournment or conviction. The tool counts the days to court and says what happens on the day; for a decision it gives the 14 days to appeal to the Circuit Court as a date, and the day a disqualification takes effect. A date that has passed gets the bench-warrant warning.

The paper

What did you get, and what date is on it?

What you have

Date on the paperThe date on the summons: the day you are to appear.Courthouse named on the paperOptional. The court office, its hours and the sittings are on the court finder.

Not sure which courthouse? Find your court and its office.

The dates are counted from what you enter. The tool does not check that a case is listed, that a summons was served or that a warrant issued; the court office does that. It does not say whether to appeal.

Ask a solicitorMost people have a solicitor for this

Not sure what the paper means? One conversation settles it.

Say which court, what the paper says and where you are in it. A solicitor who is in that District Court will contact you. Legal aid comes first on this site: if you may qualify, ask the judge for it at your first appearance.

What it is about
Your court and where you are
Your details

What is it about?

Choose the kind of matter, then the one that fits. You can add a sentence in your own words at the last step.