How to make a subject access request
Under data protection law, you have the right to ask for a copy of the personal data that the Courts Service holds about you. This is known as a Subject Access Request (SAR).
Before you make a request
It’s important to know who controls the data you are seeking:
- Courts Service – the Courts Service is the data controller for administrative records (for example, HR, facilities, ICT, or correspondence records). Information about how we handle this data is available in our Privacy statement.
- The Courts – the courts are separate data controllers for data held in court records. Information about accessing this data is available under Access to court records under Data Protection.
Information you need to provide
To process your request, we will need to verify your identity and address. You can provide a copy of a photo ID (for example, a passport or driving licence) and a recent utility bill or similar proof of address.
If you are applying on behalf of someone else, you must also include a signed letter of authorisation from that person.
It helps if your request is as specific as possible — for example, describing the type of data or period you are interested in — so that we can locate the relevant information quickly.
What happens next
Once we have validated your request, it will be sent to the relevant business unit for processing. The Courts Service must respond within one calendar month of receiving a valid request.
Where to send your request
Data Protection Unit
Office of the CEO
Courts Service
15–24 Phoenix Street North
Smithfield
Dublin 7
Email: [email protected]
Contact
If you have any questions about subject access requests, you can contact the Data Protection Unit at the address above or by phone: 01 888 6130 / 6461 / 6632.
For other data protection queries, see our Contact page.
