Filing urgent applications in Supreme Court

Last revised February 25, 2026

Urgent applications are generally used when irreparable damage would result if the matter is not addressed by the court immediately. They are also referred to as “short leave” or “short notice” applications. Examples of common urgent applications include injunctions against travelling with children when custody has not been established, a stay of eviction when bailiffs are acting on a possession order, and Mareva injunctions to freeze assets during litigation.

These types of applications can be made in both civil and family divisions of the supreme court under the following rules.

You can apply for the stay using the Urgent Applications rule of the Supreme Court Civil Rules, Rule 8-5.

Under this rule the following forms are required:

1. Requisition – Short Notice (Form 17.1)
2. Notice of Application (Form 32) – this is the “main application” referred to in Rule 8-5.
3. Affidavit (Form 109) – this is for any supporting evidence or documents you want the court to be aware of.  This form is optional.  Both the Short Notice Requisition and Notice of Application contain sections for citing supporting affidavits, though an affidavit is not specifically required under Rule 8-5.

You can apply for the stay using the Urgent Applications rule of the Supreme Court Family Rules, Rule 10-9.

Under this rule the following forms are required:

1. Requisition – Short Notice (Form F32.01)
2. Notice of Application (Form F31) – this is the “main application” referred to in Rule 10-9.
3. an Affidavit (Form F30) – this is for any supporting evidence or documents you want the court to be aware of.  This form is optional.  Both the Short Notice Requisition and Notice of Application contain sections for citing supporting affidavits, though an affidavit is not specifically required under Rule 10-9.

Content reviewed February 25, 2026