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Unclaimed Court Funds

What are unclaimed funds?

An unclaimed fund is money that is being held by the Court Funds Office where the rightful owner cannot be located. This could be due to the fact that the person concerned has moved or has died.

This can include:

  • money held for minors;
  • money held on behalf of patients under the control of the Office of Care and Protection;
  • surplus funds after a property has been repossessed;
  • bail money paid in by a surety;
  • money left in a will where the beneficiary cannot be found;
  • money paid in High Court or County Court disputes which has been overlooked once the case was settled.

Use this link to view the Unclaimed Funds List.

When are funds classified as Unclaimed?

In respect of minors, funds are held until they reach the age of 18 years. Forms are automatically sent to the minor of age to complete, these forms authorise the Court Funds Office to pay out any funds due. If this form is never returned, the funds will be classified as unclaimed when the person reaches 23 years of age and we have not been made aware of any reasons why they have not claimed their money.

In respect of adults, legislation directs that if a fund has been in court and there have been no transactions during the last 15 years that the Accountant General can deem it to be unclaimed.

Please note, however, that there is still a considerable amount of money which has not yet been classified as unclaimed as investigations are still ongoing. If your name does not appear on the Unclaimed Funds List, you can still contact the Court Funds Office to check if there are funds held for you.

How do I claim the money I am owed?

If you think there may be money held on your behalf, you should contact the Court Funds Office for advice. Contact details are as follows:

2nd Floor Laganside House
Oxford Street
Belfast
BT1 3LA

Phone: 028 9072 8888/8895/8891
Email: courtfundsoffice@courtsni.gov.uk

It may be that you will then need to contact the relevant court office to show proof that you really are the person who is entitled to the money.

Can I claim the money of a deceased relative?

Yes, as long as you are their heir and are entitled to the money.

For privacy reasons, the Unclaimed Funds List does not show the amount owed. Once you contact the Court Funds Office, you will be given more information.

Back to main Court Funds Office page