# Small claims court UK: how to make a money claim in England and Wales (2026 fees)

> Credit cards & loans · Last updated 24 September 2026

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## Quick answer

Most disputes worth up to £10,000 go on the County Court's small claims track. Send a letter before claim first, then claim online or on form N1. Issue fees run from £35 to £455 for claims up to £10,000, and there's a separate hearing fee if the case goes to a hearing.

## Who should skip this

Skip this if your claim is in Scotland (simple procedure) or Northern Ireland (small claims), or is a personal injury claim above the small claims limits. If someone is suing you, respond by the deadline on the claim.

There's no separate 'small claims court'. It's a simpler track within the County Court, designed so people can bring or defend a claim without a solicitor. You could use it for a faulty product, poor service, an unpaid invoice or an unreturned deposit. This guide covers the limits, the pre-action steps, the 2026 fees, compulsory mediation, the hearing and what to do if you win but still aren't paid.

## Key facts

- The small claims track normally covers claims up to £10,000. Lower limits apply to personal injury and to housing disrepair
- Issue fees start at £35 for claims up to £300 and reach £455 for claims of £5,000.01 to £10,000
- Small claims hearing fees range from £27 to £346 (fee list updated 13 July 2026)
- Defended claims of £10,000 or less must go to free court mediation by phone, lasting up to an hour
- Interest on most non-business debts is claimed at 8% a year
- A judgment doesn't guarantee payment. Enforcement needs further applications and fees

## What is the small claims court?

The small claims track is the County Court's simplest procedure, normally used for claims worth £10,000 or less. There are lower limits for some claims. For personal injury, the injury damages must be no more than £1,500, or £5,000 for most road traffic accidents, within a £10,000 total. For a tenant's housing disrepair claim, the repairs must be estimated at no more than £1,000 and any other damages must be £1,000 or less. The court must not put certain harassment and unlawful eviction claims on the small claims track.

Citizens Advice lists typical uses: faulty goods, poor service, refunds you're owed, money owed for work you did, and minor repair disputes with a landlord. For goods and services, Citizens Advice says you generally have up to 6 years from when you paid to make a claim.

This guide covers England and Wales. In Scotland, claims of £5,000 or less use [simple procedure](https://www.scotcourts.gov.uk/taking-action/simple-procedure/) in the sheriff court. In Northern Ireland, [small claims](https://www.nidirect.gov.uk/articles/small-claims-process) cover claims of up to £5,000, excluding personal injury, road traffic accidents and some other types. Judgments there are enforced through the Enforcement of Judgments Office.

## What should you do before making a claim?

Try to settle first. Complain formally, and use an ombudsman or other dispute resolution scheme if the trader belongs to one. For purchases on a card, check whether you can use [Section 75 or chargeback](/credit/section-75-vs-chargeback/) instead. Courts expect you to have considered alternatives. The Practice Direction on Pre-Action Conduct warns that unreasonably refusing to try alternative dispute resolution can lead to costs penalties.

Then send a formal letter before claim. Include your name and address, a summary of what happened, what you want and how much (with how you calculated it), and a deadline for a reply. Also say that you'll start court proceedings if you don't get a response. The Practice Direction expects a reply within 14 days in a straightforward case, or up to 3 months in a very complex one. Keep a copy and proof of postage.

Check that the other side can pay. You can search the official register of judgments on [TrustOnline](https://www.trustonline.org.uk/) for £6 to £10, check the [insolvency register](/debt-help/insolvency-register-uk/), and make sure a business is still trading. You can't start a claim against someone who is in Breathing Space.

## How much does it cost to make a small claim?

You pay an issue fee when you start the claim, based on the amount you're claiming plus interest. If the claim is defended and goes to a hearing, you pay a hearing fee too. If you don't pay the hearing fee (or apply for help with it) by the date the court gives, your claim is struck out. The hearing fee isn't refundable, but you don't have to pay it if you settle before it's due. If you win, you may be able to recover your fees from the other side.

For most non-business debts you can add interest at 8% a year. For example, £1,000 owed for 50 days adds about £11. If you're on a low income or certain benefits, apply for [help with fees](https://www.gov.uk/get-help-with-court-fees) before you claim.

*Small claims court fees in England and Wales (civil court fees EX50, updated 13 July 2026)*

| Amount claimed (including interest) | Issue fee | Hearing fee |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Up to £300 | £35 | £27 |
| £300.01 to £500 | £50 | £59 |
| £500.01 to £1,000 | £70 | £85 |
| £1,000.01 to £1,500 | £80 | £123 |
| £1,500.01 to £3,000 | £115 | £181 |
| £3,000.01 to £5,000 | £205 | £346 |
| £5,000.01 to £10,000 | £455 | £346 |

## How do you make the claim?

Most people claim online through GOV.UK's [make a court claim for money](https://www.gov.uk/make-court-claim-for-money/make-claim) service. You'll need the defendant's name, address and email, and a card to pay or your help with fees reference. You have to use paper form N1, sent to the Civil National Business Centre, if any of these apply: you don't know the exact amount you're claiming, you're claiming for more than one person, you're claiming against 3 or more people, either side has no address in England or Wales, or you're claiming against a government department.

The defendant gets a deadline to respond. They can pay, admit part of the claim, defend it or counterclaim. If they aren't paying in full, they can ask for another 14 days. If they don't respond in time, you can ask the court for judgment without a hearing. If they defend, the court may send you a questionnaire and the case moves to mediation.

## What happens at mediation and the hearing?

If your claim is for £10,000 or less and the defendant disputes it, you must attend free mediation. An HMCTS mediator speaks to each side separately by phone in an appointment of up to an hour. An agreement reached there is legally binding. If you don't attend, the judge can strike out your claim or make you pay costs even if you win. Nothing said in mediation can be mentioned in court.

If mediation doesn't settle it, a judge hears the case, usually informally in a hearing room or small courtroom. You can represent yourself, bring someone to advise you, or ask the court's permission for someone to speak for you. You normally get the decision on the day. If you think the judge made a mistake, you can appeal within 21 days. Filing the appeal notice in a small claim costs £151.

## How do you enforce a judgment if they still won't pay?

If the defendant ignores the judgment, you can apply to the court for enforcement. Each step has a fee, which is usually added to the debt. You can start by asking the court to order the debtor to attend and answer questions about their finances. Then choose the method that fits what they have. You can't enforce while the debtor is in Breathing Space.

*Ways to enforce a small claims judgment in England and Wales, with court fees from EX50 (July 2026)*

| Method | What it does | Court fee |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Order to obtain information | Debtor must attend court and give details of income and assets | £69 |
| Warrant of control (county court) | County court bailiffs collect payment or take goods, for debts of £5,000 or less | £96 |
| Writ of control (High Court) | High Court enforcement officers act, for debts of £600 or more | £82 (sealing fee) |
| Attachment of earnings order | Deductions taken from the debtor's wages | £139 |
| Third-party debt order | Money frozen in the debtor's bank account | £139 |
| Charging order | A charge secured on the debtor's property | £139 |

## Where to get free help

[Citizens Advice](https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/consumer/) can help with consumer problems and letters before claim, and local advisers can talk you through the court process. Court staff and the HMCTS helplines can explain procedure but can't give legal advice. If you're thinking about a solicitor, check whether your home insurance includes legal expenses cover. In Northern Ireland, [Advice NI](https://www.adviceni.net/) gives free advice. For related consumer routes, see [refunds and returns](/credit/refunds-and-returns/) and [how to claim a Section 75 refund](/how-to/claim-section-75-refund/).

## Frequently asked questions

### What is the maximum I can claim in the small claims court?

Usually £10,000 in England and Wales. Personal injury claims (injury damages above £1,500, or £5,000 for most road accidents) and housing disrepair claims (repairs above £1,000) go to other tracks. Scotland and Northern Ireland limits are £5,000.

### Do I need a solicitor for a small claim?

No. The process is designed for people to do themselves. Citizens Advice warns that a solicitor could cost more than you'd recover.

### Can I get my court fees back if I win?

Usually you can ask for the issue and hearing fees to be added to what the defendant has to pay. Getting paid still depends on them paying or on enforcement.

### What if the defendant ignores my claim?

If they don't respond by the deadline, you can ask the court for judgment without a hearing: online, or on form N225 (fixed amount) or N227 (unspecified amount) for paper claims.

### What if I'm the one being sued?

Respond by the date on the claim, online or on the paper forms. You can ask for 14 more days if you aren't paying in full. Ignoring it can lead to a county court judgment (CCJ) on your credit file.

## Primary source

https://www.gov.uk/make-court-claim-for-money, https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/fees-in-the-civil-and-family-courts-main-fees-ex50/civil-court-fees-ex50, https://www.justice.gov.uk/courts/procedure-rules/civil/rules/part26, https://www.justice.gov.uk/courts/procedure-rules/civil/rules/pd_pre-action_conduct, https://www.gov.uk/respond-to-court-claim-for-money, https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/law-and-courts/legal-system/small-claims/making-a-small-claim/, https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/law-and-courts/legal-system/small-claims/deciding-whether-to-make-a-small-claim/, https://www.scotcourts.gov.uk/taking-action/simple-procedure/guide-to-simple-procedure/, https://www.nidirect.gov.uk/articles/small-claims-process

## Related

- [Refunds and returns](https://moneyguide.org.uk/credit/refunds-and-returns/)
- [Section 75 vs chargeback](https://moneyguide.org.uk/credit/section-75-vs-chargeback/)
- [Claim a Section 75 refund](https://moneyguide.org.uk/how-to/claim-section-75-refund/)
- [What is a CCJ?](https://moneyguide.org.uk/glossary/ccj/)
- [Attachment of earnings orders](https://moneyguide.org.uk/debt-help/attachment-of-earnings-order/)

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