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

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 in the sheriff court. In Northern Ireland, small claims 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.

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 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 for £6 to £10, check the insolvency register, and make sure a business is still trading. You can't start a claim against someone who is in Breathing Space.

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 before you claim.

Most people claim online through GOV.UK's make a court claim for money 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.

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.

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.

Citizens Advice 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 gives free advice. For related consumer routes, see refunds and returns and how to claim a Section 75 refund.