Small Claims Court UK: A Complete Guide for Consumers

Recover money owed without needing a lawyer

Quick Answer

Small claims court lets you sue for up to £10,000 (£5,000 for personal injury). File online via Money Claim Online (MCOL). Filing fee: £25–£308 depending on amount. Process takes 4–8 months. You represent yourself; no lawyer needed. If you win, the defendant pays your claim plus court fees. If they ignore the judgment, use enforcement (bailiffs, bank levy).

What Qualifies for Small Claims?

Small claims track covers: breach of contract, unpaid invoices, damaged goods, faulty services, unpaid loans. Limits: up to £10,000 (or £5,000 for personal injury). You can represent yourself (no lawyer needed). The process is simplified, informal, and fast compared to full court trials.

How to Sue

Step 1: Try to settle first. Send a formal demand letter (email or post) asking for payment with a deadline (14 days). Keep evidence. This strengthens your case and shows you tried to resolve it fairly.

Step 2: File your claim online. Use Money Claim Online (MCOL) on the courts website. Complete form: defendant details, claim amount, reason, supporting documents. Pay filing fee (based on amount). Submit.

Step 3: Defendant responds. They have 14 days to reply. They can admit, dispute, or offer a partial payment. If they don't respond, you can ask for judgment in default.

Step 4: Court decides. Judge reads evidence (usually paper-based, no hearing). If clear-cut, they order payment. If disputed, a hearing is scheduled (typically video or phone).

Step 5: Enforce if needed. If the defendant ignores judgment, apply for enforcement (bailiffs, county court bailiff, charging order, or attachment of earnings).

What the Law Says
County Courts Act 1984
Establishes county courts and their jurisdiction. Small claims track operates within this framework for claims up to £10,000.
Civil Procedure Rules (CPR) Part 27
Governs small claims procedure. Requires simplified pleadings, limits expert evidence, and encourages settlement. Emphasis on accessibility for unrepresented parties.
Courts and Tribunals Service (CTS)
Manages Money Claim Online (MCOL) portal and court administration. All small claims can be filed online with minimal paperwork.
Do I need a lawyer for small claims? +

No. Small claims is designed for you to represent yourself. You can hire a lawyer, but costs often exceed the claim value. Many cases are settled on papers with no hearing needed.

How much does it cost to sue? +

Filing fee ranges from £25 (under £300) to £308 (£5,001–£10,000). If you win, the defendant pays your fee back (it's recovered as part of costs). Money Claim Online is cheapest; paper filing in court costs more.

How long does it take? +

Typically 4–8 months from filing to judgment. Simple cases (uncontested) settle in 2–3 months. Disputed claims with hearings can take up to a year.

What if the defendant doesn't pay the judgment? +

Apply for enforcement. Options: County Court Bailiff (collect money), Charging Order (against property), or Attachment of Earnings (from wages). Bailiffs are most effective if the defendant has assets.

Can I appeal if I lose? +

Yes, but only on legal grounds (judge made an error of law), not on facts. Appeal must be filed within 21 days. Appeals are costly and often refused unless there's clear legal error.

Start Your Small Claims Claim