England · Small Claims
England small claims track: sue for up to £10,000 in the County Court. Filing fees £35–£455, form N1, gov.uk/make-court-claim. Deadlines and evidence guide.
Court Name
County Court (Small Claims Track)
Filing Limit
£10,000
Filing Fee
£35–£455 depending on claim amount (online claims are cheaper)
Response Deadline
14 days after service to file an Acknowledgement of Service; 28 days to file a Defence
Hearing Timeline
4–8 months after filing (varies by court centre)
Statute
County Courts Act 1984; Civil Procedure Rules 1998 Part 27 (Small Claims Track)
✓ Verified as of 2026-03-30
The County Court Small Claims Track handles civil money claims up to £10,000 in England under English law. It is designed for individuals and small businesses to resolve straightforward disputes without lawyers, though you may seek legal advice at any stage. Common disputes include unpaid debts, faulty goods or services, minor building and repair work, landlord deposit disputes (above the deposit protection scheme limit), and consumer contract breaches. Claims are filed online at Money Claim Online (MCOL) or by submitting form N1 at a County Court hearing centre. The small claims track is deliberately informal, judges can adapt procedures to suit the case, and strict rules of evidence are relaxed. Costs awarded are very limited on the small claims track, meaning even if you win, you will not usually recover solicitor fees. ThreadLock helps you organize your documents, build a chronological timeline, and prepare a court-ready evidence bundle before your hearing.
Any individual aged 18 or over, business, partnership, or organization may file a County Court claim. Claims under £10,000 are automatically allocated to the small claims track unless a party requests a different track and the court agrees. File against the defendant's address in England or Wales, or where the contract was to be performed. Businesses incorporated in England and Wales are routinely sued in the County Court. Solicitors are permitted to represent parties on the small claims track, but because costs recovery is very limited, most parties self-represent for claims of this size. Fee remissions (reductions or waivers) are available for claimants on low incomes or certain benefits, check eligibility before filing.
To file a claim in England, use Money Claim Online (MCOL) at www.gov.uk/make-court-claim-for-money or complete form N1 (Claim Form) and submit it to a County Court hearing centre. You will need the defendant's full name and address, a clear particulars of claim stating what happened and the amount you are claiming, and the court fee. The filing fee is £35–£455 depending on claim amount (online claims are cheaper). Fee remission is available for qualifying claimants.
After filing, the court serves the claim form on the defendant. The defendant has 14 days after service to file an Acknowledgement of Service indicating they intend to defend. They then have a total of 28 days from service to file a Defence. If the defendant does not respond within these deadlines, you can request a default judgment.
Once a Defence is filed, the court allocates the claim to the small claims track (for claims under £10,000) and issues directions for the parties to exchange documents and witness statements. A hearing date is then listed. Typical hearing timeline: 4–8 months after filing (varies by court centre). Hearings are held at the local County Court hearing centre and are generally short and informal.
If you win, the court enters a judgment. Collecting that judgment is your responsibility, enforcement options include a warrant of control (bailiffs), attachment of earnings, or a third-party debt order against the defendant's bank account.
County Court judges on the small claims track expect clear, organized evidence. The most persuasive approach is chronological: tell the story in order, with documents supporting each step. Common evidence includes contracts or written agreements, invoices and receipts, photographs, emails and text messages, bank statements, and any written communications with the other party.
For England disputes involving unpaid debts, faulty goods or services, minor building work disputes, deposit disputes, and consumer contract breaches, the evidence that decides cases is whatever proves the agreement, shows what actually happened, and establishes your financial loss. Judges cannot award what you cannot prove, bring every document that supports your claim or defence. Prepare three copies: one for yourself, one for the defendant, and one for the judge.
Witness statements are usually required and should set out the facts in numbered paragraphs, signed with a statement of truth. ThreadLock's incident journal lets you log events as they happen with date and time stamps and attached photos or documents. The timeline builder assembles those entries into a chronological view of your case. The exhibit export tool labels and numbers your documents into a court-ready bundle.
What is the maximum I can claim on the small claims track in England?
The small claims track handles claims up to £10,000 (or up to £1,000 for personal injury or housing disrepair claims). Claims above £10,000 go to the fast track or multi-track, which have more formal procedures and higher cost consequences. If your loss exceeds £10,000 you may still file on the small claims track by limiting your claim, but you would waive recovery above that amount.
Do I need a solicitor to make a small claim in England?
No. The small claims track is designed for self-represented parties. Solicitors are permitted but costs recovery on the small claims track is very limited, so legal fees are rarely recoverable even if you win. Most claimants under £10,000 handle their own cases.
What does it cost to file a small claim in England?
The filing fee is £35–£455 depending on claim amount (online claims are cheaper). If you win, the court will usually order the defendant to reimburse your court fee as part of the judgment. Fee remission is available for those on low incomes or qualifying benefits.
What happens if I win but the defendant does not pay?
Winning a judgment does not guarantee payment. You will need to take enforcement action. Common options include a warrant of control (sending court bailiffs), an attachment of earnings order (deducting from the defendant's wages), or a third-party debt order (freezing the defendant's bank account). Each enforcement method has its own fee and process.
What if the defendant does not respond to my claim?
If the defendant fails to file an Acknowledgement of Service within 14 days, or a Defence within 28 days of service, you can apply for a default judgment using form N225 (for a specified amount). A default judgment has the same legal force as a judgment after a contested hearing and can be enforced immediately.
ThreadLock helps you document incidents, organize evidence, and prepare court-ready materials, so you walk in prepared.
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