Small claims court fees and timescales 2026

Issuing a small claim in England and Wales costs between £35 and £455, depending on how much you claim, and a defended claim adds a hearing fee of £27 to £346. In April to June 2026 the median time from issue to trial for small claims was 41.0 weeks. Fees are from the HM Courts and Tribunals Service (HMCTS) schedule EX50 and timings from Ministry of Justice (MoJ) official statistics.

£5,000.01 to £10,000

How much does it cost to take someone to the small claims court in 2026?

The issue fee runs from £35 for a claim up to £300 to £455 for a claim between £5,000.01 and £10,000. If the claim is defended and listed for a hearing, a hearing fee of £27 to £346 is also due. Both come from HMCTS fee schedule EX50 (current from 13 July 2026), and the fee is the same whether you file online or on paper.

How long does a small claim take to get to a hearing?

In April to June 2026 the median time from a small claim being issued to trial was 41.0 weeks and the mean was 48.5 weeks, according to Ministry of Justice Civil Justice Statistics. Most claims never reach a trial because they are paid, settled, or end in a default judgment.

Can I get my court fees back if I win?

The court can normally order the losing party to pay your court fees on the small claims track. That is an order, not a guarantee of payment, and enforcing it may cost a further fee.

Is mediation free for small claims?

Yes. GOV.UK says that if a claim of £10,000 or less is disputed, the parties will be told they must attend mediation, which the court organises by telephone free of charge. The appointment lasts up to one hour.

Can I pay less if I am on a low income?

You may qualify for Help with Fees (form EX160) if you receive certain benefits or have a low income and limited savings. Check the current rules on GOV.UK before you apply.

Fees and timescales 2026

Small Claims · Figures

Small claims court fees and timescales 2026

Fees checked 25 September 2026 against EX50 (schedule current from 13 July 2026). Timescales from MoJ Civil Justice Statistics Quarterly, April to June 2026, published 3 September 2026.

How much are small claims court fees in 2026?

You pay the issue fee when you start the claim. The fee is worked out on the total you claim, including interest. The hearing fee is only due if the defendant defends and the court lists a hearing.

Other fees you might meet

For what each fee covers and how to pay, see the

small claims court fees guide

How long does a small claim take to reach trial?

The MoJ measures the time from the date a claim is issued to the date of the trial, for claims that go to a trial on the small claims track in England and Wales.

The median is the middle case: half of trials happened sooner and half later. The mean is higher because some claims take much longer.

For the stages in between (the defendant’s response, allocation, mediation and directions), see

how long a small claim takes

How many claims actually reach a trial?

Very few, compared with the number issued. In April to June 2026, 495,000 money claims were issued in the county court, 21,000 claims were allocated to the small claims track and there were 8,926 small claims trials. In the same quarter, 94% of the 368,000 judgments made in the county court were default judgments, where the defendant did not respond (MoJ Civil Justice Statistics Quarterly, April to June 2026).

Before a disputed claim of £10,000 or less reaches a hearing, the parties will be told they must attend free telephone mediation run by HMCTS (

GOV.UK: small claims mediation

). If it settles there, no hearing fee is needed.

Questions people ask

Small claims court fees guide

How long does a small claim take?

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