How long does small claims court take?
Add the phases up and you get the realistic total. Times below are typical for England & Wales as of April 2026.
14 days minimum required by the Pre-Action Protocol; most allow 21–30 days for a reply before issuing.
MCOL issues within 24–48 hours. The defendant is served by post and deemed served on the second business day.
They can pay, admit, defend, or file an Acknowledgment of Service (which buys them 14 more days).
After defence, both sides file a Directions Questionnaire (N180). The court allocates the claim to the small claims track and issues directions.
Free 1-hour HMCTS telephone mediation. Both parties must opt in. Settles around 70% of cases that try it.
Backlog varies by court. London and Manchester run busiest. Smaller regional courts often quicker.
Judge usually decides on the day. Defendant typically given 14 days to pay (longer if instalments agreed).
Five enforcement methods, each on its own timeline. Warrant of control is fastest.
How long does small claims court take?
| Phase | Typical time | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Letter Before Action | 2–4 weeks | 14 days minimum required by the Pre-Action Protocol; most allow 21–30 days for a reply before issuing. |
| Issue + service | 5–10 days | MCOL issues within 24–48 hours. The defendant is served by post and deemed served on the second business day. |
| Defendant response | 14 days (or 28 if AOS) | They can pay, admit, defend, or file an Acknowledgment of Service (which buys them 14 more days). |
| Allocation + DQ | 4–6 weeks | After defence, both sides file a Directions Questionnaire (N180). The court allocates the claim to the small claims track and issues directions. |
| Mediation (if both opt in) | 4–8 weeks | Free 1-hour HMCTS telephone mediation. Both parties must opt in. Settles around 70% of cases that try it. |
| Hearing date | 12–20 weeks from allocation | Backlog varies by court. London and Manchester run busiest. Smaller regional courts often quicker. |
| Judgment + payment | Same day; payment within 14 days | Judge usually decides on the day. Defendant typically given 14 days to pay (longer if instalments agreed). |
| Enforcement (if needed) | 4–12 weeks | Five enforcement methods, each on its own timeline. Warrant of control is fastest. |