Start My Claim

A free Letter Before Action template for small claims court. What to include, how to send it, and what to do when the deadline passes. Covers debt, faulty goods, and unpaid invoices.

How to write and send a Letter Before Action

Step-by-step guide to writing, sending, and following up a Letter Before Action for a small claims court case.

Set out the facts clearly

State who you are, who you are writing to, and what happened. Include dates, amounts, and references to any contract or invoice.

State the remedy you want

Be specific: the exact sum you are claiming, or the action you want taken. Include any statutory interest you intend to add.

Give a clear deadline

Give 14 days for individuals or 30 days for businesses to respond or pay. State that you will issue a court claim if the deadline passes without resolution.

Send by recorded delivery and email

Send a hard copy by first-class recorded post and a copy by email. Keep proof of both. This ensures you can prove delivery if the matter goes to court.

Wait for the response

Allow the full deadline to pass. If they pay or propose to resolve the matter, respond in writing. If they ignore or refuse, proceed to issue the claim.

File via Money Claim Online

Go to moneyclaim.gov.uk and complete the online form. Attach your LBA, any contract or invoice, and evidence of the loss claimed.

Letter Before Action

What your LBA must include

Tick every item below before sending. Missing any of these will weaken your claim.

Sample Letter Before Action

Adapt this template to your own facts. Keep the language plain and factual.

Replace bracketed text with your own details. Attach copies of key documents (invoices, photos, correspondence).

What happens after you send it

Small claims court process

Unpaid invoice claims