Everything You Need to Win Your Small Claims Case
Free guides, calculators, templates and court guides — written for people who are taking someone to small claims court without a solicitor.
Am I Eligible to Bring a Small Claim?
Answer five questions — find out whether your dispute qualifies for the small claims track and what route to take.
Court Fees 2026 — Full Fee Table
Every MCOL and paper fee band for England and Wales. Plus how to apply for a fee remission if you cannot afford to pay.
The Small Claims Process, Step by Step
From sending a Letter Before Action to receiving judgment — a plain-English walkthrough of every stage.
Letter Before Action — Complete Guide
The mandatory first step before issuing any claim. What to say, how long to give, and what happens if they ignore it.
Money Claim Online (MCOL) — How to File
Step-by-step guide to filing your claim online via HMCTS. Screenshots, common errors, and what to do once submitted.
The N1 Claim Form — Every Section Explained
What each field of the N1 form means, how to complete particulars of claim, and what judges actually look for.
What Evidence Do I Need?
Documents, photographs, contracts, messages, and witness evidence — what matters and how to organise it for a hearing.
Small Claims Mediation Explained
HMCTS offers a free telephone mediation service. What it involves, when it applies, and whether to engage with it.
What Happens at a Small Claims Hearing
Arrival, the courtroom layout, giving evidence, cross-examination, costs submissions, and when you get the decision.
How Long Does Small Claims Court Take?
Realistic timelines from filing to judgment — and the factors that push cases into longer tracks.
Do I Need a Solicitor for Small Claims?
Honest answer: usually no. Why solicitor costs are almost never recoverable — and when professional help is worth it anyway.
I've Been Served a Claim — What Do I Do?
The 14-day deadline to respond, your four options, directions questionnaires, and how to file a counterclaim.
Applying for Default Judgment
If the defendant fails to respond within 14 days, you can apply for judgment automatically. Here is how.
Getting a Default Judgment Set Aside
If judgment was entered against you in error or without notice — the grounds, the form, and the test courts apply.
Claiming for Unpaid Invoices
Freelancers, contractors, and tradespeople — how to recover money owed for work done. Includes limitation, interest, and evidence.
Faulty Goods — Consumer Rights Act Claims
Your three-tier right to reject, repair, or replace under the Consumer Rights Act 2015 — and when to use small claims to enforce it.
Deposit Disputes — Getting Your Money Back
Whether it is a tenancy deposit outside a scheme, a builder's retention, or a trader's holding deposit — how to claim it back.
Breach of Contract Claims
What makes a contract legally binding, the elements of a breach claim, and how to quantify your loss.
Builder and Tradesperson Disputes
Shoddy work, incomplete jobs, overcharging, and abandoned projects — your consumer rights and how to use small claims.
Landlord Disputes (Non-Deposit)
Rent repayments, unlawful deductions, failure to repair, and harassment — what you can and cannot claim in small claims.
Road Traffic Accident Claims
Small claims for minor accidents, uninsured drivers, and disputes below £10,000. Includes the Official Injury Claim portal.
Holiday and Travel Complaints
Flight cancellations, package holiday failures, accommodation not as described — which regime applies and where to claim.
Professional Negligence (Sub-£10k)
Accountants, surveyors, IT consultants, and others who gave bad advice — the negligence test and limitation rules.
Online Marketplace Disputes
Disputes with sellers on eBay, Amazon, Vinted, and Etsy — when to claim against the seller and when the platform is liable.
Second-Hand Car Disputes
Misrepresented condition, undisclosed faults, finance agreement issues — your rights under the Consumer Rights Act.
Package Holiday Claims — ATOL and Beyond
Significant alteration, failure to provide services, and what happens if your operator becomes insolvent.
Neighbour Disputes and Property Damage
Boundary disputes, nuisance, and damage caused by neighbours — what small claims can and cannot resolve.
Subscription and Digital Service Refunds
Unused subscriptions, software that didn't work, automatic renewals — your rights and how to recover payment.
Court Fee Calculator
Enter your claim amount — get the exact MCOL fee, paper N1 fee, and how much interest to add before filing.
8% Statutory Interest Calculator
Calculate the statutory interest owed on your debt from the date it fell due. Shows daily rate and total to add to your claim.
Limitation Period Checker
Enter the date the problem arose — find out whether you are still within the six-year (or two-year) window to claim.
Letter Before Action Generator
Answer eight questions and get a fully drafted LBA you can send immediately. Covers the pre-action protocol requirements.
Particulars of Claim Builder
Build clear, legally structured particulars for any common claim type — faulty goods, unpaid invoice, deposit dispute.
Fee Remission Eligibility Check
Find out whether your income and savings qualify you for a full or partial court fee waiver using form EX160.
Which Track Will My Claim Be Allocated To?
Small, fast, or multi-track — how courts decide, what it means for costs recovery, and how to influence the outcome.
How to Value Your Claim Correctly
Adding interest, including consequential losses, deducting mitigation — and why over-claiming can hurt your credibility.
Letter Before Action Template
A plain-English LBA covering the claim, the amount, the response deadline, and the next step if ignored. Compliant with the pre-action protocol.
Final Letter Before Action
A firmer second letter for use after no response to the first. Creates a stronger paper trail and signals intent to proceed.
Particulars of Claim: Unpaid Invoice
Ready-to-use particulars covering the agreement, the invoice, the non-payment, the amount owed, and the interest calculation.
Particulars of Claim: Faulty Goods
Sets out the purchase, the fault, the rejection or repair request, the refusal, and the Consumer Rights Act basis for the claim.
Particulars of Claim: Deposit Dispute
Covers the contractual basis for the deposit, the failure to return it, and any scheme protection obligations breached.
Particulars of Claim: Breach of Contract
General-purpose contract breach particulars — agreement, obligation, breach, loss. Adaptable to most contract disputes.
Settlement Offer Letter
A without prejudice offer to settle before or during proceedings — what to include, what to protect, and when to use it.
Witness Statement Template
The correct format for a small claims witness statement — statement of truth, structure, and what judges want to see.
Enforcing a Small Claims Judgment — Overview
What to do when the defendant refuses to pay voluntarily. All five enforcement methods explained, with fees and typical timescales.
Warrant of Control — Using Enforcement Agents
Sending enforcement agents (formerly bailiffs) to recover the debt. When it works, when it doesn't, and the £83 application fee.
Attachment of Earnings Order
Deducting regular payments from the defendant's wages. Who qualifies, the protected earnings rate, and how long it takes.
Third-Party Debt Order
Freezing money in the defendant's bank account and redirecting it to you. Interim and final orders explained.
Charging Order on Property
Securing your judgment against the defendant's home or land. How to apply, the two-stage process, and order for sale.
County Court Judgments (CCJs) Explained
What a CCJ means for the defendant, how it affects credit ratings, and why most defendants pay within 30 days of judgment.
Oral Examination — Finding Out What They Own
Summoning the defendant to court to reveal their assets before choosing an enforcement method. The process and what to ask.
Enforcing a Judgment Against Someone Abroad
Reciprocal enforcement across EU member states, the Republic of Ireland, and how foreign judgments can be registered in England.
Small Claims Courts in London
Central London, East London, Clerkenwell, Mayor's and City, and West London county courts — locations, listings, and local rules.
Manchester County Court
Civil Justice Centre on Bridge Street West. Listings, online filing, what to expect at a Manchester small claims hearing.
Birmingham Civil Justice Centre
The Priory Courts on Bull Street. Filing, hearing dates, parking, and the Birmingham district judge approach to small claims.
Bristol Civil Justice Centre
Redcliff Street. How to file, what happens on the day, and Bristol-specific median timescales for small claims allocation.
Combined Court Centre on Oxford Row. Filing online vs in person, typical hearing wait times, and the Leeds mediation service.
Sheffield County Court
The Law Courts on West Bar. What to file locally, how the Sheffield court handles paper N1 forms, and typical timelines.
Liverpool Civil and Family Court
Vernon Street. Small claims listings, telephone hearings available from Liverpool, and local enforcement agents.
Newcastle Civil and Family Court
The Quayside courthouse. Online and paper filing, Northeast England enforcement agents, and typical allocation timescales.
Cardiff Civil and Family Justice Centre (Wales)
Park Street, Cardiff. Bilingual proceedings, Welsh-language rights in court, and the Wales small claims contact point.
Nottingham County Court
The Combined Court Centre on Canal Street. Local filing options, District Judge listings, and enforcement in the East Midlands.
Reading County Court
The Civil Justice Centre on Friar Street. Thames Valley small claims hearings — what to expect and how to request telephone.
Southampton Combined Court
London Road. Small claims track, Southern England enforcement options, and how to transfer a MCOL claim to Southampton.
Cambridge County Court
East Anglian hearings. How claims filed via MCOL are allocated to Cambridge and what the local paper filing process involves.
Exeter Combined Court
Southernhay Gardens. South West England small claims, local enforcement agents covering Devon and Cornwall, and hearing dates.
Small Claims A–Z Glossary
Every term you will encounter — from allocation questionnaire to without prejudice — defined in plain English.
Particulars of Claim
The written statement setting out your claim, the facts you rely on, and the remedy you seek. Required on the N1 form.
The paper form used to issue a claim in a county court. Can be filed in person or by post — MCOL is the online equivalent.
Directions Questionnaire (DQ)
Completed by both parties after a defence is filed. Tells the court about witnesses, hearing availability, and whether mediation is suitable.
Pre-Action Protocol for Debt Claims
The steps both sides must take before issuing proceedings — including the information sheet and reply form for consumer debts.
Judgment entered automatically when a defendant fails to file an acknowledgement or defence within 14 days.
The window within which you must bring your claim. Usually six years for contract claims under the Limitation Act 1980.
County Court Judgment (CCJ)
A judgment for debt entered in the County Court. Registered at the Registry Trust and visible on credit files for six years.
An order authorising enforcement agents to attend the defendant's premises and seize goods to the value of the judgment.
Consumer Rights Act 2015
The principal statute for consumer goods, digital content, and services disputes. Defines satisfactory quality and the right to reject.
A communication made in genuine settlement negotiations that cannot be used as evidence at trial if talks break down.
Small Claims Mediation Service
Free HMCTS telephone mediation available on defended claims under £10,000. Attended by both parties with a trained mediator.
A signed statement on pleadings, witness statements, and applications confirming that the facts stated are true. Signing falsely is contempt of court.
Everything You Need to Win Your Small Claims Case
✓ No sign-up required
✓ England & Wales, updated 2026
✓ Written for claimants, not lawyers
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New to small claims? Start here. These guides cover everything from whether you have a claim through to what happens at the hearing.
The small claims track handles a wide range of disputes. Find the guide that matches your situation for claim-specific rules, evidence, and tactics.
Get the numbers right before you file. Getting your claim value wrong — or missing a limitation deadline — are the two most common avoidable mistakes.
These templates give you the correct structure and legal wording for each stage. For an AI-generated letter or particulars of claim tailored to your specific facts,
Winning is one thing. Getting paid is another. Around a third of small claims judgments require enforcement action. Here is what your options are and how each one works.
Small claims hearings are held at your local county court. Most claims filed via Money Claim Online are automatically allocated to the defendant's nearest court. Find yours below.
Scotland and Northern Ireland:
Small claims operate under different systems — the Sheriff Court Summary Application procedure in Scotland and the Small Claims Court in Northern Ireland. The guides on this site cover England and Wales only.
Small claims uses legal terminology that can be confusing if you haven't encountered it before. Every term you will see on court forms and correspondence is defined here.
Ready to build your actual claim?
The resources above are free forever. When you are ready to turn your dispute into a structured claim — with a drafted Letter Before Action, court-ready particulars, and a step-by-step case plan — that is what Start My Claim is built for.