For Litigants in Person
Represent yourself in court effectively with guides, templates and tools covering civil litigation procedure and court rules.
Common Problems
Your Rights
Key Legal Topics
Civil Litigation
The procedural framework for resolving civil disputes in the courts of England & Wales, governed by the Civil Procedure Rules 1998.
Evidence & Procedure
Rules of evidence, burden of proof, civil and criminal procedure, and court hierarchy.
Contract Law
Formation, terms, breach, and remedies in agreements enforceable by law.
Useful Guides
How to File Small Claims in the County Court
How to file small claims in England and Wales: letter before claim, online issue, fees, mediation, hearing, judgment and enforcement.
How to Prepare an Evidence Bundle for Court
A practical guide to preparing a paginated, indexed bundle of documents for a County Court, Employment Tribunal, or other civil hearing.
How to Respond to a County Court Judgment
What to do if you receive a County Court Judgment (CCJ) — including how to pay, dispute, or apply to set it aside.
Applying to Set Aside a Default Judgment
How to apply to the County Court to cancel a default judgment entered against you when you did not file a defence.
Applying for Legal Aid
How to check eligibility and apply for legal aid funding in civil and criminal cases in England & Wales.
Starting Arbitration or Mediation
How to resolve a dispute through arbitration or mediation instead of going to court. Explains the difference between a binding arbitration award, governed by the Arbitration Act 1996 as amended by the Arbitration Act 2025, and a mediated settlement that only binds the parties once they sign an agreement.
Using Neighbourhood Mediation
How to use mediation to resolve disputes with neighbours — including noise, boundaries, and anti-social behaviour.
Letter Templates
Witness Statement Skeleton
CPR-compliant skeleton witness statement with statement of truth, for use in County Court or Employment Tribunal proceedings.
Legal Chronology
Date-ordered table of key events, documents, and references for use in litigation and tribunal proceedings.
Letter Before Action — Debt Recovery
Pre-action letter formally demanding payment of a debt within 14 days, complying with the Pre-Action Protocol for Debt Claims.
Response to a Statutory Demand
Formal response disputing a statutory demand for payment, to be used as the basis for an application to set the demand aside before the 18-day deadline.
Application to Set Aside a Default CCJ
Application under CPR Part 13 to set aside a default County Court Judgment (CCJ) where judgment was entered without a defence being filed.
Legal Tools & Calculators
Limitation Period Calculator
Calculate the deadline for bringing a civil claim in England & Wales. Covers personal injury, contract, negligence, judicial review, defamation, land, and more.
Court Fee Calculator
Instantly calculate the civil court issue fee for money claims in England & Wales based on the current fee scale, plus hearing fees and remission information.
Small Claims Track Checker
Find out which court track your civil claim is likely to be allocated to — small claims, fast track, or multi-track — based on your claim type and value.
Common Scenarios
What Happens If You Win a Small Claim but the Defendant Doesn't Pay?
Winning a small claims judgment is only the first step. If the defendant doesn't pay, you need to enforce the judgment — a separate legal process with several options.
What Happens If You Miss a Court Deadline in a Civil Case?
Missing a court deadline in a civil case can have serious consequences, from the claim being struck out to costs penalties. Acting immediately is essential.
What Happens If a Default Judgment Is Made Against You?
A default judgment is entered when a defendant fails to respond to a court claim in time. It is not automatic that it will stand — you can apply to have it set aside.
What Happens If You Ignore a County Court Judgment?
A County Court Judgment (CCJ) that is ignored will affect your credit rating and can be enforced through several increasingly serious methods.
What Happens If Bailiffs Come to Your Home?
Bailiffs (civil enforcement agents) can attend your home to collect debts or enforce court orders. You have important rights about what they can and cannot do.
What Happens If You Receive a Witness Summons?
A witness summons (witness subpoena) compels you to attend court and give evidence. Failure to comply is a serious matter. You have some limited grounds to object.
Frequently asked questions
- When should I get a solicitor instead of representing myself?
- You should seek legal advice if your claim exceeds £10,000, involves complex legal arguments, or if the opposing party is legally represented. While many small claims can be handled without a solicitor, these specific circumstances warrant professional support to ensure your case is managed effectively within the civil litigation procedure.
- Where can I get free legal advice if I am representing myself?
- Free legal advice is available from Citizens Advice, law centres, and court-based legal advice schemes. Additionally, the Personal Support Unit operates in many courts to assist litigants in person. These resources can help you understand court rules and prepare for proceedings without incurring legal fees.
- What kinds of guides and tools are available for litigants in person?
- The website provides guides, templates, and tools covering civil litigation procedure and court rules. Specific resources include help for starting or defending small claims, preparing evidence bundles, writing witness statements, and understanding limitation periods. These materials are designed to help you represent yourself effectively in court.
When to Get Legal Advice
While many small claims can be handled without a solicitor, you should seek legal advice if your claim exceeds £10,000, involves complex legal arguments, or if the opposing party is legally represented. Free advice is available from Citizens Advice, law centres and court-based legal advice schemes (the Personal Support Unit operates in many courts). Always consider mediation before issuing proceedings — it is faster, cheaper and increasingly required by the courts.