Small Claims Track Journey
The small claims process for civil claims up to £10,000 — from letter before claim through online filing, mediation, hearing, and enforcement.
Who Uses This Journey
Individuals and small businesses with civil money claims up to £10,000 (£1,000 for personal injury, £25,000 for some tenant claims). Designed for litigants in person; costs recovery is very limited.
Stage-by-Stage Timeline
Letter before claim
Pre-action protocol letter setting out the claim, evidence, and amount sought. Most pre-action protocols require this before issuing court proceedings.
Money Claims Online (MCOL) or Civil Money Claims
Issue the claim online for £10–£455 depending on value. Quicker and cheaper than paper filing.
Defendant's response
Defendant has 14 days to acknowledge service (or 28 to file defence). May admit, defend, counterclaim, or default.
Directions Questionnaire (DQ)
Both parties complete Form N180 — track allocation, hearing preference, witness numbers, expert evidence. The court allocates to the small claims track.
Mediation (Small Claims Mediation Service)
Free telephone mediation for claims under £10,000. Mandatory from May 2024 — parties must engage unless an exemption applies.
- Settled (binding consent order)
- Mediation failed (proceeds to hearing)
Hearing
Listed in the County Court Money Claims Centre's local hearing centre. Informal — parties usually self-represent. Judge actively manages the hearing.
- Documents
- Photographs
- Witness statements
Judgment and enforcement
If you win and the defendant doesn't pay, enforcement options: County Court bailiff (Form N323), High Court enforcement (Form N293A) for judgments over £600, attachment of earnings, third-party debt order, charging order on property.