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.
Official Sources
Related Guides
Frequently asked questions
- What is the maximum amount I can claim in small claims?
- The small claims track is designed for civil money claims up to £10,000. However, the limit is £1,000 for personal injury claims and £25,000 for some tenant claims. This process is intended for individuals and small businesses, often involving litigants in person, where costs recovery is very limited.
- Do I need to send a letter before I can start court proceedings?
- Before issuing court proceedings, you must send a pre-action protocol letter setting out your claim, evidence, and the amount sought. The other side typically has 14 to 30 days to respond. Most pre-action protocols require this step to be completed before you can formally start the legal process.
- Is mediation required before a small claims hearing?
- From May 2024, telephone mediation is mandatory for claims under £10,000 unless an exemption applies. This service is free. If mediation fails, the case proceeds to a hearing. If it succeeds, the settlement is recorded as a binding consent order.
- How long does the small claims process usually take?
- The total time from filing to judgment typically ranges from 4 to 9 months. This duration includes the pre-action letter stage, online filing, the defendant's response period, mediation, and the final hearing. The exact timeline can vary depending on the complexity of the case and court schedules.
- What can I do if the defendant does not pay the judgment?
- If the defendant does not pay after you win, you can use several enforcement options. These include using a County Court bailiff, High Court enforcement for judgments over £600, attachment of earnings, a third-party debt order, or a charging order on property.
- How much does it cost to file a small claims case online?
- You can issue the claim online via Money Claims Online (MCOL) or Civil Money Claims. The filing fee ranges from £10 to £455 depending on the claim value. This method is generally quicker and cheaper than paper filing. Additionally, there is a separate hearing fee ranging from £27 to £346.