Skeleton Defence Document
A structured skeleton defence for use in county court proceedings, setting out the defendant's position paragraph by paragraph in response to a Particulars of Claim.
This template was not drafted by a solicitor.
It is an editorial reference based on the official sources we cite. You are responsible for any document you send. For high-stakes matters (court proceedings, large sums, deportation, criminal allegations, child welfare), have a regulated solicitor review or draft your document.
When to use this template
Use this template when you have received a county court claim (Form N1 or Money Claim Online) and need to file a Defence. You must file your Defence within 14 days of service of the Particulars of Claim (or 28 days if you have filed an Acknowledgement of Service). This skeleton helps you structure a clear, paragraph-by-paragraph response.
When NOT to use this template
Do not use this template for defending employment tribunal claims, immigration matters, or criminal proceedings — they have entirely different procedural rules. Do not file a Defence if you intend to admit the claim in full; use Form N9A instead. If the claim is for a debt you dispute, consider also whether to make a counterclaim.
Legal Basis
Civil Procedure Rules Part 15 (Defence and Reply); CPR Practice Direction 15; CPR Part 16.5 (contents of defence — defendant must state which allegations are admitted, denied, or not admitted, and give reasons for denial). Failure to file a Defence may result in a default judgment under CPR Part 12.
Before you send
- Simply writing 'I deny everything' without giving grounds — CPR r.16.5(2) requires a reason for each denial
- Missing the 14-day deadline without filing an Acknowledgement of Service first (which gives 28 days total)
- Failing to set out any positive case you wish to rely on — the Defence is your opportunity to introduce your own facts
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- ✗Simply writing 'I deny everything' without giving grounds — CPR r.16.5(2) requires a reason for each denial
- ✗Missing the 14-day deadline without filing an Acknowledgement of Service first (which gives 28 days total)
- ✗Failing to set out any positive case you wish to rely on — the Defence is your opportunity to introduce your own facts
- ✗Not responding to each numbered paragraph in the Particulars of Claim in turn
- ✗Forgetting to sign and date the Defence and include a statement of truth
Build Your Letter
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Letter preview
IN THE COUNTY COURT AT [COURT NAME] Claim Number: [CLAIM NUMBER] **BETWEEN:** [CLAIMANT'S FULL NAME] — Claimant and [DEFENDANT'S FULL NAME (YOU)] — Defendant --- **DEFENCE** The Defendant, [DEFENDANT'S FULL NAME (YOU)], sets out his/her/their Defence to the Particulars of Claim dated [DATE OF PARTICULARS OF CLAIM] as follows. **Paragraph 1 — Admission / Denial** [RESPONSE TO PARAGRAPH 1 OF PARTICULARS OF CLAIM] **Paragraph 2 — Admission / Denial** [RESPONSE TO PARAGRAPH 2] **Paragraph 3 — Admission / Denial** [RESPONSE TO PARAGRAPH 3] **Paragraph 4 — Admission / Denial** [RESPONSE TO PARAGRAPH 4] **Paragraph 5 — Admission / Denial** [RESPONSE TO PARAGRAPH 5] **The Defendant's Positive Case** [YOUR OWN POSITIVE CASE / FACTS YOU RELY UPON] **Quantum** [RESPONSE TO AMOUNT CLAIMED] **Relief** The Defendant asks the Court to dismiss the claim and, if appropriate, to award the Defendant his/her/their costs. --- **STATEMENT OF TRUTH** I believe that the facts stated in this Defence are true. I understand that proceedings for contempt of court may be brought against anyone who makes, or causes to be made, a false statement in a document verified by a statement of truth without an honest belief in its truth. Signed: ___________________________ Full name: [DEFENDANT'S FULL NAME (YOU)] Date: [DATE SIGNED] Address for service: [YOUR ADDRESS FOR SERVICE]
Unfilled fields appear as [FIELD NAME]. Review the letter carefully before sending. This template is a starting point — adapt it to your specific circumstances.