What is the purpose of sending a cover letter with an Acknowledgement of Service?

This letter accompanies Form N9 to acknowledge service of a claim and state your intention to defend. It prevents a default judgment and preserves your right to file a full Defence. By acknowledging service, you gain 28 days from the service of the Particulars of Claim to file your Defence, rather than the standard 14 days. The letter must be sent alongside the filed form to be effective.

When should I not use this acknowledgement of service letter?

No, you should not use this letter if you intend to admit the claim in full. In that case, you must use Form N9A (Admission) instead. Additionally, do not use this letter if the deadline for acknowledging service has already passed without prior court permission, or if you are disputing the court's jurisdiction, which requires a separate application under CPR Part 11.

What are the common mistakes to avoid when acknowledging service?

The letter alone is not sufficient; you must file Form N9 with the court. You must also specify an address for service in England and Wales, as required by CPR r.10.5. A common error is assuming the 28-day Defence deadline runs from the date of acknowledgement; it actually runs from the service of the Particulars of Claim. Missing the initial 14-day deadline allows the claimant to apply for default judgment.

Does acknowledging service give me more time to file my Defence?

Yes, acknowledging service extends the time available to file your Defence. Instead of the initial 14-day period, you have 28 days from the service of the Particulars of Claim to file your Defence. This is governed by CPR Part 10 and Part 15. The letter should clearly state that the Defence will be filed within this 28-day window to preserve your rights.

What details must be included in the cover letter?

The letter should include the claim number, the date the claim form was served, and the name of the court where Form N9 was filed. It must state the defendant's address for service in England and Wales. It should also confirm the intention to defend and specify the deadline for filing the Defence, which is 28 days from the service of the Particulars of Claim.

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Legal Proceedings

Civil Litigation

Updated 2026-05-17

Cover Letter — Acknowledgement of Service (Intention to Defend)

Cover letter accompanying Form N9 acknowledging service of a claim and stating intention to defend, preserving the right to file a full Defence.

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 letter when you have received a claim form and wish to acknowledge service to prevent a default judgment, while preserving your right to file a Defence within 28 days of service of the Particulars of Claim. This buys you additional time beyond the initial 14-day period for acknowledging service.

When NOT to use this template

Do not use if you intend to admit the claim in full — use Form N9A (Admission) instead. Do not use if the deadline for acknowledging service has already passed without prior court permission. If you dispute the court's jurisdiction, file a separate application under CPR Part 11 rather than a standard acknowledgement.

Legal Basis

CPR Part 10 (acknowledgement of service) and CPR Part 15 (defence and reply). A defendant who acknowledges service has 28 days from service of the Particulars of Claim (rather than 14 days) to file a Defence. CPR r.10.3 sets out the time for filing an acknowledgement of service.

Before you send

Failing to file Form N9 with the court — this letter alone is not sufficient; the form must be filed at court
Missing the 14-day deadline for acknowledging service, which allows the claimant to apply for default judgment
Not specifying an address for service in England and Wales, which is required under CPR r.10.5

Common Mistakes to Avoid

✗Failing to file Form N9 with the court — this letter alone is not sufficient; the form must be filed at court
✗Missing the 14-day deadline for acknowledging service, which allows the claimant to apply for default judgment
✗Not specifying an address for service in England and Wales, which is required under CPR r.10.5
✗Assuming acknowledgement extends to a 28-day Defence deadline from the date of acknowledgement — the 28 days runs from service of Particulars of Claim

Build Your Letter

Fill in your details

Complete the fields below. Required fields are marked with *.

Your full name / firm name*

Your address*

Your email address*

Date of letter*

Claimant's solicitors / claimant's name*

Claimant's solicitors' address*

Salutation*

Claimant's full name*

Defendant's full name*

Claim number*

Date claim form was served*

Name of court*

Address for service in England and Wales*

Defence filing deadline (28 days from service of Particulars)*

Optional fields

Extension of time request (if applicable)

Any preliminary points or reservations

Letter preview

[YOUR FULL NAME / FIRM NAME]
[YOUR ADDRESS]
[YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS]

[DATE OF LETTER]

[CLAIMANT'S SOLICITORS / CLAIMANT'S NAME]
[CLAIMANT'S SOLICITORS' ADDRESS]

---

Dear [SALUTATION],

**[CLAIMANT'S FULL NAME] v [DEFENDANT'S FULL NAME]**
**Claim Number: [CLAIM NUMBER]**

I am writing in connection with the above proceedings. My client, [DEFENDANT'S FULL NAME], was served with the Claim Form on **[DATE CLAIM FORM WAS SERVED]**.

**Acknowledgement of Service**

Please be aware that my client has today filed at the [NAME OF COURT] a completed Form N9 (Acknowledgement of Service), indicating an intention to defend this claim in full.

**Address for Service**

My client's address for service for the purpose of these proceedings is:

[ADDRESS FOR SERVICE IN ENGLAND AND WALES]

All further documents and correspondence in connection with these proceedings should be directed to the above address.

**Defence**

My client's Defence will be filed at court and served upon you within 28 days of service of the Particulars of Claim, that is, by no later than **[DEFENCE FILING DEADLINE (28 DAYS FROM SERVICE OF PARTICULARS)]**, pursuant to CPR r.15.4(1)(b).

**Extension of Time**

[EXTENSION OF TIME REQUEST (IF APPLICABLE)]

**Jurisdiction / Preliminary Points**

[ANY PRELIMINARY POINTS OR RESERVATIONS]

My client reserves all rights in these proceedings, including the right to challenge the jurisdiction of this court, to bring a counterclaim, and to seek its costs.

Please acknowledge receipt of this letter.

Yours faithfully,

[YOUR FULL NAME / FIRM NAME]

Unfilled fields appear as [FIELD NAME]. Review the letter carefully before sending. This template is a starting point — adapt it to your specific circumstances.

Related Guides

Civil Litigation Process

Official Resources

CPR Part 10 — Acknowledgement of Service →CPR Part 15 — Defence and Reply →Form N9 — Acknowledgement of Service →

Frequently asked questions

What is the purpose of sending a cover letter with an Acknowledgement of Service?: This letter accompanies Form N9 to acknowledge service of a claim and state your intention to defend. It prevents a default judgment and preserves your right to file a full Defence. By acknowledging service, you gain 28 days from the service of the Particulars of Claim to file your Defence, rather than the standard 14 days. The letter must be sent alongside the filed form to be effective.
When should I not use this acknowledgement of service letter?: No, you should not use this letter if you intend to admit the claim in full. In that case, you must use Form N9A (Admission) instead. Additionally, do not use this letter if the deadline for acknowledging service has already passed without prior court permission, or if you are disputing the court's jurisdiction, which requires a separate application under CPR Part 11.
What are the common mistakes to avoid when acknowledging service?: The letter alone is not sufficient; you must file Form N9 with the court. You must also specify an address for service in England and Wales, as required by CPR r.10.5. A common error is assuming the 28-day Defence deadline runs from the date of acknowledgement; it actually runs from the service of the Particulars of Claim. Missing the initial 14-day deadline allows the claimant to apply for default judgment.
Does acknowledging service give me more time to file my Defence?: Yes, acknowledging service extends the time available to file your Defence. Instead of the initial 14-day period, you have 28 days from the service of the Particulars of Claim to file your Defence. This is governed by CPR Part 10 and Part 15. The letter should clearly state that the Defence will be filed within this 28-day window to preserve your rights.
What details must be included in the cover letter?: The letter should include the claim number, the date the claim form was served, and the name of the court where Form N9 was filed. It must state the defendant's address for service in England and Wales. It should also confirm the intention to defend and specify the deadline for filing the Defence, which is 28 days from the service of the Particulars of Claim.