General Letter Before Claim

Legal Basis

CPR Practice Direction — Pre-Action Conduct and Protocols. Parties are expected to exchange sufficient information to understand each other's positions, try to resolve the dispute, and only litigate if necessary. Unreasonable failure to engage with pre-action correspondence can result in adverse costs orders under CPR r.44.2.

• ✗Failing to give a reasonable response deadline — 14 days is standard for most civil claims
• ✗Not specifying the legal basis of the claim (contract, tort, unjust enrichment) — this can result in a complaint that the LBC was inadequate
• ✗Failing to identify the sum claimed or how it is calculated — courts expect the quantum to be specified
• ✗Not attaching or identifying the key documents you intend to rely on
• ✗Sending to the wrong address — ensure the letter reaches the correct legal entity (company, individual, partnership)

Build Your Letter

[YOUR FULL NAME]
[YOUR ADDRESS]
[YOUR EMAIL]

[DATE OF LETTER]

[DEFENDANT'S NAME / COMPANY NAME]
[DEFENDANT'S ADDRESS]

---

Dear [DEFENDANT'S NAME / COMPANY NAME],

**LETTER BEFORE CLAIM — CIVIL PROCEEDINGS**

I write to notify you that I intend to issue civil court proceedings against you unless the matters set out in this letter are resolved within [RESPONSE DEADLINE (DAYS)] days of the date of this letter.

**1. The Parties**

I am: [YOUR FULL NAME], of [YOUR ADDRESS].

You are: [DEFENDANT'S NAME / COMPANY NAME], of [DEFENDANT'S ADDRESS].

**2. The Dispute**

[DESCRIPTION OF THE DISPUTE]

**3. Legal Basis of Claim**

[LEGAL BASIS OF CLAIM]

**4. Amount Claimed**

The amount I am seeking is **[TOTAL AMOUNT CLAIMED (£)]**, calculated as follows:

[HOW THE AMOUNT IS CALCULATED]

In addition, I reserve the right to claim interest under the Late Payment of Commercial Debts (Interest) Act 1998 / the County Courts Act 1984 s.69 at the rate of 8% per annum from [DATE FROM WHICH INTEREST RUNS].

**5. Documents I Rely On**

In support of this claim I rely on the following documents, copies of which are enclosed / available on request:

[LIST OF SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS]

**6. What I Require From You**

I require you to, within [RESPONSE DEADLINE (DAYS)] days of the date of this letter:

(a) Confirm whether you admit or deny the claim;
(b) If you deny the claim, set out the grounds of your denial and provide any documents you rely on;
(c) Indicate whether you are willing to negotiate or to use alternative dispute resolution (such as mediation) to resolve the dispute.

**7. Consequences of Failure to Respond**

If I do not receive a satisfactory response within [RESPONSE DEADLINE (DAYS)] days, I intend to issue a claim in the county court without further notice. In that event, I will draw this letter to the court's attention and invite the court to take your conduct into account when deciding costs.

Yours faithfully,

[YOUR FULL NAME]

Related Guides

• Small Claims Court
• Pre Action Protocols
• Civil Claim Process

Related Rights

• Right To A Fair Trial

Frequently asked questions

What is a letter before claim and why is it required?

A letter before claim is a formal document sent to a potential defendant before issuing civil court proceedings. It complies with the CPR Practice Direction on Pre-Action Conduct by setting out the nature of the dispute, the legal basis, the amount claimed, and a reasonable deadline for response. Courts expect compliance with this protocol and may impose cost penalties if it is not followed.

Which types of disputes cannot use this general letter before claim template?

You should not use this general template for personal injury claims, housing disrepair claims, debt claims, or employment disputes. Personal injury and housing disrepair claims have their own specific protocols. For debt claims, you must use the Debt Claims Protocol Response Pack. For employment disputes, you must first engage with the ACAS conciliation process.

What specific details must be included in the letter to avoid it being considered inadequate?

The letter must specify the legal basis of the claim, such as contract, tort, or unjust enrichment. It must also identify the exact sum claimed and explain how it is calculated. Additionally, you must attach or identify the key documents you intend to rely on. Failing to include these details can result in the letter being considered inadequate.

How long should I give the other party to respond to my letter?

A response deadline of 14 days is standard for most civil claims. The letter should require the recipient to confirm whether they admit or deny the claim, provide grounds for denial if applicable, and indicate their willingness to negotiate or use alternative dispute resolution, such as mediation, to resolve the matter.

What happens if the other party does not respond to my letter?

If the recipient fails to respond within the deadline, you can issue a claim in the county court without further notice. You should draw the letter to the court's attention and invite the court to consider the other party's conduct when deciding costs. Unreasonable failure to engage with pre-action correspondence can result in adverse costs orders under CPR r.44.2.

Can I include interest in the amount I am claiming?

Yes, the letter can reserve the right to claim interest. The template references the Late Payment of Commercial Debts (Interest) Act 1998 or the County Courts Act 1984 s.69, allowing for interest at a rate of 8% per annum from a specified start date. You must clearly state the date from which interest runs in the letter.