Small Claims through the Court

Overview

If you are owed money by an individual or a business and have tried to resolve the matter but are not making progress, you can make a claim through the County Court. It often referred to as taking someone to a ‘small claims court’

You should follow pre-action conduct to inform the other party of your intention to take legal action against them. This may take the form of a letter or a pre-action protocol

A letter before action should include: 

  • Your name and address 
  • The recipient’s name and address 
  • A summary of the facts 
  • The legal basis for the claim
  • A statement of what you’re seeking (damages, compensation, etc.) 
  • A reasonable time limit for a response 
  • A statement that you will initiate court proceedings if you don’t receive a response 

You can apply to a county court to claim money you’re owed by a person or business.

This is known as making a court claim. It often used to be known as taking someone to a ‘small claims court’.

Starting your claim online

You can Make a money claim online, or you could Try the new online service for claims of £25,000 or less

You’ll be asked for the name, address and email address of the person you’re claiming against.

You’ll also need either:

If you still need to apply for help with fees, you can do this while you make your money claim online.

Your claim, including your name and address, will be sent to the person or business owing you money (the ‘defendant’).

They must respond to your claim. You’ll be sent a letter or email telling you the date they need to respond by.

You can update your claim online or by phone 

Starting your claim by post

If you cannot claim online you can claim by post, download and fill in paper claim form N1. There are comprehensive notes on form N1A. Notes for claimant: N1A

Send the paper form to the Civil National Business Centre with a cheque or postal order for your court fee. If you’re applying for help with fees send the paper form with either:

  • the ‘help with fees’ reference number you’ll get when you apply for help online
  • your completed ‘help with fees’ application form, if you’re applying for help by post

Civil National Business Centre
St Katharine’s House
21-27 St Katharine’s Street
Northampton
NN1 2LH

Last Updated on May 29, 2026 by Ashford Advice