Free Interactive Tool

Small Claims Court Fees
Calculator UK 2026

Find out exactly what it costs to take someone to the small claims court in England and Wales — issue fee, hearing fee, and your estimated net recovery — in under 30 seconds.

Updated April 2026England & WalesClaims up to £25,000No sign-up needed

Your Claim Details

Claim Amount (£) *

Type of Claim

I've sent a Letter Before Action

Courts expect this before filing — it can also prompt settlement without going to court.

Include statutory interest

You can claim 8% p.a. interest on business debts under the Late Payment Act.

Enter your claim amount to get started

Your fee breakdown will appear here instantly — no sign-up required.

Small Claims Court Fee Table 2026

All fees for England and Wales, effective April 2026. These are the standard court fees — you may also be eligible for a fee remission if you're on a low income.

Claim Amount	Issue Fee	Hearing Fee	Total
Up to £300	£35	£27	£62
£300.01 – £500	£50	£55	£105
£500.01 – £1,000	£70	£80	£150
£1,000.01 – £1,500	£80	£115	£195
£1,500.01 – £3,000	£115	£170	£285
£3,000.01 – £5,000	£205	£335	£540
£5,000.01 – £10,000	£455	£335	£790
£10,000.01 – £25,000	£610	£545	£1155

Fee remission: If you're on a low income or receiving certain benefits, you may qualify for a full or partial fee remission using form EX160. Check the government's Help with Fees service before paying.

How to File a Small Claims Court Claim in 2026

The process is more straightforward than most people expect — but preparation is everything.

Send a Letter Before Action

Before filing, you must give the other party a formal written warning — typically 14 days for individuals, 7 days for businesses. This is a pre-action protocol requirement. Many disputes settle at this stage.

A properly structured LBA from Claim Builder includes the legal basis for your claim, the amount owed, and a clear deadline.

Generate LBA — £99

File Online via MCOL or at Court

You can file online through Money Claim Online (MCOL) for straightforward money claims, or submit a paper N1 form at your local county court. Online filing is faster and you can track progress.

MCOL is only for money claims. For property disputes or other issues, you'll need to file at court using the N1 form.

Defendant Has 14 Days to Respond

Once served, the defendant has 14 days to acknowledge the claim and 28 days to file a defence. If they don't respond, you can apply for a default judgment — often without a hearing.

Default judgments are common for straightforward debt claims where the defendant simply ignores the proceedings.

Attend the Hearing (if needed)

If the defendant disputes the claim, a hearing is scheduled — usually within 3–6 months. Small claims hearings are informal. You don't need a solicitor. The judge will ask both sides to explain their position.

Bring all your evidence: contracts, invoices, emails, photos, and any expert reports. Organisation wins cases.

Judgment and Enforcement

If you win, the court issues a judgment. If the defendant still doesn't pay, you'll need to enforce it — through bailiffs, attachment of earnings, or a charging order on their property.

Winning a judgment is step one. Enforcement is step two — and it's where many claimants get stuck without the right guidance.

Enforcement Pack — £64.99

Recover Your Fees

In small claims, you can recover your court fees from the defendant if you win. You cannot usually recover legal costs — which is why keeping your own costs low matters.

This is why Claim Builder's fixed-fee model makes sense — you keep the maximum possible from your recovery.