Small Claims Court UK
The Complete Guide — Fees, Process & City Guides
Everything you need to recover money owed to you through the UK small claims court system. Step-by-step process, court fees, MCOL guide, and dedicated city pages for every major UK city.
£10,000
Max claim (England & Wales)
£35
Minimum court fee
14 days
LBA response window
No solicitor
Required for small claims
What Is the Small Claims Court?
The small claims court is a simplified, low-cost track within the county court system designed to help individuals and businesses recover money without needing a solicitor. In England and Wales, it handles disputes up to £10,000 — covering unpaid invoices, rent arrears, consumer disputes, poor workmanship, and most other money claims.
The process is deliberately informal. Hearings are held in a judge's room rather than a formal courtroom, and the rules of evidence are relaxed. You don't need legal training — just a clear account of what happened, supporting evidence, and the right documents.
Before filing a claim, you must send a Letter Before Action (LBA) — a formal demand giving the debtor 14 days to pay. This is a legal requirement under the Pre-Action Protocol, and many debts are settled at this stage without ever going to court.
England & Wales
£10,000
County Court / MCOL
Scotland
£5,000
Sheriff Court (Simple Procedure)
Northern Ireland
£3,000
Small Claims Court NI
Debt Recovery Pack
Everything from first demand to enforcement
One-off · Instant download
- Personalised Letter Before Action
- Case Strength Assessment
- Particulars of Claim Draft
- Step-by-Step Court Guide
- Enforcement Documents
- Evidence Checklist
- 14-Day Recovery Plan
No subscription · No solicitor needed
The Small Claims Process in the UK
From sending your first demand to enforcing a judgment — here's the complete process.
Send a Letter Before Action
A formal written demand giving the debtor 14 days to pay. Required under the Pre-Action Protocol. Many debts are settled here — a professional LBA is often enough.
File Your Claim (MCOL)
If they don't pay, file online at mcol.justice.gov.uk. You'll need the defendant's details, the amount claimed, and your Particulars of Claim. Pay the court fee by card.
Defendant Is Served
The court serves the claim on the defendant. They have 14 days to respond — they can pay, admit the claim, defend it, or do nothing.
Default Judgment (If No Response)
If the defendant doesn't respond within 14 days, you can apply for judgment in default. The court rules in your favour without a hearing.
Hearing (If Defended)
If defended, the court allocates the claim to the small claims track and sets a hearing date. Hearings are informal — no solicitor needed. The judge decides on the day.
Enforce the Judgment
If they still don't pay after judgment, enforce it using bailiffs (HCEO), attachment of earnings, charging orders, or third-party debt orders.
Small Claims Court Fees UK 2024
Court fees are set by HMCTS and apply across all county courts in England and Wales. They're paid when you file your claim and are recoverable from the defendant if you win. You may be eligible for a fee remission if you receive certain benefits.
| Claim Amount | Court Fee |
|---|---|
| Up to £300 | £35 |
| £300.01 – £500 | £50 |
| £500.01 – £1,000 | £70 |
| £1,000.01 – £1,500 | £80 |
| £1,500.01 – £3,000 | £115 |
| £3,000.01 – £5,000 | £205 |
| £5,000.01 – £10,000 | £455 |
| £10,000.01 – £100,000 | 5% of claim |
Fees are recoverable from the defendant if you win. Check if you qualify for a fee remission at gov.uk/get-help-with-court-fees.
Scotland — Simple Procedure Fees
| Claim Amount | Fee |
|---|---|
| Up to £200 | £18 |
| £200.01 – £500 | £41 |
| £500.01 – £1,000 | £69 |
| £1,000.01 – £3,000 | £97 |
| £3,000.01 – £5,000 | £124 |
Scotland uses the Simple Procedure for claims up to £5,000. MCOL is not available.
Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland has a separate court system. The Small Claims Court handles claims up to £3,000. Enforcement is handled by the Enforcement of Judgments Office (EJO).
Court Fee Calculator
Calculate your exact court fee instantly
How to Use Money Claim Online (MCOL)
MCOL is the UK government's online portal for filing money claims in England and Wales. It's faster, cheaper, and more convenient than filing paper forms at court.
Create an account
Register at mcol.justice.gov.uk. You'll need a valid email address and the defendant's full name and address.
Enter your claim details
Provide the amount claimed, the defendant's details, and your Particulars of Claim — a brief statement of why you're owed the money.
Pay the court fee
Pay by debit or credit card. Fees range from £35 to £455 depending on the claim amount. The fee is added to your claim.
Track your claim
Log in to MCOL to track the progress of your claim, respond to any defence, and apply for judgment if the defendant doesn't respond.
MCOL — Key Facts
Money Claim Online
mcol.justice.gov.uk
Pro tip: Send an LBA first
Before filing on MCOL, always send a Letter Before Action. It's a legal requirement, and many debtors pay up when they receive a professional legal demand — saving you the court fee entirely.
Small Claims Court Guides by City
Each city guide covers the local court, court address, MCOL availability, common claim types, and local tips — everything you need to make a small claim in your city.
London
Greater London
Manchester
Greater Manchester
Birmingham
West Midlands
Leeds
West Yorkshire
Liverpool
Merseyside
Sheffield
South Yorkshire
Bristol
South West England
Newcastle
Tyne and Wear
Nottingham
East Midlands
Leicester
East Midlands
Coventry
West Midlands
Brighton
East Sussex
Bradford
West Yorkshire
Southampton
South East England
Portsmouth
South East England
Derby
East Midlands
Reading
South East England
Oxford
South East England
Cambridge
East of England
Norwich
East of England
Plymouth
South West England
Exeter
South West England
Hull
East Yorkshire
York
North Yorkshire
Stoke-on-Trent
West Midlands
Wolverhampton
West Midlands
Swindon
South West England
Northampton
East Midlands
Glasgow
Scotland
Edinburgh
Scotland
Aberdeen
Scotland
Dundee
Scotland
Cardiff
Wales
Swansea
Wales
Belfast
Northern Ireland
Scotland — Different System
Scotland uses the Simple Procedure for claims up to £5,000 through the Sheriff Court. MCOL is not available. The process is similar in principle but uses different forms and terminology.
Northern Ireland — Separate System
Northern Ireland has its own court system. The Small Claims Court handles claims up to £3,000. Enforcement is handled by the Enforcement of Judgments Office (EJO).
Wales — Same as England
Wales follows the same legal system as England. MCOL is available, the small claims limit is £10,000, and the process is identical. Welsh language services are available if required.
What Can You Claim in Small Claims Court?
The small claims track covers most money disputes. Here are the most common types of claims.
Unpaid Invoices
A client or customer hasn't paid for goods or services you've provided. The most common type of small claim in the UK.
Learn moreRent Arrears
A tenant owes you rent. You can claim the arrears plus interest. Note: for possession, you'll need a separate possession claim.
Learn morePoor Workmanship
A builder, contractor, or tradesperson did substandard work or didn't complete the job. You can claim the cost of remediation.
Learn moreConsumer Disputes
A business sold you faulty goods or services and won't refund you. The Consumer Rights Act 2015 gives you strong protections.
Learn morePersonal Loans
Someone owes you money from a personal loan and isn't repaying it. You can claim the principal plus interest.
Learn moreBusiness Debts
A business owes you money — from a supplier, client, or partner. You can also claim statutory interest at 8% above base rate.
Learn moreEnforcing a Small Claims Judgment
Winning in court doesn't automatically mean you get paid. If the defendant ignores the judgment, you'll need to take enforcement action. Here are your options:
High Court Enforcement Officers (Bailiffs)
Most EffectiveFor judgments over £600, you can transfer to the High Court and instruct HCEOs to seize assets. The most effective enforcement method.
Attachment of Earnings
For Employed DebtorsIf the debtor is employed, the court can order their employer to deduct payments directly from their salary.
Charging Order
For Property OwnersSecure the debt against the debtor's property. If they sell or remortgage, you get paid from the proceeds.
Third-Party Debt Order
For Bank AccountsFreeze and seize money held in the debtor's bank account. Requires knowing which bank they use.
Enforcement Pack Included
Our Debt Recovery Pack includes all the enforcement documents you need — N293A (transfer to High Court), N337 (attachment of earnings), and step-by-step guidance for each enforcement method.
Judgment Enforcement Hub
Full guide to enforcing a CCJ
Frequently Asked Questions
Everything you need to know about small claims court in the UK.
Get Your Debt Recovery Pack
A professional Letter Before Action, court-ready documents, and step-by-step guidance — everything you need to make a small claim in the UK for just £99. No solicitor needed.
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Legal Disclaimer: This service provides general guidance and does not constitute legal advice. The information on this page is intended to help individuals and businesses understand the small claims court process in the UK. Every situation is different — if your case involves a complex dispute or a large sum, we recommend seeking advice from a qualified solicitor or contacting Citizens Advice (citizensadvice.org.uk) before proceeding.
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