England and Wales · County Court - Small Claims Track (claims generally up to £10,000)
County Court - Small Claims Track (claims generally up to £10,000) — United Kingdom
Format requirements for this court
| Court and track | County Court - Small Claims Track (claims generally up to £10,000) |
|---|---|
| Paper | A4 |
| Margins | 2.5 cm · 2.5 cm · 2.5 cm · 2.5 cm |
| Type | Arial, 12 pt |
| Line spacing | 1.5 |
| Paragraph numbering | {n}. |
Type of 11 to 12 point is accepted; 12 point is used here. Keep the same typeface throughout and number the paragraphs.
Every format rule is listed with its source so you can check it yourself.
County Court - Small Claims Track (claims generally up to £10,000)
Issue the claim form at the County Court hearing centre for the area. A4 paper, 2.5 cm margins, 11 to 12 point type, numbered paragraphs, a statement of truth signed by the claimant, the claimant's name and address for service, and a certificate of service when a document is served on another party.
GBP 10,000 — The small claims track is generally used for claims of up to 10,000 pounds, excluding interest and costs; some personal injury and housing claims have different limits.
Every format rule is listed with its source so you can check it yourself.
Money Claim Online (MCOL) - County Court
Complete the claim online, then serve the printed claim form on the defendant with the response pack. The particulars of claim entered online become the issued particulars, so state every date and amount exactly as you entered it.
GBP 10,000 — Money Claim Online issues specified money claims, that is claims for a fixed sum, within the small claims track limit.
Every format rule is listed with its source so you can check it yourself.
Filing checklist - what to bring, in how many copies, and why documents get returned.
- A completed claim form with the particulars of claim, either typed on the form or attached as a separate numbered document.
Form N1 (claim form) with Form N1A (particulars of claim) where used
Every format rule is listed with its source so you can check it yourself.
- A statement of truth signed and dated by the claimant, in the wording the rules prescribe.
Every format rule is listed with its source so you can check it yourself.
- One copy of the claim form and particulars for the court, and one copy for each defendant to be served.
Every format rule is listed with its source so you can check it yourself.
- The court fee, or an application for help with fees if you are on a low income or receive certain benefits.
Form EX160 (apply for help with fees)
Every format rule is listed with its source so you can check it yourself.
- When you serve a document yourself, keep proof of the date and the method of service and file a certificate of service.
Form N215 (certificate of service)
Every format rule is listed with its source so you can check it yourself.
- Attachments numbered from 1, with an index page listing each attachment by number and name.
Every format rule is listed with its source so you can check it yourself.
- If the claim rests on a written contract, a copy of the pages you are relying on.
Every format rule is listed with its source so you can check it yourself.
- If you want to use Welsh in a hearing, tell the court in advance so an interpreter or Welsh-speaking staff can be arranged.
Every format rule is listed with its source so you can check it yourself.
- For a small claim, the court normally expects you to have considered mediation before or shortly after the defence is filed.
Every format rule is listed with its source so you can check it yourself.
Why filings get sent back
- The particulars of claim carry no statement of truth. Under CPR 22 a statement of case must be verified by a statement of truth, and the court may strike it out if it is not.
Every format rule is listed with its source so you can check it yourself.
- The statement of truth is not signed. An unsigned statement of truth leaves the document unverified.
Every format rule is listed with its source so you can check it yourself.
- No address for service is given, so there is nowhere for the court and the other side to send documents.
Every format rule is listed with its source so you can check it yourself.
- The paragraphs are not numbered, so the other side and the judge cannot refer to a specific point.
Every format rule is listed with its source so you can check it yourself.
- The document is not on A4 paper with 2.5 cm margins or is in type smaller than 11 point, so it does not meet the format the court expects.
Every format rule is listed with its source so you can check it yourself.
- The amount claimed is above the small claims track limit, so the claim is allocated to a different track.
Every format rule is listed with its source so you can check it yourself.
- The claim was sent to a hearing centre that does not deal with the area where the events happened or where the defendant lives.
Every format rule is listed with its source so you can check it yourself.
The language you read here and the language of the documents are set separately.
Document language: English, Cymraeg. This is set by the court, not by the language you are reading now.
- English (Required)
English is the language in which the County Court issues the claim form and keeps its records, so the document set is produced in English.
- Cymraeg
In proceedings with a connection to Wales a party may use Welsh or English, and a document may be in either language under CPR 5.6. The claim form itself is issued in English, so a Welsh-language claim form is issued only after the English text has been translated; the set is therefore produced in English unless the court directs otherwise. Court staff in Wales can deal with you in Welsh.
Every format rule is listed with its source so you can check it yourself.
Disclosure: what this document set is and is not
This document set was assembled by a document preparation service that organises the facts you supplied and applies the page format published by the court named above. The preparer is not a solicitor, not a barrister and not otherwise authorised to conduct litigation or to give legal advice, and does not act as your representative in any court. No legal advice is given and no opinion is offered on which rule, defence or claim applies to your situation. You remain responsible for the contents of every document you file, for meeting every time limit, and for taking advice from a solicitor or barrister about your own case. Every format rule in this pack is listed with its source so that you can check it yourself.
I have read this disclosure. I understand that the preparer is not a solicitor or barrister, that this set is a format and fact-organisation aid and not legal advice, and that no solicitor or barrister has reviewed my documents.
Every format rule is listed with its source so you can check it yourself.
Confirm you understand: citations are not verified
The system does not check whether a citation is real. You are responsible for checking each one in the official database: The National Archives legislation database (legislation.gov.uk) and the Find Case Law service (caselaw.nationalarchives.gov.uk).
Check this citation yourself: confirm that the provision exists, that it is still in force, and that no later amendment or judgment has changed it.
Every format rule is listed with its source so you can check it yourself.
Every format rule is listed with its source so you can check it yourself.
- Civil Procedure Rules (England and Wales) - Parts and Practice Directions, as published by the Ministry of Justice
- Civil Procedure Rules, Part 22 (statements of truth)
- Civil Procedure Rules, Part 27 (the small claims track)
- Civil Procedure Rules, rule 5.6 (documents in Welsh)
- Civil Procedure Rules, Practice Direction 5A (court documents: form, paper and margins)
- HM Courts and Tribunals Service court and tribunal forms and guidance (gov.uk)
- Money Claim Online (MCOL) service guidance (gov.uk)
- Welsh Language (Wales) Measure 2011 (nawm 1) - Welsh language rights in the courts
- legislation.gov.uk (The National Archives legislation database)
- Find Case Law service (The National Archives, caselaw.nationalarchives.gov.uk)