Court Preparation Tool

Procedure guides

Small Claims Filing Checklist for the County Court in England and Wales

What the County Court expects in a self-prepared small claim of up to 10,000 pounds: the claim form, the particulars of claim, the statement of truth, and the reasons a filing is returned.

England and Wales

How it works

  1. Write the caption for the County Court hearing centre and list the claimant and the defendant with their addresses and the address for service.
  2. Set the page: A4 paper, 2.5 cm margins, 11 to 12 point type, paragraphs numbered from 1.
  3. Set out the particulars of claim as a date-ordered account of what happened, one event per numbered paragraph.
  4. Add the statement of truth in the prescribed wording and sign and date it by hand.
  5. Serve a copy on each defendant with the response pack, keep proof of the date and method of service, and file a certificate of service where you served the documents yourself.

Next

How much can I claim in the small claims track?

Generally up to 10,000 pounds, excluding interest and costs. Some personal injury and housing claims use different limits. A larger claim goes to a different track with different costs rules.

Can I file my claim in Welsh?

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 is issued in English, so a Welsh-language claim form is issued after the English text is translated; a Welsh document may also need an English translation for the file.

Do I have to sign a statement of truth?

Yes. A statement of case must be verified by a statement of truth under CPR 22, and a case that is not verified may be struck out.

Format requirements for this court

Documents for the County Court are on A4 paper, 21 by 29.7 cm. Civil Procedure Rules, Practice Direction 5A (court documents: form, paper and margins)
Margins of 2.5 cm are kept on all four sides of the page. Civil Procedure Rules, Practice Direction 5A (court documents: form, paper and margins)
Paragraphs in a statement of case are numbered consecutively from 1. Civil Procedure Rules, Practice Direction 5A (court documents: form, paper and margins)
The statement of truth must be signed by the party or by the party's legal representative. Civil Procedure Rules, Part 22 (statements of truth)
In Wales-related proceedings a document may be in Welsh or English under CPR 5.6, but the claim form is issued in English. Civil Procedure Rules, rule 5.6 (documents in Welsh)
One copy of the claim form and particulars is served on each defendant, with a copy kept for the court file. Civil Procedure Rules (England and Wales) - Parts and Practice Directions, as published by the Ministry of Justice
The small claims track is generally used for claims of 10,000 pounds or less, excluding interest and costs. Civil Procedure Rules, Part 27 (the small claims track)

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.