In England and Wales, the small claims track within the County Court offers a simplified, cost-effective route for resolving low-value civil disputes, commonly referred to as the small claims court. Designed with accessibility in mind, this system empowers individuals and small businesses to pursue claims—often without legal representation—where the amount is not more than £10,000. However, there are stricter limits for specific types of claims, such as personal injury or housing disrepair, typically capped at £1,000.
Small claims courts handle a variety of everyday disputes: unpaid invoices, faulty goods or services, deposit returns, minor property damage, and landlord–tenant issues such as deposit disputes or minor repairs. These courts operate under the Civil Procedure Rules (Part 27), which streamline the process—limiting recoverable costs and encouraging informal, efficient hearings.
📌 Common Claim Scenarios
- Contract breaches (e.g. unpaid goods/services)
- Defective products (e.g. appliances, electronics)
- Landlord and tenant disputes (e.g. deposit claims)
- Minor accidental damage
- Small personal injury claims under the £1,000 threshold
To start a claim, you should first issue a Letter Before Claim (or Letter Before Action), giving the other party 14 days to respond—this step aligns with pre-action protocols like mediation. If unresolved, you can file via Money Claim Online (MCOL) or by post using form N1, paying a fee that depends on the claim amount, ranging from approximately £35 to £455.
Once submitted, the defendant has 14 days to respond—they can pay, admit part of the claim, defend it, or file a counterclaim. If the case proceeds, the court may order mediation, schedule a hearing, or resolve it through document review. Hearings are intentionally informal; both sides can present evidence and make their case. Most disputes are resolved within six to nine months.
If successful, the plaintiff receives a judgment. Should the defendant fail to pay, enforcement measures—like bailiffs, attachment of earnings, or charging orders—can be pursued. If either party is dissatisfied, some claimants may be entitled to a de novo appeal in a higher court, where the case is reheard from the start.
Choosing the small claims track offers clear advantages: lower costs, faster resolution, simplicity, and the ability to handle cases without a solicitor. However, you won’t recover full legal costs, and there’s a chance of added stress and time investment. Suitability depends on the strength of your case, the defendant’s capacity to pay, and whether the amount claimed fits within the court’s jurisdiction.