Can I bring a small claim?
Small Claims Courts are part of the County Courts, there will be a County Court in your area.
However, you will need to start your claim, (issuing a claim) through one of the two centralised services - Money Claim Online (MCOL) based in Northampton, or the County Court Money Claims Centre (CCMC) based in Salford.
Whichever location you use you will need to complete an N1 claim form.
When completing the N1 claim form you will need to specify which County Court you wish your small claim to be actually heard in.
Claiming up to £10,000
If you are claiming money or property worth £10,000 or less you should bring your case in the Small Claims Court using what is known as the Small Claims Track. For claims under £10,000 these can be dealt with using written evidence only, without the need for an actual hearing.
Others Claims
Claiming up to £25,000
If your claim is for less than £25,000 you should use what is called the Fast Track.
Claiming between £25,000 and £100,000
If your claim is for between £25,000 and £100,000 you should use the Intermediate Track. The Intermediate Track should also be used where the case is not suitable for either the Small Claims or Fast Track.
Claiming more than £100,000
If your claim is for over £100,000 or your case is complicated it will be heard under the Multi-Track procedure. Multi-Track cases can be heard in the county court or the High Court.
Personal injury claims
Personal injury cases can be heard in the Small Claims Court, depending on the party injured and the amount claimed.
Housing related claims
If you are a tenant and you are claiming compensation against your landlord or seeking an order that he carry out repairs then your claim will be heard in the small claims court if it is for £1,000 or less.
The judge has the power to refer your case to the Small Claims Court if he or she thinks it is necessary.
They may do this if you and your opponent agree that you want the case transferred there or if the judge thinks it will be better for both of you to have the case dealt with in the Small Claims Court. This may be because neither of you have solicitors and the rules in the Small Claims Court are more suitable for people acting without solicitors.
You can ask for your case to be taken out of the Small Claims Court if you can show that it involves a difficult question of law, has complicated facts, involves fraud. Or that you and your opponent have agreed that it should not be heard in the Small Claims Court.
Claiming costs for a small claim