County Court Claims Guide (UK) • Plain English • 2026
Updated: 2025–26 fees • Intermediate Track • MCOL cap • mandatory mediation • enforcement costs
County Court Claims Guide (UK) — 2026
MCOL/OCMC limits • Tracks (incl. Intermediate) • Court fees • Mandatory mediation • Default judgment • CCJ impact • Enforcement costs
Quick summary: a County Court claim is procedural — outcomes depend on deadlines, evidence, track allocation, mediation steps, and enforceability.
This page explains how money claims work in England & Wales, what it costs to issue and take a claim to hearing, what happens if you ignore a claim, how CCJs affect credit, and how to enforce judgment (with current 2025–26 fee anchors).
This is general legal information, not legal advice.
Specialty: step-by-step claim handling for creditors and defendants — built around real HMCTS process and common failure points.
Best for: claim forms, defended claims, mediation questions, default judgment risk, CCJs, enforcement options, and cost planning.
Trust markers (why this is reliable)
Anchored to HMCTS/GOV.UK fee schedules and current CPR track structure (including the post-October 2023 Intermediate Track) and mediation reforms.
Sources (optional): GOV.UK money claim court fees | CPR (justice.gov.uk) | PD 51ZE (mandatory small claims mediation pilot)
Start here (fastest clarity)
Confidential • Creditor + defendant support • One message is enough
Claim form triage
Defence + mediation plan
CCJ impact + set-aside
Enforcement options
This is general legal information, not legal advice.
Best for people saying:
- “I received a claim form / N1.”
- “What happens if I ignore it?”
- “How do I defend / settle?”
- “Is mediation compulsory?”
- “How do I enforce a judgment?”
Start with: claim amount, document type, issue date, service date, and the deadline you have.
Contents
Start / Deadlines
Costs / Procedure
After judgment
Quick checks (so you don’t miss a deadline)
These checks prevent the most expensive mistakes: default judgment, CCJ registration, and avoidable enforcement.
1) What document is it?
Reminder ≠ claim form (N1) ≠ judgment ≠ enforcement notice. Document type sets your deadline.
2) What is the response deadline?
Most defendants have 14 days to respond, or 28 days if Acknowledgment of Service is filed.
3) Is the claim admitted or disputed?
If disputed, you need a defence supported by documents and a coherent timeline.
4) Do not ignore it
Ignoring a claim often leads to default judgment and later enforcement fees.
5) Evidence bundle (fast)
Contract/PO • invoices • delivery/service proof • emails • dispute notes • payments log.
6) Limitation check
Many contract/debt claims are subject to a 6-year limitation period (fact-specific).
This is general legal information, not legal advice.
How to issue a County Court money claim (MCOL/OCMC vs paper)
Most specified money claims are issued online, but there is a hard cap and eligibility rules.
Online filing (MCOL / OCMC)
Many specified money claims can be filed online. Online systems are typically capped at £99,999.99 (excluding interest and costs). Above this, issue on paper (N1) or via the appropriate court route.
Always check current platform eligibility rules if your claim is borderline or multi-party.
Paper filing (Form N1)
Use paper filing where online is not eligible or where you need more complex particulars of claim. Ensure the defendant’s service address is correct and keep proof of service steps.
Getting service wrong can cause delays and set-aside risk.
What you must include
Parties • amount claimed • basis of claim • interest (if claimed) • key dates • supporting documents (where required) • statement of truth.
Court fees (2025–2026)
Fees can change. If your strategy depends on exact amounts, verify against the current HMCTS schedule.
Issue fees (money claims) — quick reference
| Claim value | Issue 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 – £200,000 | 5% of claim value |
| Over £200,000 | £10,000 (cap) |
Hearing fees — quick reference
| Track / claim value | Hearing fee |
|---|---|
| Small claims up to £300 | £27 |
| Small claims £300.01 – £500 | £59 |
| Small claims £500.01 – £1,000 | £85 |
| Small claims £1,000.01 – £1,500 | £123 |
| Small claims £1,500.01 – £3,000 | £181 |
| Small claims over £3,000 | £346 |
| Fast Track | £619 |
| Intermediate / Multi-Track | £1,334 |
Non-payment by the court deadline can lead to strike-out or other sanctions depending on track and directions.
Track allocation (incl. Intermediate Track)
Track allocation affects timetable, complexity handling, and costs exposure.
| Track | Typical value | Key feature |
|---|---|---|
| Small Claims | Up to £10,000 | Simplified procedure, limited costs |
| Fast Track | £10,000 – £25,000 | Structured timetable; fixed recoverable costs may apply |
| Intermediate Track | £25,000 – £100,000 | Designed for trials up to ~3 days; fixed recoverable costs structure in many cases |
| Multi-Track | Complex / higher value / unsuitable for other tracks | Flexible case management for complexity and risk |
Mandatory mediation (Small Claims money claims)
Small claims mediation is no longer just optional in many money claims: the court can automatically refer cases to mediation under the pilot scheme.
- When it triggers: typically after a defence is filed and the case is being managed toward small claims track steps.
- Format: free telephone mediation session (commonly ~1 hour).
- Why it matters: participation expectations are baked into the modern small-claims pathway; ignoring mediation can cause procedural consequences.
Always check your notice / directions for what is mandatory in your specific case.
Defendant responses, default judgment, and what happens next
This is where most people lose by mistake: missed deadlines and incomplete responses.
If you admit the claim
You can admit in full or in part and propose payment terms. If you can pay within 30 days after judgment, you can often reduce CCJ credit impact (fact-specific).
If you defend
You must file a defence on time and follow directions (documents, witness statements, and hearing steps). A coherent timeline and evidence bundle wins cases.
If you ignore it
The claimant can request default judgment. That can become a CCJ and lead to enforcement costs on top of the original debt.
CCJs and credit impact (the 30-day rule)
A CCJ can seriously affect borrowing, leasing, and some employment checks.
- Pay within 30 days: in many cases this prevents registration or allows removal (process-specific).
- Pay after 30 days: often recorded as satisfied, but can remain visible for years.
- Set-aside: if judgment should not have been entered (e.g., service issues) or there is a real prospect of defending, apply promptly.
This is general legal information, not legal advice.
Set-aside applications (CPR 13) — when default judgment can be undone
Set-aside is procedural. Speed and evidence matter.
Common grounds
Improper service, real prospect of a defence, or another good reason. Evidence and promptness are critical.
What you file
Application notice, draft defence (often), witness statement, and supporting documents.
Risk control
If enforcement is underway, you may need urgent steps to pause enforcement (court-specific).
Enforcement methods (with current fee anchors)
Winning a judgment is not the same as getting paid. Choose enforcement based on assets.
| Enforcement method | Fee (2025–2026 anchor) | Best when |
|---|---|---|
| Warrant of Control (County Court bailiff) | £94 | Debtor has seizable goods / trading premises |
| Attachment of Earnings | £135 | Debtor is employed (not self-employed) |
| Charging Order | £135 | Debtor owns property; you want security |
| Third-Party Debt Order | £135 | Money is held by a bank / third party |
| Order to Obtain Information | £67 | You need asset/income details first |
| Warrant of Delivery (goods) | £148 | You need specific goods returned |
Debtors may apply to suspend enforcement (often with a fee). Enforcement suitability is fact-specific.
Copy-paste templates (messages that reduce risk)
Short, clear messages improve outcomes. Avoid emotional back-and-forth and focus on dates, documents, and proposals.
Message (defendant → claimant): acknowledge + request documents + propose mediation/settlement
“I acknowledge receipt of the claim. Please provide an up-to-date statement of account and copies of the documents relied on (contract/PO, invoices, delivery/service proof, and calculation of any interest/charges). I am reviewing the matter and propose either settlement discussions or mediation at the earliest opportunity. Please confirm a contact point and reference.”
Message (claimant → defendant): narrow issues + payment proposal request
“Please confirm whether the claim is admitted or disputed. If admitted, confirm payment date or propose a structured payment plan (dates and amounts). If disputed, please specify the basis of dispute and provide supporting documents. We are willing to consider mediation/settlement where appropriate.”
Message for the support chat (copy)
“I need help with a County Court money claim. I am [claimant/defendant]. Amount is about [£]. The latest document is [claim form / defence request / directions / judgment / enforcement notice]. Issue/service date is [date]. My deadline is [date]. The claim is [admitted/disputed] because [one sentence].”
Long FAQ (County Court claims, CCJs, mediation, enforcement)
Tap to expand. Written to match real UK search intent and AI extraction.
1) What happens if I ignore a County Court claim?
The claimant can usually request default judgment. That may become a CCJ and can trigger enforcement action if unpaid.
2) How long do I have to respond?
Commonly 14 days from service, or 28 days if you file Acknowledgment of Service. Always check the form and court guidance for your exact deadline.
3) Is mediation compulsory in small claims?
Many small-claims money cases are now routed through automatic mediation referral under the pilot scheme. Your notice/directions will say what applies to your case.
4) What is the Intermediate Track?
A track introduced to sit between Fast Track and Multi-Track, typically covering less complex cases in the £25,000–£100,000 range with controlled trial length.
5) Can I set aside a default judgment?
Sometimes, yes. Set-aside is possible in certain circumstances (e.g., service issues or a real prospect of defending). Prompt action and evidence are critical.
6) What is the fastest enforcement method?
It depends on debtor assets. If you know the debtor has money in a bank account, third-party debt orders may work; if property exists, charging orders may secure the debt; if employment exists, attachment of earnings may help.
Want clarity fast?
We’ll identify your deadline, your likely track, and the lowest-risk next step (defend, settle, mediate, enforce).
Confidential • Creditor + defendant support • This is general legal information, not legal advice.