Last reviewed: May 2026
Key facts:- The small claims track in the county court handles claims of 10,000 pounds or less for most types of dispute.
- Court fees are set out in the Civil Proceedings Fees Order and uprated periodically by Ministry of Justice statutory instrument.
- Fee remission is available for claimants on low income or means-tested benefits, with full or partial waiver of court fees.
UK Consumer Rights Hub › Small Claims Court Fees
The small claims court is the route for most disputes valued at 10,000 pounds or less. It is designed to be accessible to litigants in person, with simpler procedures and capped legal costs that reduce the risk of running up large bills. This guide covers the current court fees, how to apply for fee remission if you are on low income, what the claim process looks like, and what happens at the hearing.
Issue Fees by Claim Value
The court issue fee depends on the value of the claim. The fee is paid when the claim form (N1) is filed. The fee scale is set out in the Civil Proceedings Fees Order and is updated periodically. The 2024 fee scale started at 35 pounds for claims up to 300 pounds and rose to 455 pounds for claims between 5,000 and 10,000 pounds.
Online claims through Money Claim Online are typically cheaper than paper claims. The discount reflects the lower administrative cost to the court. Most low-value claims should be filed through Money Claim Online unless there is a specific reason for paper filing.
Claims above 10,000 pounds in value have a different fee scale and proceed under the fast track or multi-track rather than the small claims track. The thresholds and fee structure are reviewed periodically; the current figures are on gov.uk.
Hearing Fees and Other Charges
If the claim is defended and goes to a hearing, a hearing fee is payable. The hearing fee depends on the claim value and is paid before the hearing date. For small claims, the hearing fee is typically in the range of 25 to 335 pounds.
Additional fees may apply for applications during the case, witness summons, copies of judgments and other steps. These fees are smaller and are listed in the Civil Proceedings Fees Order alongside the main scale.
Where the claimant wins, the court fee is usually recoverable from the defendant as part of the costs award. Litigants in person can also recover modest expenses such as travel to the hearing and time off work, although the amounts are capped.
Fee Remission
Litigants on low income or means-tested benefits can apply for full or partial fee remission. The remission scheme is set out in the Help with Fees scheme operated by HM Courts and Tribunals Service.
Eligibility is based on monthly income and savings. Applicants on Universal Credit, Income Support, income-based JSA, income-related ESA, Pension Credit Guarantee Credit, or with savings below defined thresholds are typically eligible.
Applications for fee remission are made on form EX160 alongside the claim form. The applicant provides evidence of income and savings. The court reviews and either waives the fee in full, requires a contribution, or rejects the application. Decisions are usually made within a few days.
The Small Claims Process
After the claim is issued, the defendant has 14 days to acknowledge service or 28 days to file a defence. If the defendant does not respond, the claimant can apply for default judgment.
Where the defendant defends, the case is allocated to the small claims track and a directions order is issued. Directions typically require both sides to exchange evidence by a defined date. A hearing is scheduled, usually 8 to 16 weeks later.
The hearing is informal compared to higher courts. The judge hears both sides, considers the evidence, and gives an oral judgment at the end. Costs are limited to the court fees, fixed amounts for litigants in person, and exceptional disbursements such as expert reports approved by the court.
Enforcing a Judgment
A judgment in the claimant favour does not always result in payment. If the defendant does not pay, the claimant must enforce the judgment using one of several methods. These include warrant of control (instructing court bailiffs), attachment of earnings, third party debt order (freezing a bank account), and charging order against property.
Each enforcement method has its own fee. The fee is added to the debt and is recoverable from the defendant if the enforcement is successful.
Where the defendant has no means to pay, enforcement may be impractical. Litigants should consider the defendant ability to pay before issuing the claim. A judgment against a person with no assets is essentially uncollectable.
What to Expect at a Small Claims Hearing
Hearing location. Most small claims hearings are at the local county court. Some hearings are by phone or video, particularly for low-value claims. The court directs the hearing format in the directions order.
Witness statements. Both sides exchange witness statements ahead of the hearing. The statements set out the witness evidence and are signed by the witness. At the hearing, the witness gives oral evidence consistent with the statement and is cross-examined.
Documents. Documentary evidence is exchanged in a bundle ahead of the hearing. The bundle is paginated and indexed. Both sides have copies. The judge has a copy on the bench during the hearing.
Judgment. After hearing both sides, the judge gives an oral judgment, usually at the end of the hearing. The judgment explains the findings of fact, the law applied, and the disposition (the order made). A written judgment may follow for more complex cases.
Where to Get Free Independent Help
Citizens Advice Consumer Helpline is the national consumer advice service. It provides free help with small claims court fees uk, faulty goods, services not delivered as described, scams and unfair contract terms. The helpline operates by phone and online at citizensadvice.org.uk.
Trading Standards is the local authority enforcement body for consumer protection laws. Trading Standards investigates rogue traders, unfair commercial practices and breaches of consumer law. Reports can be made through Citizens Advice, which passes them to the relevant Trading Standards office.
The Financial Ombudsman Service handles complaints about regulated financial services products, including insurance and consumer credit. The FOS is free for consumers and binding on financial services firms up to defined limits. The website at financial-ombudsman.org.uk explains the process.
The county court small claims track handles consumer disputes valued at 10,000 pounds or less. The court is accessible to litigants in person, with capped legal costs and informal hearings. The gov.uk court claim service is the online route for most small claims.
For products and services covered by an approved Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) scheme, the ADR provider offers a free or low-cost resolution route. The Chartered Trading Standards Institute approves ADR bodies. Many trade associations operate or partner with ADR schemes.
Action Fraud is the national reporting body for fraud and cybercrime. Scams, fake products and online consumer fraud should be reported to Action Fraud at actionfraud.police.uk or by phone on 0300 123 2040. Reports help build the national picture and can trigger enforcement action.
Putting It All Together
The rules above set out the legal framework, the practical steps and the support routes available. Where the situation is straightforward, the gov.uk pages and the official tools should be enough to act on. Where the situation is more complex, the free advice services listed in the previous section can usually clarify the position and identify the right next step. Many issues that look intractable at first turn out to be resolvable once the right service is engaged.
Keeping written records of communications and decisions throughout is good practice. Where a decision needs to be challenged later - through an internal complaint, an ombudsman, a tribunal or a court - the quality of the contemporaneous record often decides the outcome. Dates, names, reference numbers and copies of correspondence are the building blocks of any later dispute. The gov.uk advice pages and the relevant ombudsman or tribunal websites all set out the evidence they consider when reviewing decisions, and gathering that evidence from the start is one of the most effective protections available.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the small claims limit?
Most cases in the small claims track are limited to 10,000 pounds. Higher value claims are allocated to the fast track or multi-track with higher fees and more complex procedures.
Can I apply for free legal aid for a small claim?
Legal aid is generally not available for small claims. Free advice is available from Citizens Advice, law centres and the Law Society Find a Solicitor service. Some pro bono schemes operate in specific cases.
Can I get my fees back if I win?
Yes. The court fee is normally recoverable from the defendant as part of the costs award. Other modest expenses such as travel and lost earnings up to capped amounts may also be recovered.
What is fee remission?
Full or partial waiver of court fees for litigants on low income or means-tested benefits. Applications are made on form EX160 alongside the claim form.
Can I file a claim online?
Yes. Money Claim Online (MCOL) accepts claims for fixed sums of money up to 100,000 pounds. The online route is cheaper and faster for most low-value claims.
What if the defendant ignores the judgment?
Enforcement options include warrant of control (bailiffs), attachment of earnings, third party debt order against a bank account, and charging order against property. Each has its own fee and process.
Can I bring a lawyer to a small claims hearing?
Yes. Both sides can be represented, but recoverable legal costs are very limited in small claims. The cost of legal representation typically exceeds the recoverable amount, so most claimants represent themselves.
What if I cannot afford to travel to the court?
Modest expenses such as travel costs and lost earnings can be recovered if you win. For unaffordable travel, contact the court to discuss telephone or video hearing options.
Can I appeal a small claims judgment?
Yes, but appeals are restricted to errors of law or serious procedural irregularity. Permission to appeal is needed and is rarely granted. The cost-benefit of appealing a small claims judgment is usually unfavourable.
Will I pay the court fee twice if I lose at the hearing?
No. The court fee is paid once when the claim is issued. If you lose, the fee is not refunded but no additional court fees are payable.
How We Verified This
Information is taken from the Civil Procedure Rules Part 27 on small claims track, the Civil Proceedings Fees Order on legislation.gov.uk, the gov.uk court fees pages, the Help with Fees scheme guidance from HM Courts and Tribunals Service, and the Practice Direction on small claims.