Last checked October 2026 · by the PaySorted team
Before you claim
- Chase it properly first: reminders, then a final demand. See how to chase an unpaid invoice.
- Send a letter before action. If the customer is an individual or sole trader, the Pre-Action Protocol for Debt Claims says to post a letter of claim with a statement of account and the standard reply forms, and give them 30 days. See our letter before action guide and template.
- Check they can pay. A judgment against someone with no money or assets is hard to collect.
- You can't claim against someone in Breathing Space while it lasts.
Small claims limits
| Where | Small claims limit |
|---|---|
| England and Wales | £10,000 |
| Scotland (simple procedure) | £5,000 |
| Northern Ireland | £5,000 |
Court fees (England and Wales)
You pay a fee to start the claim, and a hearing fee only if it goes to a hearing. You can add both to what you claim from the customer.
| Amount claimed | Claim fee | Hearing fee |
|---|---|---|
| Up to £300 | £35 | £27 |
| £300.01 – £500 | £50 | £59 |
| £500.01 – £1,000 | £70 | £85 |
| £1,000.01 – £1,500 | £80 | £123 |
| £1,500.01 – £3,000 | £115 | £181 |
| £3,000.01 – £5,000 | £205 | £346 |
| £5,000.01 – £10,000 | £455 | £346 |
Fees checked October 2026. Help with fees is available on a low income.
Making the claim, step by step
- Go to gov.uk and search "make a court claim for money". It links to the online service.
- Enter the customer's name, address and email, the amount, and a short, factual explanation: what work you did, when, the invoice number and that it's unpaid.
- Add interest. For individuals, courts usually allow 8% a year (amount × 0.08 ÷ 365 × days late). For businesses, use statutory late payment interest and compensation instead.
- Pay the fee by card.
You can't use the online service if either side has no address in England or Wales, or if there are more than two defendants — use paper form N1 instead.
What happens next
- The customer gets 14 days to respond (28 if they acknowledge the claim first).
- No reply? Ask for judgment in default online. There's no fee.
- They pay? Job done.
- They defend it? Most small claims go to a free one-hour phone mediation first. If that fails, there's a short, informal hearing, often by video.
If they still don't pay
| Option | Fee |
|---|---|
| County Court bailiffs (warrant of control) | £96 |
| Order them to court for questioning about their finances | £69 |
| Attachment of earnings (taken from their wages) | £139 |
| Third party debt order (freezes their bank account) | £139 |
| Charging order (secured against their property) | £139 |
An unpaid judgment usually stays on the Register of Judgments for 6 years, which affects their credit — a strong reason for most people to pay within a month.
PaySorted keeps a record of every invoice and every reminder sent, with dates — exactly the evidence you need if it ever gets this far. It can also prepare a letter before action for you.
General information on the courts in England and Wales (fees checked October 2026), not legal advice. Fees can change; gov.uk shows the current amounts.
Common questions
How much can I claim in the small claims court?
Up to £10,000 in England and Wales. Scotland's simple procedure and Northern Ireland's small claims court go up to £5,000.
How much does it cost to make a small claim?
Claim fees start at £35 for claims up to £300 and go up to £455 for claims between £5,000.01 and £10,000. A hearing fee is due only if it goes to a hearing.
Do I need a solicitor for a small claim?
No. The small claims track is designed for people to represent themselves, and you can claim online.
What if the customer ignores the claim?
If they don't respond within the deadline, you can ask for judgment in default online at no cost, then enforce it if they still don't pay.