The small claims track is the normal track for a claim worth not more than £10,000 (CPR 26.9), ignoring interest and costs. Personal injury damages must be no more than £1,500 (£5,000 for most road traffic accident injuries) and a tenant’s disrepair claim no more than £1,000 for the repairs. More

Not unless the defendant has previously said in writing that they will accept service by that channel (PD 6A para 4.1). Otherwise you need an order under CPR 6.15 permitting service by that method. Barton v Wright Hassall [2018] UKSC 12 shows the courts apply this strictly, even to litigants in person. More

From £35 for a claim up to £300 to £455 for £5,000.01 to £10,000, calculated on the amount claimed plus interest. The fee is the same online and on paper. More

The Practice Direction on Pre-Action Conduct expects it, and the Debt Protocol requires a Letter of Claim where a business claims from an individual. A claimant who skips it risks the claim being stayed, a costs order and reduced interest. More

Under s.69 of the County Courts Act 1984 the court can award simple interest at such rate as it thinks fit. The rate usually claimed and allowed is 8% a year. If your contract set a rate, or the debt is between two businesses, a different rate applies instead. More

As soon as the defendant’s time for responding has expired: 14 days after service of the particulars (28 if they acknowledged service) on a paper or MCOL claim, or 28 days after issue in Online Civil Money Claims. Online requests are processed automatically; paper requests wait about 27 working days before processing begins. More

For a defended claim for a specified sum of £10,000 or less issued on or after 22 May 2024, the claim is referred automatically to the HMCTS Small Claims Mediation Service once the directions questionnaires are filed, under the PD 51ZE pilot running to 6 April 2027. You are not obliged to settle, but a party who does not attend risks sanctions. More

Once the defendant’s time to acknowledge service or file a defence has expired and nothing has been filed (CPR 12.3). That is 14 days after service of the particulars on a paper or MCOL claim (28 days if they acknowledged), or 28 days after issue in Online Civil Money Claims, plus any agreed extension. More

No. The judgment records the debt; the court takes no step to collect it unless you apply for a method of enforcement and pay the fee for that method. More

Usually a commission on what it recovers: typically 5–15% for commercial debts and up to around 20–25% for older, smaller or consumer debts. Some agencies also charge set-up, administration or letter fees, and most set a minimum debt size of £500 to £1,000 or more. More

No. Online Civil Money Claims and Money Claim Online both require the defendant to have a postal address in England or Wales. Without one, the claim is issued on paper and you apply for an order permitting service by another method. More

Your disposable capital must be less than £4,250 for any fee of up to £1,420, which covers every small claims fee. If you or your partner are aged 66 or over the limit is £16,000. Your main home is not counted. More

Six years from the date the cause of action accrued, which for a contract debt is normally the date payment became due (Limitation Act 1980 s.5). After that the debtor can defeat the claim by pleading limitation. More

No. Default judgments and judgments on admission are registered at once. A judgment after a contested hearing is registered only if instalments are ordered or applied for, or the creditor takes an enforcement step, applies for an order to obtain information or asks for a certificate of judgment. More