Small Claims Court Fees

The Small Claims Court is used by people who are in dispute with others regarding a civil matter.

For instance you may feel that you have been unfairly treated in a consumer matter such as being unable to get compensation when goods have been found to be faulty or you feel you should have had a refund for something you returned.

Customers who find themselves at odds with a company because they will not take responsibility for faulty goods can take the company to the Small Claims Court. A solicitor is not required, plus the proceedings are heard in an informal setting.

At Wrigley Claydon we can deal with the whole process for you to give you peace of mind, the small claims court fees shown in the price lists below.

The Small Claims Process

All cases are started on the same claim form.

To help the judge allocate your case, you will be sent a directions questionnaire. The questionnaire asks for certain information such as whether you want to call any witnesses and details of any experts’ evidence you want to use.

If your opponent has sent in a defence against your claim, you will be sent a copy of their defence and your opponent will also be sent a directions questionnaire.

You will be given a date by which the directions questionnaire must be returned by the date that it is due or your claim may be dismissed.

The Court will then send you standard Directions. The directions will also tell you what you need to do next. You must follow these directions. If you don’t, the case could be postponed and you could have to pay all the costs of the case.

The Directions will include being told to send your opponent copies of all the documents you wish to use in evidence and to file a copy of all these papers with the court and to file witness statements in support of your claim.

You will be given at least 21 days’ notice of the hearing date. You must have carried out all of the judge’s directions before the hearing or it may be adjourned and you may be asked to pay the costs of the wasted hearing. You must attend the hearing or your case may be dismissed.

At the end of the hearing, the judge will give the judgment (court order) and reasons for making the order.

If your opponent then fails to comply with the Judgment then you can enforce the Judgment.

At Wrigley Claydon we can deal with the whole process for you to give you peace of mind or alternatively we can help you with parts of the process.

Representing the Claimant

A. General advice and preparing the Claim Form:

 

Your Claim’s Value £ Court Fee £
Up to £300 £35
£300.01- £500 £50
£500.01- £1,000 £70
£1,000.01- £1,500 £85
£1,500.01- £3,000 £115
£3,000.01- £5,000 £205
£5,000.01- £10,000 £455

B. Applying for Judgment  (if your opponent fails to file a Defence)

C. Advice on Defence and Directions and completing the Directions Questionnaire

Hearing Fee:
Small Claim Track Case Value £ Hearing Fee £
Small claim track case which does not exceed £300 £27
£300.01 to £500 £59
£500.01 to £1,000 £85
£1,000.01 to £1,500 £123
£1,500.01 to £3,000 £181
Over £3,000 £346

D. Preparing statements

E. Counsel’s fee or Wrigley Claydon’s fee for the hearing

F. Instructing the Sheriff

Any other enforcement proceedings:

  1. Oral Examination
  2. Attachment of Earnings
  3. A Charge upon the Defendant’s property

Representing the Defendant

A. Obtaining comments to the Claim Form and Counsel’s fee for the Defence

B. Advice on Directions and completing the Allocation Questionnaire

C. Preparing statements

D. Counsel’s fee or Wrigley Claydon’s fees for the hearing

We require the money up-front for each stage we are instructed and require clients to sign a Notice of Acting in Person, which we hold.

Please note that Small Claims Court fees are added to the claim and are usually recoverable from the Defendant.