Small Claims Court in Northern Ireland
Reviewed by the Commoner Law Editorial Team. Sourced from UK Acts of Parliament, statutory instruments, and official guidance. Written in plain language for general understanding — this is educational content, not legal advice. Our editorial standards
What is this right?
The Small Claims Track of the County Court is the route most people take for everyday disputes — unpaid invoices, dodgy builders, refusing retailers. It handles claims up to £10,000 in England and Wales (£5,000 in Scotland's Simple Procedure; £3,000 in NI's Small Claims Court). It's deliberately informal and you don't need a lawyer — in fact you usually shouldn't bother with one because legal costs aren't recoverable.
- Court fees: from £35 (claims up to £300) up to £455 (claims up to £10,000). Pay online; reduced or waived if you're on a low income (form EX160).
- No costs rule: even if you lose, you don't pay the other side's lawyers — just the court fee and limited expenses (CPR 27.14). This is what makes the small claims track usable for ordinary people.
- Free telephone mediation: the court offers it before listing a hearing — and the majority of small claims settle there.
- Hearings are informal: held in a private room, not a courtroom. The judge asks both sides questions directly. No wigs, no robes, no cross-examination.
When does it apply?
- Money owed, faulty goods or services, personal injury claims under £1,000, landlord disputes about repairs or deposits.
- You've tried to resolve the dispute directly first — a 'letter before action' giving the other side 14-28 days to respond is expected by the Practice Direction on Pre-Action Conduct.
- Limitation: usually 6 years from the date the problem arose (5 years in Scotland under the 1973 Prescription and Limitation Act).
- Money claims can be filed online via Money Claim Online (MCOL) at gov.uk — quicker and cheaper than the paper N1 form.
What to Do If a UK Business Owes You Money and Won't Pay
- Send a letter before action. State the facts, the legal basis, the amount, and a 14-day deadline. Keep proof of postage.
- File the claim online at moneyclaims.service.gov.uk if it's a fixed money claim. For other claims, use form N1.
- Bundle your evidence early — receipts, photos, dated correspondence, contracts, expert reports. Disclose well before the hearing.
- Accept the free mediation appointment. A skilled mediator settles a high proportion of claims in under an hour.
- If you win and they don't pay, you can enforce via High Court Enforcement Officers (claims over £600), attachment of earnings orders, or charging orders against property.
What should you NOT do?
- Don't skip the letter before action. Going straight to court without it draws judicial frowns and can affect costs.
- Don't pad the claim. Only claim what you can document and prove. Inflated claims annoy judges.
- Don't ignore a counterclaim. If the defendant counterclaims, you must respond by the deadline on the court's notice — silence means you can lose by default.
How Northern Ireland differs from UK national law
Northern Ireland has a different small claims limit:
- The Small Claims Court in NI handles claims up to £3,000 (compared to £10,000 in England & Wales and £5,000 in Scotland).
- Claims are heard in the County Court.
- The process is designed to be informal and accessible without a solicitor.
- Court fees are generally lower than in England.
Additional Steps in Northern Ireland
- File a claim at your local County Court office or online at nidirect.gov.uk.
- Free legal advice from Advice NI on 0800 915 4604.
Relevant Law: County Court Rules (Northern Ireland) 1981; Small Claims and Minor Claims (Northern Ireland) Order 2008
Common Questions
When does small claims court apply?
Money owed, faulty goods or services, personal injury claims under £1,000, landlord disputes about repairs or deposits.You've tried to resolve the dispute directly first — a 'letter before action' giving the other side 14-28 days to respond is expected by the Practice Direction on Pre-Action Conduct.Limitation: usually 6 years from the date the problem arose (5 years in Scotland under the 1973 Prescription and Limitation Act).Money claims can be filed online via Money Claim Online (MCOL) at gov.uk — quicker and cheaper than the paper N1 form.
What should I do if a UK business owes me money and is refusing to pay?
Send a letter before action. State the facts, the legal basis, the amount, and a 14-day deadline. Keep proof of postage.File the claim online at moneyclaims.service.gov.uk if it's a fixed money claim. For other claims, use form N1.Bundle your evidence early — receipts, photos, dated correspondence, contracts, expert reports. Disclose well before the hearing.Accept the free mediation appointment. A skilled mediator settles a high proportion of claims in under an hour.If you win and they don't pay, you can enforce via High Court Enforcement Officers (claims over £600), attachment of earnings ord...
What mistakes should I avoid with small claims court?
Don't skip the letter before action. Going straight to court without it draws judicial frowns and can affect costs.Don't pad the claim. Only claim what you can document and prove. Inflated claims annoy judges.Don't ignore a counterclaim. If the defendant counterclaims, you must respond by the deadline on the court's notice — silence means you can lose by default.