You’ll get a letter or email if someone claims you owe them money. You must respond by the date on the email or letter you receive. Follow the instructions in the email or letter. You should respond in the same way that the claim was made, for example you should respond online if the claim was made online. The process is different in Scotland . Ways to respond You can: pay the full amount offer to pay a different amount (if you think you owe less than the claim amount) defend the claim (if you do not think you owe any money) If you offer to pay a different amount and it’s rejected, you might have to give more information at a hearing. You can ask for another 14 days to respond if you are not paying the full amount. You might have to pay more or get a county court judgment ( CCJ ) if you do not respond in time. You can also make a claim against them (‘counterclaim’) if you think they owe you money. You might have to pay a court fee.

Respond to a claim online

You’ll need to know which service was used to make the claim. Check your email or letter if you’re not sure. You can use a paper form to respond instead if you cannot use the online service. If the claim was made using the Online Civil Money Claims service You’ll need to create an account to respond to the claim. You’ll need your claim number and security code. Your claim number will include ‘MC’. Respond using the Online Civil Money Claims service . Get help using the Online Civil Money Claims service Contact Civil Money Claims. Civil Money Claims Telephone: 0300 123 7050 Monday to Friday, 8:30am to 5pm Find out about call charges If the claim was made using the Money Claim Online service You need a Government Gateway user ID and password to respond to the claim. If you do not have a user ID, you can create one before you respond to the claim. You’ll need your claim number. Your claim number will be 8 digits long and will include letters and numbers. Respond using the Money Claim Online service . Get help using the Money Claim Online service Contact Money Claim Online. Money Claim Online ccbc@justice.gov.uk Telephone: 0300 123 1056 Monday to Friday, 8:30am to 5pm Find out about call charges After you’ve responded Keep proof (for example, your bank records or a receipt from the claimant) to show you’ve paid. If you offer to pay a different amount, the claimant will decide whether to accept it. If you defend the claim, the claimant will decide whether to proceed or withdraw the claim.

Respond to a claim by post

If the claim was made using a paper form, you should respond by post. You can also use a paper form to respond if the claim was made online but you are not able to use the online services . You’ll have received a letter with instructions on how to respond. The forms you fill in will depend on whether the claim is for a fixed (‘specified’) or an unspecified amount. If you need more time to respond to the claim, download and fill in form N9 . If the claim is for a specified amount Download and fill in: form N9A to pay all or part of the claim form N9B if you do not agree with the claim If the claim is for an unspecified amount Download and fill in: form N9D if you do not agree with the claim form N9C if you need to ask the court to decide how much you owe, or you want to offer to pay a certain amount Where to send the forms Where you send the forms to depends on how the claim was made. If the claim was made using a paper form Send the form to: Civil National Business Centre St Katharine’s House 21 – 27 St Katharine’s Street Northampton NN1 2LH If the claim was made using the Online Civil Money Claims service Your claim number will include ‘MC’ if the claim was made using the Online Civil Money Claims service. To respond using a paper form, send the form to: Civil Money Claims HMCTS CMC PO Box 12747 Harlow CM20 9RA If the claim was made using the Money Claim Online service Your claim number will be 8 digits long and include letters and numbers if the claim was made using the Money Claim Online service. To respond using a paper form, send the form to: Money Claim Online (MCOL) Civil National Business Centre St Katharine’s House 21 – 27 St Katharine’s Street Northampton NN1 2LH Get help responding to a claim by post If the claim was made using a paper form, contact the Civil National Business Centre if you need help. Civil National Business Centre Telephone: 0300 123 1372 Monday to Friday, 8:30am to 5pm Welsh language: 0300 303 5174 Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm Find out about call charges If the claim was made online, contact the relevant online service for help. After you’ve responded Keep proof (for example, your bank records or a receipt from the claimant) to show you’ve paid. If you offer to pay a different amount, the claimant will decide whether to accept it. If you defend the claim, the claimant will decide whether to proceed or withdraw the claim.

Resolve the claim through mediation

Mediation is when an impartial professional (the mediator) helps both sides work out an agreement. It’s confidential and usually quicker and cheaper than going to court. The court may offer you meditation or tell you to attend it if you dispute the claim. You can also arrange independent mediation yourself. Mediation organised by the court The court will organise mediation if you’re disputing a claim of £10,000 or less. This service is free. Mediation is optional for some claims made online. It’s compulsory for other online claims or applications made by post. You’ll be told if you need to attend mediation. If both sides agree to mediation, a mediator from HM Courts and Tribunal Service (HMCTS) will speak to you separately by phone to help you to explore options, negotiate and agree a settlement. If mediation is compulsory for your application, the judge can sanction you if you do not attend or make an effort to reach an agreement. Sanctions can include your case being dismissed (‘struck out’) or having to pay all court costs even if you win. The mediation appointment Once both sides have agreed to mediation, you’ll be given a date and time for your telephone appointment. The appointment will last up to one hour. You can bring someone with you to mediation. For example, a trusted friend, relative, or a solicitor. Contact the small claims mediation service if you have questions about the claim or your appointment. Include your claim number with your query, if you have one. Small claims mediation service scmreferrals@justice.gov.uk Telephone: 0300 123 4593 Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm Find out about call charges Independent mediation You can get mediation from an independent mediator for a claim of any amount. There’s a fixed fee for this service . If the claim is for £10,000 or less, you may also have to attend court mediation if independent mediation is unsuccessful. If you reach an agreement You’ll make a verbal agreement at the mediation appointment. This is legally binding which means that you must follow it. You’ll be given the terms of the agreement in a document – this is called a settlement agreement. If either side breaks the terms, then the other side can go to court to ask for a judgment or hearing. If you do not reach an agreement You’ll have to attend a court hearing . You cannot mention what happened during the mediation appointment in court. You will not have to wait longer for a court hearing if you go to mediation first.

Going to a court hearing

You might have to give more information at a hearing if your offer is rejected or if mediation is unsuccessful. If there’s a hearing, you can: represent yourself pay for a barrister or solicitor to represent you ask someone to advise you in court - they do not have to be a lawyer ask someone to speak on your behalf - you might need to get the court’s permission Your hearing can be held in the judge’s room or a courtroom in a county court if the claim is for less than £10,000. There might be a more formal hearing if the claim is for more. After the hearing You’ll get a decision on the day of the hearing. The court will also send you a copy of the decision by post. Appeal the decision You can ask to appeal the decision if you think the judge made a mistake during the hearing. You must ask within 21 days of the date the decision was made. Find out which court or tribunal to appeal to . Contact Citizens Advice to get advice on appealing.

Respond to a court claim for money

Overview

You’ll get a letter or email if someone claims you owe them money. You must respond by the date on the email or letter you receive.

Follow the instructions in the email or letter. You should respond in the same way that the claim was made, for example you should respond online if the claim was made online.

The process is different in Scotland.

Ways to respond

You can:

pay the full amount
offer to pay a different amount (if you think you owe less than the claim amount)
defend the claim (if you do not think you owe any money)

If you offer to pay a different amount and it’s rejected, you might have to give more information at a hearing.

You can ask for another 14 days to respond if you are not paying the full amount. You might have to pay more or get a county court judgment (CCJ) if you do not respond in time.

You can also make a claim against them (‘counterclaim’) if you think they owe you money. You might have to pay a court fee.

View a printable version of the whole guide

Respond to a court claim for money

Overview

Ways to respond

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Respond to a court claim for money

Overview

Ways to respond

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