Small Claims Court Fees

Money Claim Issue Fee

The first fee you encounter is the issue fee, which you pay when lodging your claim. The amount depends on how much you are claiming, as shown in the table below. These figures come from the official HM Courts & Tribunals Service scale, last updated in April 2025.

Amount being claimed	Court fee (issue fee)
Up to £300	£35
£300.01 – £500	£50
£500.01 – £1,000	£70
£1,000.01 – £1,500	£80
£1,500.01 – £3,000	£115
£3,000.01 – £5,000	£205
£5,000.01 – £10,000	£455
£10,000.01 – £200,000	5% of the amount claimed
More than £200,000	£10,000

If you cannot afford the fee, you can apply for help with fees; those on low incomes or certain benefits may qualify for a reduction or exemption.

Pre‑Trial Checklist (Listing Questionnaire)

Fast‑track and multi‑track cases require both parties to submit a listing questionnaire (also called a pre‑trial checklist) and pay a fee. However, claims allocated to the small‑claims track do not require this form. That means there is no listing questionnaire fee for typical small‑claims proceedings.

Hearing Fee

If the case cannot be settled through mediation or by default judgment, the court will fix a hearing date, and you must pay a hearing fee. The fee depends on the size of the claim and is payable by the claimant unless the case proceeds solely on a counterclaim. The latest fee schedule, from April 2025, is as follows:

Claim amount	Hearing fee
Up to £300	£27
£300.01 – £500	£59
£500.01 – £1,000	£85
£1,000.01 – £1,500	£123
£1,500.01 – £3,000	£181
Over £3,000	£346

Copying Documents

It is wise to keep your own copies of all documents. If you need the court to produce copies, the following charges apply:

Document service	Fee
Copy of any document (up to 10 pages)	£11
Each additional page	£0.50
Electronic copy of a document	£11 per copy

General Civil Court Fees

Additional fees can arise during your case.

General application fee: £313 (on notice)
General application fee: £123 (by consent / without notice)
Application to vary a judgment or suspend enforcement: £15
Witness summons fee: £4

These fees are separate from issue fees and hearing fees and may apply depending on how your case progresses.

Company and Insolvency Petitions

When your claim involves an insolvent company or debtor, you still pay the ordinary small‑claims fees.

Bankruptcy or administration petition: £343
Official Receiver’s deposit (bankruptcy): £1,500

Fees are refundable if the debtor pays before the petition hearing.

Other Civil Court Fees

There are several other fees that may apply, depending on how the case evolves. Applications to amend your claim, add a party or seek an injunction usually fall under the general application fee noted above. Most amendments, adding a party, or injunction requests fall under the general application fee.

Appeal fee (County Court, small-claims track): £147
Appeal fee (High Court): £294
Appeal fees are in addition to any hearing fees.

Civil Enforcement Proceedings and Small‑Claims Court Costs

Winning a judgment does not guarantee payment. If the defendant fails to pay, you may need to commence enforcement proceedings. Each enforcement method attracts its own fee. Common examples include:

Questioning a judgment debtor about their finances – £61.
Applying for a third‑party debt order (freezing money in a bank account) – £88.
Applying for a charging order on the debtor’s property – £43.
Applying for a judgment summons (to compel payment) – £83.
Applying for an attachment of earnings order – £38.
General application to enforce a judgment or order –£114.
Issuing a warrant of possession or delivery – £135.
Sealing a writ of control or possession in the High Court – £68.

Because each enforcement step costs extra, civil enforcement can quickly add up; typical expenses range from around £40 to over £130 per application. You should consider whether the debtor has assets before incurring enforcement costs.

Start a claim

Stage of the claim	Fee	Notes
Issue fee	£35–£10,000 (or 5% of the claim)	Depends on the amount claimed; see the detailed table above.
Hearing fee	£27–£346	Payable before the trial if mediation fails.
Copy of court document	£11 for up to 10 pages	£0.50 per extra page; electronic copies cost £11 each.
General application (on notice)	£313	Example: asking the court to amend an order.
General application (consent / without notice)	£123	Reduced fee where both sides agree on urgent matters.
Amend or suspend judgment	£15	Fee to vary or suspend enforcement.
Witness summons	£4	To compel a witness to attend.
Bankruptcy/administration petition	£343	Additional deposit payable to the Official Receiver.
Third‑party debt order	£88	Freezes money held by a bank or debtor’s customer.
Charging order	£43	Puts a charge on property owned by the debtor.
Attachment of earnings order	£38	Deducts payments directly from wages.
Warrant of possession/delivery	£135	Enables the bailiff to seize goods or take possession.
Appeal fee (small‑claims track)	£147	For appellant’s/respondent’s notice in the county court.

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How much does small claims court cost in the UK?

The total cost depends on your claim size and whether the case goes to a hearing. For example, a £3,000 claim filed online costs £115 to issue and a further £181 if a hearing is needed. Additional applications or enforcement steps increase costs.

Is it worth taking someone to small claims court in the UK?

It can be worthwhile if the amount owed is significant and you have clear evidence. Compare the likely recovery with the fees above; if you win, the court will normally order the defendant to repay your costs, but you may still need to enforce the judgment.

What is the maximum amount you can claim in small claims court in the UK?

In England and Wales, the small claims limit is £10,000. Claims above this go to the fast track or multi-track, which involve higher fees and more complex procedures.

Do I need a lawyer for a small claims court in the UK?

No. Small claims court is designed for individuals to represent themselves. Lawyers are allowed, but their fees are usually not recoverable, so most people handle the process independently.

Profession: Small Business Owner

Claim Type: Breach of Contract (£5,000)

Time to File: 35 minutes

Outcome: Default judgment for £4,771.65 (including court fees) — full repayment secured.

A client paid £5,000 for a one-month agreement to use commercial premises but was denied access after just five days. The provider refused to refund the unused period.nnThe claim was filed for fundamental breach of contract and unjust enrichment. When the defendant failed to respond, the court issued a default judgment, granting full recovery including fees and interest.

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