Check limits, court fees, and eligibility — UK & US
Small claims court (called the "small claims track" in England & Wales) is designed to handle straightforward disputes quickly and cheaply without needing a solicitor or attorney. Cases typically involve unpaid invoices, faulty goods or services, property damage, landlord deposit disputes, and minor personal injury claims.
In England and Wales, most claims up to £10,000 are allocated to the small claims track in the County Court. However, personal injury and housing disrepair claims have a lower limit of £1,000. In Scotland, the Simple Procedure handles claims up to £5,000. In Northern Ireland, the limit is £3,000. Claims above these limits go to more formal court tracks with higher costs and risk.
UK small claims court fees (2025) are: £35 for up to £300; £70 for £300.01–£500; £115 for £500.01–£1,000; £205 for £1,000.01–£1,500; £260 for £1,500.01–£3,000; £410 for £3,000.01–£5,000; £455 for £5,000.01–£10,000. You can file online at Money Claim Online (MCOL) for claims up to £100,000. If you win, the court fee is usually added to your award.
No — and in fact it's usually not worth hiring one. The small claims track is designed to be accessible without legal representation. Even if the other party has a solicitor, you cannot recover their legal costs if you win (and if you lose, you won't owe their legal fees either). You can bring a "lay representative" such as a friend to help you. Citizens Advice can also help you prepare your case for free.
Common small claims include: unpaid invoices or debts; faulty goods or poor services; landlord refusing to return a tenancy deposit; property damage; holiday or travel complaints; and minor personal injuries (below the limit). You cannot use small claims for most employment disputes (use Employment Tribunal instead), most family law matters, or claims involving complex points of law. The claim must be for a specific sum of money, not an order to do something.
Winning a small claims judgment does not automatically mean you get paid. If the defendant doesn't pay voluntarily, you need to enforce the judgment. Options include: asking the court to instruct enforcement agents (bailiffs) to seize assets; an attachment of earnings order (deducted from wages); a charging order on property; or a third-party debt order against a bank account. There are additional fees for enforcement, which can also be added to the total owed.