Claim Value & Court Procedure Details
📊 Court Fee Financial Breakdown (EX50 Rates)
If you are issuing a civil money claim in England and Wales (e.g. recovering an unpaid debt, breach of contract, damaged property, or faulty goods), you must pay a statutory Court Fee to HM Courts & Tribunals Service (HMCTS).
Civil claims are allocated to one of three court tracks based on claim value: Small Claims Track (claims up to £10,000), Fast Track (£10,000 to £25,000), or Multi-Track / High Court (claims over £25,000).
⚙️ Statutory UK Civil Court Fee Schedules for 2026/27 (EX50)
1. Court Claim Issue Fees (MCOL Online vs Paper Form N1)
Filing a money claim online via Money Claim Online (MCOL) attracts a statutory discount compared to issuing a paper N1 claim form at a County Court hearing centre:
| Claim Value (£) | MCOL Online Issue Fee | Paper Form N1 Issue Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Up to £300 | £35.00 | £35.00 |
| £300.01 to £500 | £35.00 | £50.00 |
| £500.01 to £1,000 | £60.00 | £70.00 |
| £1,000.01 to £1,500 | £70.00 | £80.00 |
| £1,500.01 to £3,000 | £105.00 | £115.00 |
| £3,000.01 to £5,000 | £185.00 | £205.00 |
| £5,000.01 to £10,000 | £410.00 | £455.00 |
| Over £10,000 | 5% of claim value | 5% of claim value |
2. Small Claims Court Hearing Fees
If the defendant files a defense and the case proceeds to a final court hearing before a judge, the claimant MUST pay a separate Hearing Fee:
- Claims up to £300: £27.00.
- £300.01 to £500: £55.00.
- £500.01 to £1,000: £85.00.
- £1,000.01 to £1,500: £123.00.
- £1,500.01 to £3,000: £181.00.
- £3,000.01 to £10,000: £355.00.
- Fast Track (£10k - £25k): £545.00.
3. Help with Fees Exemption (Form EX160)
- Claimants receiving qualifying benefits (Universal Credit, Income Support, Guarantee Credit) or with gross single monthly income under £1,420 per month (plus £710 for a partner and £330 per child) qualify for a 100% Court Fee Exemption (paying £0 court fee) under the HMCTS Help with Fees (EX160) scheme.
📊 Practical Court Fee Calculation Worked Examples
Below are two worked calculation examples illustrating civil court fees:
- Claim Amount: **£3,500.00** (Small Claims Track)
- Filing Method: **Money Claim Online MCOL**
Calculation: MCOL Online Issue Fee = £185.00. Small Claims Hearing Fee = £181.00. Total = £366.00.
- Claim Amount: **£15,000.00** (Fast Track)
- Filing Method: **Paper Form N1** (5% of claim value = £750.00)
Calculation: Issue Fee = £750.00. Fast Track Hearing Fee = £545.00. Total = £1,295.00.
📑 Common Pitfalls & Court Fee Warnings
- Forgetting That Winning Recovers Court Fees from the Losing Defendant: If you win your Small Claim, the court orders the losing defendant to reimburse 100% of your court fees (both the Issue Fee and Hearing Fee) on top of the judgment debt.
- Missing the Hearing Fee Payment Deadline: HMCTS issues a notice specifying the deadline for paying the Hearing Fee. If the Hearing Fee is not paid on time, the court will strike out your claim automatically without further notice.
- Issuing High Court Claims Under £100,000: Money claims under £100,000 MUST be issued in the County Court. Issuing a routine debt claim under £100k in the High Court results in severe cost penalties or transfer down to County Court.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
No. The Small Claims Track (claims under £10,000) operates a 'no costs' rule. Win or lose, neither party can recover solicitor hourly fees from the opponent (except court filing fees, fixed commencement costs, and limited witness expenses up to £95/day).
If the defendant fails to pay a CCJ, you can enforce judgment using a Warrant of Control (sending County Court bailiffs — £131 fee), an Attachment of Earnings Order (deducting pay from wages — £119 fee), or a Charging Order against their property (£119 fee).
If defended, a Small Claims case typically takes **30 to 45 weeks** from filing MCOL to attending the final court hearing before a District Judge.
Under Civil Procedure Rules, you MUST send the defendant a formal **Letter Before Claim** giving them 14 to 30 days to pay before issuing a court claim. Failing to send a pre-action letter can result in court cost penalties.