Got a dispute for £10,000 or less (in England and Wales) and need your money back? Navigating the UK Small Claims process doesn't have to mean mountains of paperwork! The official Online Civil Money Claims (OCMC) service is the quick, cost-effective, and straightforward way for individuals and businesses to start legal action.
Key Steps to Launch Your Claim:
💰 Pre-Action Protocol: The LBC Crucially, before you file, you must send the other party (the defendant) a formal Letter Before Claim. This clearly outlines your dispute, how much you're claiming, and gives them a reasonable deadline (usually 14 days) to respond and settle the matter out of court.
📝 Start the Online Claim If the letter fails, head to the official Online Civil Money Claims (OCMC) service on GOV.UK. You'll need key details like the defendant's correct name, a UK address, and a debit/credit card for the fee.
✍️ Particulars of Claim This is the core of your case. You'll enter a concise statement explaining why they owe you money and the exact amount. Be clear, accurate, and have all supporting evidence (invoices, emails, etc.) ready to back it up.
💳 Pay the Fee A court fee is required, calculated based on the value of your claim. The online system automatically adds this fee to the total amount you are claiming from the defendant.
🚀 Claim Issued & Response Once filed, the court formally issues the claim, and the defendant has a limited time (typically 14 days) to respond by either admitting the claim, defending it, or making a partial admission.
🤝 Mandatory Mediation (Upcoming/Current) If the claim is defended, the court will likely require you to attempt free mediation before a hearing. This aims to settle the dispute over the phone, saving both time and cost.
OCMC's advantage? It simplifies the process, lets you track updates online, and is generally the cheapest way to issue a claim. If the defendant doesn't respond, you can apply for a Judgment by Default in your favour.
Official Resources:
Make a court claim for money (GOV.UK): https://www.gov.uk/make-court-claim-for-money/make-claim
Further Information: https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/law-and-courts/legal-system/small-claims/making-a-small-claim/
