What this tool does

The small claims track is the part of the county court that handles disputes worth up to £10,000 in England and Wales, or £5,000 in Scotland and £3,000 in Northern Ireland. This tool takes the details of your dispute and gives you a plain English guide to what filing or defending a claim actually involves, from the first letter before action through to the hearing itself.

You will get a sense of whether your case is likely to succeed, what it will cost in court fees, and the practical steps to take next.

When to use it

It is aimed at anyone considering a claim against an individual or a business, and anyone who has been sent a claim and needs to respond. Common situations include unpaid invoices, deposits that have not been returned, builders or tradespeople who have done shoddy work, faulty goods a retailer will not refund, holiday or flight compensation, and disputes with landlords or tenants over money.

It is less useful for housing possession cases, family matters, employment tribunals, or claims above the small claims limit, as these follow different rules and usually need proper legal advice.

How it works

You answer a few short questions about your situation, the amount involved, and where things currently stand. The tool then produces a written summary covering your options, the likely timeline, the fees you will need to pay, the evidence worth gathering, and what typically happens at a hearing. Nothing you enter is saved, and the guidance is general rather than formal legal advice, so for anything complicated or high value it is still worth speaking to a solicitor or contacting Citizens Advice.