How to Write Particulars of Claim for Small Claims Court

What are Particulars of Claim?

Particulars of Claim is the detailed explanation of your case. It's where you tell the court what happened, why the defendant is legally responsible, and exactly what you're claiming. Think of it as your written argument — the facts, the law, and the remedy you want.

When the court reads your claim, they're looking at two things: the form you filed (which officially starts the case) and your Particulars of Claim (which explains the substance). If your Particulars are vague or incomplete, the defendant can't respond properly, and the judge won't understand your case. If they're clear and well-structured, you're showing the court that you take your claim seriously and that you've thought it through.

When and where do you write them?

You write Particulars of Claim when you file your claim, but they take different forms depending on which route you choose.

If you file online via MCOL: You write Particulars of Claim directly into the online form. There's a text box, usually with a character limit (typically 2,000–4,000 characters). You write in this box and submit. MCOL doesn't allow you to attach separate documents, so you have to be concise and fit everything in.

If you file on paper (Form N1): You write Particulars of Claim in Section 5 of the form itself, or you can attach a separate sheet if your claim is complex. The form provides space, but if you need more room, you can print a blank page, label it "Particulars of Claim (continued)" and staple it to the form. The court doesn't mind — they expect it for more complex claims.

The six essential elements

Every Particulars of Claim must include six key pieces of information. If you cover all six, you've told the court everything they need to know.

1. Identify the parties

State the claimant's full name and address, and the defendant's full legal name and address. If the defendant is a limited company, use the registered company name (check Companies House). If it's a trading name, use both — e.g. "Smith & Sons Limited (trading as ABC Builders)". This seems obvious, but getting it wrong is one of the most common mistakes and can delay your claim.

2. Brief factual background

Tell the story chronologically. When did the agreement or relationship start? What was promised? What was the price? When was it due? What actually happened? When did you discover the problem? Use specific dates. For example: "On 15 March 2025, Apex Building Services Ltd agreed to renovate the kitchen for £4,500, completion by 5 April 2025. Work was completed on 10 April. On 12 April, I inspected the work and found loose tiles and cracked grouting."

3. The legal basis

What legal principle makes the defendant liable? Usually this is one of: breach of contract (they failed to do what they promised), breach of statutory duty (they broke a law — e.g. Sale of Goods Act), or money owed under a contract (they owe you a debt). Name the legal basis explicitly. For example: "The defendant breached the contract by delivering work that was defective and unfit for purpose."

4. The breach

Specifically, what did the defendant do wrong? Don't say "poor work" and leave it there — explain exactly what was poor. Was it incomplete? Below standard? Did it breach a legal duty? Did it not match what was promised? Give facts. For example: "The defendant failed to complete the work to a professional standard. Grouting is cracked in three places, tiles are loose, and the work does not meet the Building Regulations standard for tiling."

5. The loss

What has this cost you? State the amount clearly and explain how you arrived at it. Break it down if necessary. For example: "I am claiming £1,800 for the cost of remedial work, as quoted by [Name Tradesman] dated 20 April 2025. I paid the defendant £2,500 upfront, but the defective work means I cannot recover that amount and must pay £1,800 to put it right."

6. What you want the court to order

Be explicit about the remedy. Do you want a lump sum payment? Do you want the defendant to do the work? Do you want interest? Court fees? Write it clearly. For example: "I claim: (1) £1,800 for remedial work; (2) Interest at 8% per annum from 12 April 2025 to date of judgment; (3) Court fee of £[amount]." The court won't award what you don't ask for.

A worked example: kitchen renovation gone wrong

Here's a realistic scenario. James Wilson hired Apex Building Services Ltd to renovate his kitchen for £4,500. The work was to be completed by 5 April 2025, but it was done poorly — loose tiles, cracked grouting. James asked for it to be fixed; the company didn't respond. He got quotes for remedial work (£1,800) and is now claiming.

Here's how his Particulars of Claim would be written:

PARTICULARS OF CLAIM

Claimant: James Wilson, 42 Oak Lane, London, SW1A 1AA
Defendant: Apex Building Services Limited, Unit 5 Industrial Estate, Bristol, BS2 1XY

1. BACKGROUND
On 15 March 2025, the Claimant instructed the Defendant to renovate the kitchen in his home. The parties agreed a fixed price of £4,500 with a completion date of 5 April 2025. The Claimant paid £2,500 upfront and agreed to pay the balance on completion.

2. THE CONTRACT
The contract was an oral agreement with the following express terms:
- The Defendant would complete a full kitchen renovation including removal of old units, installation of new units, tiling of walls and floor, and finishing work
- The work would be completed to a professional standard
- Completion date: 5 April 2025
- Total price: £4,500

3. THE DEFENDANT'S PERFORMANCE
The Defendant completed the work on 10 April 2025 (five days late). On 12 April 2025, the Claimant inspected the work and found the following defects:
- Three tiles on the wall are loose and partially detached
- The grouting between tiles is cracked in multiple places
- The floor tiling is uneven in places
- The work does not meet the Building Regulations standard for kitchen tiling

On 12 April 2025, the Claimant sent an email to the Defendant (attached as Evidence A) identifying these defects and requesting remedial work. The Defendant has not responded or attended to fix the work.

4. BREACH OF CONTRACT
The Defendant has breached the contract by:
- Delivering work that is defective and unfit for purpose
- Failing to complete the work to a professional standard
- Failing to complete the work by the agreed date
- Failing to respond to requests to remedy the defects

The work fails to meet the express and implied contractual terms. Under the Supply of Goods and Services Act 1982, services must be carried out with reasonable care and skill and within a reasonable time. The Defendant has breached these duties.

5. LOSS AND DAMAGE
As a result of the Defendant's breaches, the Claimant has suffered loss as follows:

(a) Cost of remedial work: £1,800
The Claimant obtained a quote from [Name Tradesman] dated 20 April 2025 (attached as Evidence B) for £1,800 to remedy the defects. The Claimant has not yet incurred this cost but will do so shortly.

(b) Wasted payment: The Claimant paid £2,500 upfront, believing the work would be completed to a professional standard and on time. Due to the Defendant's breach, this money is essentially lost — the Claimant must now pay further sums to put the work right.

(c) Interest: The Claimant claims interest at 8% per annum (the statutory rate) from 12 April 2025 (the date of the breach) to the date of judgment, calculated daily.

Total claim: £1,800 (remedial costs) plus interest

6. THE REMEDY SOUGHT
The Claimant claims:
(1) £1,800 for the cost of remedial work
(2) Interest at 8% per annum from 12 April 2025 to the date of judgment
(3) Court fee of £[amount]

STATEMENT OF TRUTH
I believe the facts in these Particulars of Claim are true. I understand that proceedings for contempt of court may be brought against anyone who makes, or causes to be made, a false statement in a document verified by a statement of truth without an honest belief in its truth.

Signed: James Wilson
Date: [date claim filed]

Common mistakes to avoid

• Writing too much. The court doesn't want a novel. They want the facts that matter, not every detail of every conversation. If you ramble, the judge may get lost or think you're trying to hide something. Keep it concise — 200–400 words for simple claims is enough.
• Using emotional or hostile language. Don't write "The defendant is a crook" or "They deliberately ruined my kitchen out of spite." Stick to facts. The judge is reading this. Emotion makes you look unreasonable, even if your claim is valid. Professional language shows respect for the court and confidence in your case.
• Forgetting to state what remedy you want. If you don't ask for £1,800 and interest and court fees, you might not get them. Be explicit. List everything you're claiming for. The court won't award what you don't ask for.
• Vague amounts. Don't write "around £4,000" or "approximately £1,500". Write exactly £4,000 or £1,500. If you're claiming interest, calculate it precisely. Vague numbers look careless and make the court doubt your preparation.
• Confusing facts with law. Facts are what happened. Law is why that makes the defendant liable. Don't mix them. Say "The defendant did X" (fact) and separately "The defendant breached the contract by doing X" (law). Keep them separate so the judge can follow your argument.
• Missing the Statement of Truth. Your Particulars of Claim must be signed and dated with a Statement of Truth saying you believe the facts are true. Without it, your claim is incomplete. For MCOL, you'll tick an electronic declaration instead.

How ClaimOn writes yours for you

You can write Particulars of Claim using the template above and the six-element structure. But ClaimOn does this automatically in Stage 3 (Gather Info). You enter your information once — your details, the defendant's details, what happened, the evidence you have, and the amount you're claiming — and ClaimOn generates a formal Particulars of Claim tailored to your specific claim.

The app analyses your evidence, organises the facts chronologically, identifies the legal basis, and structures the whole thing professionally. It includes the Statement of Truth ready for your signature. You can review, edit, and download it as part of your presentation pack.

Frequently asked questions