How much does it cost to go to small claims court?
The main cost of taking someone to small claims court is the court fee. This is the amount you pay the court when you file your claim. Unlike hiring a solicitor in more serious cases, you don't need to pay a lawyer in small claims court — and if you win, the defendant pays your court fee back.
The court fee depends entirely on how much money you're claiming. The larger the claim, the larger the fee.
Quick example: Claiming £2,500 for a broken contract? Your court fee is £115. If you win, the defendant pays this back — plus interest and the money you're owed.
Small Claims Court Fees 2026
These fees apply whether you file your claim online via Money Claims Online (MCOL) or by paper form (N1). There's no discount for using the online route — the fees are identical.
| Claim Amount | Court Fee |
|---|---|
| Up to £300 | £35 |
| £300.01 – £500 | £50 |
| £500.01 – £1,000 | £70 |
| £1,000.01 – £1,500 | £80 |
| £1,500.01 – £3,000 | £115 |
| £3,000.01 – £5,000 | £205 |
| £5,000.01 – £10,000 | £455 |
Can you get the court fee back if you win?
Yes. The big advantage of small claims court is that if you win, the judge will usually order the defendant to pay:
- ✓ The full amount you claimed
- ✓ Interest on that amount (8% per year)
- ✓ Your court fee
What you don't recover are the defendant's legal costs — even if they hired a solicitor and you didn't. This is one of the key benefits of the small claims track. It levels the playing field: you don't need a lawyer to win, and if they use one, it doesn't hurt you financially.
The only catch: you need to win first. If the defendant doesn't pay the judgment order, you may need to enforce it through the court — and enforcement has its own separate fees (typically £55–£110, depending on the method used).
Help with court fees: Fee remission
If you're on a low income or receiving certain benefits, you can apply for a reduction or complete waiver of the court fee using Form EX160.
Who qualifies?
You may qualify for fee remission if you receive:
- Universal Credit
- Jobseeker's Allowance (JSA)
- Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
- Income Support
- Pension Credit (guarantee credit)
- Savings under £3,000
How it works
Complete Form EX160 (available on GOV.UK) and send it to the court with your claim. The court will review your circumstances and either:
- Grant full remission (you pay nothing)
- Grant partial remission (you pay a reduced fee)
- Decline remission (you pay the full fee)
Timing note: If you apply for fee remission, processing may take a few days. You can still file your claim with your application — the court will process both together.
Other costs to consider
The court fee is the main cost, but there are a few other expenses worth planning for:
Postage and printing (paper claims only)
If you file by paper form N1 instead of online, you'll need to pay to post the form to the court. Budget £5–£10.
Hearing travel
If your claim is defended and goes to a hearing, you may need to travel to the court. Budget for transport costs.
Enforcement (if needed)
If the defendant wins the judgment but refuses to pay, you can apply to enforce it. Enforcement options (bailiffs, attachment of earnings, etc.) cost £55–£110 depending on the method. But again — if they had assets to pay with, you wouldn't need enforcement.
Mediation
If your claim is defended, the court will order you to participate in free mediation with the Small Claims Mediation Service. Mediation is free — no charge to you or the defendant.
Are there any hidden fees?
No. The court fees shown in the table above are the only fees charged by the court. There are no surprise charges, no additional administration fees, and no "processing fees" tacked on later.
What you can claim (and should), however, is interest. If the money you're owed has been overdue for some time, you can claim statutory interest at 8% per year from the date the money became due.
How statutory interest works
Statutory interest is calculated daily. For example, if you're claiming £5,000 and it's been 180 days since you were owed the money:
Daily interest = £400 ÷ 365 = £1.10
Total interest (180 days) = £1.10 × 180 = £197.26
When you file your claim, you'll state the amount of interest you're claiming. If you win, the defendant pays that too — it's not an extra fee, it's part of what you're owed.
Note: Interest runs from the date the money became due until the date of judgment. You can't add further interest after the court makes its decision.
Ready to claim what's yours?
ClaimOn calculates your court fees and interest automatically. It guides you through every stage from your Letter Before Action to filing with the court.
Start Your ClaimFrequently asked questions
Apply for fee remission using Form EX160 before you file. You may qualify for a reduced fee or complete waiver if you're on a low income or receiving certain benefits. Even if remission is declined, you can pay the fee in instalments by contacting the court directly after filing — though you'll need to have filed the claim first.
Yes. The court fees are identical whether you file online via Money Claims Online (MCOL) or by posting Form N1. The only difference is that MCOL is typically faster and more convenient — you get a response quicker.
Yes. You can claim statutory interest at 8% per year from the date the money became due. Interest is calculated daily and added to your claim. If you win, the defendant pays the interest as well as the principal amount. This is separate from the court fee.
The court won't enforce the judgment automatically. You'll need to apply for enforcement using one of four methods: Warrant of Control (bailiffs), Attachment of Earnings, Third Party Debt Order, or Charging Order. Each enforcement method has its own fee (£55–£110). If the defendant pays, they'll also cover this enforcement fee.
When you win your claim, the judgment orders the defendant to pay the amount owed, interest, and court fees. You can then enforce the judgment to recover this money. The time limit to enforce depends on the method used, but generally you have six years from the date of judgment to enforce it.