Stage 1: Check Your Eligibility
What happens
Before anything else, we check that the small claims court is the right route for your dispute. Six quick questions about your claim type, amount, and the person or business you're claiming against.
What ClaimOn does
Determines whether you can use Money Claims Online (MCOL) or need to file a paper form (N1). Explains why, and what each route involves.
Key detail: Covers money claims up to £10,000 in England and Wales.
Stage 2: Send a Letter Before Action
What happens
The court expects you to try resolving the dispute before filing a claim. A Letter Before Action (LBA) is a formal letter giving the other party a deadline to pay or respond.
What ClaimOn does
Collects your details, the defendant's details, and your evidence. Then generates a formal Letter Before Action that references your evidence and states your claim clearly. You can copy it, print it, or email it.
Key detail: The letter gives the defendant 14 days (individuals) or 30 days (businesses) to respond.
Stage 3: Prepare Your Case
What happens
If the letter doesn't resolve things, it's time to prepare for court. This means gathering your evidence, calculating interest, and writing your Particulars of Claim — the formal statement that tells the court what happened.
What ClaimOn does
Reviews your existing details, helps you choose the right legal basis, calculates interest at the 8% statutory rate, generates your Particulars of Claim, and builds a presentation pack — a court-ready document with a timeline, evidence index, and financial summary.
Key detail: The presentation pack can be printed or shown on a laptop at your hearing.
Stage 4: Submit Your Claim
What happens
With your case prepared, you submit your claim to the court. If you're eligible for MCOL, you do this online. Otherwise, you fill in Form N1 and post it.
What ClaimOn does
For MCOL: provides a bookmarklet that auto-fills the portal pages with your details, plus a step-by-step walkthrough of each screen. For paper claims: a section-by-section guide to Form N1 with copyable data. Both routes include court fee calculation, a submission checklist, and calendar reminders for key deadlines.
Key detail: Court fees range from £35 to £455 depending on your claim amount.
Stage 5: Follow Through
What happens
After you file, several things can happen. The defendant might pay, ignore you, admit the debt, defend the claim, or even counterclaim. Each scenario has a different next step.
What ClaimOn does
An interactive scenario selector covers all seven possible outcomes — from applying for default judgment (if they don't respond) to preparing for a hearing (if they defend). Includes enforcement options if they still won't pay after judgment.
Key detail: If the defendant doesn't respond within 14 days of being served, you can apply for default judgment.