Archive Website of the UK government

Before you make a claim

Taking legal action should be a last resort, as it can be expensive and there's no guarantee you will get the money you're owed.

See the links below for information on alternatives such as ‘mediation’, which can be quicker and cheaper than going to court.

• Recover debts owed to you - a guide

• Mediation in debt disputes

What kind of claims you can make online

If you’re making your claim using Money Claim Online it must be:

• for a fixed amount less than £100,000
• against no more than two people or organisations
• sent to an address in England or Wales with a valid postcode

What you need to make an online claim

To make a claim online, you need to have:

• a valid credit or debit card to pay the court fees
• an address in England or Wales
• an email address

You cannot use Money Claim Online if you are getting help paying your fees because you are on means-tested benefits, like Income Support.

• Making a court claim for money: an introduction

• Court fees - do you have to pay them? Opens new window

What you can do using Money Claim Online

You can use the Money Claim Online website to check the status of your claim. In some cases, you will also be able to:

• ask for the court to make a decision
• get the decision enforced

• Money Claim Online website Opens new window

What you can’t do using Money Claim Online

You cannot use Money Claim Online if you're:

• under 18 years old
• getting legal aid
• suing someone for personal injury or assault
• prevented by the court from making claims because you are a ‘vexatious litigant’ (someone who uses court cases to harass other people)

You cannot use Money Claim Online to make a claim against:

• a child under 18
• someone who lacks 'mental capacity' (someone unable to make their own decisions)
• the government
• a landlord under the tenancy deposit scheme (in most cases - follow the link below for more information)

• Deposit protection schemes for private tenants - problems and disputes

How to register to use Money Claim Online

To use Money Claim Online you’ll need to register with the UK Government Gateway, a website for online government services.

Select 'register as an individual' or 'register as an organisation' on the Money Claim Online homepage. To register you will need your

• first name
• last name
• email address

You will also have to choose a password.

Once you have registered you will be given a user ID number for the Government Gateway and a Money Claim Online customer number.

• What is the Government Gateway?

• Download 'Money Claim Online registration and enrolment guide' (PDF, 220K) Opens new window

• Help with PDF files

Information you need to provide on Money Claim Online

To make a claim using Money Claim Online, you must include:

• the title, full name, address and postcode of the person you're in a dispute with (the address must be in England or Wales)
• the exact amount you wish to claim (including interest)
• details of your claim
• your credit or debit card details
• your email address

Enter the details as accurately as you can. You may have to pay an extra fee if you have to correct any mistakes.

• Find someone's postcode Opens new window

Working out the interest on money you're owed

You can claim interest on money you're owed. This is usually 8 per cent per year.

If you need help working this out, use the link below.

• Making a court claim for money: an introduction

Details of claim - 'particulars of claim'

The details of your claim are known as the 'particulars of claim'. You need to make sure you include as much detail about your claim as possible.

If you don't have space for all the details, provide a summary of your claim and say you will send the details separately. You will then have to send the detailed particulars to the defendant within 14 days of submitting the claim. You will also have to send the court a 'certificate of service' form.

If your case is transferred to a local court, you will need to send a copy of the details to the court within seven days.

• Certificate of service form Opens new window

Signing claim form online - 'statement of truth'

Court forms often have a statement of truth at the bottom of the page for you to sign, confirming that the information is true. To sign this on Money Claim Online, you can type your name.

When you fill in these details, you will get a claim number. You can use this number if you have any questions about your claim.

• Money Claim Online website Opens new window

Paying your court fees for money claims

You must pay with a credit or debit card, and fees can't be refunded. You can find details of the fees by using the link below.

The payment will show on your statement as: ‘MONEYCLAIMOL’.

• Making a court claim for money: an introduction

Help making your claim online

Money Claim Online has help screens you can use. These help with the system only, and don’t give legal advice.

You can also contact the Money Claim Online helpdesk by calling 0845 601 5935 or 01604 619 402 (Monday to Friday, 9.00 am to 5.00 pm).

You can also contact the helpdesk by email:

mcol@hmcts.gsi.gov.uk

Saving and sending your claim

When you complete a screen, Money Claim Online saves your information. You can click on ‘save’ at any point. Incomplete claims are saved for 28 days.

You can change your mind and delete your claim if you haven’t already finished and submitted it. Once you have submitted your claim, you can’t go back and delete it or get a refund.

Your claim will be sent to the defendant one or two days after you’ve made it online. The defendant will be sent the forms they need to respond to the claim.

If the address you gave for the defendant is wrong, you’ll get the claim pack back. You will have to make sure the person you’re in dispute with gets the pack, or your claim won’t go ahead.

You can check the progress of your claim at any time of the day or week, but the system is only updated during business hours.

The defendant’s response to your online claim

The defendant might respond using Money Claim Online or by sending forms to the court.

See the links for information on what to do when the defendant responds to the claim.

• If your court claim for money is ignored

• If a defendant disagrees with your court money claim

• Money claims: if a defendant admits they owe a fixed amount

• Money claims: if a defendant admits they owe an unspecified amount

More useful links

• Responding to an online court claim for money