Small Claims
Fixed-fee advice for claims under £10,000.
The Small Claims Track in the County Court provides a relatively quick, inexpensive and accessible route to resolving lower-value civil disputes. Claims with a value of up to £10,000 (or up to £1,000 for personal injury and housing disrepair claims) are generally allocated to the Small Claims Track. While the process is designed to be accessible to litigants in person, professional legal advice can make a significant difference to the outcome — and the costs rules in the Small Claims Track mean that legal fees are generally not recoverable from the losing party, making fixed fee advice essential. BW Solicitors provides cost-effective small claims advice and representation to clients across Ilford and London.
Important Notice
Types of Small Claims
The Small Claims Track handles a wide variety of lower-value disputes between individuals and between individuals and businesses. Common types of small claim include disputes about faulty goods or services, road traffic accident claims, holiday and travel complaints, disputes between landlords and tenants about deposits and minor disrepair, and neighbour disputes. Our solicitors will advise you on whether your claim is likely to be allocated to the Small Claims Track and what to expect from the process.
- Disputes about faulty goods — claims under the Consumer Rights Act 2015
- Disputes about poor or incomplete services
- Road traffic accident claims for minor personal injury and vehicle damage
- Holiday and travel compensation claims
- Tenancy deposit disputes
- Neighbour disputes — noise, boundary encroachments, nuisance
- Claims against traders for breach of contract
- Consumer credit disputes
The Small Claims Process
A small claim begins with the issue of a claim form (N1) at the County Court, either online through the Money Claim Online (MCOL) system or by filing at a court office. Once the claim is served on the defendant, they have 14 days to respond. If the defendant disputes the claim, it will be allocated to the Small Claims Track and a hearing date will be set. The hearing is informal compared to higher track proceedings, but preparation of a clear witness statement and supporting documents is essential to presenting your case effectively.
- Issuing the claim — N1 claim form or online MCOL
- Responding to a claim — acknowledgment of service and defence
- Directions questionnaire and allocation to the Small Claims Track
- Preparation of witness statements and supporting documents
- The small claims hearing — presenting your case to the judge
- Judgment and enforcement
When Is Legal Advice Worth It for a Small Claim?
In the Small Claims Track, successful claimants generally cannot recover their legal costs from the losing party (subject to limited exceptions). This means it is important to ensure that the cost of legal advice is proportionate to the value and complexity of the claim. BW Solicitors offers fixed fee advice packages for small claims matters, giving you the benefit of expert legal guidance at a predictable and proportionate cost. Even a single consultation can significantly improve your chances of success.
Why Choose BW Solicitors?
Our civil litigation solicitors provide practical, no-nonsense advice on small claims that helps clients understand their position, prepare their case effectively and present it with confidence. We offer fixed fee packages specifically tailored for Small Claims Track matters. We serve clients across Ilford, East London and Greater London.