Guides › Faulty Goods and Refunds › How to Use the Small Claims Court
How to Use the Small Claims Court
If a business will not put things right, a small claim in the county court can be a last resort in England and Wales. Small claims are usually for no more than £10,000. You pay a court fee to start, from £35 for claims up to £300 to £455 for claims of £5,000 to £10,000, and you may get help with fees on a low income. You generally have up to 6 years after you paid to take legal action.
At a Glance
Your Rights
What the rules say, with a link to the official source for each.
Small Claims Basics
Court Fees
To start a money claim you pay a court fee: £35 for claims up to £300, £50 up to £500, £70 up to £1,000, £80 up to £1,500, £115 up to £3,000, £205 up to £5,000 and £455 up to £10,000. You may be able to get help with fees if you have a low income or receive certain benefits. source
How Much You Can Claim
Citizens Advice says small claims are never usually for more than £10,000. Its small claims page covers England. source
Time Limit for Claims
You can generally take legal action for goods problems up to 6 years after you paid in England and Wales, and 5 years in Scotland. source
Time Limits to Know
Miss a deadline and you can lose a right. Check the dates on your own paperwork.
- 6 yearsTime limit for a court claim6 years in England, Wales and Northern Ireland; 5 years in Scotland
Steps to Take
Step 1 of 4
Try everything else first: a written complaint, any ombudsman or ADR scheme, and your card provider.
Step 2 of 4
Send a final letter giving a deadline and saying you will go to court if it is not paid. Our free letter templates can write it for you.
Step 3 of 4
Check the court fee for your claim, and whether you can get help with fees.
Step 4 of 4
Get free advice from Citizens Advice on whether a small claim makes sense for you.
(Tap the numbers to reveal steps)
Where to Go If It Is Not Put Right
Your options, in order, and when each one applies.
Citizens Advice Consumer Service
Free advice, and help deciding whether to start a small claim, once the seller has not put it right.
County Court Small Claims
After other routes fail; usually up to 10,000 pounds, within 6 years.
Good to Know
Small things that make your complaint stronger.
This page covers England and Wales. Scotland and Northern Ireland have their own procedures.
Want Help?
If you would like one of our team to look at your problem, our initial case review is free. We cannot guarantee any outcome and we do not give legal advice.
Lead reviewer
Luke Marley
Founder and Lead Reviewer
Luke founded CPUK in 2026 after seeing how hard it is for ordinary people to get problems with companies put right. He oversees our guides and checks them against official sources.
Research by Katie Burt, Co-founder and Operations Lead (17 years in the care sector, including managing services for vulnerable adults), and the CPUK Research Team. Researched with AI-assisted research tools, then checked and corrected by our team.
Last checked: 12 October 2026. We are not paid by the companies we write about. Adverts never affect our guidance. Read our editorial policy.
Sources and official links
- gov.uk/make-court-claim-for-money/court-fees Checked 12 October 2026
- citizensadvice.org.uk/law-and-courts/legal-system/small-claims/deciding-whether-to-make-a-small-claim Checked 12 October 2026