Small Claims Court Fees Calculator
Calculate the exact court fees to start a small claims case in the UK. Estimate issue fees, recovery costs, and total expenses for England and Wales.
Claim Details & Costs
Enter your claim amount and any additional expected costs to calculate your court fees
The total amount you are claiming (up to £10,000 for small claims in England & Wales).
£100 for a Warrant of Control if the defendant refuses to pay after you win.
Any approved expert reports or witness expenses you intend to claim back.
Legal Cost Results
Estimated court fees and recoverable expenses
Enter your claim details above, then click Calculate Fees to see your estimated court costs.
UK County Court Issue Fees
Understanding the standard fee tiers for specified money claims helps you budget accurately before issuing your claim via Money Claim Online (MCOL) or by post.
| Claim Amount | Issue Fee | Context / Details |
|---|---|---|
| £0.01 to £300 | £35 | Standard specified claim issue fee. |
| £300.01 to £500 | £50 | Standard specified claim issue fee. |
| £500.01 to £1,000 | £70 | Standard specified claim issue fee. |
| £1,000.01 to £1,500 | £80 | Standard specified claim issue fee. |
| £1,500.01 to £3,000 | £115 | Standard specified claim issue fee. |
| £3,000.01 to £5,000 | £205 | Standard specified claim issue fee. |
| £5,000.01 to £10,000 | £455 | Maximum limit for the small claims track. |
Small Claims Court FAQ
Everything you need to know about issuing a claim, court fees, and the legal process in the UK small claims track.
In England and Wales, the small claims track limit is £10,000 for standard civil disputes. In Scotland, the limit for simple procedures is £5,000, and in Northern Ireland, it is £3,000. Claims above these limits must be issued in the fast track or multi-track, which have different fee structures and cost rules.
Yes, you must pay the court issue fee upfront when you submit your claim via Money Claim Online (MCOL) or by post. However, if you win your case, the court will usually order the defendant to reimburse you for this fee. If you lose, you generally forfeit the fee.
Generally, no. The small claims track is designed to be used without lawyers. The court will typically only allow you to recover fixed costs, such as the court issue fee, warrant fees for enforcement, and reasonable expert witness or travel expenses. You usually cannot recover solicitor fees unless specific exceptions apply.
A typical small claims case takes between 3 to 6 months from the date you issue the claim to the final hearing. This timeline depends on how quickly the defendant responds, whether they defend the claim, and the current backlog at your local county court.
Winning a judgment does not guarantee payment. If the defendant refuses to pay, you must take steps to enforce the judgment. The most common method is requesting a Warrant of Control, which allows bailiffs to seize goods, and this incurs an additional court fee (currently £100 plus a percentage of the debt).