Learn how to complete the N1 claim form for small claims court in England and Wales, with step-by-step guidance on each section and what to include.

How to complete the N1 claim form

Filing a claim through the County Court in England and Wales means completing the N1 claim form — a document that can feel deceptively straightforward until you sit down to fill it in. Get it right and your claim gets off to a strong start. Get it wrong and you risk delays, a struck-out claim, or handing the defendant an easy argument.

This guide walks you through each section of the N1 form in plain English, covering what the court expects to see and how to present your case clearly. It applies to paper claims filed at a County Court hearing centre; if you are claiming online through Money Claim Online (MCOL), the fields are broadly the same but the process differs slightly.

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What the N1 form is and when you use it

The N1 is the standard claim form used to start civil proceedings in the County Court. It covers money claims of any value, but for most people reading this guide it will be used for small claims — those worth up to £10,000 in England and Wales (£1,500 for personal injury or housing disrepair claims against a landlord).

You can download the N1 form from GOV.UK, where you will also find the official notes that accompany it. Before you complete it, make sure you have already sent a formal letter before action and allowed the defendant reasonable time to respond — typically 14 days for most consumer disputes. If you have not yet sent one, use the ClaimsPilot letter before action tool to generate a compliant letter quickly.

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Section by section: filling in the N1 form

Claimant and defendant details

The top section of the N1 asks for the full legal names and addresses of both parties. These details matter more than many claimants realise.

For the claimant (you): Use your full legal name and a current address. If you are claiming as a sole trader, include both your trading name and your personal name — for example, Jane Smith trading as JS Interiors.
For the defendant (the person or business you are claiming against): Use the defendant’s full legal name. For individuals, that means their full first and last name, not a nickname or abbreviated version. For businesses, check the exact registered name:

• For a limited company, search Companies House to confirm the precise registered name and address.
• For a sole trader, use the individual’s name rather than the trading name alone, though you can add the trading name in brackets.
• For a partnership, you can name the partnership itself.

Getting the defendant’s name wrong is a common mistake that can cause problems enforcing any judgment you obtain.

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The brief details of claim

This is a short summary — usually just two or three sentences — explaining what you are claiming and why. Think of it as the headline version of your case. The full detail comes in the particulars of claim (covered below), so do not try to squeeze everything in here.

A clear example might be:

“The claimant claims the sum of £1,850 for failure to complete building works to a satisfactory standard under a contract dated 14 March 2024, together with interest under section 69 of the County Courts Act 1984.”

Keep it factual, specific, and free of emotional language. The court is interested in legal facts, not how frustrated you feel.

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The value of your claim

The N1 asks you to state the value of your claim. For money claims, tick the appropriate box or write the amount you are seeking. If your claim is for a fixed sum, state that amount clearly.

Do not forget to include interest if you are claiming it. You can claim statutory interest at 8% per annum under section 69 of the County Courts Act 1984 on a judgment debt. Working out exactly how much interest has accrued can be fiddly — use the ClaimsPilot interest calculator to get an accurate figure to include on the form.

You will also need to account for the court fee, which is based on the value of your claim. Court fees are set by HMCTS and the current fee schedule is available on GOV.UK. You cannot recover the court fee from the defendant automatically — you need to claim it as part of your overall claim.

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Particulars of claim

This is the most important part of the N1 form and the section most claimants struggle with. The particulars of claim is where you set out the facts of your case in a structured, logical way. If there is not enough space on the form itself (and there usually is not), write “see attached particulars of claim” in the box and attach a separate document.

Your particulars of claim should generally cover:

1. The nature of your relationship with the defendant — how did you come to deal with each other? Was there a contract? If so, was it written or verbal, and when was it formed?

2. What was agreed — what were the key terms? What did each party agree to do or pay?

3. What went wrong — how did the defendant breach the contract or otherwise cause your loss? Be specific about dates and amounts.

4. The loss you have suffered — explain how the breach caused your financial loss, and how you have calculated the amount you are claiming.

5. What you are asking the court to order — usually payment of a sum of money, plus interest and court costs.

Write in numbered paragraphs. Keep sentences short and factual. Avoid legal jargon unless you know exactly what it means. Courts appreciate clarity — a judge reading dozens of files a day will respond better to a clear, concise account than a sprawling narrative.

Where you have evidence — invoices, contracts, emails, photographs — refer to them in the particulars as exhibits (e.g., “exhibited at Exhibit A is a copy of the original invoice dated…”) and attach them as separate numbered documents.

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Statement of truth

Every N1 form must be signed with a statement of truth. The wording is set out on the form itself:

“I believe that the facts stated in these particulars of claim are true.”

This is not a formality. Signing a statement of truth means you are confirming to the court that what you have written is accurate to the best of your knowledge. Deliberately making false statements can amount to contempt of court, which is a serious matter.

If you are claiming as an individual, you sign personally. If you are claiming on behalf of a company, a director or other authorised person can sign, stating their position in the organisation.

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What happens after you submit the N1 form

Once you have completed the form and gathered your supporting documents, you need to file the claim at a County Court hearing centre. You will pay the court fee at this point. The court will then issue the claim — stamping it with a claim number — and serve it on the defendant, or you can serve it yourself if you prefer.

The defendant then has 14 days to respond from the date of service. They can:

• Admit the claim in full and pay
• Admit part of the claim
• Dispute the claim by filing a defence
• Acknowledge service, giving them an additional 14 days to file a defence

If they do not respond at all within the deadline, you can apply for a default judgment. Details on what to do if you win a default judgment are on GOV.UK.

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Common mistakes to avoid

Before you submit, run through this quick checklist:

• Have you used the defendant’s correct legal name? Check Companies House or other official sources.
• Are your dates and amounts consistent throughout the form? Inconsistencies undermine your credibility.
• Have you included interest in your claimed amount? Use the ClaimsPilot interest calculator to check.
• Have you signed the statement of truth? Unsigned forms will be rejected.
• Have you kept a copy of everything? File a copy for yourself before submitting.
• Did you send a letter before action first? Courts expect claimants to have tried to resolve the dispute before filing. If not, generate one now with the ClaimsPilot letter before action tool.

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Start your claim with ClaimsPilot

Completing the N1 form correctly takes time, attention to detail, and a clear understanding of what you are claiming and why. ClaimsPilot is designed to help you build a well-structured claim from the ground up — from your letter before action through to calculating interest and preparing your particulars of claim.

Ready to take the next step? Create a free account at ClaimsPilot and start building your claim today.