Learn how to complete the N1 claim form for UK small claims court with this step-by-step guide, covering every section from claimant details to particulars of claim.

How to complete the N1 claim form

If you’ve exhausted other options and a defendant still hasn’t paid what they owe you, filing a claim in the County Court is often your next step. The N1 claim form is the official document you submit to start that process — and getting it right matters. Errors or omissions can delay your case, result in the claim being returned, or weaken your position before a judge. This guide walks you through every section of the N1 form, explains what to include, and highlights common mistakes to avoid.

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What is the N1 form and when do you use it?

The N1 is the standard paper claim form used to start a County Court claim in England and Wales. It is used for most types of money claims, including unpaid invoices, faulty goods, deposits that haven’t been returned, and debts between individuals. If you’re claiming up to £10,000, your case will almost certainly be allocated to the small claims track, which is designed to be accessible to people without legal representation.

You can file your claim online via Money Claim Online (MCOL) if your claim is straightforward and for a fixed amount. However, many claimants still prefer the paper N1 route, either because their claim is more complex, involves multiple defendants, or because they feel more comfortable putting everything in writing before submitting.

Before you submit an N1, you should have already sent a formal letter before action giving the defendant a reasonable opportunity to respond — usually 14 days. If you haven’t done that yet, use the ClaimsPilot letter before action tool to generate one quickly.

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Where to get the N1 form

You can download the N1 form directly from GOV.UK: Form N1 – Claim form (CPR Part 7). It is a PDF that can be completed on screen and printed, or printed and filled in by hand. Either is acceptable, though typed text is generally easier to read.

You’ll also need the N1 Notes, which are the accompanying guidance document — also available on the same GOV.UK page. Keep these to hand while you fill in the form.

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Completing each section of the N1 form

Claimant and defendant details

The top of the form asks for the full names and addresses of both parties.

Claimant (you): Enter your full legal name. If you are a sole trader, include your trading name as well — for example, “Jane Smith trading as J Smith Consulting.” If you are a limited company, use the full registered name.
Defendant (them): Be precise here. If you are claiming against an individual, use their full name. If the defendant is a business, check whether it is a sole trader, partnership, or limited company — because this affects how the claim is served and, if you win, how you enforce the judgment.

• For a limited company, use the full registered name (you can check this on Companies House).
• For a sole trader, name them as an individual and include their trading name.
• For a partnership, you can name the partnership or the individual partners.

Getting the defendant’s name wrong is one of the most common errors in N1 forms. If you name a limited company incorrectly, a judgment may be unenforceable.

The claim value

This section asks you to set out the amount you are claiming. Break it down into:

• The principal amount owed — the original debt or loss
• Interest — you are entitled to claim interest on most money claims under the Late Payment of Commercial Debts (Interest) Act 1998 (for B2B claims) or under the County Courts Act 1984 (for other claims, at 8% per annum simple interest)
• Court fees — you can recover the court fee from the defendant if you win
• Solicitor’s costs — if applicable; for small claims track cases, cost recovery is limited

To work out exactly how much interest you can claim, use the ClaimsPilot interest calculator. It calculates the correct amount of statutory interest based on your claim amount and the number of days overdue, so you don’t have to do the maths by hand.

On the form, you’ll need to state:

• The amount claimed to the date of issue
• The daily rate at which interest continues to accrue
• The total amount you’re seeking (principal + interest to date + court fee)

Particulars of claim

This is the most important part of the N1 form — and the section that receives the least attention. The particulars of claim is where you explain the basis of your claim: what happened, what was agreed, what went wrong, and what you are owed.

You have two options:

1. Include the particulars on the form itself — there is a box on the form, but it is small. Most claimants attach a separate sheet headed “Particulars of Claim.”

2. Serve the particulars separately — you can note on the form that particulars will follow, and serve them within 14 days of the claim form being served on the defendant.

For most small claims, including the particulars with the form is simpler and more efficient.

What to include in your particulars of claim:

• A brief description of the parties and your relationship (e.g. “The Claimant provided web design services to the Defendant under a contract dated 3 March 2024.”)
• What was agreed (include reference to any written contract, invoice, or terms)
• What happened — what the defendant did or failed to do
• The loss you suffered as a result
• The specific sum you are claiming and how it is calculated

Be factual and concise. Avoid emotional language, speculation, or irrelevant background. A judge will read your particulars and form an initial impression — make it clear and logical.

Example opening:
“The Claimant and Defendant entered into an oral agreement on or around 10 January 2024 whereby the Claimant agreed to supply and install flooring at the Defendant’s property for a total sum of £3,200. The Claimant completed the work on 5 February 2024 and issued Invoice No. 042. Despite a letter before action dated 1 March 2024, the Defendant has failed to pay any part of the invoice. The Claimant claims £3,200 plus interest.”

Statement of truth

The N1 form must be signed with a statement of truth. This is a declaration that the contents of the claim are true — it is not just a formality. Signing a statement of truth knowing the contents are false is contempt of court and can result in serious consequences.

If you are an individual claiming for yourself, you sign the form yourself. If you are a director of a company bringing the claim on behalf of that company, you sign in that capacity and note your role.

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Court fees and how to pay them

You must pay a court fee when you submit your N1 form. The fee depends on the value of your claim. Current fees can be found on the GOV.UK court fees page. As a rough guide:

| Claim amount | Fee (paper claim) |

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| Up to £300 | £35 |

| £300.01 – £500 | £50 |

| £500.01 – £1,000 | £70 |

| £1,000.01 – £1,500 | £80 |

| £1,500.01 – £3,000 | £115 |

| £3,000.01 – £5,000 | £205 |

| £5,000.01 – £10,000 | £455 |

If you are on a low income, you may be eligible for a fee remission (Help with Fees) using form EX160.

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Submitting the N1 form

Once completed, make three copies of the N1 form and any attached particulars:

1. One for the court

2. One to be served on each defendant

3. One for your own records

Send or deliver the forms to your local County Court hearing centre. You can find your nearest court using the GOV.UK court finder. Include your payment or a completed EX160 fee remission form.

The court will stamp and issue the claim, then serve it on the defendant (or you can choose to serve it yourself, in which case you must notify the court using form N215).

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Ready to prepare your claim?

Completing the N1 correctly takes preparation — but you don’t have to start from scratch. ClaimsPilot helps you build a strong paper trail before you file, from generating a professional letter before action to calculating the exact interest you’re owed.

Start your claim with ClaimsPilot →