Discover how to start a small claim in the UK using ClaimsPilot — the AI platform that guides you through every step, from letter before action to filing.
How to start a small claim using ClaimsPilot
Starting a small claim can feel daunting, particularly if you have never been involved in legal proceedings before. The paperwork, the deadlines, the unfamiliar terminology — it is easy to see why many people give up before they even begin, leaving legitimate disputes unresolved and money unrecovered.
ClaimsPilot is a UK-based AI platform designed to change that. It guides individuals and small businesses through the small claims process in a clear, structured way — without requiring any legal knowledge or expensive solicitor fees. Whether you are chasing an unpaid invoice, disputing a poor piece of work, or seeking compensation for a faulty product, ClaimsPilot helps you build your case and take the right steps in the right order.
This article walks you through exactly how to start a small claim using ClaimsPilot, from understanding whether your dispute qualifies to filing your claim with the court.
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Understanding whether your dispute qualifies as a small claim
Before doing anything else, it is worth confirming that your dispute falls within the small claims track. In England and Wales, the small claims track is used for most civil disputes where the amount being claimed is £10,000 or less. For personal injury claims and housing disrepair cases, lower limits apply — generally £1,500 or £1,000 respectively.
The small claims track is designed to be accessible to people without legal representation. Cases are heard in the County Court, and the process is deliberately less formal than higher court proceedings. You can read more about how the small claims process works on the GOV.UK Money Claims guidance page.
Common types of small claims include:
- Unpaid invoices or debts
- Disputes with traders or contractors over poor workmanship
- Faulty goods or services
- Landlord and tenant deposit disputes
- Minor road traffic accident claims
If your claim exceeds £10,000, it may be allocated to the fast track or multi-track instead, which typically involves more complex procedures and where legal representation becomes more important. ClaimsPilot focuses on the small claims track, where most individuals and small businesses are likely to find themselves.
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Sending a letter before action — and why it matters
One of the most important — and most commonly skipped — steps in the small claims process is sending a letter before action (sometimes called a letter before claim). This is a formal written notice to the other party, setting out your claim, the amount you are seeking, and giving them a reasonable opportunity to respond or pay before you escalate to court.
Sending a letter before action is not just good practice; it is a requirement under the Pre-Action Protocols set out by the Civil Procedure Rules. Courts expect both parties to have made genuine attempts to resolve a dispute before proceedings are issued. If you skip this step and go straight to court, a judge may penalise you in costs, even if you win.
A well-drafted letter before action should include:
- A clear description of the dispute and what happened
- The amount you are claiming, including any interest
- A deadline for the other party to respond (typically 14 days for individuals, 30 days for businesses)
- A statement that you intend to pursue a court claim if no satisfactory response is received
ClaimsPilot’s letter before action tool makes this step straightforward. You answer a series of guided questions about your dispute, and the platform generates a professionally worded letter that meets the pre-action requirements. You can then download it, send it, and keep a copy as part of your evidence trail.
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Calculating your claim amount, including interest
Knowing exactly how much to claim — and being able to justify that figure — is essential before you file with the court. Many claimants underestimate their entitlement by forgetting to include statutory interest, which can make a meaningful difference to the total amount recovered.
Under the Late Payment of Commercial Debts (Interest) Act 1998, businesses can charge statutory interest on overdue invoices at 8% above the Bank of England base rate. For non-business disputes, you can also ask the court to award interest under the County Courts Act 1984, typically at 8% per annum on the amount owed from the date the debt arose.
Working this out manually can be fiddly, particularly if the debt has been outstanding for a long time. ClaimsPilot’s interest calculator does the hard work for you. Simply enter the principal amount, the date the debt became due, and the calculator returns the interest accrued to date — giving you a precise figure to include in your letter before action and, later, your court claim.
Being accurate here matters. Courts can reduce awards if the claimed interest appears inflated or miscalculated, so using a reliable tool from the outset helps ensure your figures are sound.
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Preparing your evidence and building your case
Once your letter before action has been sent and the deadline has passed without a satisfactory response, you are ready to move towards filing your claim. Before you do, it is important to gather and organise your evidence.
The strength of a small claim often comes down to documentation. Courts are not looking for dramatic testimony — they want to see a clear paper trail that supports your version of events. Useful evidence includes:
- Contracts or written agreements — even an exchange of emails confirming the terms of work or a purchase
- Invoices and receipts — showing what was agreed and what was paid (or not paid)
- Correspondence — emails, text messages, or letters between you and the other party
- Photographs or videos — particularly useful for disputes about faulty goods or poor workmanship
- Expert reports or quotes — for example, a builder’s quote to rectify defective work
- A timeline of events — a clear chronology helps the court understand your case quickly
ClaimsPilot helps you structure this evidence by prompting you to consider what documentation is relevant to your specific type of dispute. The platform’s guided approach means you are less likely to overlook something important that could weaken your case.
It is also worth keeping copies of everything — including your letter before action, any response you received, and proof of delivery (such as a recorded delivery receipt or a read receipt on an email).
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Filing your claim and what happens next
With your evidence gathered and your letter before action sent, you are ready to formally issue your claim. In England and Wales, most small claims are filed online through the Money Claim Online (MCOL) service, which is run by HM Courts & Tribunals Service. You will need to create an account, describe your claim, and pay the relevant court fee, which is calculated as a percentage of the amount you are claiming.
Court fees for small claims currently range from £35 for claims up to £300 to £455 for claims up to £10,000. You can check the current fee schedule on GOV.UK. If you win your case, the court will normally order the defendant to reimburse your court fee as part of the judgment.
Once your claim is issued, the defendant has 14 days to respond. They may:
- Admit the claim in full and pay you
- Admit the claim in part and offer a settlement
- Defend the claim, in which case the court will allocate it to the small claims track and set a hearing date
- Ignore it, in which case you can apply for a default judgment
ClaimsPilot helps you understand each of these outcomes and what your next steps should be, depending on how the other party responds. The platform is designed to support you throughout the process, not just at the beginning — so you are never left wondering what to do next.
If the case does proceed to a hearing, it will typically take place at your local County Court. Small claims hearings are relatively informal, and you do not need a solicitor to represent you. The judge will hear both sides and make a decision, usually on the day.
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Ready to start your claim?
The small claims process does not have to be complicated or intimidating. With the right tools and clear guidance, most people are perfectly capable of handling their own case — and ClaimsPilot is built to make that as straightforward as possible.
From generating your