Discover what MCOL (Money Claim Online) is, how it works for UK small claims, and how ClaimsPilot helps you prepare before you file.
What is MCOL — ClaimsPilot guide
If someone owes you money and they’re refusing to pay, the UK court system gives you a formal route to recover it. One of the most accessible entry points is MCOL — Money Claim Online. Whether you’re chasing an unpaid invoice, a disputed deposit, or a debt from a private individual, MCOL is often the starting point for pursuing a money claim through the County Court in England and Wales.
This guide explains what MCOL is, who can use it, how the process works step by step, and — crucially — what you should do before you file. ClaimsPilot is built to help you handle exactly that preparation stage, so you arrive at the MCOL portal ready to submit with confidence.
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What MCOL actually is
MCOL stands for Money Claim Online. It is the official HM Courts & Tribunals Service (HMCTS) digital service that allows individuals and businesses to issue a County Court money claim over the internet, without needing to visit a court or complete paper forms.
You can use MCOL to claim a fixed or specific sum of money from a person or organisation based in England or Wales. It is designed for straightforward debt claims — the kind where you know exactly how much you are owed and you have evidence to support it.
MCOL sits within the broader small claims track framework, which covers disputes up to £10,000 in England and Wales. Claims above that threshold may still be issued through MCOL, but they are likely to be allocated to a different track with higher costs implications.
The service is operated by HMCTS and you can access it directly at www.moneyclaim.gov.uk.
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Who can use MCOL and what can you claim for?
MCOL is available to:
- Individuals — anyone aged 18 or over who is owed money by another person or a business
- Sole traders and small businesses — pursuing unpaid invoices or contractual debts
- Companies — although larger organisations with high claim volumes often use the Claim Production Centre (CPC) instead
You can use MCOL to claim for a wide range of money disputes, including:
- Unpaid invoices for goods or services supplied
- Loans that have not been repaid
- Tenancy deposit disputes (where other resolution routes have been exhausted)
- Faulty goods or services where a refund has been refused
- Contractual breaches resulting in a financial loss
There are some things MCOL cannot handle. You cannot use it to claim for personal injury, housing disrepair, or any matter that requires the court to make a non-monetary order. The claim must be for a specific sum of money.
You will also need a valid address in England or Wales for each defendant — MCOL requires this as part of the claim form.
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How the MCOL process works
Understanding the journey from dispute to judgment helps you plan properly. Here is an overview of the key stages.
Sending a letter before action
Before you issue a claim, you are required — under the Practice Direction on Pre-Action Conduct — to give the other party a formal written warning. This is called a letter before action (sometimes referred to as a letter before claim).
The letter sets out what you are owed, why you believe you are owed it, and gives the recipient a reasonable period to respond (typically 14 days for a straightforward debt). Courts expect claimants to have followed this step. If you have not, a judge can penalise you on costs, even if you win.
ClaimsPilot’s letter before action tool generates a properly structured letter based on the details of your dispute. It is one of the most practical steps you can take before logging into MCOL.
Registering and issuing the claim
Once the pre-action period has passed without resolution, you can register on the MCOL portal and complete your claim form online. You will need to:
1. Create an account on the MCOL system
2. Enter details about yourself (the claimant) and the person or business you are claiming against (the defendant)
3. Set out the particulars of your claim — a brief, clear statement of why you are owed the money
4. Confirm the amount you are claiming, including any interest
5. Pay the court fee online
Court fees are calculated on a sliding scale based on the claim amount. You can find the current fee schedule on GOV.UK.
Calculating interest on your claim
Many claimants overlook the fact that they may be entitled to claim statutory interest on top of the principal debt. For personal claims, the court can award interest under the Senior Courts Act 1981, typically at 8% per annum. For business-to-business debts, the Late Payment of Commercial Debts (Interest) Act 1998 may apply, which currently sets interest at 8% above the Bank of England base rate.
ClaimsPilot’s interest calculator helps you work out exactly how much interest has accrued on your debt, so you include the correct figure when you complete the MCOL form.
After you issue the claim
Once MCOL processes your claim, it is served on the defendant by post. The defendant then has a set period to respond — usually 14 days from the date of service. They can:
- Admit the claim in full and offer payment
- Admit the claim in part and dispute the rest
- Defend the claim in full
- Acknowledge service to buy an additional 14 days before filing a defence
- Do nothing — in which case you can apply for a default judgment
A default judgment is one of the most common outcomes in MCOL. If the defendant does not respond within the deadline, you can request judgment in your favour online without needing a hearing. This can happen surprisingly quickly — sometimes within a few weeks of issuing the claim.
If the defendant defends the claim, the case will usually be transferred to your local County Court, where it will be allocated to the appropriate track for a hearing.
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What happens after judgment?
Winning a judgment is not the same as receiving payment. If the defendant still does not pay, you will need to consider enforcement options. These include:
- Warrant of control — sending court enforcement agents (bailiffs) to seize goods
- Attachment of earnings order — deducting money directly from the defendant’s wages
- Third party debt order — freezing money in a bank account
- Charging order — securing the debt against property
Each enforcement method has its own application process and fee. You can read more about the options available on GOV.UK.
It is worth noting that enforcement is the claimant’s responsibility — the court does not chase payment on your behalf.
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How ClaimsPilot helps you prepare for MCOL
ClaimsPilot is a UK small claims AI platform designed to help individuals and small businesses prepare for the claims process clearly and efficiently. It does not replace legal advice, but it does remove a significant amount of the confusion and admin that stops people from pursuing what they are rightfully owed.
Here is where ClaimsPilot fits into the MCOL journey:
- Letter before action — Use the letter before action tool to generate a clear, court-compliant letter that satisfies the pre-action conduct requirements before you issue your claim.
- Interest calculation — Use the interest calculator to work out statutory interest from the date the debt fell due, so your MCOL claim form reflects the full amount you are owed.
- Claim preparation — ClaimsPilot guides