Discover what OCMC (Online Civil Money Claim) is, how it works for UK small claims, and how ClaimsPilot helps you prepare before you file.
What is OCMC — ClaimsPilot guide
If you need to recover money through the courts in England and Wales, you may have come across the term OCMC. It stands for Online Civil Money Claim, and it represents the next generation of digital court services for money disputes in this country. Whether you are chasing an unpaid invoice, a broken contract, or a debt from a private individual, understanding OCMC — and how to prepare for it properly — can make a real difference to how your claim unfolds.This guide explains what OCMC is, how it differs from older systems, who can use it, and what steps you should take before you file. ClaimsPilot is built to support exactly that preparation stage, so you arrive at the process informed, organised, and ready.—
What OCMC actually is
OCMC stands for Online Civil Money Claim. It is an HM Courts & Tribunals Service (HMCTS) digital service developed as part of the wider court reform programme to modernise civil justice in England and Wales. It allows claimants to issue, manage, and respond to money claims entirely online, through a guided, step-by-step interface.Where older services like Money Claim Online (MCOL) provided a relatively basic web form, OCMC is designed to be more interactive. It walks both claimants and defendants through the process using plain-language prompts, making it more accessible for people without legal training. Both parties can manage their case — including submitting evidence and responding to offers — directly through the online dashboard.OCMC currently handles straightforward money claims up to £25,000 in England and Wales. Claims within that value where liability is disputed may be allocated to the small claims track, which covers disputes up to £10,000. The service is part of HMCTS’s ongoing Civil Justice Reform programme, and its scope continues to develop.You can access the service and find official guidance on
GOV.UK.—
Who can use OCMC and what can you claim for?
OCMC is available to a broad range of claimants, including:
- Individuals aged 18 or over who are owed money by another person or a business
- Sole traders and small businesses pursuing unpaid invoices or contractual debts
- Companies seeking to recover specific sums of money through the civil courts
You can use OCMC to pursue a wide range of money disputes, such as:
- Unpaid invoices for goods or services provided
- Loans or informal debts that have not been repaid
- Refunds refused for faulty goods or poor services
- Deposits not returned after an agreement
- Financial losses arising from a breach of contract
There are important limitations to be aware of. OCMC is designed for claims involving a specific, quantifiable sum of money. It cannot be used for personal injury claims, housing disrepair cases, or matters requiring a non-monetary court order. You will also need a valid address in England or Wales for each defendant — this is a requirement when completing the claim details online.If your claim exceeds £10,000, it may be allocated to the fast track or multi-track rather than the small claims track, which has different costs implications. It is worth familiarising yourself with how the tracks work by reading the guidance on
GOV.UK.—
How the OCMC process works
Understanding the journey from dispute to potential judgment helps you plan your approach and avoid common mistakes. Here is an overview of the key stages.
Sending a letter before action
Before issuing any court claim, you are expected — under the
Practice Direction on Pre-Action Conduct and Protocols — to give the other party formal written notice. This is known as a letter before action, or sometimes a letter before claim.The letter should set out clearly what you are owed, the basis for your claim, and give the recipient a reasonable period to respond — typically 14 days for a straightforward debt. Courts expect claimants to have followed this step before proceedings are issued. If you skip it, a judge has discretion to penalise you on costs, even if you ultimately win your case.ClaimsPilot’s
letter before action tool generates a properly structured, court-appropriate letter based on the details of your dispute. It is one of the most important steps you can take before logging in to OCMC.
Registering and issuing the claim
Once the pre-action period has passed without a satisfactory resolution, you can proceed to issue your claim through the OCMC service. You will need to:1. Create an account on the OCMC platform2. Enter your details as the claimant and provide accurate information about the defendant3. Set out your particulars of claim — a clear, concise explanation of why you are owed the money4. Confirm the total amount you are claiming, including any interest5. Pay the relevant court fee onlineCourt fees are calculated on a sliding scale based on the value of your claim. The current fee schedule is available on
GOV.UK.
Calculating interest on your claim
One area that many claimants overlook is statutory interest. Depending on the nature of your claim, you may be entitled to add interest on top of the principal debt. For claims between individuals, the court can award interest under the Senior Courts Act 1981 — commonly at 8% per annum. For business-to-business debts, the Late Payment of Commercial Debts (Interest) Act 1998 may apply, setting interest at 8% above the Bank of England base rate.ClaimsPilot’s
interest calculator helps you work out precisely how much statutory interest has accrued from the date the debt fell due, so you can include the correct figure when completing your OCMC claim.
After you issue the claim
Once your claim is submitted and the court fee paid, the defendant is notified through the OCMC system. They then have a set period — typically 14 days from the date of service — to respond. Their options include:
- Admitting the claim in full and offering payment
- Admitting the claim in part whilst disputing the remainder
- Defending the claim in full
- Acknowledging service, which grants an additional 14 days before a defence must be filed
- Taking no action — in which case you can apply for a default judgment
A default judgment is a common outcome when the defendant simply does not engage. Through OCMC, you can apply for judgment in your favour without the need for a hearing, and this can happen relatively quickly after the response deadline passes.If the defendant files a defence, the case will be reviewed and allocated to the appropriate track. Many defended small claims are then transferred to the claimant’s or defendant’s local County Court for a hearing.—
What happens after judgment?
Obtaining a judgment is a significant step, but it does not automatically mean you will receive payment. If the defendant does not pay voluntarily following judgment, you will need to consider enforcement action. Options available through the courts include:
- Warrant of control — authorising court enforcement agents to attend the defendant’s premises and seize goods
- Attachment of earnings order — recovering money directly from the defendant’s wages
- Third party debt order — freezing and redirecting funds held in a bank account
- Charging order — securing the judgment debt against the defendant’s property
Each method has its own application process, associated fees, and practical considerations. Full details are available on
GOV.UK. It is important to understand that enforcement is your responsibility as the claimant — the court does not pursue payment on your behalf.—
How ClaimsPilot helps you prepare for OCMC
ClaimsPilot is a UK small claims AI platform designed to help individuals and small businesses navigate the claims process with greater clarity and confidence. It does not provide legal advice, but it does remove much of the uncertainty and administrative burden that prevents people from pursuing what they are legitimately owed.Here is where ClaimsPilot fits into the OCMC 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
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