Small Claims Court Calculator

Last updated: April 2026

Claim details

Claim amount

Track: Small Claims TrackWhen did the debt arise?Used to calculate interest from when the money was owed.Claim dateInterest rate

Standard statutory interest is 8%, unless your contract specifies another rate.

Filing options

Do you expect the defendant to defend?If they defend, there will usually be a hearing fee.

Small Claims Track

Claims up to £10,000 use the small claims track, designed for people without legal representation.

Fees

Issue fee: £115.00
Hearing fee if defended: £181.00
Total fees: £296.00

Fees are added to your judgment if you win, so the defendant pays them back. If you lose, you pay your own fees.

Claim calculation

Original claim: £2,000.00
Interest (180 days at 8%): £78.90
Total to claim for: £2,078.90

How to file

File online at gov.uk/make-money-claim using Money Claim Online. Most money claims have a 6-year time limit from when the money was owed. Personal injury claims usually have a 3-year limit.

You must send a Letter Before Claim before filing. A 14-day response period is standard for many money claims.

File online at GOV.UK ->

Letter Before Claim template

Before filing, you must send a Letter Before Claim, also called a Letter Before Action. Use this starter template and adapt it to your facts.

What is the small claims court?

The small claims court, formally the small claims track of the County Court, handles disputes up to £10,000 in England and Wales. It is designed to be used without a solicitor.

Can I recover my court fees?

Yes. If you win, the court fee and hearing fee are added to the judgment. In the small claims track, you generally cannot recover solicitor fees even if you used one.

What is a Letter Before Claim?

A Letter Before Claim is a formal letter sent before starting court proceedings. It explains what you are claiming and gives the other side a chance to respond or pay before litigation begins.

Current issue and hearing fee defaults are based on GOV.UK civil court fee guidance updated July 2025.

What does this mean?

This calculator is designed to help you understand the likely number before you make a decision or start an application.

Your result should be checked against official UK guidance, especially if your circumstances include dependants, exemptions, prior leave, or a complex immigration history.

Treat the figure as a planning tool rather than legal advice. Where the answer affects an application deadline or major payment, speak to an authorised adviser.

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