You will be asked whether you would like to be referred to a mediation service after you start a small claims court claim in England and Wales. Mediation isn't mandatory but it can be an effective way to settle your dispute before you get to court. When you've completed the form, the court will log the document and give it a claim number.
You must set out in full the reason for your claim and the sum you're claiming from the defendant.
You can use the gov.uk website to get details about a company for free, including its registered address. If the defendant is a company, you'll need to give the address of its registered office. You need to have the full name and address of the defendant. Read this booklet which explains in full how the small claims process works in Northern Ireland. The claim can be taken to any court office or posted to the Civil Processing Centre together with the appropriate fee. In Northern Ireland, you can get an application form from the court office, Trading Standards Office, Citizens Advice Bureau, local advice centre or the Northern Ireland courts website to start your claim. Visit the Scottish Courts and Tribunals guide on the simple procedure in Scotland for more information on making a claim. A claim is made in the sheriff court by a claimant and does not require a solicitor. In Scotland, the small claims process is called Simple Procedure. Service from W? Ltd Small claims procedure in Scotland and Northern Ireland
£9 a month plus a £29 one-off joining fee. Get tailored, affordable one-to-one advice. You should consider any other form of alternative dispute resolution available, and you would be expected to have engaged with your opponent to try and settle the dispute before court action.' Step by step advice from Which? Legal 'Keep in mind that court proceedings should always be your last resort. 'Finally, ask yourself whether the amount at stake justifies the time you will spend dealing with the case, the cost of bringing the claim in the first place and the stress and inconvenience it may cause you. It is frustrating to win a case only to find they have little or no money to pay the debt. 'It’s also important to consider how likely you are to recover any money from your opponent, even if you win. You need to be able to provide the court with evidence that supports your case. Peter Litchman, Which? Legal Solicitor says: 'There is no point bringing a claim if you do not have a good chance of winning.