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United Kingdom Debt Collection Guide

Filing fees, claim limits, demand letter requirements, court process, service rules, and enforcement options for collecting money in United Kingdom. Verify local court rules before filing.

Verified
Source checked: 2026-04-29
Official source
Court
County Court (Money Claims Online)
Filing Fee
GBP 35-455 for claims up to GBP 10,000; 5% above that
Claim Limit
MCOL fixed money claims: under GBP 100,000; small claims track usually up to GBP 10,000
Timeline
6-10 weeks

Filing Instructions

  1. 1Send a formal Letter Before Claim giving 30 days to pay
  2. 2Register on Money Claims Online (MCOL) at moneyclaims.service.gov.uk
  3. 3Complete the online claim form with debtor details and amount
  4. 4Pay the court fee online by card
  5. 5Court serves the claim on the defendant by post
  6. 6Defendant has 14 days to respond (can extend to 28)
  7. 7If no response, request default judgment online

Required Forms

  • - N1 Claim Form (auto-generated by MCOL)
  • - Letter Before Claim

Service Rules

Court handles service by first-class post. Deemed served 5 days after posting.

Legal Basis

Civil Procedure Rules Part 27; Money Claim Online guidance

Enforcement Options

  • - Warrant of Control (bailiff seizure of goods)
  • - Attachment of Earnings Order
  • - Third Party Debt Order (bank freeze)
  • - Charging Order on property

Online Filing Portal

https://www.moneyclaims.service.gov.uk

Important Notes

Pre-action protocols usually require a letter before claim. MCOL is a filing portal for fixed money claims under GBP 100,000; that is not the same as the small-claims-track limit, which is usually GBP 10,000.

Start with a demand letter

Document the claim before escalating to a court or tribunal.

Start Your Case