Step-by-step
Check eligibility
Money Claim Online is available for claims up to £10,000 against no more than 2 defendants with UK addresses. Both you and the defendant must have addresses in England or Wales.
Create an account
Go to moneyclaims.service.gov.uk and create an account. You will need an email address and to create a password. Keep these details safe.
Enter claim details
Provide your details, the defendant's details, and describe your claim. The system guides you through each section with helpful prompts.
Calculate your claim amount
Enter the amount owed plus any interest you are claiming. The system helps calculate statutory interest if applicable.
Pay the court fee
Pay by debit or credit card. Fees are 10% cheaper than paper claims. You receive confirmation immediately.
Track your claim
Log in anytime to check the status of your claim, see when documents are sent, and manage responses.
What is Money Claim Online?
Money Claim Online (MCOL) is the government's digital service for issuing county court money claims. It offers several advantages over paper forms:
- 10% cheaper fees than paper claims
- Available 24/7 - file your claim anytime
- Faster processing - claims are issued more quickly
- Easy tracking - check your claim status online
- Simpler forms - guided questions replace complex paper forms
- Automatic calculations - interest and fees calculated for you
The service handles claims up to £10,000 and guides you through the entire process step by step.
Eligibility Requirements
You can use Money Claim Online if:
Your claim is:
- For a fixed amount of money only
- £10,000 or less (including interest and costs)
- Against no more than 2 defendants
Both parties:
- Have addresses in England or Wales
- Are individuals or organisations (not the Crown)
You cannot use MCOL for:
- Claims over £10,000
- Claims against more than 2 defendants
- Claims where the defendant is outside England and Wales
- Claims for anything other than money (e.g., return of goods)
- Claims against the Crown or government
- Claims by children or protected parties
Writing Your Claim Online
The system gives you 1,080 characters to describe your claim. Make every word count:
Be specific:
- State the date of the agreement/incident
- Specify the exact amount owed and how it arose
- Mention key facts that support your claim
Example (invoice claim):
"On 15/3/2026, I provided plumbing services to the Defendant at their request. Invoice 1234 dated 16/3/2026 for £850 was due on 30/3/2026. Despite my letter before claim dated 1/5/2026, the Defendant has failed to pay. I claim £850 plus statutory interest."
Tips:
- Use dates in DD/MM/YYYY format
- Reference your letter before claim
- Keep language simple and factual
- You can add more detail in the timeline section
What Happens After Filing
Once you file your claim:
- Immediate confirmation - You receive a claim number and email confirmation
- Claim is served - The court sends your claim to the defendant by post (usually within 2 working days)
- Response period - The defendant has 14 days to respond (33 days if they acknowledge service and request more time)
- Track online - Log in to see when documents are sent and received
- Possible defendant responses:
- Full admission - you can request judgment
- Partial admission - decide whether to accept
- Full defence - case proceeds to allocation
- No response - apply for default judgment after 19 days
You will receive email notifications at each stage.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to use Money Claim Online?
Court fees depend on the claim amount: up to £300 costs £35, £300.01-£500 costs £50, £500.01-£1,000 costs £70, £1,000.01-£1,500 costs £80, £1,500.01-£3,000 costs £115, £3,000.01-£5,000 costs £205, £5,000.01-£10,000 costs £455. These are 10% less than paper claim fees.
How long does the process take?
A claim can be issued within 24 hours. The defendant then has 14-33 days to respond. If they do not respond, you can request default judgment. If they defend, the case will be allocated to a track (usually small claims for under £10,000) and a hearing date set, typically 4-8 weeks later.
Can I use Money Claim Online for a business dispute?
Yes, both individuals and businesses can use MCOL for commercial disputes, provided the claim meets the eligibility criteria (up to £10,000, UK addresses, money claim only). Many business-to-business debt claims are filed through MCOL.
What if the defendant lives in Scotland or Northern Ireland?
You cannot use Money Claim Online if the defendant's address is in Scotland or Northern Ireland. You would need to use the paper form N1 and may need to consider the appropriate jurisdiction. Scotland and Northern Ireland have separate court systems.
Can I get help with the online form?
Yes, the Money Claim Online service includes guidance at each step. You can also get free help from Citizens Advice or use services like CourtPilot to prepare your claim before entering it into the system.
This guide provides general information about UK small claims court procedures and is for educational purposes only. It does not constitute legal advice. CourtPilot is not a law firm and is not regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority. The law may have changed since this guide was last updated. For advice specific to your situation, please consult a qualified solicitor or seek help from Citizens Advice.