Letter before claim for a small claim in England and Wales
Before you make a court claim for money, you're expected to write to the other side first. This is called a letter before claim. It sets out what happened, how much you're owed and how you worked it out, and gives them time to reply. Our pack writes it from your answers and adds a plain-English guide to making the claim yourself on GOV.UK if they don't pay.
What a letter before claim should include
The Practice Direction on Pre-Action Conduct and Protocols says the claimant should write with a concise summary of the facts and what they want, and if money, how the amount is calculated. The other side should reply within a reasonable time: 14 days in a straightforward case. Both sides should consider settling, for example through mediation, and litigation should be a last resort.
What's in the pack
- A formal letter before claim with the facts, the amount and how it's calculated, a 14-day deadline, your documents, an offer to use mediation, and a warning that court proceedings may follow.
- A step-by-step guide to claiming yourself on GOV.UK if they don't pay, with the court fee for your amount and what to expect.
Court fees
| Claim amount | Fee |
|---|---|
| Up to £300 | £35 |
| £300.01 to £500 | £50 |
| £500.01 to £1,000 | £70 |
| £1,000.01 to £1,500 | £80 |
| £1,500.01 to £3,000 | £115 |
| £3,000.01 to £5,000 | £205 |
| £5,000.01 to £10,000 | £455 |
Source: GOV.UK court fees, checked 26 Oct 2026. You may get help with fees on a low income.
Small claims limit
Claims worth up to £10,000 normally go to the small claims track (Civil Procedure Rules, rule 26.9).
We never file a claim or act for you. You send the letter and, if needed, make the claim yourself on GOV.UK. Not legal advice. This pack covers England and Wales only. Scotland and Northern Ireland have different processes.
One-off price, no subscription: £2.99 for most letters, £4.99 for a flight claim letter, or £9.99 with the escalation letter. The data broker removal pack and the letter before claim pack are £4.99 each. Prices include VAT. Print and post is coming soon.
Common questions
How long should I give them to reply?
The Practice Direction on Pre-Action Conduct says 14 days in a straightforward case, and no more than 3 months in a very complex one.
Do you file the court claim for me?
No. We never file or act for you. The pack explains how you make the claim yourself on GOV.UK.
Can I claim online?
Usually yes, unless for example you don't know the exact amount, you're claiming against 3 or more people or organisations, or either side doesn't have an address in England or Wales.
Does this work in Scotland or Northern Ireland?
No. They have different court processes, so this pack covers England and Wales only.
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