Small Claims

Court

S M A L L C L A I M S C O U RT I S A L O C A L L AW C O U RT
W H I C H S E T T L E S D I S P U T E S B E T W E E N P E O P L E T H AT
I N V O LV E R E L AT I V E LY S M A L L A M O U N T S O F M O N E Y.
Who pays costs at small claims
court?
Fees are payable at two key stages.
The first is the issue fee the court
charges to start the claim. The
second is the trial fee. If a
defendant wishes to pursue a
counterclaim, a fee will need to be
paid by the defendant.
What happens if I lose a small claims
case?
If you lose a small claims case, the
court will order you to pay the
other side's court fees, their loss of
earnings for attending court, and
their travel costs.
How do I defend myself in a small
claims court?

A defendant who wants to defend all or part of a

claim must file a defence with the court on form N9B.

The form must be filed at court and sent to all parties to the

court proceedings. It can be filed at court by posting, by hand delivery,

or by completion of the defence form through the money claims online portal.
Where are small claims heard?
Small claims hearings will generally be 'public' hearings. A
public hearing
is one which members of the public can sit in on and hear
the case. Your
case will usually take place in the judge's room but may
take place in a court room.