You have received a claim **ISSUED IN NORTHERN IRELAND ** What you need to do

[dx100uk 8,576]

 

Small Claims Forms

Date published: 04 January 2018

Topics:

• Courts and Tribunals
•  

• Services

Below you will find our selection of forms in regards to a Small Claims application. 

Documents

Small Claims Guide
PDF (838 KB)

Small Claims Application Form
PDF (61 KB)

Certificate of Readiness
PDF (307 KB)

Small Claims Checklist
PDF (34 KB)

Outside Jurisdictional Information
PDF (58 KB)

Form 130 Notice of Appeal
PDF (10 KB)

Form 131 Response to an appeal
PDF (10 KB)

VHCC Counsel Claim Form
PDF (37 KB)

Application for representation by two Counsel in The Crown Court
PDF (37 KB)

[Andyorch 10,139]

https://www.nidirect.gov.uk/articles/small-claims-process

 

Small claims process

The small claims process allows certain types of claims to be decided informally by the County Court, usually without the need of a solicitor or barrister.

Small claims

In general a small claim is one where the value to be claimed is not more than £3,000 and which does not relate to personal injuries, road traffic accidents, libel or slander, title to land, legacy or annuity or any property of a marriage.

If the total sum at issue between the same parties exceeds £3,000, the claimant must either:

• proceed by abandoning any amount due over £3,000 (this will be expressly noted)
• issue a civil bill in the County Court for a full hearing (up to £30,000)

The Civil Processing Centre, in Laganside Courts, processes all cases initially, but if a case is disputed it is then transferred to the office that is specified within the original application for hearing.

There are two types of small claim:

• liquidated - where the amount of claim is set, for example, loans or goods and services not paid for
• unliquidated - where the amount is estimated, for example, damage to property, faulty goods or workmanship

Once a case has been submitted to the Civil Processing Centre and verified, the respondent (the person against whom the claim is made) is then posted a small claims pack giving all relevant information in relation to the case, including a copy of the completed small claims application form.

The court does not pay the amount that is awarded; it only decides who is liable. A Decree or Order made by the Small Claims Court is a County Court Judgment (CCJ) and may affect a respondent's credit status. It may also affect an applicant’s credit status if a successful counterclaim is made.

Enforcement of Judgments Office

Before beginning the small claim process, the Enforcement of Judgments Office can search for a person or firm for a small fee. This will show if there are any enforced judgments already in existence against the respondent within the last six years.

To find out more information about fees and how to get an Enforcement of Judgments Office search, contact them a Fees

The fee for your small claim application will depend on the amount you wish to claim. 

If your claim is successful, the respondent will be ordered to pay you the amount decided by the Judge, plus the application fee along with any other costs awarded. If you are not successful, the respondent will not be ordered to pay you anything and you will not receive your fee back.

• Court fees - Department of Justice website(external link opens in a new window / tab)

European Small Claims Procedure

A European Small Claims Procedure (ESCP) allows for cross-border cases (for example where at least one of the parties lives or is habitually resident in a Member State other than that of the court where the action is brought) and includes personal injury actions and road traffic related claims.

If you wish to issue a small claim to a respondent (the person against whom the claim is made) who lives outside Northern Ireland but within the UK, you can use the Northern Ireland small claims procedure.

However, you may want to consider using a process where the respondent resides to try to claim your money back. If the respondent lives in the Republic of Ireland you may also use the European Small Claims Procedure.

• Making a cross border claim in the European Union - Department of Justice website(external link opens in a new window / tab)

Small claims online

This service allows the public and businesses to make a small claims application outside normal working hours and track the progress of the application online.

• Online services - Department of Justice website