Court fees are the biggest concern for anyone thinking about filing a small claim. The good news: they are much lower than most people expect, they scale with the size of your claim, and — critically — the defendant pays them back if you win. This guide covers every fee you might encounter, who qualifies for fee remission, and how to keep your costs to a minimum.
The Full Small Claims Court Fee Table (2025)
The filing fee is charged when you submit your claim — either online through Money Claim Online (MCOL) or on paper using form N1. The fee depends on the amount you are claiming, not including interest. These are the current rates set by HMCTS:
| Claim Amount | Court Filing 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 |
Key point: If you win your case, the court orders the defendant to pay your filing fee on top of the claim amount. You do not lose this money — the defendant does.
Hearing Fees — Only If the Claim Is Contested
A hearing fee is only payable if the defendant files a defence and the case is allocated to a hearing. Many claims settle before this point, or the defendant does not respond at all (in which case you apply for a default judgment, with no hearing). If a hearing is listed, the court will notify you and ask for the hearing fee:
| Claim Amount | Hearing Fee |
|---|---|
| Up to £300 | £27 |
| £300.01 to £500 | £55 |
| £500.01 to £1,000 | £80 |
| Over £1,000 | £115 |
Again, if you win at the hearing, the judge will order the defendant to reimburse your hearing fee. The hearing fee is only lost if you lose the case or withdraw your claim after the hearing is listed.
How Fees Work in Practice
You pay the filing fee upfront when you submit your claim. The money goes to HMCTS — it is not held by the court as security. Once your claim is issued, the defendant has 14 days to respond. If they do not respond, you can apply for a default judgment at no extra charge. If they defend the claim, the court will allocate it to the small claims track and notify both parties of the next steps.
If the case is listed for a hearing, you will receive a notice of hearing and a request for the hearing fee. You typically have 28 days to pay it. Failure to pay means the court may strike out your claim. If you settle before the hearing, you may be able to apply for a refund of the hearing fee depending on how much notice you give.
Help with Fees (EX160 Form)
If paying court fees would cause you genuine financial hardship, you may qualify for Help with Fees — previously called fee remission. This scheme can reduce or completely waive your court fees. You apply using form EX160, either online or on paper, at the same time as filing your claim.
The assessment is means-tested and looks at your monthly income, savings, and whether you receive certain benefits. It does not affect your ability to proceed if your application is refused — you simply pay the standard fee instead.
Work Out Your Exact Court Fee
Answer a few questions about your claim and we will calculate your filing fee, check whether Help with Fees applies, and generate your court documents.
Who Qualifies for Fee Waiver or Reduction
You are likely to qualify for full or partial fee remission if you meet one of the following criteria:
- You receive Income Support, Universal Credit, Jobseeker's Allowance, or Employment and Support Allowance
- You receive Legal Aid for another matter
- Your gross monthly income is below the threshold for your household size (roughly £1,085 for a single person, rising for each dependent)
- You have disposable capital below £3,000 (or £16,000 for those over 61)
- You are receiving Pension Credit
Even if you do not qualify for a full waiver, you may get a partial reduction. It is always worth applying if you are on a low income or tight budget. The EX160 form is short and the decision is usually made quickly.
Online Filing vs Paper (MCOL vs N1)
You can file your claim in two ways: online via Money Claim Online (MCOL) at gov.uk, or on paper using form N1 sent to your local county court.
Money Claim Online (MCOL)
MCOL is the faster, cheaper option for straightforward money claims. You complete the form on screen, pay by card, and the claim is issued the same day. It is best suited to claims where the defendant is an individual or a company with a UK address, and where the particulars of claim are simple enough to fit in the online text box (typically 1,080 characters).
Paper N1 Form
The paper N1 form is appropriate when your particulars of claim are longer, when you need to attach supporting documents, or when the defendant's address makes MCOL unsuitable. You post or hand-deliver the completed form to your local county court and pay by cheque or in person. Processing takes slightly longer — usually 2 to 5 working days to issue.
The fees are identical regardless of which method you use. MCOL does not cost more, and the paper route does not cost less.
What You Cannot Claim Back
Even if you win in the small claims track, certain costs are not recoverable. The small claims track has a deliberate policy of limiting cost recovery to keep the process accessible and proportionate. You cannot recover:
- Solicitor or barrister fees — even if you hired a lawyer to help you prepare
- Expert report fees — unless the court gave specific permission in advance (rare in small claims)
- Travel expenses to court
- Time off work to attend the hearing
- Printing and postage costs for preparing evidence bundles
This is the trade-off of the small claims track: low fees, but limited recovery. It is why the track is designed for people to represent themselves — hiring a solicitor is unlikely to be cost-effective.
The Bottom Line
For the vast majority of small claims, the only mandatory cost is the filing fee — between £35 and £455 depending on what you are claiming. If the case goes to a hearing, add a further £27 to £115. If you win, both fees come back to you. If you qualify for Help with Fees, you may pay nothing at all.
The system is deliberately affordable. It was designed so that ordinary people — not just businesses with legal departments — can pursue what they are owed without it costing them more than the claim is worth. Do not let uncertainty about costs stop you from taking action.