Small Claims Track

The small claims track is the procedural track for claims valued at no more than £10,000 (or £1,000 for personal injury and housing disrepair claims). Under CPR Part 27, it provides a simplified, low-cost procedure designed to be accessible to litigants in person. The most significant feature is the restricted costs regime: the losing party is generally not ordered to pay the winning party's legal costs.

In practice

Hearings are informal and typically last no more than one hour. The strict rules of evidence do not apply. Expert evidence is rarely permitted. Legal representation is allowed but discouraged by the no-costs rule. Judgements from the small claims track are enforced in the same way as any other county court judgement, including by warrant of control or transfer to the High Court for debts over £600.