How to respond to a County Court money claim in England and Wales

Start with the complete claim pack

Keep the claim form, particulars of claim, response pack, envelope or electronic service record and every schedule. Record the issue date and the date on which the documents were received or treated as served. The correct deadline and response route depend on the actual documents and procedural rules.

Read the claim as a set of separate propositions. Note the parties, sum claimed, interest, contractual or statutory basis, factual chronology and remedy. A defence that merely states disagreement may fail to engage with the pleaded case.

Decide what is admitted, denied or not admitted

For each material allegation, decide whether it is admitted, denied with a positive alternative account, or not admitted because the claimant must prove it. A denial should normally explain the customer's supported factual position and identify the material that supports it.

Check payment, performance, limitation, set-off, contractual terms, notices and correspondence only where the source material genuinely supports those points. Do not add a legal label merely because it sounds useful.

Build an evidence map

Create a chronology and connect each important fact to a contract, invoice, bank record, message, letter, photograph, witness or other record. The document should explain what each item proves rather than listing attachments without a purpose.

Check the filing route

The form, online service, court address, statement of truth and method of service must be checked against the current claim documents and official instructions. A draft response does not itself extend a deadline or complete filing.

Review before submission

Verify names, addresses, claim number, sums, dates, admissions, denials, requested outcome and signature. Keep evidence of filing and service and retain the complete final package.