Receiving a County Court Summons

A CCS can be sent by an individual or a Limited company if they believe that you or your company owe money.

Unlike a statutory demand, the amount of the alleged debt can be for any amount

Why are they used

They are normally for either low amount debts that fall under the bankruptcy limit of £5,000 for an individual (not suitable for a statutory demand)

Or for any debt that requires verification if it’s not an admitted debt or it has complex issues that require a Court Order/Judgement to enforce the debt with a statutory demand.

The Process (same for individual & company)

The Creditor would normally make an application at “Money Claims Online” (Government web site)

You receive the CCS via post to either your home or company registered address.
(Form N1 Claim form (CPR part 7) Individual)

(Form N1SDT Claim form (04.14) Business)

You have 14 days to respond from the date of service (the day of service is taken as 5 days from the date on the form).
If you admit the debt then complete and send back a completed form (N9A).
If you dispute the claim and have a defence you must either complete an acknowledgment of service form or return it back to the Court and they will allow you a further 14 days to be able to submit your defence or you can just complete your defence Form (N9B) instead. (if you fail to respond within 14 days whether you have a defence or not a Default Judgment will be Ordered against you or your company).
You will receive a hearing date to either attend yourself or get legal representation.
liquidation
Court contact details:-

(Business) ccbc.@justice.gov.uk t: 0300 123 1056
(Individual) ccmcce-filing@hmcts.gsi.gov.uk t: 0300 123 1372

County Court Summons fee Scale

Claim amount County Court Fees for a summons – The court fee is based on the amount you’re claiming

£1,500.01 to £3,000 £250
£3,000.01 to £5,000 £355
£5,000.01 to £10,000 £485
£10,000.01 onwards add 5% of the debt amount (example debt £12,000 court fee £600 =£12,600)

Debt Collection:

If you require help completing a Money Claim Form we have an account and charge £99 (on top of the court fee)

Defending a Claim:

If you require help completing your defence pack we charge £145 to help you with the form.

statutory-demands
Ask Nigel
You will need expert help making a County Court Claim. If you make an application to the court (form N1) it is essential that you are able to show that the debt is in dispute and has a real prospect of a defence or the Court will not grant you a hearing.