What this calculates
We built this because our late-payment guides kept getting the same question: what does it actually cost to take a non-payer to court?
The court fee for issuing a money claim in England and Wales depends on how much is being claimed, including any interest. Enter the amount owed and any interest, and the estimator gives the exact fee from the published bands. The fee bands below were verified against GOV.UK on 2 November 2026.
| Amount claimed | Court 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 |
| £10,000.01 to £200,000 | 5% of the claim |
| More than £200,000 | £10,000 |
Two details catch people out. First, the fee is charged on the claim plus interest, not on the unpaid invoice alone. Adding interest can push the claim into the next band. Second, the 5% fee for claims over £10,000 is rounded down to the nearest penny. If the amount claimed is left blank on the paper form, the fee is £10,000, so always enter an amount (estimate it if the exact figure is not known yet).
What happens after the fee is paid
- File the claim: online through Money Claim Online, or by post with claim form N1. Money Claim Online accepts claims up to £99,999.99; above that, claim by post. The online service cannot be used if the exact amount is not known, if the claim is on behalf of more than one person or organisation, if it is against three or more people or organisations, if any party has no address in England or Wales, or if it is against a government department.
- The defendant responds: the claim, including the claimant’s name and address, is sent to the person or business that owes the money, with a deadline to respond.
- Mediation: if the claim is £10,000 or less and the defendant disputes it, attendance at court-organised mediation (usually by phone, up to one hour, free) is required. For larger claims the court may offer mediation.
- Hearing: if mediation does not settle it, the case goes to a hearing, which carries a further fee.
- Enforcement: if the claim succeeds and the debtor still does not pay, the court can be asked to collect the payment, again for a further fee.
Getting the fee back, and getting help with it
The fee can usually be claimed back if the case is won. Anyone on a low income or certain benefits can apply for Help with Fees (form EX160) before making the claim. Apply online first and use the reference number when claiming, or apply by post at the same time as the paper claim.
Before claiming
A court claim is the last step, not the first. The court expects the other side to have been given a proper chance to respond. Send a letter before action first, by email and recorded delivery, and keep copies, before a claim is issued. Skipping that step can count against you when the court decides costs. Work out what is actually owed first: the late payment interest calculator gives the statutory interest and fixed compensation on an overdue business invoice, and the payment deadline calculator confirms when the invoice became due. For the full picture of every option before court (pausing work, mediation, and when a claim is worth the fee), see the guide to what to do when a client will not pay, publishing 9 November 2026 (link to be added when that article goes live).
This page explains publicly available information from GOV.UK. It is not legal advice, and it covers county court claims in England and Wales only. Scotland and Northern Ireland have separate procedures. For a disputed or high-value debt, speak to a solicitor.
Sources: GOV.UK, Make a court claim for money (fee table, fee on claim plus interest, 5% rounding, Help with Fees, mediation and hearing steps; read 2 November 2026); GOV.UK, Civil court fees (EX50) (fee bands and the £99,999.99 Money Claim Online limit; read 2 November 2026); Civil Procedure Rules, Practice Direction – Pre-Action Conduct (letter before action; read 2 November 2026).