Money Claim Online (MCOL) & OCMC: Step-by-step guide

Making a claim online is the fastest, cheapest way to issue a County Court small claim for an unpaid debt, defective goods, or damaged property in England and Wales. HMCTS operates two digital services: the legacy Money Claim Online (MCOL) system and the modern Online Civil Money Claims (OCMC) portal on GOV.UK.

Step 1: Comply with the Pre-Action Protocol

Before issuing an online claim, you must give the defendant a formal opportunity to settle under the court's Practice Direction on Pre-Action Conduct:

• Send a formal Letter Before Claim (by first-class post and email) giving the defendant a clear summary of what is owed, the factual basis of the claim, and a deadline of 14 days to pay or propose a payment schedule.
• Warn the defendant that if payment is not received, you will issue proceedings in the County Court and claim statutory interest at 8% under Section 69 of the County Courts Act 1984 plus court fees.
• Failure to send a Letter Before Claim can result in the judge penalizing you in costs, even if you win the case.

Step 2: Choose the right online service

• Online Civil Money Claims (OCMC): This is the modern, user-friendly portal located at `gov.uk/make-court-claim-for-money`. It is designed for individuals representing themselves (Litigants in Person) for claims up to £10,000 with a single claimant against up to two defendants residing in England or Wales.
• Money Claim Online (MCOL): The older portal (`moneyclaim.gov.uk`) is primarily used for claims involving businesses, multiple defendants, or claims between £10,000 and £100,000.

Step 3: Drafting your Particulars of Claim

When completing the online claim form, you will be prompted to enter your Particulars of Claim:

• Character limit: Online portals restrict online particulars to approximately 1,080 characters (around 150 words). Keep it concise, focused, and strictly factual.
• Essential elements to include:

1. The date and nature of the contract or legal relationship between the parties.

2. The specific breach committed by the Defendant (e.g. failure to deliver goods, failure to pay invoice, substandard workmanship).

3. The exact financial loss suffered.

4. The mandatory claim for statutory interest under Section 69 County Courts Act 1984 at 8% per annum.

• If your particulars are too long: You can state in the box: "Detailed Particulars of Claim to follow under CPR 7.4." You then post the full particulars to the court and the defendant within 14 days of issuing.

Step 4: Pay the issue fee (official HMCTS fees)

The court issue fee is paid online by debit or credit card and is based on your claim value:

• Claims 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

Help with Fees: If you are on a low income or receive qualifying state benefits, you can apply for fee exemption or reduction using Form EX160 before submitting the claim.

Step 5: The 14-day response clock

Once the court serves the claim form (deemed served 5 business days after issue), the Defendant has 14 calendar days to respond:

• Scenario A: Defendant pays in full: The claim is marked satisfied and closed.
• Scenario B: Defendant admits the claim: The Defendant accepts they owe the money and either offers to pay immediately or asks to pay in monthly instalments on Form N9A.
• Scenario C: Defendant files an Acknowledgment of Service: This gives the Defendant an extra 14 days (28 days total from service) to prepare their Defence.
• Scenario D: Defendant ignores the claim: If 14 days pass without any response, you can immediately request Judgment by Default on the portal. A binding CCJ is issued automatically without a hearing.
• Scenario E: Defendant files a Defence (Form N9B): The case becomes a defended claim and moves to track allocation.

Step 6: Allocation and free mediation

If defended, the court transfers case management from the Civil National Business Centre to your local County Court hearing centre:

1. Directions Questionnaire (Form N180): Both parties must complete Form N180, indicating whether they agree to small claims mediation, specifying how many witnesses they will call, and naming their preferred local court.

2. Small Claims Mediation Service: HMCTS offers a free, 1-hour telephone mediation appointment with a trained court mediator. Over 60% of defended small claims settle here without court fees or hearing stress.

3. Notice of Allocation (Form N157): If mediation fails, the District Judge sets the trial date and orders both parties to exchange signed witness statements and documents at least 14 days before the hearing.

Free national support

• HMCTS Courts & Tribunals Service Centre: 0300 123 7050 - assistance with online portal accounts and filing
• Support Through Court: 0300 081 0000 - free procedural advice for litigants in person
• Citizens Advice consumer service: 0808 223 1133 - pre-action advice

Drafting your claim documents? The Casewright General Civil Platform formats your particulars of claim, calculates statutory interest, and builds court-ready bundles. Independent information directory; link is a sponsored referral.

This guide provides general procedural information for England and Wales and does not constitute formal legal advice. Sourced from CPR Part 7 and HMCTS MCOL practice directions.

Reviewed by Sean McNamara, 2026-09-07.