The Small Claims Court was established to assist people in minor civil cases for claims with a value not exceeding £5,000.00. However, the current limit for personal injury compensation cases with the Small Claims Court is £1,000.00. Because of this, the Small Claims Court is not an advisable route for personal injuries that are moderate or severe.
However, providing you are comfortable with putting in a claim for a maximum of £1,000.00, it is possible to bring forward a personal injury claim with the Small Claims Court.
How long do claims with the Small Claims Court take?
Some cases take just a few weeks to process – however many take several months, and depending on the complexity of your personal injury case it may be more than six months before you get a verdict. Waiting several months for a verdict is too much for many people, which is why so many people opt to have their claim processed by a lawyer on a ‘no win, no fee’ basis. If you are happy to wait, though, expect your claim to take up to six months.
What are the fees?
To bring a claim forward with the Small Claims Court, you must pay court fees.
At the time of writing (07.07.2016), the fees are: £35 for claims up to £300, £50 for claims between £300.01 and £500, and £70 for claims between £500.01 to £1,000. You have to pay the court fee using a debit card or credit card.
Alternatives to the Small Claims Court
It may be tempting to put forward a personal injury claim by yourself with the Small Claims Court, however the £1,000.00 personal injury limit imposed means that the Small Claims court is only really suitable for very minor injuries, such as superficial cuts and bruises. The best alternative to the Small Claims Court is to have your claim processed by a reputable law firm on a ‘no win, no fee basis. The benefits to doing so are as follows:
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- Expert legal advice: With a lawyer representing you, you can be sure of the very best legal advice to help you make an informed decision;
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- More compensation: You are not limited by the £1,000.00 limit imposed by the Small Claims Court with a law firm. Your claim will be processed through different channels, paving the way for you to receive much more financial compensation;
- Maximised chances of success: While it is possible to put forward claims in the UK with the Small Claims Court and receive a positive verdict, you will have a much better chance of success if your case is prepared by an experienced lawyer.
