CASE FILE — ASSESSMENT
Claim Eligibility
Value limits, claim types, time limits, and who can bring a claim on the small claims track.
Amount Limits
The general limit for the small claims track is £10,000. Claims above this value are normally allocated to the fast track (£10,000–£25,000), the intermediate track (£25,000–£100,000), or the multi-track (above £100,000). The court disregards interest, costs, and any amount not in dispute when assessing the value of a claim for allocation purposes.
Two categories carry lower sub-limits regardless of the total claim value. Personal injury claims: the damages for pain, suffering, and loss of amenity must not exceed £1,000 (or £5,000 for road traffic accident claims) for the claim to remain on the small claims track. Housing disrepair claims: the cost of repairs and any other damages must each not exceed £1,000.
Claim Types
The small claims track handles money claims — unpaid invoices, faulty goods, deposit disputes, breach of contract, and debt recovery — and non-money claims such as repair or replacement of goods, provided the claim is straightforward and does not require complex expert evidence. A claim for a remedy for harassment or unlawful eviction relating to residential premises cannot be allocated to the small claims track regardless of its value. Intellectual property and copyright claims are handled separately and fall outside the small claims track.
Limitation Periods
The limitation period for a simple contract claim is six years from the date of breach. Missing this deadline ends the claim regardless of its merits. For claims founded on a deed, the period is twelve years. For personal injury claims, the period is three years, generally running from the date of injury or the date the claimant became aware of it.
Who Can Claim
Individuals, sole traders, and businesses can all bring a small claim. Individuals under 18 require a litigation friend to act on their behalf. Companies and partnerships bring claims in their registered or trading name and may be represented at the hearing by a director, employee, or other authorised person under the small claims lay representation rules, without engaging a solicitor.