Civil disputes range from unpaid invoices and faulty services to neighbour disagreements. Many lower-value cases are allocated to the small claims track, which is designed to be more accessible — but preparation still matters.
Before you issue a claim
Pre-action protocols and the Practice Direction on Pre-Action Conduct expect parties to exchange information and try to settle where possible. A clear letter before claim often resolves matters without court fees.
Small claims track
Lower-value claims are usually treated more informally. Recoverable costs are limited, so proportionality is key. Evidence, timelines and a realistic settlement range matter more than aggressive correspondence.
When specialist help is useful
Complex contracts, cross-border issues, injunctions, or claims above the small claims limit may need fuller representation. Law Expert assesses suitability for remote scoped advice early and will say if another specialist is the better fit.
When to get advice
Send a short summary of the dispute and key documents. We will confirm whether we can help and how a fixed-fee scope might look.