Recover debt through Court

If your claim is for a fixed amount that is below £5,000, you can issue your claim in a small claims court. To do this you need to complete a small claims application form and return it to the court. You can complete your small claims application online with the NI Courts and Tribunals Service.

Completing the form

• Complete the form carefully.  For more information, download the NI Courts and Tribunals Service small claims user guide (PDF, 1MB).
• You are entitled to add the court fee and interest to the amount you are claiming. If a solicitor prepares the claim, other charges may apply that you can also add to the claim.
• The claim form must be signed by you or by someone authorised to sign for you.

Issuing the claim

• You can send or take the claim to any courthouse in Northern Ireland. If the claim is defended, the case will be transferred to the defendant's local court.
• You should supply three copies of the claim form to the issuing court. If there are additional defendants you should send a form for each one.
• You will have to pay the court fee up front.
• Court staff will check that everything is in order, however they are not legally trained and will not be able to provide legal advice. If it is in order, the claim will be given a claim number and served.

The NI Courts and Tribunals Service provide contact details for all NI courts.

You should gather any key documents supporting your case, such as invoices or a delivery sheet signed by your customer. You may have to submit copies of these to the defendant and to the court.