Duration: Half Day (Approx. 3.5-4 hours)
Format: Online, interactive (mix of teaching, Q&A, and practical exercises)
Audience: Individuals, business owners, and professionals seeking to understand and navigate Small Claims Track Litigation in England & Wales.

Cost: £299

1. Introduction to the Small Claims Track

• What is the Small Claims Track?

• Typical types of disputes (contracts, goods/services, landlord/tenant, consumer issues).

• The monetary limits and eligibility.

• Advantages and limitations compared to other tracks.

• Practical focus: When to consider small claims vs. alternatives (complaints schemes, negotiation, mediation).

2. Starting a Claim – Step by Step

• Pre-action requirements: demand letters, evidence gathering.

• Using Money Claim Online (MCOL) and Civil Money Claims service.

• Court fees and costs considerations.

• Completing the claim form (key do’s and don’ts).

• Practical activity: Walkthrough of a sample claim form.

3. Responding to a Claim

• Options available to defendants: admit, defend, counterclaim, or ignore.

• Time limits and consequences of inaction.

• Practical guidance: Drafting a simple defence statement.

• How to settle early (negotiation, mediation, offers).

4. Evidence & Preparation for Hearing

• What evidence matters most in practice (documents, photos, witness statements).

• Organising your evidence bundle.

• Court expectations for litigants in person.

• Case study: Reviewing a sample dispute and identifying key evidence.

• Practical tips for credibility and presentation.

5. The Hearing: What to Expect

• Format of a Small Claims hearing (online, telephone, or in-person).

• Role of the judge and how the process differs from higher courts.

• Common pitfalls and how to avoid them.

• Role-play exercise: Short mock hearing exchange.

6. Outcomes, Costs & Enforcement

• Types of judgments and orders.

• Cost rules in small claims (limited recovery).

• Enforcing a judgment: warrants, attachment of earnings, third party orders.

• Practical guidance: Choosing the right enforcement option.

7. Wrap-Up & Q&A

• Key takeaways for claimants and defendants.

• Practical checklist: “Before you bring (or defend) a small claim.”

• Open floor for participant questions.

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this course, participants will be able to:

• Understand the Small Claims process from start to finish.

• Confidently draft and respond to claims.

• Prepare and present evidence effectively.

• Navigate hearings with practical insight.

• Make informed decisions about enforcement.