Help! I have received a Claim Form from the County Court…
What should you do if you receive a Claim Form from the County Court?
If you have received a claim form from the County Court, it is important that you do not ignore it!
First of all, check that the Claim is against you. If it isn’t, then return all of the papers to the Court which issued the Claim.
If the Claim is correctly addressed to you, then you need to act promptly as you have a limited time within which to respond.
You should have received a response pack with the Claim form. This pack should contain some guidance notes, but also the forms which you will need to complete depending on whether you admit or deny you owe the money claimed.
- If you admit that you owe the monies claimed, then you should complete and return the Form 9A – here you are able to indicate how you wish to pay the money. I.e. in full or by way of instalments.
- If you only admit that you owe part of the money claimed, then you need to complete both the Form 9A, clearly stating how much money you admit. You then must also complete the Form 9B. In this form, you should set out very clearly why you do not believe that you owe the monies claimed. If you need more time to prepare your defence, then you need to complete the Acknowledgement of Service and send this to the Court within 14 days of receiving the Claim Form. This form should indicate clearly that you intend to defend the claim. You will then have a further 14 days to file your defence.
- If you deny that the monies are owing, then you need to complete Form 9A. In this form you should set out very clearly why you do not owe the monies claimed. Again, if you need more than 14 days to prepare your defence, then you need to complete the Acknowledgement of Service and send this to the Court within 14 days. You will then have a further 14 days to file your defence.
What Happens If I Don’t Respond?
Always respond! Failure to respond to the Claim Form within the prescribed time limits will mean that the Claimant will be entitled to enter judgement for the full amount claimed.
If you’re still unsure of what to do, please contact me either via email at R.DelLuongo@timms-law.com or call me on 01332 364436.
October 2018