Money Claim Online (MCOL) – How to Make a Court Claim for Money in the UK
Step-by-step guide to using the UK government's digital service for recovering money owed to you. Know what to prepare, what it costs, and what to do first.
What Is Money Claim Online?
Money Claim Online (MCOL) is the UK government's digital service for filing court claims to recover money owed to you. It is run by HM Courts and Tribunals Service and covers claims in England and Wales for amounts up to £100,000. For claims of £10,000 or less, your case will be allocated to the small claims track — a simplified, low-cost process designed for people without legal representation.
MCOL lets you start a claim, track its progress, and manage the process entirely online. But before you file, there are important steps you must complete first — including sending a Letter Before Action.
Before You Start – The Letter Before Action
You cannot simply file a court claim the moment someone owes you money. The Civil Procedure Rules require that you follow pre-action protocol, which means giving the other party fair warning and a reasonable chance to pay. This is done by sending a Letter Before Action (LBA).
The LBA must clearly state what is owed, why it is owed, a deadline to respond (usually 14 days), and what you will do if they do not respond. Failing to send an LBA before filing can result in the court penalising you on costs — even if you win.
The good news is that many disputes settle at this stage, meaning you may never need to use MCOL at all. GotAClaim lets you generate and send a professional Letter Before Action with automated tracked delivery by Royal Mail and email for £20.
Important: Sending a Letter Before Action is not optional. Courts expect you to attempt to resolve the matter before filing, and may impose cost penalties if you skip this step.
Who Can Use Money Claim Online?
You can use MCOL if:
- You are claiming a fixed amount of money (known as a specified amount)
- The claim is against no more than two people or organisations
- You and the defendant both have addresses in England or Wales
- You have the defendant's current address
- The claim amount is between £25 and £100,000
If your claim is for an unspecified amount (for example, compensation where the court needs to decide how much), you cannot use MCOL online and must file using the paper Form N1 instead. Claims against defendants outside England and Wales — including Scotland, Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland — cannot be filed through MCOL.
What You Need to File a Claim
Before you start the online process, have the following ready:
- Your full name and address
- The defendant's full name and current address
- The exact amount you are claiming (including any interest)
- A clear description of why the money is owed (known as your Particulars of Claim)
- Evidence that you sent a Letter Before Action and gave the defendant time to respond
- A debit or credit card to pay the court fee
Your Particulars of Claim must be concise but specific — state the facts, the amount, and the legal basis for your claim. Keep it factual. Do not include opinions, insults, or irrelevant background.
How Much Does It Cost?
The court fee depends on how much you are claiming. For small claims (up to £10,000), the fees range from £35 to £455. If you win, the court will normally order the defendant to reimburse your court fees.
For a full breakdown of all fees including hearing fees and enforcement costs, see our complete guide to small claims court fees.
Step-by-Step – How to File on MCOL
The process is straightforward once you have your documents ready.
Go to the Money Claim Online service at gov.uk and create an account.
Enter the claimant details (you) and the defendant details (the person or company who owes you money).
Enter the claim amount and any interest you are claiming. You can claim statutory interest at 8% per year on debts.
Write your Particulars of Claim. Keep it clear and factual. State what was agreed, what went wrong, how much is owed, and that you sent a Letter Before Action which was ignored or rejected.
Pay the court fee by debit or credit card.
The court issues the claim and serves it on the defendant by post. The defendant then has 14 days to respond (or 28 days if they file an acknowledgment of service).
What Happens After You File?
Once the claim is served, the defendant can respond in one of four ways:
- Pay the full amount — in which case you mark the claim as settled.
- Admit the claim and propose a payment plan, which you can accept or ask the court to decide.
- File a defence disputing the claim, which means the case proceeds to mediation or a hearing.
- Ignore the claim entirely, in which case you can apply for a default judgment — meaning the court rules in your favour without a hearing.
Most small claims are resolved through mediation, which is a free telephone service provided by the court. A mediator speaks to both sides separately and tries to find an agreement. If mediation fails, the case goes to a hearing before a judge. Understanding the full small claims process can help you prepare for what comes next.
What If the Defendant Does Not Pay After Judgment?
A court judgment in your favour does not automatically mean you receive the money. If the defendant still refuses to pay, you will need to take enforcement action. This can include:
- Applying for an attachment of earnings order
- A third-party debt order to freeze their bank account
- A charging order against their property
- Instructing county court bailiffs
Each enforcement step has its own fee. For full details see our fees guide.
MCOL vs Paper Form N1 – Which Should You Use?
MCOL is faster and more convenient for most straightforward money claims. However, you must use the paper Form N1 if:
- Your claim is for an unspecified amount
- The defendant is outside England and Wales
- There are more than two defendants
- You need to file supporting documents at the time of issue
Form N1 can be downloaded from gov.uk and posted to your local County Court. If you're unsure about the process, our guide on how to make a small claim covers both online and paper filing methods.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use Money Claim Online for a claim in Scotland or Northern Ireland?
No. MCOL only covers claims in England and Wales. Scotland uses the Simple Procedure through the Sheriff Court, and Northern Ireland has its own Small Claims Court system.
Do I need a solicitor to use Money Claim Online?
No. The small claims track is designed for people to represent themselves. You can use a solicitor if you wish, but their fees are generally not recoverable for claims under £10,000.
How long does the whole process take?
If the defendant does not respond, you can apply for default judgment within about 3-4 weeks. If the claim is defended, it may take several months to reach a hearing. Many cases settle much earlier through mediation.
What if I sent a Letter Before Action and they partially paid?
You can file a claim for the remaining balance. Adjust your claim amount to reflect only the outstanding debt, and mention the partial payment in your Particulars of Claim.
Can I claim interest on the money owed?
Yes. For most debts, you can claim statutory interest at 8% per year under the Late Payment of Commercial Debts Act or Section 69 of the County Courts Act. You can calculate this from the date the money became overdue to the date you file the claim, and request ongoing daily interest until judgment.
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Ready to Take Action?
Get Your Letter Before Action
Before filing a court claim, you are required to send a formal Letter Before Action. Most disputes settle at this stage — saving you court fees and months of waiting.