Money Claim Online (MCOL) is the HM Courts & Tribunals Service digital portal for issuing and managing County Court claims for a fixed sum of money. If you are owed a specific amount under £10,000 and the dispute is relatively straightforward, MCOL is the most efficient way to start legal proceedings in England and Wales. This guide walks you through the entire process for 2026, from eligibility to enforcement.
1. Eligibility and Preparation
Before you begin, confirm your claim qualifies for MCOL. The claim must be for a fixed sum of money (e.g., an unpaid invoice, a loan, or a refund) and the total amount claimed must not exceed £10,000. The defendant must have an address in England or Wales — MCOL cannot be used if they live in Scotland or Northern Ireland. You will need the defendant's full name and current address, the precise amount you are claiming, and any supporting evidence such as contracts, invoices, or correspondence. You must also be prepared to pay the court fee, which varies by claim value.
It is strongly recommended that you send a letter before claim (a formal demand for payment) at least 14 days before issuing proceedings. This satisfies the Practice Direction on Pre-Action Conduct and may resolve the matter without court involvement.
2. Registering and Logging into MCOL
To use MCOL, you must first register for an account at gov.uk/make-court-claim-for-money. You will need an email address and to create a password. Once registered, log in and select "Make a new claim". The system will guide you through a series of screens where you input your details, the defendant's details, and the claim amount. You will also be asked to provide a brief particulars of claim — a clear statement of what the claim is about and why the defendant owes you the money. Keep this concise but include key dates and reference numbers.
The system calculates the court fee automatically. You can pay by debit or credit card. After payment, your claim is issued and given a unique claim number. The court will then send a sealed claim form to the defendant by post.
3. What Happens After You Issue the Claim
Once the defendant receives the claim form, they have 14 days to respond (extended to 28 days if they file an acknowledgment of service). The defendant may: pay the full amount (ending the claim); admit part of the claim and offer to pay in instalments; defend the claim in full; or file a counterclaim against you. If the defendant does not respond within the time limit, you can apply for default judgment through MCOL, which is a court order requiring them to pay.
If the defendant defends the claim, the matter will be transferred to your local County Court for case management. Most claims under £10,000 are allocated to the Small Claims Track, which is a less formal procedure often heard by a district judge without legal representation. There is no automatic right to recover legal costs in the Small Claims Track, so many individuals handle the case themselves.
4. Enforcement and Next Steps
Winning a judgment does not guarantee payment. If the defendant still does not pay, you can enforce the judgment using methods such as a warrant of control (bailiffs), an attachment of earnings order (deductions from wages), or a charging order against property. Each enforcement method has its own court fee and process. For claims under £5,000, you can apply online via the MCOL portal for a warrant of control. For higher amounts, you must apply to your local County Court.
Note that enforcement can be complex, and if the defendant has no assets or income, you may be unable to recover the debt. Consider seeking legal advice before pursuing enforcement, especially if the amount is significant.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the maximum claim amount for Money Claim Online?
MCOL can only be used for claims of a fixed sum up to £10,000. Claims over £10,000 must be issued through other HMCTS channels or the High Court.
How much does it cost to issue a claim through MCOL?
Court fees are based on the claim amount. For claims up to £300 the fee is £35; £300 to £500 is £50; £500 to £1,000 is £70; £1,000 to £1,500 is £80; £1,500 to £3,000 is £115; £3,000 to £5,000 is £160; £5,000 to £10,000 is 5% of the claim value (capped at £455). Fees are subject to change — always check gov.uk for the latest.
Can I use MCOL if the defendant lives in Scotland or Northern Ireland?
No. MCOL only applies to defendants with an address in England or Wales. If the defendant lives in Scotland or Northern Ireland, you must use the appropriate court system in that jurisdiction. The Scottish equivalent is the Simple Procedure in the Sheriff Court; in Northern Ireland, it is the Small Claims Court.
What happens after I submit my MCOL claim?
The court will serve the claim on the defendant. They have 14 days to respond (or 28 days if they file an acknowledgment of service). Options include paying in full, admitting part, defending, or counterclaiming. If they do nothing, you can apply for default judgment.
References and Further Reading
- HMCTS: Make a court claim for money — Official MCOL portal and guidance
- Civil Procedure Rules 1998 (CPR) — Part 27 (Small Claims Track) and Practice Direction 7E
- Court fees – what they are — Current fee schedule
- Ministry of Justice: Civil Procedure Rules
Scotland: See the Scottish Courts and Tribunals Service for Simple Procedure claims. Northern Ireland: See the NI Courts and Tribunals Service for Small Claims.
Ask Lexi about your specific circumstances — free, instant, plain-English guidance.