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Received a County Court Claim Form? How to Respond
If a creditor starts a county court money claim against you, you should respond within 14 days of the date of service, which is 5 days after the issue date on the claim form. You can respond online through Money Claim Online or with the paper response pack. If you do nothing, the creditor can get a judgment (a CCJ) against you, which goes on your credit file and can lead to enforcement.
At A Glance
Your Rights
What the rules say, with a link to the official source for each.
Responding
Deadline
Respond within 14 days of the date of service. Service is 5 days after the issue date on the front of the claim form. source
How
Use Money Claim Online or the paper response pack to send your defence, an admission or an acknowledgement of service. source
If You Do Not Respond
The claimant can ask for judgment. It is entered on the Register of County Court Judgments and passed to credit reference agencies. If you do not pay, enforcement can follow. source
Time Limits to Know
Miss a deadline and you can lose a right. Check the dates on your own paperwork.
- 14 daysRespondFrom the date of service
Steps to Take
Step 1 of 4
Find the issue date on the form and work out your deadline.
Step 2 of 4
Check whether you owe the money and the amount is right.
Step 3 of 4
Get free debt advice.
Step 4 of 4
Respond online or on paper before the deadline: admit and offer a plan, or defend.
(Tap the numbers to reveal steps)
Where to Go If It Is Not Put Right
Your options, in order, and when each one applies.
Money Claim Online (HMCTS)
Respond online.
Free Debt Advice (MoneyHelper)
Find free, confidential debt advice near you or online.
Citizens Advice or National Debtline
Free debt advice. They can also ask bailiffs for more time on your behalf.
Good to Know
Small things that make your complaint stronger.
If the debt is very old, check whether it may be statute barred.
These rules are for England and Wales. Scotland and Northern Ireland have different debt and enforcement rules.
Want Help?
If you would like one of our team to look at your problem, our initial case review is free. We cannot guarantee any outcome and we do not give legal advice.
Lead reviewer
Luke Marley
Founder and Lead Reviewer
Luke founded CPUK in 2026 after seeing how hard it is for ordinary people to get problems with companies put right. He oversees our guides and checks them against official sources.
Research by Katie Burt, Co-founder and Operations Lead (17 years in the care sector, including managing services for vulnerable adults), and the CPUK Research Team. Researched with AI-assisted research tools, then checked and corrected by our team.
Last checked: 15 October 2026. We are not paid by the companies we write about. Adverts never affect our guidance. Read our editorial policy.
Sources and official links
- moneyclaim.gov.uk/web/mcol/welcome/defendant-information Checked 15 October 2026
- moneyhelper.org.uk/en/money-troubles/dealing-with-debt/options-for-clearing-your-debts-england-and-wales Checked 8 October 2026