Defending a Claim
If someone makes a claim against you, you must respond to it. It will not go away - do not ignore it. If you do nothing, a judgement may be entered against you and may affect your ability to obtain credit.
If the Claim Form includes "Particulars of Claim" you must reply within 14 days of receiving the papers. The Court will send you a "Response Pack" with the Claim Form. This contains information about how to complete and return the form.
The Response Pack contains several reply options depending on whether you admit the claim, admit the claim but cannot pay it, deny the claim or deny part of the claim. You should complete the form carefully to ensure that the Court understands exactly what your reply to the claim is meant to be.
If you need more time to consider the claim - because for example you want to take legal advice - you should complete the Acknowledgement of Service form and return it to the Court. This extends your time for filing a Defence to the claim to 28 days.
If you wish to allege that the Claimant owes you money you should say so in the form that you send back to the Court. If the amount that you are claiming exceeds the amount being claimed against you you will have to pay a Court fee Click here for details.
The most important thing to remember is that you must reply one way or the other. If you do not do so you may find the County Court Bailiff on your doorstep. The Bailiff can remove items belonging to you to satisfy a judgement obtained against you.