Money Claim Online
The website Money Claim Online in Her Majesty’s Court Service Internet based facility that allows certain county claims to be made online. It is a simple and secure way of claiming or responding to a claim and can be accessed 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
The claims are issued in the name of Northampton County court and the website is run from the same court’s Bulk Centre. Money Claim Online allows a claimant to make a claim, keep up to date on the status and progress of the claim and, in some cases, enforce a decision by obtaining a warrant of execution. The site also allows defendants to check the claims they are defending against and reply when appropriate. In some cases the claims made on Money Claim Online are referred to a local court. If this happens, no further action can be taken online.
The site is governed by Practise Direction 7E of part 7 of the Civil Procedure Rules. The information users enter into the site is encrypted using at least 128 bit key encryption and Her Majesty’s Service has sole access to it.
The URL of Money Claim’s Online is www.moneyclaim.gov.uk.
The site has revolutionised the way in which people can access the UK’s legal system although, even today, it is not widely known to exist. Money Claim Online was launched in 2001 and removes the need for a claimant to visit a county court to obtain and fill out forms in order to launch a claim against an individual or organisation. Money Claim Online also allows a user to issue a county court claim without the daunting experience ofvisiting a county court. It also means a solicitor is not necessary, although claimants are advised to talk to one in order to receive legal advice before launching a claim.
Claimants are required to pay a fee to launch a claim through Money Claim Online, which is the same as if they were to use the mail method of issuing a claim. If the claim is successful this feel is often returned and will generally be relatively small in regards to the amount being claimed for. The court fees are based on a sliding scale and if a claim is for less than £5,000 it will be referred to a ‘small claims’ track, which deals with claims a little more informally. When making a claim, claimants and defendants need to upload evidence. In a county court this can be things such as witness reports, photographs and professional accounts. A claimant is also required to show that they gave the defendant opportunity to settle out of court.
When a user is ready to make a claim they need to register with Money Claim Online and fill out a series of forms, providing information on themselves and the party they are suing. The claimant also has to complete a short report known as the ‘Particulars of the Claim’. The site collects the charges by debit of credit card and the claim is sent off the next day. In most cases the defendant has 14 days to respond unless they issue an acknowledgment of service, extending their deadline by a further 14 days. If a defence is launched, the claimant is charged a further £80 unless the claim is for less than £1000, which is returned if the claim is successful.
If the case is won by the claimant, they can then progress the claim online by applying for a warrant of execution; essentially sending out bailiffs to visit the defendant if they fail to pay up!
