Small Claims Champions
Small Claims Champions · A trading name of Talk Legal Limited
Not sure whether to go ahead? Talk it through first — the assessment is free, with no obligation to instruct us.
Practical help with a small claim
The small claims track is intended to be usable without a solicitor. That does not make every dispute simple or every litigant comfortable presenting a case alone.
A hearing may require you to explain the facts clearly, locate documents quickly, question the other side and answer points raised by the judge. A case can be lost because the important evidence is missing, the issues have not been identified or the argument is buried beneath matters which do not decide the claim.
Our role is to help you concentrate on what matters and, where agreed, present the case at the final hearing.
If you are bringing a claim
We may help you consider:
- —what you must prove;
- —whether the defendant has a substantial defence;
- —which documents and witnesses support your claim;
- —whether each part of the loss has been evidenced;
- —what may be difficult to recover;
- —whether expert evidence is necessary and permitted;
- —whether a sensible settlement should be considered;
- —how the case should be presented.
If you are defending a claim
We may help you consider:
- —what the claimant must prove;
- —which allegations are admitted and which are disputed;
- —whether the amount claimed has been proved;
- —what documents or witnesses support the defence;
- —whether a counterclaim has properly been raised;
- —whether settlement should be considered;
- —how the defence should be presented.
At the hearing
Where representation is included, the representative attends with you as a lay representative. Subject to the applicable rules and the judge's control, the representative may explain the case, take the judge to the important documents, question the other party or witnesses where permitted, respond to arguments and make submissions about the result, interest and costs.
Cases we normally consider
A case will normally need to meet all or most of these points:
- —it has been allocated to the County Court small claims track;
- —between £3,000 and £10,000 is at stake;
- —it concerns an ordinary contractual, consumer or business dispute;
- —the final hearing is within the service area or travel arrangements can be agreed;
- —the client will attend the hearing;
- —the papers, evidence and complexity are suitable for a proportionate service.
Work we normally exclude
We don’t normally accept personal-injury claims, financial-services or investment claims, housing-disrepair claims, possession proceedings, injunctions, family proceedings, employment claims, criminal cases, immigration matters, probate disputes, conveyancing or cases involving alleged dishonesty or other issues which make them unsuitable for this service.
We may also decline because there’s insufficient time, important documentation is missing, a conflict exists, the case requires work outside our service or the likely benefit does not justify the cost and risk.
What we don’t take over
Small Claims Champions does not go on the court record as your solicitor and does not conduct reserved litigation.
Unless a task is expressly accepted in writing, you remain responsible for:
- —complying with court orders and deadlines;
- —filing documents at court;
- —serving documents on the other party;
- —keeping the court informed of contact details;
- —paying court and hearing fees;
- —attending the hearing.
Want to know if your case is suitable?
Or email us at win@talklegal.net