What is Money Claims Online (MCOL)?

Money Claims Online (MCOL) is the official government platform at moneyclaim.gov.uk that allows individuals and businesses in England and Wales to file court claims for money owed. It's the most common route for recovering unpaid invoices through the legal system.

Eligibility for MCOL: - Claims must be for a fixed amount under £100,000 - Maximum of one claimant and two defendants - Defendants must have an address in England or Wales - You must have a UK address, email, and a debit/credit card for fees

Court fees by claim amount: - Under £300: £35 - £300–£500: £50 - £500–£1,000: £70 - £1,000–£1,500: £80 - £1,500–£3,000: £115 - £3,000–£5,000: £205 - £5,000–£10,000: £455 - Over £10,000: 5% of the claim

Before filing, you must comply with the Pre-Action Protocol for Debt Claims by sending a Letter Before Action giving at least 30 days to respond. Courts may penalise claimants who skip this step.

What happens after filing: The defendant has 14 days to respond. They can admit the debt, part-admit, file a defence, or ignore the claim entirely. If they ignore it, you can request a default judgment — a court order confirming they owe you the money. If they defend, the case proceeds to a hearing.

Claims under £10,000 are handled on the small claims track, which is designed for non-lawyers. You don't need a solicitor, and you can't usually recover legal costs even if you win (but you can recover the court fees, statutory interest, and fixed compensation).