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. For the wider official guide (what a claim is, court fees, mediation, after you make a claim), see https://www.gov.uk/make-court-claim-for-money - Scotland and Northern Ireland have separate processes.

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: Fees depend on the claim value and can change. Check the current GOV.UK money-claim fee table before deciding whether a claim is proportionate.

Before filing, follow the pre-action process that applies to the parties and claim. The Pre-Action Protocol for Debt Claims applies where a business creditor claims payment from an individual, including a sole trader, and normally gives that debtor 30 days to respond. Other claims may follow another protocol or the Practice Direction on Pre-Action Conduct.

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 worth no more than £10,000 are generally considered for the small claims track, but allocation is a court decision. The small claims track is designed to be usable without a solicitor and usually limits recoverable legal costs.