MCOL Meaning UK: Money Claims Online for Unpaid Invoices
What Money Claim Online means, when to use a court claim for an unpaid invoice, and how to start through the current GOV.UK service.
Official government guidance
MCOL is one way to make a money claim. For the full GOV.UK overview (fees, mediation, resolving without a hearing, and what happens after you claim), see Make a court claim for money.
Quick Answer
MCOL means Money Claim Online, an HM Courts and Tribunals Service for issuing a money claim. GOV.UK now starts claimants at its central online court-claim service and routes them to the appropriate process.
For unpaid invoices, use MCOL after you have chased payment, sent a Letter Before Action, and the deadline to respond has passed.
Before You Start an MCOL Claim
MCOL should usually come after a documented chasing process, not as your first follow-up. Start with a polite reminder, then a firmer chasing email, then a formal Letter Before Action.
Use our chasing letter templates and late payment calculator to prepare the evidence and claim amount before filing.
What Is Money Claims Online?
Money Claim Online (MCOL) is an HM Courts and Tribunals Service for issuing money claims. The current public starting point is the GOV.UK Make a court claim service, which routes claimants to the appropriate online service or paper process for their circumstances.
Do not rely on an old MCOL checklist or direct link alone. Check the current GOV.UK route before filing because service limits, help with fees, and the process can change.
Check the Current Online Route
GOV.UK says you can usually make a money claim online when the amount is known. Before filing, confirm that:
- ✅ You know the amount you want to claim
- ✅ You have the defendant's name, address, and email address where available
- ✅ The defendant is not currently protected from creditors by the Breathing Space scheme
- ✅ You have checked whether your circumstances require the online service, a paper claim, or legal advice
- ✅ You have already sent a Letter Before Action and the 30-day response period has passed
Claims of £10,000 or less are usually allocated to the small claims track. Larger or complex claims use a more formal process, so consider legal advice before filing.
What You Need Before Filing
Gather the following before starting your claim:
- 📄 Defendant's full name and address - for a company, use the registered office address (check Companies House)
- 📄 Your Letter Before Action - and evidence it was sent (posting receipt, email timestamp)
- 📄 Invoice(s) - showing the amount, date, and payment terms
- 📄 The exact claim amount - including the original debt, accrued statutory interest, and fixed compensation
- 📄 Brief particulars of claim - a concise explanation of why the money is owed
- 📄 A debit or credit card or help-with-fees reference - to deal with the court fee online
💡 Calculating Your Claim Amount
Your total claim may include the original invoice amount, plus statutory interest (8% + BoE base rate, calculated to the date of filing) and fixed compensation (£40/£70/£100), if those remedies apply. A different contractual interest rate replaces statutory interest. Use our late payment calculator to work out the exact figures.
Court Fees
| Claim Amount | Online Court Fee |
|---|---|
| Up to £300 | £35 |
| £300.01 – £500 | £50 |
| £500.01 – £1,000 | £70 |
| £1,000.01 – £1,500 | £80 |
| £1,500.01 – £3,000 | £115 |
| £3,000.01 – £5,000 | £205 |
| £5,000.01 – £10,000 | £455 |
| £10,000.01 – £200,000 | 5% of the claim |
| More than £200,000 | £10,000 |
You may be able to recover the court fee if you win. Check the current fee before filing because later hearing or enforcement fees may also apply.
Step-by-Step Filing Process
Step 1: Create an Account
Start at GOV.UK's Make a court claim service. Answer the eligibility questions and follow the route it gives you; you'll need an email address to receive updates.
Step 2: Enter Your Details
Enter your name and address (or your business name and registered address). This is the claimant information.
Step 3: Enter the Defendant's Details
Enter the defendant's full name and address. For a limited company, use the exact registered name from Companies House and the registered office address.
Step 4: Enter the Claim Amount
Enter the total amount you're claiming: the original debt plus any applicable interest and fixed compensation. The online service calculates the court fee separately.
Step 5: Write the Particulars of Claim
Describe briefly why the money is owed. Include the invoice number, date, work or goods supplied, payment terms, and the legal basis for any interest or compensation you include.
Step 6: Pay the Court Fee
Pay the fee by debit or credit card. Once payment is confirmed, the court issues the claim and sends it to the defendant.
What Happens After Filing
Once the claim is issued, the defendant has 14 days to respond (or 28 days if they file an acknowledgment of service). There are four possible outcomes:
Defendant Admits the Claim
They accept they owe the money and may propose a payment plan. You can accept their proposed terms or ask the court to decide how payment should be made.
Defendant Part-Admits
They accept part of the debt but dispute the rest. You can accept the partial admission or continue with the full claim. The disputed portion goes to a hearing.
Defendant Defends
The case is allocated to a track (small claims for under £10,000) and a hearing date is set. Both sides submit evidence, and a judge decides. See our small claims court guide for what to expect.
Defendant Ignores the Claim
This is the simplest outcome. If the defendant doesn't respond within the deadline, you request a default judgment - the court orders them to pay without a hearing. The CCJ then appears on their credit record.
Default Judgment
If the defendant doesn't respond, you can request a default judgment through your online claim account. You choose whether payment should be made in full immediately or in instalments. The court issues a County Court Judgment (CCJ) ordering the defendant to pay.
Enforcement After Winning
Getting a judgment doesn't guarantee payment. If the defendant still doesn't pay after the CCJ, you can use enforcement methods:
- ⚖️ Warrant of control (bailiffs) - county court bailiffs or High Court Enforcement Officers visit the debtor
- ⚖️ Attachment of earnings - deductions directly from the debtor's wages
- ⚖️ Charging order - a legal charge placed on the debtor's property
- ⚖️ Third-party debt order - freezes money in the debtor's bank account
Each enforcement method has its own application fee, but these are also recoverable from the debtor.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Money Claims Online (MCOL)?
MCOL stands for Money Claim Online, an HM Courts and Tribunals Service for issuing money claims. GOV.UK now starts claimants at its Make a court claim service and routes them to the appropriate online or paper process.
Can I use MCOL for an unpaid invoice?
Yes, if the invoice debt is a fixed amount and the claim meets the service rules. You should chase the invoice first and send a Letter Before Action before filing the claim.
Is MCOL the same as small claims court?
MCOL is the online service used to start a money claim. Claims up to £10,000 are usually allocated to the small claims track, but MCOL itself can handle fixed money claims above that amount too.
How much does it cost to file a claim on MCOL?
Online fees range from £35 for claims up to £300 to £455 for claims between £5,001 and £10,000. The fee is 5% for claims between £10,000.01 and £200,000. You may be able to recover the court fee if you win.
What happens if the defendant doesn't respond?
If the defendant doesn't respond within 14 days, you can request a default judgment. This is a CCJ issued without a hearing, ordering them to pay the full amount claimed.
Can I use MCOL for claims over £10,000?
The current GOV.UK service can accept online claims over £10,000 in many circumstances. These claims are not normally allocated to the small claims track, so the process is more formal and you should consider legal advice.
Do I need a solicitor to use MCOL?
No. MCOL is designed so individuals and small businesses can file claims themselves. For claims on the small claims track (up to £10,000), the process is informal and you're expected to represent yourself.
Prepare Your Court Claim with Experi
Experi calculates the exact interest and compensation to include in your MCOL claim. Your complete chase history, invoice records, and correspondence are all in one place - ready to submit as evidence.