How to Use Money Claims Online (MCOL)
A step-by-step guide to filing a court claim for an unpaid invoice through the UK government's online service at moneyclaim.gov.uk.
What Is Money Claims Online?
Money Claims Online (MCOL) is the UK government's digital service for filing county court claims. Available at moneyclaim.gov.uk, it lets you issue a court claim for a fixed amount of money without visiting a court in person. It's the standard route for recovering unpaid invoices through the legal system.
MCOL is cheaper than filing by paper, available 24/7, and lets you track the progress of your claim online.
Eligibility
You can use MCOL if your claim meets these criteria:
- ✅ The claim is for a fixed amount of money (not damages to be assessed)
- ✅ The amount is under £100,000
- ✅ Both you and the defendant have addresses in England or Wales
- ✅ There are a maximum of 2 defendants
- ✅ You have already sent a Letter Before Action and the 30-day response period has passed
Claims up to £10,000 are allocated to the small claims track, where the process is informal and designed for self-representation. Claims above £10,000 go to the fast track or multi-track.
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 short description (up to 1,080 characters) explaining why the money is owed
- 📄 A debit or credit card — to pay the court fee online
💡 Calculating Your Claim Amount
Your total claim should include the original invoice amount, plus statutory interest (8% + BoE base rate, calculated to the date of filing), plus fixed compensation (£40/£70/£100). Use our late payment calculator to work out the exact figures.
Court Fees
| Claim Amount | Online Fee (MCOL) |
|---|---|
| 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 |
Court fees are added to the judgment amount, so the defendant reimburses them if you win.
Step-by-Step Filing Process
Step 1: Create an Account
Go to moneyclaim.gov.uk and register for an account. You'll need an email address to receive updates about your claim.
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 accrued interest plus fixed compensation. MCOL will add the court fee on top.
Step 5: Write the Particulars of Claim
Describe briefly why the money is owed. You have 1,080 characters. Include the invoice number, the date, what the work/goods were, and that you're claiming interest under the Late Payment of Commercial Debts (Interest) Act 1998.
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 MCOL 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 is the UK government's online service for filing county court claims for fixed amounts of money. Available at moneyclaim.gov.uk, it allows individuals and businesses to issue court claims without visiting a court in person.
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. Filing online is cheaper than filing by paper. If you win, court fees are added to the judgment.
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?
Yes. MCOL handles claims up to £100,000. However, claims over £10,000 go to the fast track or multi-track where procedures are more formal and you may want legal representation.
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.