Form N180: Directions Questionnaire — Small Claims Track (2026 Guide)

N180 or N181? N180 is for claims heading to the small claims track (normally up to £10,000). Larger or more complex claims use Form N181 instead: see which directions questionnaire do I need.

What is Form N180?

Form N180 is the directions questionnaire that the court sends to both parties once a defence has been filed in a case likely to be allocated to the small claims track. It is a procedural form governed by CPR Part 26 and specifically relevant to Part 27, which sets out the rules for the small claims track. The information you provide on this form directly shapes how your case will be managed — including whether you will be referred to mediation, what evidence you plan to rely on, and when you are available for a hearing. Getting it wrong can lead to wasted costs, adjournments, or a hearing date you cannot attend. This guide explains when you need Form N180, how to complete every section accurately, and what happens after you return it to the court.

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When Do You Need Form N180?

The court sends Form N180 when the following conditions are met:

• A defence has been filed — until the defendant responds, no allocation takes place. Once a defence is received, the court needs information from both sides to allocate the case to the correct track.
• The claim value is £10,000 or less — this is the financial threshold for the small claims track under CPR 26.9(4). Claims at or below this figure are normally allocated to small claims unless the case involves personal injury (where damages for pain, suffering and loss of amenity exceed £1,500, or £5,000 for most road traffic accident claims, CPR 26.9(1)(a)) or a housing disrepair claim (where the cost of repairs exceeds £1,000), in which case the fast track may apply instead.
• The case is suitable for the small claims track — the court considers complexity, the amount in dispute, and the nature of the remedy sought. Even if the claim is within the financial limit, the court can allocate it to the fast track if the issues are sufficiently complex.

You will normally receive Form N180 in the post or via the court’s online portal, together with a notice of proposed allocation. The form must be returned by the date stated on the notice, which must be at least 14 days after the notice is deemed served (CPR 26.4(6)(b)(i)). In a money claim, if you miss it the court sends a notice giving you 7 days, and if you miss that too your claim or defence is struck out automatically (CPR 26.4(9)). (The directions questionnaire replaced the old allocation questionnaire, withdrawn in 2013 — this is its modern small-claims equivalent. Today Form N150 means something different: the court-issued notice of allocation for the intermediate track.)

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What Form N180 Is Used For

The directions questionnaire serves several purposes within the small claims procedure:

• Track allocation — the court uses your answers (and those of the other side) to confirm that the small claims track is appropriate under CPR 26.9.
• Mediation referral — in a claim only for a fixed (specified) sum of money issued on or after 22 May 2024, other than a personal injury or road traffic claim, the claim is referred automatically to the Small Claims Mediation Service (SCMS) once both questionnaires are filed, and you must attend (PD 51ZE). Other small claims go to mediation only if both sides agree.
• Hearing logistics — the form asks about your availability, whether you need special arrangements (such as an interpreter or disabled access), and how long you estimate the hearing will take.
• Evidence planning — you must indicate what documents and witnesses you intend to rely on at the hearing, so that the court can give appropriate directions.
• Expert evidence — if either party wants to rely on expert evidence, you must say so here. On the small claims track, expert evidence is only permitted with the court’s permission, and the court will normally limit it to a single joint expert or written report.

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How to Complete Form N180: Step by Step

The form follows a structured layout. Each section matters. Complete every part carefully.

1. Case Details and Your Details

Enter the claim number (this appears on the claim form and all correspondence from the court), the names of the claimant and defendant, and your own contact details. If your address has changed since the claim was issued, update it here and notify the court separately in writing. Provide a telephone number and email address. The court and the mediation service may need to contact you at short notice.

2. Settlement and Mediation

This is one of the most important sections on Form N180. The court wants to know whether you have tried to settle the case and whether you are willing to attend mediation. For most small money claims, mediation is compulsory. Under Practice Direction 51ZE, a pilot that runs from 22 May 2024 to 6 April 2027 for claims issued on or after 22 May 2024:

• it applies where the only thing claimed is a specified (fixed) sum of money;
• personal injury and road traffic accident claims are excluded;
• once all parties have filed their directions questionnaire, the claim is referred to the Small Claims Mediation Service automatically — there is no opt-out on the form;
• if a party does not attend, the judge must consider at the final hearing whether a sanction is appropriate, and may take the failure into account when deciding costs (rules 27.8(7) and 27.14(2A) as modified by PD 51ZE).

The mediation is free. GOV.UK says a mediator from HMCTS speaks to each side separately by phone, the appointment lasts up to one hour, and sanctions for not attending can include your case being struck out or having to pay all court costs even if you win. If you cannot attend, tell the court why; the judge will take your reasons into account. If the parties reach agreement it is legally binding; if not, the case goes to a hearing. For small claims outside the pilot (for example a claim for an amount the court has to decide), mediation happens only if both sides agree, so use this section to say whether you are willing. If you have already attempted settlement — for example, through a pre-action protocol letter or direct negotiation — explain this briefly. The court wants to see that both parties have engaged constructively before using court resources.

3. Track Allocation

The form asks whether you agree with the proposed allocation to the small claims track. In most cases, you should agree. However, there are circumstances in which you might ask the court to allocate to the fast track instead:

• The case involves a complex point of law that would benefit from formal disclosure and cross-examination.
• There is a counterclaim that takes the total amount in dispute above £10,000.
• The claim involves allegations of dishonesty where credibility is centrally in issue and informal questioning would be inadequate.

If you want a different track, you must explain your reasons clearly. The court is not bound by the parties’ preferences and will allocate to whichever track it considers appropriate under CPR 26.7, 26.9 and 26.13.

4. Witnesses

List the witnesses you intend to call at the hearing. For each witness, provide their name and briefly state what evidence they will give. On the small claims track, witness statements are not always required in advance — the judge may simply hear oral evidence on the day. However, it is good practice to prepare written witness statements and bring copies for the judge and the other side. If you are the only witness, say so. If you have documentary evidence but no additional witnesses, make that clear.

5. Expert Evidence

If you need expert evidence — for example, a surveyor’s report in a housing dispute or a mechanic’s report in a faulty goods claim — you must request permission here. The court will normally restrict expert evidence on the small claims track to:

• A single written report from one expert (often a joint expert agreed by both sides).
• A limit on the cost: the most the court can order the other side to pay towards an expert’s fees is £750 for each expert (PD 27A para 7.3(2)).

Do not instruct an expert before obtaining the court’s permission. If you incur expert fees without permission, you may not be able to recover them, and the report may be excluded from evidence.

6. Hearing

This section deals with the practicalities of the hearing:

• Location — small claims hearings are held at the county court hearing centre to which the case is allocated. If you want the hearing at a different venue (for example, because you live a long distance from the allocated court), you can request a transfer here. The court is not obliged to agree.
• Availability — provide dates when you or your witnesses are unavailable. Be specific. If you are vague (“I’m busy most of Mondays”), the court may list the hearing on a Monday regardless. Give exact dates you cannot attend.
• Estimated length — most small claims hearings last between 30 minutes and two hours. The court will ask for your estimate. Be realistic. If you underestimate and the hearing overruns, the judge may have to adjourn part-heard, which causes delay and inconvenience.
• Special requirements — if you need an interpreter, a hearing loop, wheelchair access, or any other adjustment, state it here. The court is required to make reasonable adjustments under the Equality Act 2010.

7. Other Information

Use this section to tell the court anything else relevant to directions. For example:

• If you have a related claim or counterclaim pending.
• If there are ongoing settlement discussions that might resolve the matter before a hearing.
• If you have a disability or health condition that affects your ability to attend or participate.

8. Statement of Truth and Signature

Sign and date the form. The statement of truth confirms that the information you have provided is true. Under CPR 32.14, a false statement in a document verified by a statement of truth, made without an honest belief in its truth, may lead to proceedings for contempt of court.

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Key Deadlines

Event	Deadline
Return Form N180 to the court	The date on the notice: at least 14 days after the notice is deemed served (CPR 26.4(6)(b)(i))
Court allocates to small claims track	After both questionnaires received, or after the deadline passes
Mediation appointment (if referred to SCMS)	Date and time given to you by the Small Claims Mediation Service
Hearing date	Set by the court, with at least 21 days’ notice unless the parties agree to less (CPR 27.4(2)(a))
Documents to be sent to the court and other party	Usually 14 days before the hearing (check the directions order)

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What Happens After You Return Form N180

Once both parties have returned their questionnaires (or the deadline has passed), the court takes the following steps: Track allocation — the district judge reviews both questionnaires and allocates the case. If the small claims track is confirmed, the court issues a notice of allocation together with standard directions. Mediation referral — in a fixed-sum claim covered by PD 51ZE, the claim is referred to the SCMS automatically once both questionnaires are filed; other small claims are referred only if both sides agree. Mediation takes place by telephone. If a settlement is reached, it is recorded in a written agreement that is legally binding. If mediation fails, the case proceeds to a hearing. Standard directions — the court will typically order the following:
– Each party to send copies of all documents they intend to rely on to the court and the other party by a specified date (usually 14 days before the hearing).
– If expert evidence is permitted, a deadline for service of the expert’s report.
– The date, time, and venue of the hearing. The hearing — small claims hearings are informal compared to fast track or multi-track trials. The judge may adopt any procedure considered fair. Under CPR r.27.8, the strict rules of evidence do not apply. The judge can limit cross-examination and will often ask questions directly. You do not need to follow courtroom formalities rigidly, but you should be prepared, organised, and respectful. If the case later ends in a judgment the debtor cannot pay in one go, the county court’s enforcement machinery takes over — from an attachment of earnings application (Form N86) deducting instalments from wages, to an administration order (Form N92) bundling several small debts into one court-managed plan.

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The Limited Costs Rule on the Small Claims Track

One of the defining features of the small claims track is the restriction on costs. Under CPR r.27.14, the court will not normally order one party to pay the other’s costs, except for:

• Fixed commencement costs — the costs of issuing the claim, as set out in CPR r.45.
• Court fees — the winning party can usually recover the court fees they paid (issue fee, hearing fee, etc.).
• Travel and loss of earnings — a party or witness can claim travel expenses and up to £95 per day for loss of earnings for attending the hearing (PD 27A para 7.3(1)).
• Expert fees — if the court gave permission for expert evidence, up to £750 for each expert (PD 27A para 7.3(2)).
• Unreasonable behaviour costs — under CPR r.27.14(2)(g), if a party has behaved unreasonably, the court can order costs against them. This is the exception, not the rule, but it applies to conduct such as making frivolous applications or failing to comply with directions, and under PD 51ZE the court may also take into account a failure to attend required mediation.

This costs regime is designed to make the small claims track accessible. You are not expected to instruct a solicitor, and you will not normally be penalised in costs if you lose. But the unreasonable behaviour exception means you must still engage with the process properly.

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Court Fees

The court fee for issuing a small claim depends on the value of the claim. The fee is the same whether you claim on paper or online. These are the fees under the EX50 schedule in force from 13 July 2026 (fees order 1.1).

Claim Value	Issue fee (paper or online)
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

If the claim goes to a small claims hearing, the claimant also pays a hearing fee, again set by the value of the claim (EX50 fees order 2.1):

Claim Value	Small claims hearing fee
Up to £300	£27
£300.01 – £500	£59
£500.01 – £1,000	£85
£1,000.01 – £1,500	£123
£1,500.01 – £3,000	£181
More than £3,000	£346

Help with Fees (apply online) may reduce or remove these fees.

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Common Mistakes

Avoid the following errors that frequently cause problems with Form N180:

1. Missing the Deadline

If you fail to return the form within the time allowed, you lose your say in the hearing date, venue and directions. In a money claim, the court then sends a notice giving you 7 days, and if you miss that too your claim or defence is struck out automatically (CPR 26.4(9)).

2. Missing a Required Mediation Appointment

In a fixed-sum claim covered by PD 51ZE, mediation is not optional: once both questionnaires are filed the claim is referred automatically and you must attend. If you do not, the judge must consider a sanction at the final hearing and can take it into account on costs. If something genuinely stops you attending, tell the court why — GOV.UK says the judge will take your reasons into account.

3. Failing to List Unavailable Dates

If you leave the availability section blank, the court will list the hearing on whatever date suits the court’s diary. If you then cannot attend and have to apply for an adjournment, the judge may refuse it — particularly if you had the opportunity to provide dates and did not.

4. Instructing an Expert Without Permission

On the small claims track, you cannot rely on expert evidence without the court’s permission. If you instruct an expert and submit a report without first obtaining permission, the court may refuse to admit it. You will also be unable to recover the expert’s fees.

5. Providing Vague Information About Witnesses

Saying “I might bring a witness” is not helpful. The court needs to know who your witnesses are and what they will say so it can give appropriate directions and allocate sufficient time for the hearing.

6. Ignoring the Statement of Truth

The form requires a statement of truth. Submitting the form without signing it, or providing information you know to be false, can have serious consequences including proceedings for contempt of court.

7. Not Keeping a Copy

Always keep a copy of your completed Form N180 for your records. If there is any dispute about what you told the court, you need to be able to refer back to the original.

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The Rules That Apply

The key legislative and procedural provisions governing Form N180 and the small claims track are:

• CPR Part 26 — case management and track allocation. Sets out the criteria for allocation to the small claims, fast, and multi-track.
• CPR Part 27 — the small claims track. Contains the specific rules on procedure, costs, and hearings for small claims.
• CPR 26.4 — the notice of proposed allocation, the directions questionnaire, the 14-day minimum and the 7-day notice before strike-out.
• CPR 26.9 — the normal scope (financial thresholds) of each track.
• Practice Direction 51ZE — the small claims automatic referral to mediation pilot (22 May 2024 to 6 April 2027).
• CPR r.27.8 — the informal hearing procedure on the small claims track.
• CPR r.27.14 — the costs provisions for the small claims track, including the unreasonable behaviour exception.
• Practice Direction 26 — supplements Part 26 with guidance on completing the directions questionnaire and the factors the court considers on allocation.
• Practice Direction 27 — supplements Part 27 with guidance on small claims hearings.

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Related Court Forms & Guides

• Form N260: Statement of Costs — the costs schedule used at summary assessment.
• Form N244: Application Notice — the form for interim applications.
• Start a Money Claim Online (OCMC) — where most civil money claims begin.
• Particulars of Claim — setting out the basis of your claim.
• Civil Court Forms Index — every civil court form guide in one place.

How Chris Can Help

Filling in a directions questionnaire may seem straightforward, but the decisions you make on Form N180 have real consequences for how your case is managed. Whether to agree to mediation, what witnesses to list, whether to request expert evidence — these are not just administrative choices. They shape the direction of your case. Chris can review your completed Form N180 before you submit it, draft your witness statements, prepare your hearing bundle, and help you weigh whether mediation could resolve your dispute. If you are unsure about any section of the form, it is better to get it right before filing than to try to correct it afterwards.

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Frequently asked questions

When does the court send me Form N180?

The court sends Form N180, together with a notice of proposed allocation, once a defence has been filed and the case is likely to be allocated to the small claims track. Until the defendant responds, no allocation takes place. You will normally receive it by post or via the court’s online portal.

How long do I have to return Form N180?

Return it by the date stated on the notice. That date must be at least 14 days after the notice is deemed served (CPR 26.4(6)(b)(i)), so always check the notice for your case. In a money claim, if you miss it the court sends a notice giving you 7 days, and if you miss that too your claim or defence is struck out automatically (CPR 26.4(9)).

Is mediation compulsory for small claims?

For most small money claims, yes. If your claim is only for a fixed (specified) sum of money, was issued on or after 22 May 2024 and is not a personal injury or road traffic claim, it is referred automatically to the free Small Claims Mediation Service once both directions questionnaires are filed, and you must attend (Practice Direction 51ZE). GOV.UK says the mediator speaks to each side separately by phone and the appointment lasts up to one hour. If you do not attend, the judge must consider a sanction at the final hearing; GOV.UK says sanctions can include your case being struck out or having to pay all court costs even if you win. For other small claims, mediation happens only if both sides agree.

What sections does Form N180 cover?

The form covers your case and contact details, settlement and mediation, track allocation, witnesses, expert evidence, the hearing (location, availability, estimated length and special requirements), other relevant information, and a statement of truth and signature. Each section matters and should be completed carefully.

Can I ask for a different track?

You can ask the court to allocate to the fast track instead — for example where the case involves a complex point of law, a counterclaim taking the dispute above the small claims threshold, or allegations of dishonesty where credibility is centrally in issue. You must explain your reasons clearly, but the court is not bound by the parties’ preferences and allocates to whichever track it considers appropriate under CPR 26.7, 26.9 and 26.13.

Do I need witness statements or expert evidence for the small claims track?

Witness statements are not always required in advance on the small claims track — the judge may hear oral evidence on the day — but it is good practice to prepare them. Expert evidence is only permitted with the court’s permission, normally limited to a single written or joint report; do not instruct an expert before permission is granted or you may be unable to recover the fees. Related guides: Form N181 (Fast/Multi-Track Directions Questionnaire) · Form N1 Claim Form · How to start a money claim · All civil court forms