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

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

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 r.26.6(2). Claims at or below this figure are normally allocated to small claims unless the case involves personal injury (where the general damages element exceeds £1,000) 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 within the deadline stated — usually 14 days from the date of service. If you fail to return it, the court may allocate the case without your input, list the matter for a hearing you cannot attend, or strike out your claim or defence.

(The directions questionnaire replaced the old allocation questionnaire — if older guidance or court paperwork refers to Form N150: the allocation questionnaire, this is its modern small-claims equivalent.)

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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 r.26.6.
• Mediation referral — the form asks whether you agree to mediation. Since April 2024, the court can automatically refer small money claims under £10,000 to the Small Claims Mediation Service (SCMS). Understanding this is critical because refusing mediation without good reason can have costs consequences even on the small claims track.
• 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. Mediation on the small claims track is now strongly encouraged. Since the changes introduced in 2024, the court can automatically refer eligible small money claims to the SCMS without both parties actively opting in. The mediation session is free, conducted by telephone, and lasts up to one hour. If the parties reach agreement, a binding settlement is drawn up. If not, the case proceeds to a hearing. You should agree to mediation unless there is a genuinely compelling reason not to. The court takes an unreasonable refusal to mediate seriously. Under CPR r.27.14(2)(g), the court can depart from the usual no-costs rule on the small claims track if a party has behaved unreasonably — and refusing mediation without good reason has been held to be unreasonable conduct. In practice, this means the court could order you to pay the other side’s costs even though the case is on the small claims track. 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 r.26.6–26.8.

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 of the report — the court may cap expert fees at a proportionate level.

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 r.22.1, a document verified by a statement of truth that contains false information may lead to proceedings for contempt of court.

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Key Deadlines

Event	Deadline
Return Form N180 to the court	Usually 14 days from the date of service (check the notice)
Court allocates to small claims track	After both questionnaires received, or after the deadline passes
Mediation session (if referred to SCMS)	Arranged by the mediation service — typically within 4–6 weeks of referral
Hearing date	Set by the court — usually 4–8 weeks after allocation, depending on court capacity
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 — if both parties are eligible and have not opted out, the court may refer the case to the SCMS. 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.
• Expert fees — if the court gave permission for expert evidence, the cost of the expert’s fees (subject to any cap imposed by the court).
• 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 refusing mediation without good reason, making frivolous applications, or failing to comply with directions.

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:

Claim Value	Court Fee (Paper)	Court Fee (Online via OCMC)
Up to £300	£35	£35
£300.01 – £500	£50	£50
£500.01 – £1,000	£70	£70
£1,000.01 – £1,500	£80	£80
£1,500.01 – £3,000	£115	£115
£3,000.01 – £5,000	£205	£205
£5,000.01 – £10,000	£455	£455

A hearing fee of £27 is payable if the claim proceeds to a hearing on the small claims track. Contact hello@elitigant.com for guidance on applying.

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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, the court may allocate the case without your input. This means you have no say in the hearing date, venue, or directions. In the worst case, your claim or defence may be struck out.

2. Refusing Mediation Without Good Reason

Since the 2024 changes, the court takes mediation very seriously on the small claims track. If you refuse and the court considers your refusal unreasonable, you risk a costs order against you — even though the small claims track normally has no costs shifting. Always agree to mediation unless you have a compelling, documented reason not to.

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 r.26.3 — the requirement to file a directions questionnaire when directed by the court.
• CPR r.26.6 — the financial thresholds for each track.
• CPR r.27.4 — the court’s power to give directions on the small claims track, including referral to mediation.
• 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 advise you on whether mediation is likely to 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. Start My Case — £30 · For complex small claims that may benefit from barrister-grade drafting — including cases with counterclaims, expert evidence issues, or allegations of unreasonable conduct — ask about our Hybrid tier.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What happens if I miss the deadline to return Form N180? A: The court may allocate your case without your input. This means the court decides the hearing date, venue, and directions without knowing your availability or evidence plans. In serious cases, the court may strike out your claim or defence for failure to comply with directions. If you realise you have missed the deadline, file the form immediately and consider writing to the court to explain the delay. Q: Do I have to agree to mediation on the small claims track? A: You are not legally compelled to mediate, but the court strongly encourages it. Since 2024, the court can automatically refer eligible small money claims to the Small Claims Mediation Service. If you refuse without good reason, the court can treat this as unreasonable behaviour and make a costs order against you under CPR r.27.14(2)(g). In practice, you should agree unless there is a genuine and documented reason not to. Q: Can I ask for the case to be moved to a different court? A: Yes. You can request a transfer to a different county court hearing centre on Form N180. Common reasons include distance, disability, or convenience. The court is not obliged to agree, but it will consider your request. If both parties agree to a transfer, the court is more likely to allow it. Q: What if the other side wants fast track but I want small claims? A: The court decides. If the claim value is within the small claims limit and the case is not unusually complex, the court will normally allocate to the small claims track regardless of the other party’s preference. The court considers the factors in CPR r.26.6–26.8, including the financial value, the complexity of the issues, and the nature of the remedy sought. Q: Can I recover my costs if I win on the small claims track? A: Only limited costs. You can recover court fees, fixed commencement costs, witness travel expenses, loss of earnings (up to £95 per day), and expert fees if the court permitted expert evidence. You cannot normally recover solicitor’s fees or the cost of legal advice. The limited costs regime is one of the main advantages of the small claims track for litigants in person. Q: What if I cannot afford the court fees? Apply using form EX160. Contact hello@elitigant.com for guidance on whether you qualify and how to apply.

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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?

The form must be returned within the deadline stated on the notice — usually 14 days from the date of service, but always check the notice for your case. If you fail to return it, the court may allocate the case without your input, list a hearing you cannot attend, or strike out your claim or defence.

Do I have to agree to mediation on the form?

The form asks whether you are willing to attend mediation, and on the small claims track mediation is strongly encouraged. Since 2024 the court can automatically refer eligible small money claims to the Small Claims Mediation Service. You should agree unless there is a genuinely compelling reason not to, because the court can treat an unreasonable refusal to mediate as unreasonable conduct with possible costs consequences under CPR r.27.14(2)(g).

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 r.26.6–26.8.

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.

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Related guides: Form N181 (Fast/Multi-Track Directions Questionnaire) · Form N1 Claim Form · How to start a money claim · All civil court forms

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