Form N244: How to Complete an Application Notice (2026)

Form N244 Explained: How to Complete an Application Notice for the County Court (2026 Guide)

If you are involved in civil court proceedings in England and Wales, there is a strong chance you will need to file a Form N244 at some point. It is the standard application notice used to ask the court to make an order or give a direction in existing proceedings. Whether you want to set aside a default judgment, adjourn a hearing, amend your claim, or ask for permission to appeal, Form N244 is almost certainly the form you need.

For self-represented litigants, N244 can be intimidating. It contains legal terminology, asks for information about hearing arrangements and judge levels, and requires a supporting statement that can make or break your application. This guide walks you through every section of the form, explains the most common uses, and highlights the mistakes that cause applications to fail.

What Is Form N244?

Form N244 is the general-purpose application notice prescribed by the Civil Procedure Rules (CPR Part 23). It is used whenever a party to existing court proceedings needs to ask the court for something — an order, a direction, permission, or a variation of something already ordered.

Think of it as the Swiss Army knife of court forms. While there are specialist application forms for specific situations (such as Form N208 for Part 8 claims or Form N325 for warrants of control), N244 covers everything else. If you are unsure which form to use for your application, there is a good chance it is N244.

When Do You Need Form N244?

The range of applications you can make using N244 is enormous. Here are the most common:

• Set aside a default judgment — if judgment was entered against you and you want it cancelled (CPR 13.3)
• Set aside a judgment or order — asking the court to reconsider a decision (CPR 3.1(7))
• Adjourn a hearing — requesting that a trial or hearing date be moved
• Extend or shorten a time limit — if you missed a deadline and need relief from sanctions (CPR 3.8, 3.9)
• Amend a statement of case — changing your particulars of claim or defence (CPR 17)
• Request summary judgment — arguing the other side has no real prospect of success (CPR 24)
• Strike out a statement of case — arguing the other side’s claim or defence discloses no reasonable grounds (CPR 3.4)
• Apply for specific disclosure — requesting the other side produce particular documents (CPR 31.12)
• Suspend a warrant of control or enforcement — asking the court to pause enforcement action
• Request permission to appeal — if you want to challenge a court decision
• Vary a court order — changing the terms of a payment plan or other order
• Request an unless order — asking the court to impose a deadline with automatic consequences

This is not an exhaustive list. If the CPR or a practice direction says you need to make an application, and no specialist form is specified, use N244.

Step-by-Step Guide to Completing Form N244

You can download Form N244 from the HMCTS forms finder. It is a fillable PDF. You can complete it on screen and print it, or print it and complete it in black ink. Below is a section-by-section guide.

Header: Case Details

At the top of the form, enter:

• Case number — the claim number assigned when proceedings were issued (e.g., A12YX345)
• Claimant’s name — including any trading name if applicable
• Defendant’s name — as it appears on the claim form
• Date — the date you are completing the form

If there are multiple claimants or defendants, list them all. Use “and others” if the form runs out of space, but ensure the first-named parties match the court record exactly.

Section 1: What Order Are You Applying For?

This is where you state precisely what you want the court to do. Be specific. Do not write vague requests like “I want justice” or “I need help.” The court needs to know exactly what order you are asking it to make.

Good examples:

• “That the default judgment entered on [date] be set aside pursuant to CPR 13.3”
• “That the hearing listed for [date] be adjourned to a date after [date]”
• “That the Claimant have permission to amend the Particulars of Claim in the form attached to this application”
• “That the Defendant provide specific disclosure of [documents] within 14 days”

The more precise you are, the easier it is for the court to deal with your application. A judge who has to guess what you want is a judge who may refuse your application.

Section 2: Why Are You Applying?

Tick the appropriate box to indicate whether you are relying on:

• A specific CPR rule or Practice Direction (cite the rule number)
• A court order (attach a copy)
• Other grounds (explain briefly)

Always cite the relevant CPR rule if you can. For example, if you are applying to set aside a default judgment, cite CPR 13.3. If you are applying for relief from sanctions, cite CPR 3.9. This shows the court you understand the legal test that applies to your application.

Section 3: How Do You Want the Court to Deal With Your Application?

You have three options:

• At a hearing — you want to attend and argue your application in person (or by video/telephone)
• Without a hearing — you are asking the court to decide on paper, without anyone attending
• At a telephone hearing — available for shorter applications

For straightforward applications where both parties agree (consent orders), you can ask for a decision without a hearing. For contested applications — particularly applications to set aside judgment or for summary judgment — a hearing is almost always appropriate.

Section 4: Time Estimate

Estimate how long the hearing will take. Be realistic. A simple adjournment might take 15 minutes. An application to set aside judgment could take 30 minutes to an hour. A summary judgment application might need half a day. If in doubt, estimate on the generous side — courts find it easier to release unused time than to scramble for more.

Section 5: What Level of Judge?

This asks whether your application should be heard by a District Judge, a Circuit Judge, or a High Court Judge. For most County Court applications, the answer is District Judge. Circuit Judge is appropriate for more complex or high-value matters. If you are unsure, leave this blank — the court will allocate the appropriate level.

Section 6: Supporting Information

This is the most important part of your application. You must provide the evidence and arguments that support your request. You have two options:

• Use the space on the form — there is a box on page 2 for a brief statement
• Attach a separate witness statement — for anything beyond the simplest applications, this is strongly recommended

Your supporting statement should contain:

• The relevant facts — what happened and why you are making this application
• The legal test the court must apply — reference the CPR rules and any relevant case law
• Why the court should exercise its discretion in your favour
• Any documents you are relying on (exhibit them to your witness statement)

For example, if you are applying to set aside a default judgment, the court will consider whether you acted promptly, whether you have a real prospect of successfully defending the claim, and whether there is a good reason for the failure to file a defence (CPR 13.3). Your supporting statement must address all three of these limbs.

Section 7: Statement of Truth

You must sign the statement of truth, which confirms that the facts stated in the application notice are true. If you are attaching a witness statement, that should also contain its own statement of truth. An unsigned application will be returned by the court.

The statement of truth reads: “I believe that the facts stated in this section (and any continuation sheets) are true. I understand that proceedings for contempt of court may be brought against anyone who makes, or causes to be made, a false statement in a document verified by a statement of truth without an honest belief in its truth.”

Section 8: Service

You are required to serve a copy of your application on every other party. The form asks you to confirm the address for service. In most cases, this will be the address shown on the court record (or the solicitor’s address if a party is represented). You must serve the application at least 3 clear days before any hearing (CPR 23.7), unless the court directs otherwise or you are applying without notice.

Court Fees for N244 Applications

As of 2026, the standard court fee for filing a Form N244 is:

• With a hearing: £296
• Without a hearing (on paper): £119
• By consent: £53 (where both parties agree to the order)

These fees can be a significant barrier for self-represented litigants. If you are on a low income or receive qualifying benefits, you can apply for fee remission using Form EX160A. You can submit this alongside your N244. If full remission is granted, you pay nothing. Partial remission reduces the fee based on your income.

Different Versions of Form N244

There are several variants of N244 for specialist courts:

• N244(CC) — for applications in the Commercial Court
• N244(CCFL) — for applications in the County Court Financial List
• N244(CHFL) — for applications in the Chancery and High Court Financial List

For standard County Court proceedings, use the basic N244. The specialist versions contain additional fields relevant to their respective courts.

How Many Copies Do You Need?

When filing at court, you need:

• The original for the court file
• One copy for each party you are serving (including any additional defendants or third parties)
• One copy for yourself (for the court to stamp and return as proof of filing)

So in a standard two-party case, bring three copies: one for the court, one for the defendant, and one for yourself. If you are filing by post, include a stamped self-addressed envelope for the return of your sealed copy.

Common Mistakes Litigants in Person Make on Form N244

Having reviewed hundreds of applications, these are the errors that come up repeatedly:

• Vague drafting in Section 1 — failing to specify the exact order sought. “I want the court to help me” is not an application. State the precise order you want.
• No supporting evidence — filing the form without a witness statement or any explanation of why the court should grant the order. The judge is not a mind reader.
• Wrong fee — paying the without-hearing fee when a hearing is required, or paying no fee at all. The court will not process your application until the correct fee is paid.
• Unsigned statement of truth — a surprisingly common oversight. The application is invalid without it.
• Failing to serve the other party — you must serve a copy on every other party, and you must do so in time. Filing at court is not the same as serving the other side.
• Missing the CPR rule — not citing the rule under which you are applying. This does not automatically invalidate the application, but it makes the judge’s job harder and may cause your application to be listed incorrectly.
• Applying too late — particularly for applications to set aside judgment. Delay weakens your position. The court expects promptness.
• Using the wrong form entirely — some applications require different forms. For example, an appeal requires Form N161 (Appellant’s Notice), not N244.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make an N244 application without the other party knowing?

In exceptional circumstances, yes. This is called a “without notice” application (formerly “ex parte”). You must explain in your application why you are applying without notice — typically because giving notice would defeat the purpose of the application (e.g., a freezing order) or because the matter is genuinely urgent. The court will be sceptical of without-notice applications and may refuse to deal with them on that basis, so use this route only when truly necessary.

How long does it take the court to deal with an N244?

It depends on the court and the type of application. Paper applications (without a hearing) can take several weeks to be placed before a judge. Applications requiring a hearing will be listed at the next available date, which could be days or months depending on the court’s diary. Urgent applications can be listed faster — flag urgency in a covering letter.

Can I email Form N244 to the court?

Some courts accept applications by email, particularly since the procedural changes introduced during 2020. Check the specific court’s contact details on the HMCTS website. Many County Courts now accept emailed applications, but the practice varies. If in doubt, file by post or in person and follow up with a phone call.

What if I cannot afford the court fee?

Apply for fee remission using Form EX160A. You may qualify for full or partial remission based on your income and savings. Qualifying benefits include Universal Credit, Income Support, Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance, and others. Do not let the fee prevent you from making a necessary application — check your eligibility first.

Can I use N244 to set aside a County Court Judgment (CCJ)?

Yes. If a CCJ was entered against you by default (because you did not respond to the claim in time), you can apply to set it aside using N244 under CPR 13.3. You will need to show that you acted promptly after learning of the judgment, and that you have a real prospect of successfully defending the claim (or that there is some other good reason the judgment should be set aside). See our guide to default judgment for more context.

What is the difference between N244 and N161?

Form N244 is for applications within existing proceedings. Form N161 (Appellant’s Notice) is specifically for appealing a court decision. If you want to challenge a judgment or order by way of appeal, you need N161, not N244. However, if you want to ask the same judge to reconsider their own decision (for example, under CPR 3.1(7) or the “slip rule” at CPR 40.12), you would use N244.

This guide was last updated in February 2026 and reflects the law and procedure in England and Wales. Court fees and procedures can change — always verify current information on the HMCTS website.

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