The N244 application notice is the most-used application in the county court. Get it right and the court does what you ask. Get it wrong — vague order, no evidence, late service — and it’s refused. Chris drafts the whole bundle to elite-counsel standard, or checks the one you’ve written, before you file.
① Draft it from scratch
Tell Chris what order you need. It builds the N244, the witness statement, the skeleton argument and the draft order — court-ready, from your facts.
② Check the draft you’ve written
Already had a go? Upload your draft. Chris reviews it against your documents and the CPR test the judge will apply — and tightens it.
③ You’ve been served — respond
The other side filed an N244 against you? Run it by Chris. Understand what they’re asking, where you stand, and draft your response.
In short: Form N244 is the application notice used in civil proceedings in England and Wales (CPR Part 23). You use it to ask the court to make an order during an existing case — to set aside a default judgment, extend a deadline, strike out a statement of case, or seek relief from sanctions. A strong N244 is a bundle: the form (with a precise order sought in Box 3), a witness statement with a statement of truth, a skeleton argument, and a draft order — served on every other party at least three clear days before any hearing (CPR 23.7). eLitigant drafts the whole bundle to elite-counsel standard — or checks the one you’ve written — for £30.
What Form N244 actually is
Form N244 is the standard application notice in civil proceedings in England and Wales. Prescribed by CPR Part 23, it is the form you use to ask the court to make an order, give a direction, or exercise a power during existing proceedings — to adjourn a hearing, extend a deadline, compel disclosure, set aside a judgment made in your absence, or seek relief from a sanction.
For a litigant in person, using the N244 well is one of the most valuable procedural skills there is. A clean, properly-evidenced application reads as competent and assists the court. A vague one is far more likely to be refused.
The N244 bundle — its four parts
A strong N244 application is rarely just the form. It is a bundle, and each part does a job:
| Part | What it does | Common trap |
|---|---|---|
| 1. The N244 form | Names the order you want and the rule it rests on | Box 10 (the order sought) left vague — the most common reason applications fail |
| 2. Witness statement | The evidence: the facts, the CPR test, the documents, the prejudice | Missing statement of truth — makes it invalid |
| 3. Skeleton argument | The legal argument the judge reads first | Often omitted, leaving the judge to guess your case |
| 4. Draft order | The order you’d like the judge to sign | Not enclosed, so the court drafts it from scratch |
Chris produces all four parts, drafted to work together.
Don’t write them from scratch — Chris drafts your witness statement, your skeleton argument and your draft order alongside the N244, in one go.
When do you need an N244?
If the rules direct you to apply and no specialist form is named, N244 is almost always the one. The most common applications:
| Application | CPR rule | Hearing usually needed? |
|---|---|---|
| Set aside default judgment | CPR 13.3 | Yes |
| Relief from sanctions | CPR 3.9 | Yes |
| Strike out a statement of case | CPR 3.4 | Yes |
| Summary judgment | CPR Part 24 | Yes |
| Extend time for compliance | CPR 3.1(2)(a) | Depends on consent |
| Adjourn a hearing | CPR 3.1(2)(b) | Often on paper |
| Specific disclosure | CPR 31.12 | Yes |
Exceptions with their own forms: appeals (Form N161), warrants of control, and certain enforcement applications.
How to complete Form N244, section by section
The form is a fillable PDF from the HMCTS forms page. Complete it digitally or in legible black ink.
Header — case details
Claim number exactly as on your court documents, plus the names of all parties.
Box 3 — the order you are seeking (the make-or-break field)
State precisely what you want the court to order. The judge grants, refuses, or modifies the specific order you request. Strong examples:
- “That the Defendant’s defence be struck out pursuant to CPR 3.4(2)(a) on the grounds that it discloses no reasonable grounds for defending the claim.”
- “That time for the Claimant to file a Reply be extended to [date] pursuant to CPR 3.1(2)(a).”
- “That the hearing listed for [date] be adjourned to a date not before [date], for the reasons in the supporting witness statement.”
Avoid “I want justice” or “the court should do something”. The court needs a specific, actionable request tied to a rule or power.
The basis for your application
Tick the box and cite the rule you rely on — CPR 13.3 (set aside), CPR 3.9 (relief from sanctions), Part 24 (summary judgment), CPR 3.4(2) (strike out).
Hearing preference, time estimate, level of judge
Choose at a hearing for anything the other side will oppose; without a hearing for consent or simple procedural matters; telephone for short matters. Give a realistic time estimate. For the county court, District Judge is usual; leave blank if unsure.
Supporting evidence — where applications are won
Either use the box on the form (simplest cases only) or — far better — attach a witness statement covering: the facts; the legal test the court must weigh and how you meet it; the documents (exhibit them); and the prejudice if the order is refused. A witness statement needs a signed, dated statement of truth.
Statement of truth & service
Sign and date the statement of truth — an unsigned application is invalid and returned. Then serve a copy of the N244 and all evidence on every other party, at least three clear days before any hearing (CPR 23.7). “Clear days” excludes the day of service and the day of the hearing.
Not sure your wording will hold up?
Upload your draft N244 and witness statement — Chris checks them against your documents and the test the judge will apply.
Court fees
A court fee applies, and the amount depends on whether your application is made with a hearing, by consent, or dealt with on paper without a hearing. Check the current fee for your application type on the HMCTS fee list before you file. If you are on a low income or receiving qualifying benefits, you may get a reduction through Help with Fees (Form EX160). A fee paid on a successful application is usually recoverable from the other side as part of a costs order.
Copies, and what happens after you file
Provide one original for the court, one sealed copy for each party to be served, and one for the court to stamp and return to you. The court will then either list a hearing, deal with it on paper, or ask for more information. Flag genuine urgency in a covering letter explaining why it can’t wait for a standard listing.
Without-notice applications
Occasionally you may apply without giving notice — where notice would defeat the purpose, the matter is genuinely urgent, or a rule permits it. The court is cautious: you must give full and frank disclosure of all material facts, including those against you. The court usually adds a return date so the other side can argue to vary or discharge the order.
Common mistakes that sink an N244
| Mistake | Consequence |
|---|---|
| Vague order in Box 3 | Court can’t identify what you want — refused |
| No supporting evidence | Judge has no basis to grant it |
| Wrong fee | Not processed until corrected |
| Unsigned statement of truth | Application invalid |
| Failure to serve the other party | Adjourned or struck out |
| Late service (under 3 clear days) | Court may refuse to hear it on the date |
Frequently asked questions
Can I make more than one application on one N244?
Yes — provided they arise from the same proceedings. If they need different hearing types or legal tests, separate forms can be cleaner.
What’s the difference between N244 and N161?
N244 asks the court to make an order within existing proceedings (including asking the same judge to reconsider under CPR 3.1(7)). Form N161 (Appellant’s Notice) is for appealing a decision to a higher court.
How far ahead should I file?
Early enough for the court to list a hearing and for you to serve the other side at least three clear days before it. Contact the court for urgent listings.
Can I withdraw an N244 after filing?
Yes, in writing to the court and the other party — but the issue fee is generally not refundable, and the other side may seek their costs of responding.
Will eLitigant draft the whole bundle?
Yes — the N244, the witness statement, the skeleton argument and the draft order, built from your facts to elite-counsel standard. You can also upload a draft you’ve written and have it checked. eLitigant is a drafting tool, not a law firm; you remain the litigant in person and no outcome is guaranteed.
Your N244, drafted to counsel standard — today, for £30.
Related guides: Set aside a default judgment · Form N260 statement of costs · Form N161 appeal · All civil court forms