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You have submitted your money claim through the Online Civil Money Claims (OCMC) service at moneyclaims.service.gov.uk. The court fee has been paid, and your Particulars of Claim have been filed. Now what?
For many litigants in person, the moment after pressing “submit” is one of the most uncertain. The system confirms your claim has been received, but it says very little about what comes next. There is no phone number to call. There is no letter telling you what to expect on Tuesday. You are left refreshing the dashboard, waiting for something to happen.
This guide sets out the complete timeline of a money claim issued through OCMC in England and Wales, from the moment of issue through to hearing. Every stage has its own rules, its own deadlines, and its own consequences for getting things wrong. Understanding this timeline is essential — because the court will not pause proceedings to explain what you should have done last week.
Stage 1: Issue and Service on the Defendant
Once your claim is accepted by the County Court Money Claims Centre (CCMCC) in Salford, it is formally issued. The court assigns a claim number and the claim is served on the defendant. Under OCMC, service is electronic for represented parties and by post for individuals.
The date of service matters enormously because it triggers every subsequent deadline. Under CPR 6.14, a claim form served by first class post is deemed served on the second business day after posting. For electronic service, deemed service is the next business day after transmission (CPR 6.26).
When the defendant receives the claim pack, it includes:
- The claim form (OCON1 format, equivalent to the traditional N1)
- The Particulars of Claim (either attached or included within the claim form)
- A response pack explaining how and when to respond
- Information about how to access the OCMC system to file a response online
If you are unsure how to start a claim in the first place, our guide to starting a money claim at OCMC covers the filing process from beginning to end.
Delays at this first stage are usually self-inflicted — the avoidable filing errors are catalogued in our guide to common OCMC mistakes that get money claims rejected.
Stage 2: The Defendant’s Response Window ‚Äî 14 Days
The defendant has 14 days from deemed service to respond. This is one of the most misunderstood deadlines in civil litigation. The 14 days run from the date of deemed service, not from the date the defendant actually reads the claim.
Within those 14 days, the defendant has three options:
Option A: File an Acknowledgment of Service
The defendant can file an acknowledgment of service, which does not contain a defence but signals to the court that they are aware of the claim and intend to respond. Filing an acknowledgment extends the deadline for filing a defence to 28 days from deemed service (CPR 10.3). This is the most common first step for represented defendants.
Option B: File a Defence
The defendant can file a full defence within the 14-day window. If they do, the case moves to the directions stage. The defence may include a counterclaim — a claim by the defendant against the claimant arising from the same facts or transaction. If you receive a defence and counterclaim, you will need to file a defence to the counterclaim.
For a detailed guide to the defence and counterclaim form, see our Form N9B guide.
Option C: Do Nothing
If the defendant does not respond at all within the permitted time, the claimant may apply for default judgment. This is covered in Stage 3 below. (For the OCMC-specific position, see what happens when the defendant does not respond to an OCMC claim.)
Stage 3: Default Judgment — When the Defendant Does Not Respond
If the defendant fails to file an acknowledgment of service or a defence within the required time, the claimant can request default judgment under CPR Part 12. For specified money claims issued through OCMC, this can be done directly through the online system.
Default judgment means the court enters judgment for the claimant without a hearing. For a specified sum, the judgment will be for the amount claimed plus any interest and fixed costs. The process is largely administrative — the court checks that the time for responding has expired and that no response has been filed.
There are important points to understand about default judgment:
- It is not automatic. The claimant must actively request it. If you do not apply, nothing happens — the claim simply sits in the system.
- Timing matters. You cannot apply before the deadline for responding has passed. Applying too early will result in your request being rejected.
- The defendant can apply to set aside. Under CPR 13.3, the defendant can apply to set aside a default judgment if they have a real prospect of defending the claim or if there is some other good reason why the judgment should be set aside.
- Judgment is not the same as payment. A default judgment gives you a court order. It does not put money in your account. If the defendant still refuses to pay, you will need to take enforcement action.
Our Form N225 Default Judgment guide explains how to apply for default judgment step by step.
Stage 4: Directions Questionnaire and Track Allocation
If the defendant files a defence, the case moves to the directions stage. The court sends both parties a directions questionnaire and a Notice of Proposed Allocation. The questionnaire must be returned within 14 days of service.
The directions questionnaire asks both parties about:
- Whether they have attempted or would be willing to attempt mediation
- What witnesses they intend to call
- Whether expert evidence is needed
- How long they estimate the trial will take
- Any dates they are unavailable for trial
Based on the questionnaire responses and the value and complexity of the claim, the court allocates the case to one of three tracks:
- Small claims track — claims up to £10,000 (or £1,000 for personal injury and housing disrepair). Limited costs recovery. Informal hearing. The directions questionnaire for this track is Form N180.
- Fast track — claims between £10,001 and £25,000. Standard directions apply. Trial limited to one day. The directions questionnaire is Form N181.
- Multi-track — claims above £25,000, or those of particular complexity regardless of value. Case management conferences are common. No fixed trial length.
Track allocation is one of the most consequential moments in your case. It determines costs exposure, procedural complexity, and how much preparation you need. For an overview of how to evaluate whether your case is worth pursuing at all, see our guide: Do You Have a Claim?
Stage 5: Case Management and Preparation for Trial
After allocation, the court issues directions — a timetable of steps each party must complete before trial. For fast track claims, standard directions typically include:
- Disclosure — each party must list and share relevant documents (CPR Part 31)
- Exchange of witness statements — written statements from anyone who will give evidence at trial, exchanged simultaneously on a specified date
- Expert evidence (if permitted) — the court may allow a single joint expert or separate experts, with reports to be exchanged by a set date
- Trial window — the court sets a window (usually several weeks) within which the trial will be listed
For small claims, directions are simpler. The court may simply set a hearing date with minimal preparatory steps. There is usually no formal disclosure obligation and no costs consequence for failure to comply with directions.
Missing a directions deadline is serious. The court can strike out your statement of case (CPR 3.4), debar you from relying on evidence served late (CPR 3.1(2)(a)), or impose cost sanctions. If you need more time, apply to the court before the deadline passes — not after.
Stage 6: The Hearing
The final stage is the hearing itself. For small claims, this is typically an informal hearing before a District Judge, lasting 30 minutes to an hour. The judge reads the papers, asks questions, and may allow brief oral submissions. Strict rules of evidence are relaxed.
For fast track trials, the hearing is more formal. Each party presents their case through witness evidence and legal submissions. The trial is limited to one day. The claimant goes first, presenting their evidence and calling witnesses. The defendant then presents their case. Both parties may make closing submissions.
At the end of the hearing, the judge delivers a judgment — either immediately or at a later date (reserved judgment). The judgment determines liability and, if the claimant succeeds, the amount of damages.
If the losing party does not comply with the judgment (typically, does not pay within 14 days), the successful party must take enforcement action. Our guide to enforcing a county court judgment explains the available options.
Key Points to Remember
- After filing at OCMC, the claim is issued and served on the defendant by the court — you do not need to arrange service yourself.
- The defendant has 14 days from deemed service to respond, extendable to 28 days if they file an acknowledgment of service.
- If the defendant does not respond, you can apply for default judgment — but you must actively request it.
- If a defence is filed, both parties complete a directions questionnaire and the case is allocated to small claims, fast track, or multi-track.
- The court sets directions (a preparation timetable) that must be followed — missing deadlines can result in your case being struck out.
- Judgment in your favour does not guarantee payment — enforcement may be necessary.
- Keep your OCMC dashboard updated and check it regularly. Court communications and deadlines appear there.
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.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does a money claim take from start to finish at OCMC?
The total timeline depends on whether the defendant responds and whether the case goes to trial. If the defendant does not respond and you obtain default judgment, the process can be resolved within 4 to 6 weeks of filing. If a defence is filed and the case proceeds to a small claims hearing, the typical timeline is 3 to 6 months. Fast track cases with a defended claim can take 6 to 12 months from issue to trial, depending on court availability and the complexity of directions.
What happens if the defendant ignores the claim?
If the defendant fails to file an acknowledgment of service or a defence within the required time, you can request default judgment through the OCMC system. Default judgment is a court order in your favour without a hearing. However, the defendant can later apply to set aside the judgment if they can show a real prospect of defending the claim. Default judgment also does not guarantee payment — if the defendant still refuses to pay, you will need to pursue enforcement.
Do I need to attend court after filing at OCMC?
Not necessarily. If the defendant does not respond and you obtain default judgment, there is no hearing. If a defence is filed and the case is allocated to the small claims track, there will be a hearing — but some small claims hearings can be conducted on paper (without attendance) if both parties consent. For fast track and multi-track cases, attendance at trial is expected. You should also be aware that case management hearings may be listed, particularly on the multi-track.
Can I still settle the claim after filing?
Yes. Settlement is possible at any stage of proceedings, and the court actively encourages it. If you reach an agreement with the defendant after filing, you can discontinue the claim or ask the court to enter a consent order recording the terms of settlement. The OCMC system allows you to record a settlement and close the claim. Settling before trial avoids the risk of an adverse judgment and saves both parties further costs.
What if the defendant files a counterclaim?
A counterclaim is a claim by the defendant against you, filed alongside their defence. If a counterclaim is filed, you become a defendant to the counterclaim and must file a defence to it within 14 days. The original claim and the counterclaim are then managed together. If you fail to defend the counterclaim, the defendant can apply for default judgment against you on the counterclaim.
Last updated: March 2026. This guide applies to proceedings in England and Wales. Always verify current rules at justice.gov.uk.
Related Guides
- How to Start a Money Claim at OCMC
- Form N225: How to Apply for Default Judgment
- Form N181: Directions Questionnaire Guide
- Do You Have a Claim? How to Evaluate Your Case
- How to Enforce a County Court Judgment
Frequently asked questions
What happens immediately after I file at OCMC?
Once your claim is accepted by the County Court Money Claims Centre, it is formally issued, given a claim number and served on the defendant by the court — you do not need to arrange service yourself. The date of service matters because it triggers every subsequent deadline.
How long does the defendant have to respond?
The defendant has 14 days from deemed service to respond. They can file an acknowledgment of service (which extends the time to file a defence to 28 days from deemed service), file a full defence, or do nothing — in which case you may be able to apply for default judgment.
What is default judgment and is it automatic?
If the defendant files no acknowledgment or defence in time, you can request default judgment, and the court can enter judgment without a hearing. It is not automatic — you must actively request it, and you cannot apply before the deadline to respond has passed. The defendant may also apply to set it aside.
What happens if the defendant files a defence?
The case moves to the directions stage. The court sends both parties a directions questionnaire and a Notice of Proposed Allocation; the questionnaire must be returned within 14 days. Based on the answers, value and complexity, the case is allocated to the small claims, fast or multi-track.
What do “directions” mean before trial?
Directions are a timetable of steps each party must complete before trial — typically disclosure of documents, exchange of witness statements, and any expert evidence, within a set trial window. Missing a directions deadline is serious; if you need more time, apply to the court before the deadline passes, not after.
Does winning mean I get paid?
No. Judgment in your favour gives you a court order, not money in your account. If the losing party does not comply (typically does not pay within 14 days), you may need to take enforcement action.
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Related guides: Form N180: Directions Questionnaire (small claims) · Form N225: Default Judgment · Form N9B: Defence and Counterclaim · All civil court forms