What to do if…
you receive a court claim or summons about an unpaid debt unexpectedly

What to do now

1. Put the key details in one place. Photograph or scan every page, keep the envelope, and write down:

   • the response deadline and any hearing date
   • the court or office name
   • the case or claim number
   • any password, security code, or online access code
   • the claimant’s name and any solicitor or debt collector
   • what the debt is said to be for, and the amount breakdown

2. Work out which UK court system the papers are from.

   • In England and Wales, the papers may mention the County Court, Civil National Business Centre, County Court Business Centre, Money Claim Online, or Online Civil Money Claims.
   • In Scotland, the papers may mention Simple Procedure and the Sheriff Court.
   • In Northern Ireland, the papers may mention County Court small claims or the Northern Ireland Courts and Tribunals Service. If you are not sure, treat the papers as real while you check.

3. Check the claim through official routes.

   • If the papers give a recognised official online response route, use the claim number and access code only on the official service.
   • For England and Wales court contact details, use the GOV.UK court finder rather than details copied from suspicious papers.
   • For Scotland or Northern Ireland, use the Scottish Courts and Tribunals Service, mygov.scot, or nidirect routes listed below.

4. Protect the deadline first.

   • In England and Wales, you usually need to reply within 14 days of service if the particulars of claim have been served. If you need more time to prepare a defence, an acknowledgment of service can generally give you 28 days from service of the particulars of claim to file a defence.
   • In Scotland and Northern Ireland, follow the response date or last date for response shown on the papers.
   • If you are confused, make the safest on-time response step you can and get debt advice straight away.

5. Choose the closest temporary position without guessing.

   • If the debt is yours, the amount is correct, and you can pay, follow the official claim instructions and use a secure, traceable payment method.
   • If it might be yours but the amount is wrong, respond in the way the papers allow without guessing or agreeing to figures you have not checked.
   • If you do not recognise the debt or you dispute it, respond that you dispute all or part of the claim and need the claimant to prove it.

6. Ask for proof in writing if the claim is unexpected. Ask the claimant or their solicitor for the documents they rely on, such as:

   • the account or reference number
   • a statement or transaction history showing the balance
   • a breakdown of interest, charges, court fees, and solicitor costs
   • evidence that the debt was transferred to the claimant if a debt purchaser is suing Keep the message short and factual. Avoid arguing by phone.

7. If the papers went to an old address or arrived late, act anyway. Write down the date you actually received the papers and keep the envelope. Get advice about how to explain late service or an old address, but do not miss the next response deadline while you do that.

8. Get fast free help and mention the exact court deadline. Contact a free debt adviser, Citizens Advice, National Debtline, or another regulated debt-advice charity. If you live in England or Wales and feel overwhelmed, ask a debt adviser whether Breathing Space might apply; do not rely on it unless it has actually been set up and the court or creditor has been notified as required.