County court claim form: what it means and your deadline
A county court claim form means someone is formally suing you for money through the county court. You normally have 14 days from receiving it to respond, and if you file an acknowledgment of service you get up to 28 days to file a defence. Doing nothing lets the claimant get a judgment against you by default.
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A county court claim form means someone is formally suing you for money through the county court. You normally have 14 days from receiving it to respond, and if you file an acknowledgment of service you get up to 28 days to file a defence. Doing nothing lets the claimant get a judgment against you by default.
Last reviewed: July 2026 · Written in plain English, checked against gov.uk · Information only, not legal advice
County court claim form (N1): the essentials
- What it isA formal court claim against you for money
- Deadline to respond14 days from service of the claim
- Extra time to defendUp to 28 days if you acknowledge first
- Your optionsAdmit, defend, or acknowledge and defend
- If ignoredA default CCJ can be entered against you
How long do I have to respond to a county court claim?
You have 14 days from the date you are deemed to have received the claim form to respond. Within that time you can admit the claim (in full or part), defend it, or file an 'acknowledgment of service' — which buys you more time, extending the deadline to file your defence to 28 days from service. The pack that comes with the claim (the response pack) explains each option and how to reply online or by post.
What are my options when I receive a claim?
You can admit the whole claim and offer to pay (in full or by instalments), admit part and dispute the rest, or defend the claim if you dispute you owe the money or the amount. If you need more time to prepare a defence, acknowledging service gives you until 28 days. You can also make a counterclaim if the other side owes you. The right choice depends on whether you genuinely owe the debt — and free advice can help you decide.
What happens if I do not respond in time?
If you miss the deadline, the claimant can ask the court to enter judgment 'in default' — a County Court Judgment (CCJ) against you without your side being heard. That can then be enforced through bailiffs, an attachment of earnings, or a charge on your home. If a default judgment is entered because you never actually received the claim or have a real defence, you may be able to apply to set it aside, but it is far easier to respond on time.
What happens if you ignore it?
Ignoring a county court claim is the worst option: the claimant gets a default CCJ, which harms your credit for 6 years and opens the door to enforcement. Even if you owe the money, responding lets you arrange affordable instalments and can avoid some enforcement; if you dispute it, responding is the only way to put your case. Free help from Citizens Advice or National Debtline can guide you through the response pack before the 14 days run out.
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See what your letter means — freeFrequently asked questions
Is a claim form the same as a CCJ?
No. The claim form is the start of the case and your chance to respond. A CCJ is the judgment that follows if you admit the claim, lose, or fail to respond in time.
Can I get more than 14 days?
Yes. Filing an acknowledgment of service within the 14 days extends your deadline to file a defence to 28 days from when the claim was served.
What if I never received the claim form?
If a judgment was entered because you did not receive the claim, you may be able to apply to set it aside (often using form N244). Act quickly and consider getting advice.
Official sources & free help
For the full detail — and free, independent advice — see: