Directions Questionnaire N180: What to Do When Your Small Claim Is Defended

You Got a Defence — Now the Court Sends N180

When the defendant files a defence to your county court money claim, the court doesn't jump straight to a hearing. Both sides receive a Directions Questionnaire — Form N180 — which the court uses to allocate the case to the correct procedural track and set a timetable.

For most money claims worth £10,000 or less, the small claims track is the standard allocation under CPR Part 27, subject to the court's assessment and track exceptions. The N180 is your chance to tell the court practical information about your case: whether you agree to mediation, whether you need witnesses, what dates you're unavailable, and whether you want the hearing at a particular court.

Return it by the deadline printed on the covering letter. If you miss it, contact the court promptly about the next step.

How to Fill In Form N180

Track allocation. For a money claim worth £10,000 or less, state whether you agree with small-claims allocation. The court makes the final decision based on the claim's value, complexity, and any track exceptions.

Mediation. The automatic referral pilot runs through 6 April 2027. For eligible specified-money claims started outside OCMC, Practice Direction 51ZE refers the claim after all parties file their directions questionnaires. For eligible OCMC claims, Practice Direction 51R provides the referral process: the claimant must confirm they want to continue and file an online directions questionnaire within 28 days; unless the claimant opted out, the court stays the case for 28 days and refers it to the HMCTS Small Claims Mediation Service (SCMS). Road-traffic-accident and personal-injury claims are excluded from the PD 51ZE route; some specified non-personal-injury road-traffic claims started in OCMC are covered by the separate PD 51R mediation pilot.

Attendance at a scheduled mediation session is mandatory, although you are not required to agree to a settlement. For eligible non-OCMC claims, referral does not depend on either party's willingness to settle. On the OCMC route, the claimant can opt out before referral. Failing to attend may lead to a costs sanction under CPR 27.14(2A) and CPR 26.6(6).

Witnesses. State how many witnesses you intend to call and whether any need special arrangements (e.g., a Welsh language interpreter or a hearing loop). On the small claims track, witnesses must provide signed written statements verified by a Statement of Truth; they may also give oral evidence, and the judge can ask questions directly.

Hearing location. If the defendant is an individual and the claim is for a specified sum, the case automatically transfers to the defendant's home County Court hearing centre under CPR 26.5. If the defendant is a company, the case typically transfers to the claimant's preferred hearing centre, subject to judicial discretion.

Dates to avoid. List dates when you or your witnesses are genuinely unavailable within the period asked about on the form. Don't block out weeks — the court has limited slots and may ignore overly broad exclusions.

What Happens After You Return N180

The court reviews both questionnaires and issues a Notice of Allocation confirming:

• The case is on the small claims track
• The hearing centre
• Standard directions (typically: exchange documents 14 days before the hearing, bring evidence bundles)
• The mediation appointment date and time

The SCMS mediator will call both parties at the scheduled time. Many small claims settle at mediation — if you reach an agreement, the terms are recorded in a settlement agreement and the claim is stayed. If mediation fails, the hearing proceeds as scheduled.

Between mediation and the hearing, prepare your evidence bundle: claim form, defence, all supporting documents, and your witness statement, numbered and indexed.

The Making a County Court Money Claim guide walks through N180 section by section and includes a mediation preparation checklist so you know what to have ready for the call.

See more England and Wales guides →