Which Track?

When a civil claim is issued at Court it will be allocated to a track at an early stage. There are a number of factors that affect allocation. Below is a brief summary of each track. The financial limits will be altered from time to time.

Small Claims

• Up to £10,000
• Trial to last for less than a day
• Limited legal costs recoverable
• Expert evidence only with courts permission
• Process designed for a non-legal person to navigate
• Fee payable
• Heard in the County Court by a District Judge
• Standard directions apply
• Can not claim for certain remedies
• Informal Hearing

Fast Track

• Between £10,000 and £25,000
• Trial to last for no more than one day
• Legal costs recoverable limited by value of the claim to a maximum of £1650
• Only one expert evidence per party and expert evidence only in two fields.
• Legal process more complex than small claims
• Fee payable
• Heard in a County Court
• Standard directions, standard disclosure, Exchange of witness statements and joint expert
• Can claim for all remedies
• 1 day Trial

Multi Track

• Above £25,000
• Trial last for more than 1 day
• Unlimited costs recoverable
• Expert evidence required from more than two fields or one expert in particular field
• Complex process legal representation is recommended
• Fee payable
• Heard in High Court or County Court
• Tailored directions often given in a case management conference
• Can claim for all remedies
• Multi-day Hearing