county court

• what is the highest value of claim that the county court can try?

  £ 100,000
• What are the types of cases heard in the county court?

  Negligence claims- suffering is caused as a result of action or failure of another

  Tort based claims such as nuisance or trespassing

  debt claims and consumer disputes involving a breach of contract

  housing claims- residential and commercial

  landlord and tenant matters like eviction

  bankruptcy and insolvency matters
• Claims in the county court are heard in open court by a single judge who is usually a circuit judge. Some cases are heard by a recorder. if the case is straightforward and of relatively low value, then a district judge can hear the case.
• In open court, a judge will read case papers, before the hearing they can read case papers, during the hearing they will hear evidence and legal arguments.
• At the end of the hearing, the judge will decide:

  • liability
  • the compensation payable
  • remedies
  • who pays the costs of the case
• The small claims track is part of the county court. it deals with claims that are less than £ 10000 in value or less than £ 1000 in personal injury claims. The claims are dealt in an informal way, cases are heard by a district judge and lawyers are discouraged. There is less legal argument and costs aren't awarded.