Claimant User Guide

Service of the claim

Once you have completed all information required by MCOL and paid the court fee online, the system will display your claim number. You should make a note of or print out this number, as we can only trace your case details by this when you contact the Help Desk, email, fax or write to us.

MCOL will submit your claim to the County Court Bulk Centre (CCBC) to be issued. Once issued, your claim and a 'claim pack' will be sent to the defendant. The claim pack comprises the following forms:

• an acknowledgement of service,
• a defence and an admission.

If the claim form and claim pack cannot be served on the defendant for any reason, the Post Office will return them to the CCBC. The court will send you the claim form and claim pack along with a 'notice of non-service'. This explains that following the failure of postal service, it becomes your responsibility to make sure the defendant receives these documents. Once you have successfully served the defendant you must send a certificate of service form to the CCBC.

Please note: the claim must be served on the defendant within 4 months of the date of issue. If you wish to extend the time for service, you must make an application to the court under Civil Procedure Rules 7.6 BEFORE the period has elapsed using this form N244. The fee for the application is currently £30. Once you have correctly submitted your application, it will be considered by a district judge at Northampton.