United Kingdom · civil

How to Complete Form N180 Directions Questionnaire in the UK

Form N180 is the court's Small Claims Directions Questionnaire issued once a defence is lodged in a dispute valued under £10,000 in England and Wales. Failing to return it promptly can see your claim or defence struck out, letting an unreasonable opponent win by default. This guide walks you through each section so you can protect your rights, demand the correct court venue, and properly prepare for mediation or a hearing.

What Form N180 Means for Your Dispute in England and Wales

When an unreasonable landlord, aggressive claimant, or non-paying contractor forces a dispute into litigation in England and Wales, the proceedings step up a gear once a defence is filed. Under Part 26 of the Civil Procedure Rules (CPR), the court sends both parties a Notice of Proposed Allocation together with Form N180 (Directions Questionnaire – Small Claims Track). This form is the court's procedural roadmap: it determines track allocation, venue, witness requirements, and whether the dispute goes to mandatory mediation.

You typically have at least 14 calendar days from the deemed service date to complete and return the form. Powerful commercial claimants and predatory debt collection agencies often bank on litigants in person panicking or missing this deadline. If you do not return the form, the court will issue an order giving you a final 7 days to comply; if you miss that final cut-off, CPR 26.4(9) dictates that your statement of case (your claim or defence) will be automatically struck out, handing your opponent an unearned judgment.

The Legal Framework: CPR Part 26, Part 27, and Mandatory Mediation

Under CPR 26.4(1), each party must file the completed directions questionnaire at the designated court office (often the Civil National Business Centre) and serve a complete copy on every other party to the proceedings. For fixed money claims of £10,000 or less issued on or after 22 May 2024, participation in the Small Claims Mediation Service (SCMS) is mandatory under CPR Part 26 and Practice Direction 51ZE. Unreasonably refusing to participate or failing to attend your allocated one-hour telephone mediation can result in adverse costs sanctions or the judge striking out your case.

The Civil Procedure Rules also protect individual defendants against being dragged to an inconvenient court across the country. Under CPR 26.13, if the claim is for a specified sum of money and the defendant is an individual, the proceedings will automatically be transferred to the defendant's home County Court hearing centre. Use Form N180 to confirm your preferred local hearing centre so you are not pressured into costly travel.

How to Complete the Form and Take Tactical Control

Section A deals with settlement and mediation. Confirm your phone number and email address, and list any dates you cannot take an hour-long telephone appointment. In Section B, confirm your agreement that the small claims track (CPR Part 27) is appropriate, or state why complexity requires a higher track, and designate your local County Court hearing centre. In Section C and D, disclose whether you require witness evidence and list unavailable dates over the next 6 to 9 months so the court does not list a hearing when you are absent. Remember that under CPR 27.5, no expert evidence is permitted in the small claims track without the express advance permission of the court.

Do not leave your case to chance or let procedural deadlines derail your position. You can use Caunsel to research relevant civil rules, safely organise and store case documents in one place, or connect with an independent qualified lawyer to review your questionnaire and trial strategy before you submit.

Steps

• Check the Notice of Proposed Allocation immediately to identify your strict filing deadline and the court address or online portal where your response must be delivered.
• Complete Section A (Settlement and Mediation) by providing direct contact details for the Small Claims Mediation Service and noting any dates you are unavailable for a telephone appointment.
• Complete Section B (Hearing Venue) by selecting your nearest County Court hearing centre; if you are an individual defending a money claim, CPR 26.13 entitles you to have the case heard locally.
• Complete Sections C, D, and E by listing yourself and any other factual witnesses, identifying any accessibility or interpreter requirements, and detailing all unavailable hearing dates over the coming six months.
• Sign and date the form, file it with the court before the stated deadline, and simultaneously post or email an identical copy to the opponent or their solicitor.

Common mistakes

• Failing to serve a signed copy of Form N180 on the opponent, which breaches CPR 26.4(1) and invites procedural objections.
• Ignoring the form or missing the return date, triggering a 7-day warning notice and an automatic strike-out under CPR 26.4(9).
• Rejecting or skipping the Small Claims Mediation Service without lawful excuse on fixed-sum money claims subject to mandatory mediation under Practice Direction 51ZE.
• Relying on paid expert reports without applying for the court's prior permission under CPR 27.5.

Questions people ask

What happens if I miss the deadline to return Form N180?

Under CPR 26.4(9), if a party in a money claim fails to file Form N180 in time, the court serves an order requiring compliance within 7 days. If you still fail to file the completed questionnaire within those 7 days, your claim or defence is struck out automatically, leaving you liable for judgment.

Is mediation really mandatory for small claims in England and Wales?

Yes. For specified money claims of £10,000 or less issued on or after 22 May 2024, the court automatically refers the claim to the free Small Claims Mediation Service (SCMS) under Practice Direction 51ZE. You must attend the one-hour telephone session unless an exemption applies; failure to do so can result in costs penalties or strike-out.

Do I have to send Form N180 to the opposing party?

Yes. CPR 26.4(1) requires that when you file Form N180 with the court, you must serve a copy on every other party to the claim. Keep proof of posting or email delivery in your case file.

General information only, last updated 2026-10-12. Caunsel is not a law firm and does not practise law. AI answers and this guide are not legal advice. Verify filings, deadlines, and statutes with a licensed lawyer in United Kingdom.