Find out if the defendant is worth suing

Summary

Before you start a court case, it's vital to check if they can actually pay you if you win. Suing someone with no money, assets, or insurance can be a waste of time and money. This guide provides a simple checklist of free and low-cost things you can do to find out if the person or company you plan to take to court will be able to pay you if you win. The information in this guide applies to England and Wales. 1 Getting started 2 Why you should check if they can pay before starting a claim 3 How to find out if someone has assets – a checklist 4 I’ve done my checks – what’s next? 5 FAQs about how to check if it will be worth suing someone 6 What does it mean? 7 About this guide * If you are thinking of taking someone to court about money, there are lots of things you should do before you start the case. * Starting a money claim against a person or company with no money, assets, or insurance is a waste of time and money. * Make sure they will be able to pay you if you win the case. This guide shows you how to check what money and assets they have. * you are starting a civil claim in either England or Wales, and * your case involves a claim for £25,000 or less, and * you are.

Key information

• •If you are thinking of taking someone to court about money, there are lots of things you should do before you start the case.
• •Starting a money claim against a person or company with no money, assets, or insurance is a waste of time and money.
• •Make sure they will be able to pay you if you win the case. This guide shows you how to check what money and assets they have.
• •you are starting a civil claim in either England or Wales, and
• •your case involves a claim for £25,000 or less, and
• •you are representing yourself (you are a litigant in person) and you are not eligible to have your case paid for by legal aid, a trade union, or insurance.
• •a case which involves a claim for more than £25,000,
• •a family case (such as a domestic violence injunction or a divorce),
• •a housing disrepair or housing possession case including mortgage possession,
• •injunctions (including court claims about anti-social behaviour),
• •a case involving defamation (that is libel or slander) or,
• •a tribunal case (such as a discrimination, employment or immigration case).

Practical guidance

• •Source: [Find out if the defendant is worth suing](https://www.advicenow.org.uk/get-help/going-court/small-claims-and-civil-court/find-out-if-defendant-worth-suing)

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