They paid my small claim but not the court fee or interest: who helps?

Summary

If the other side paid the main debt after you started a small claim but admitted only part of it, the court will ask whether you accept their part admission or want to carry on for the rest. The rest here is your court fee and any interest you claimed. Money already paid to you is not at risk if you continue. Before you decide, write to them asking for the fee and interest, and weigh up the hearing fee and your time against what is left. Reply to the court by the deadline on its notice.

Key information

• Part admission: the defendant admits some of the claim. You choose to accept that amount in full settlement or to continue for the remainder.
• Deadline: reply on the court's form by the date shown, usually 14 days. If you do nothing, the claim may be paused.
• What is left: the court fee you paid and interest, if you claimed it in your claim form.
• Accepting: read the form carefully. Accepting in full settlement may end your claim for the rest.
• Continuing: most small claims go to free mediation first, then a hearing. A hearing fee applies.
• Their counterclaim: if they say you owe them money, they need to make their own claim or counterclaim.
• Costs: in small claims, each side usually pays its own costs, apart from court fees and some fixed sums.
• The court can: send you the defendant's part admission and ask whether you accept. See if the defendant admits the claim; refer a continuing claim to the Small Claims Mediation Service, then list a hearing if needed. They will not give legal advice on which option to pick.
• The Small Claims Mediation Service can: hold a free phone mediation to help you agree the fee and interest without a hearing. They will not decide who is right.
• Citizens Advice or Advicenow can: explain small claims steps and forms. See Advicenow. They will not represent you.

Practical guidance

• Check what the court sent you and its reply deadline.
• Write to the defendant: thank them for paying the debt and ask for the court fee and interest by a set date, to settle the claim.
• If they pay, tell the court the claim is settled.
• If they refuse, decide whether to accept the part admission or continue. Check the court fees for a hearing first.
• If you continue, take part in mediation and prepare a short bundle: invoice, messages, payment proof.
• Ask the Shaman to map the steps and dates.

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