Small claim vs Online claim

[Simpo Two]

I thought an Online Claim was just a paperless version of the normal Small Claim, but it seems there are differences. Can anyone sum these up in a sentence or two? There's only £5 difference in cost. Part of me thinks that an Online claim could look a bit 'mickey mouse' or insincere, and so less likely to be taken seriously. What does the panel think?

[mrsxllifts]

We have used the online claims thing a few times and it has always been successful with very little agro. Most people tend to pay when they have the threat of a CCJ against them! But even when one of our non-payer died they were really helpful.

HTH

[Jasandjules]

I think all on-line claims are handled in Milton Keynes or somewhere oop north.

There is no difference to the effect upon your claim though - but on-line does appear to be a bit limited in terms of your Particulars of Claim (i.e. to state your case).

[JustinP1]

Money Claim Online:

Pros:

£5 Cheaper
Saves you a trip or a stamp to your local court.

Cons:

The online system is archaic: Web 2001 (yes seriously), and dial-up slow.
You have to format your whole particulars of claim in a text box, and you are limited to a very short amount of characters.
Northampton CC are often backlogged and take an age to deal with submissions.
IMHO the Defendant sees this an an 'online' thing, less important, and they also can see for the level of effort in your claim how important *you* see it as.
Northampton 'decide' where the case then goes to if it is defended.


Local court:

Pros:

You can hand it in over a desk and they check it for you for silly mistakes and protocol.
You can set out your claim in a normal format and there is no silly limit on characters.
The case starts straight away.
The case will be seen in your home court unless the defending company makes a special application (or it is an individual), and even then should be turned down unless special reasons.
If there is a problem you can drop into or call a real person at your court.

Cons:

£5 and the cost of a stamp or a trip.