N180 form (directions questionnaire, small claims track)

GOV.UK says the N180 is for disputes in the small claims track, and that judges can use it to give instructions ("directions") to both parties in small claims cases.

GOV.UK's guide to making a court claim for money says the court may send a questionnaire asking for more information if the defendant disputes the claim. You fill it in and return it to the court, and GOV.UK says you will have to pay an extra court fee.

The questionnaire for the fast track, intermediate track or multi-track is a different form, N181. Use the form the court sent you.

GOV.UK's N180 page offers three documents:

• ✓Directions questionnaire: N180 (English PDF, 8 pages)
• ✓Holiadur Cyfarwyddiadau: N180 (Welsh PDF, 8 pages)
• ✓Directions questionnaire: N180, large print (PDF, 10 pages)

GOV.UK does not list a Word version. The form is marked edition "11.24" (November 2024). The GOV.UK page was last updated on 30 June 2025, when the Welsh version was updated. Check the page for the current edition.

If the form will not open, GOV.UK says to save it and open it in Adobe Reader, or email hmctsforms@justice.gov.uk. For a printed copy, contact your local court.

RepeatForm works with the PDF, not Word documents. It needs a digital, text-selectable PDF. Scans, photos and handwriting are not supported.

GOV.UK has no separate "how to complete" page for the N180. The guidance is printed beside the questions on the form, and this section follows the form in order. Have your claim number and court name to hand.

Top of the form. Name of court and claim number, then boxes for whether the form is completed by the claimant, defendant or Part 20 claimant, and whether that party is the first, second or third in the claim. The form says to note the date by which it must be returned and the court it goes to, which may differ from the court where the case started.

Part A, Settlement and mediation. Information only. It says HMCTS provides a free Small Claims Mediation Service, that for money claims of £10,000 or less parties are required to attend an appointment, and that not attending may bring penalties.

Part B, Your contact details. Full name, address for service, phone, mobile and email.

Part C, Track. C1 asks whether you agree that the small claims track is the appropriate track. If you tick No, it asks you to say why not and which track you believe applies. A side note describes the small claims track as generally for claims under £10,000 and points to leaflet EX306.

Part D, Suitability for determination without a hearing. D1 asks whether you consider the claim suitable for decision without a hearing, for example by a judge reading the papers. If No, you state why. Side notes say the court can decide without a hearing if both parties agree, or where the "Small Claims Paper Determination Pilot" applies.

Part E, The mediation appointment. A note says to leave this part blank if the claim is not suitable for mediation, such as a Road Traffic Accident or Personal Injury claim.

• ✓E1: name, UK phone or mobile number and email of the person attending the appointment.
• ✓E2: whether there are dates in the next 3 months when you cannot attend, and which.
• ✓E3: whether you will use an interpreter, and of what type.
• ✓E4: whether you are vulnerable in any way, or need additional support the mediator should consider, and what you want considered.

Part F, The hearing.

• ✓F1: which County Court hearing centre you would prefer, and why. A note says there is no guarantee of transfer to that court.
• ✓F2: whether you are asking the court's permission to use written expert evidence. If Yes, the form asks why, the expert's name and area of expertise, and the likely cost. A note says the court must grant permission and gives £750 as the upper limit for experts' fees that can be recovered.
• ✓F3: how many witnesses, including yourself, will give evidence for you.
• ✓F4: whether there are days in the next nine months when you, an expert or a witness cannot attend, with a table for each.
• ✓F5: whether you will use an interpreter at the hearing, and of what type.
• ✓F6: whether you or a witness are vulnerable in any way the court needs to consider, and what support or adjustments you want considered.

Part G, Other information. G1 asks whether you have been advised of your right to give evidence in Welsh or English. G2 asks which language you and your witnesses will speak at court. G3 asks which language documents will be in.

Signature. The form says "You must sign this form". There is also a box for a legal representative.

GOV.UK states no number of days for returning the N180. The form tells you to note the date by which it must be returned. Look for it in the court's papers.

The form says to return it to the court at the address shown on form N149A, Notice of proposed allocation to Small Claims Track, and to send a copy to each of the other parties. RepeatForm does not send or file anything.

For claims of £10,000 or less that the defendant disputes, GOV.UK says you will be told you must attend mediation. The court organises it, it is free and it lasts up to an hour. If you do not reach agreement you attend a hearing. GOV.UK says you will not wait longer for it if you try mediation first, and that you get the decision on the day of the hearing.

The civil court fees list on GOV.UK (EX50, updated 13 July 2026) shows these small claims track hearing fees, by the value of the claim:

• ✓up to £300: £27
• ✓£300.01 to £500: £59
• ✓£500.01 to £1,000: £85
• ✓£1,000.01 to £1,500: £123
• ✓£1,500.01 to £3,000: £181
• ✓more than £3,000: £346

GOV.UK says the claimant pays the hearing fee, unless the case continues on the counterclaim alone. It must be paid, or an application for help with fees filed, by the date given in the order. The fee is non-refundable. Check the current list, because fees change.