County Court / Magistrates’ Court / Tribunal (HMCTS) letter explained in English
Court or tribunal. A court or tribunal. Court papers are always important — never ignore them.
Letters you may get
- Claim form — someone is taking you to court for money
- Single Justice Procedure notice — you are charged with a minor offence, for example no TV licence or speeding
- Hearing notice — you must come to court or a tribunal on a set date
- Judgment (CCJ) — the court’s decision that you must pay
What to do
- Court deadlines are strict. If you don’t answer a claim in time, the claimant can get a judgment against you without a hearing.
- Get free help early, for example from Citizens Advice, a law centre or Support Through Court.
- Find the deadline. Look for “by”, “within”, “no later than”.
- Write the reference number from the letter on everything you send back, and keep copies.
- If you disagree with a decision, object in writing before the deadline (“mandatory reconsideration”, “administrative review”, “representations”, “challenge”, “appeal”, “dispute”, “review”). See the template.
Words you may see
- CCJ
- County Court Judgment. A court order that you must pay a debt. It stays on your credit file for 6 years.
- claim form
- The court paper that starts a case against you for money.
- Single Justice Procedure
- A quick way for a magistrate to decide minor offences on paper, without a hearing.
- TV Licence
- A yearly licence you need to watch or record live TV on any channel, or to use BBC iPlayer.
Questions
What is the County Court / Magistrates’ Court / Tribunal (HMCTS)?
Court or tribunal. A court or tribunal. Court papers are always important — never ignore them.
How long do I have to answer a letter from the County Court / Magistrates’ Court / Tribunal (HMCTS)?
It depends on the letter. Look for words like “by”, “within”, “no later than” — they mark the deadline. In the UK, a letter sent by first class post is usually treated as delivered on the second working day after it was posted. But many deadlines, for example for appeals, count from the date printed on the letter. To object, the letter usually names the way to do it (“mandatory reconsideration”, “administrative review”, “representations”, “challenge”, “appeal”, “dispute”, “review”).
Can I read a County Court / Magistrates’ Court / Tribunal (HMCTS) letter in English?
Yes. Take a photo of the letter with Briefly. It explains the letter in plain English, finds the deadline and the amount, and gives you ready-made replies in English. Your letter never leaves your device.
Other offices in the United Kingdom
HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) · Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) · Council (borough, district or city council) · Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) · TV Licensing · Home Office / UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) · Enforcement agents (bailiffs) · Debt collection agency