Form N210A UK: Part 8 Costs-Only Acknowledgment
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If you have received a Part 8 costs-only claim form through the post, Form N210A is the document you use to tell the court how you intend to respond. It is a short but important filing, and the deadline is tight: you generally have 14 days from service of the claim to return it.
Getting this wrong can cause real problems, including default orders being made against you. This guide walks through what the form is for, when it applies, how each section works, and what tends to trip people up. I have written it in plain English so that litigants in person, paralegals, and busy practitioners can all get the gist quickly and move forward with confidence.
If anything on the form does not match your circumstances, that is usually a sign to pause and think before ticking a box.
What this document is
Form N210A is the acknowledgment of service used specifically for Part 8 claims that deal only with costs. A Part 8 costs-only claim is a narrow procedure under the Civil Procedure Rules. It is used where the substantive dispute between the parties has already been resolved (typically through a settlement agreement) and the only outstanding issue is the amount of costs payable.
The claim is issued so that the court can carry out a detailed assessment of those costs. The N210A lets the defendant (usually the paying party) formally record receipt of the claim and signal their position. Depending on which boxes are ticked, the defendant can accept that an order for costs should be made but challenge the sum, contest the making of any costs order, raise a different remedy, or dispute the jurisdiction of the court.
It is not a pleading in the full sense, but the choices made on it shape the next steps in the case and the directions the court is likely to give.
How to use this document
- Read the claim form and any supporting evidence carefully. Before you touch the N210A, make sure you understand what is being claimed and on what basis. A Part 8 costs-only claim should include the agreement or order that resolved the main dispute, plus details of the costs sought. Check the parties, the sums, and whether any assumptions the claimant has made actually match the settlement terms.
- Decide your position on liability and on quantum. The form separates two distinct questions: should there be an order for costs at all, and if so, is the amount claimed reasonable? You can accept one and dispute the other. For example, it is common to accept that costs are payable under the settlement but challenge the figure through detailed assessment. Think this through before ticking any box.
- Complete Sections A to C accurately. Section A is for defendants who do not contest the claim. Section B is for those who accept an order should be made but dispute the amount. Section C covers defendants who want to contest the making of an order, seek a different remedy, or challenge jurisdiction. Only one path should reflect your true position, so tick carefully.
- Fill in your details and sign the statement of truth. Enter your full name, address, and contact details in the relevant sections. The statement of truth is not a formality: signing it dishonestly can amount to contempt of court. If a legal representative is signing on your behalf, they must have authority to do so and their firm details should be included.
- File the form within 14 days and keep proof. The N210A must reach the court within 14 days of service of the claim form. File it at the court named on the claim, retain a dated copy, and send a copy to the claimant or their solicitors. If you miss the deadline, the claimant may seek default judgment or other relief, which is difficult and costly to unwind.
If you're dealing with this kind of situation, speak to an experienced legal adviser who can walk you through it — from £89.
Common questions
Q What is a Part 8 costs-only claim?
It is a streamlined court procedure used where the parties have already settled the main dispute but cannot agree on costs. The claimant asks the court to order a detailed assessment of those costs. Because the substantive issues are not reopened, the process is faster than a full Part 7 claim, but the rules on timing and acknowledgment still need to be followed carefully.
Q How long do I have to return Form N210A?
The standard deadline is 14 days from the date you are served with the claim form. Time is calculated under the Civil Procedure Rules, so weekends and bank holidays can affect the count. If you genuinely cannot meet the deadline, it is worth contacting the claimant promptly to ask for a short extension in writing, rather than simply missing it.
Q What happens if I do nothing?
If you fail to acknowledge the claim within the required time, the claimant may be entitled to seek judgment or progress the case without your input. In practice this can lead to a costs order being made at the level the claimant has asked for, plus interest and further costs. Applying to set that aside later is possible but not guaranteed and usually expensive.
Q Can I challenge the amount of costs without challenging the order itself?
Yes. Section B of the form is designed precisely for this. You accept that the court should make an order for costs, typically because a settlement agreement provides for it, but you signal that you dispute the figure. The case then proceeds to detailed assessment where a costs officer examines the bill line by line.
Q Do I need a solicitor to complete the N210A?
No, litigants in person can complete and file the form themselves. That said, Part 8 costs-only claims often involve technical arguments about the scope of the settlement, what is recoverable, and how costs should be assessed. If the sums are significant, it is worth getting some input before committing to a position on the form.
Q Where do I send the completed form?
Send it to the court named on the claim form you received. The address is printed on the top of the claim. Keep a stamped or dated copy for your records, and send a copy to the claimant or their legal representative so they know where things stand. Some courts also accept filing by email, but check the local practice first.
Q What if I think the court does not have jurisdiction?
Section C allows you to indicate that you intend to dispute the court's jurisdiction. Ticking that box does not itself resolve the point: you will normally need to make a separate application within a defined period, supported by evidence, setting out why the court should not hear the claim. This is a technical area and worth taking advice on before acting.
If you're dealing with this kind of situation, speak to an experienced legal adviser who can walk you through it — from £89.
Sources
This guide is based on primary UK law and official guidance.
- Guidance · UK GovForm N210A: Acknowledgment of service (Part 8 costs only claim) on gov.ukgov.uk
- Guidance · HMCTSCivil Procedure Rules, Part 8 (Alternative Procedure for Claims)justice.gov.uk
- Guidance · HMCTSCivil Procedure Rules, Part 44 (General Rules about Costs)justice.gov.uk
Legal helpline
Unsure how to respond to a costs-only claim?
The choices you make on Form N210A affect whether you end up in detailed assessment, facing default judgment, or arguing jurisdiction. An experienced legal adviser can help you think through your options based on what you describe on the call, so you file the right response within the 14 day window.
- A plain-English explanation of what each section of N210A means for your situation
- Practical perspective on whether to contest liability, quantum, or both
- Clarity on the 14 day deadline and what happens if you miss it
- Answers to your specific questions about the Part 8 costs-only process
Legal disclaimer
This article is for general information only. It is a tool to help you find your way — not legal advice, and not a substitute for speaking to a qualified adviser about your situation.