Form N210C Acknowledgment of Service UK Guide

What this document is

Form N210C is the acknowledgment of service used in the High Court and County Court when a person (the respondent) has been served with proceedings alleging contempt connected to a certification or application made under section 336 of the Charities Act 2011. Its purpose is procedural rather than substantive: it tells the court and the applicant how the respondent intends to engage with the case, not whether the allegations are accepted or denied in detail.

By completing and filing the form within the timeframe set by the court, the respondent confirms receipt of the claim, indicates whether they intend to contest the proceedings, flags any challenge to jurisdiction, and states whether written evidence will be relied on in response. Because contempt proceedings can result in findings that carry criminal-style consequences, including the possibility of a custodial penalty in the most serious cases, the acknowledgment is an important first procedural step. Getting the form right, and filing it on time, protects your ability to defend the case properly.

How to use this document

1. Read the claim pack carefully before you start. The documents served on you will set out the conduct alleged to amount to contempt and the relief being sought. Take time to understand the allegations, the section of the Charities Act being relied on, and any deadline stated in the covering documents. This context shapes every answer you give on the form.
2. Decide your position on contesting the proceedings (Sections A and B). Section A asks whether you intend to contest the certification or application. If you do, Section B records that intention. Think carefully before ticking either option, because this shapes the direction of the case. If you are unsure, consider getting guidance before committing to an answer on paper.
3. Consider whether to challenge jurisdiction (Section C). If you believe the court hearing the matter does not have jurisdiction over you or the subject matter, Section C is where that objection is noted. A jurisdictional challenge is a specific legal step with its own procedural consequences, so raise it only where there is a proper basis to do so.
4. Address written evidence (Section D). If you plan to rely on a witness statement or other written evidence, Section D is used to confirm that and to indicate whether the evidence has already been filed or will follow within the period allowed by the rules. Missing this step can limit what you are later permitted to put before the court.
5. Complete contact details and the statement of truth (Sections E and F). Section E captures the court details and your own address for service, which must be accurate so that future court documents reach you. Section F is the statement of truth, confirming you believe the facts in the form are true. Signing this dishonestly is itself a serious matter.

Common questions