Form N226 Notice of Admission UK: Claimant's Guide

What this document is

Form N226 is the standard court form used in England and Wales when a defendant has filed an admission in response to a claim for an unspecified amount of money. An unspecified claim is one where you have not yet put a precise figure on what the defendant owes, which is common in claims for damages, personal injury, or losses that still need to be assessed.

Because the defendant has admitted they are liable but has not proposed a sum to settle the matter, the court cannot simply enter judgment for a fixed amount. That is where Form N226 comes in. It gives you, the claimant, a structured way to tell the court how you want to proceed.

You can ask the court to enter judgment for an amount it decides, or judgment for an amount you agree with the defendant, and you can also set out how you would like any judgment sum to be paid. Returning the form within the time limit shown on it is important, because if you miss the deadline the claim can be stayed.

How to use this document

1. Read the defendant's admission carefully. Before you fill anything in, look at what the defendant has actually admitted. They may have accepted the whole claim or only part of it, and they may have said something about their means or ability to pay. Understanding exactly what has been conceded shapes every decision you make on the form, so take your time with this first step.
2. Decide how you want judgment to be entered. Form N226 asks you to choose between asking the court to decide the amount owed, or entering judgment for an amount you have agreed. If the defendant has said nothing about how much they will pay, you will typically need the court to make that determination at a disposal hearing or on paper, based on the evidence you file.
3. Set out your preferred payment terms. The form gives you space to say how you want any judgment sum paid, for example in one lump sum or by instalments over a set period. If the defendant has suggested terms you are not willing to accept, this is where you explain why and propose something different. Be realistic about what the defendant can actually pay.
4. Complete the court, claim, and party details. Fill in the court name, claim number, your details as claimant including any reference, the defendant's details, and the date. If you know the defendant's date of birth, include it, as it helps if judgment enforcement becomes necessary later. Double-check every reference number matches the claim paperwork.
5. Return the form to the court before the deadline. Send the completed Form N226 back to the county court office named on the paperwork, along with a copy of the defendant's admission. Keep copies of everything you send. If you fail to return it by the date shown, the claim will usually be stayed and the court will take no further action until you apply to lift the stay.

Common questions