Form N208C UK: Acknowledge a Part 8 Claim (2026)

What this document is

Form N208C is the guidance leaflet issued to defendants who have been served with a Part 8 claim under the Civil Procedure Rules. Part 8 is the alternative procedure used when a claimant is not asking the court to resolve a substantial factual dispute, for example when they want the court to interpret a will, construe a contract clause, or give directions on how a trustee should act.

Because Part 8 claims run on a different track to standard money claims, the response process is slightly different too. The Acknowledgement of Service is the form where you tell the court whether you accept what the claimant is asking for, whether you intend to oppose it, whether you want a different outcome yourself, or whether you think the court has no jurisdiction to hear the matter at all.

The N208C notes are there to help you understand each box on that form and the consequences of ticking it. Filing on time preserves every option you have; filing late, or not at all, can limit you to watching the case proceed without being heard.

How to use this document

1. Check when service took place. The clock on your response starts from the deemed date of service, not the date the claimant signed the form. If it arrived by post, service is treated as happening the second business day after posting. If it was left at your address or handed to you in person, similar deemed service rules apply. Work out this date carefully before anything else.
2. Identify the correct response window. Most Part 8 claims give the defendant 14 days from deemed service to file the Acknowledgement of Service. Claims brought under the Inheritance (Provision for Family and Dependants) Act 1975 give you 21 days instead. Diary the deadline immediately and leave buffer time for postage or court filing delays.
3. Decide your position on the claim. Before completing any sections, think about whether you accept what the claimant is asking for, want to contest it, want to seek a different outcome, or believe the court should not be hearing the claim at all. These positions map to different sections of the form, and you can tick more than one where genuinely relevant to your situation.
4. Complete the relevant sections accurately. Sections A through E cover the substantive response, including whether you contest the claim, dispute jurisdiction, or seek a different remedy. Sections F and G cover your contact details and the statement of truth, and these must always be completed. Keep your wording brief and factual; detailed arguments come later in your evidence.
5. File and serve on time. Send the completed Acknowledgement of Service to the court named on the claim form and serve a copy on the claimant (or their solicitors) before the deadline expires. Keep proof of posting or filing. If you intend to rely on written evidence in response to the claim, that usually needs to be filed and served within 14 days of filing the Acknowledgement.