Part 20 Claim Response UK: Defendant Notes (2026)
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Receiving a Part 20 claim form can be unsettling, especially if you were not expecting to be drawn into an existing court case. Part 20 is the mechanism under the Civil Procedure Rules that allows additional claims to be brought within proceedings already underway, and if one lands on your doormat you are now a party to that litigation.
The clock starts ticking from the moment of service, and failing to respond properly can lead to a default judgment being entered against you without further warning. This page walks through what a Part 20 claim is, what your options are as the person receiving it, and the practical steps to take within the short response window.
It also covers the wider consequences, including how a judgment can affect your credit record, and what you can do if you want to push back on all or part of the claim.
What this document is
A Part 20 claim is an additional claim made inside existing court proceedings, governed by Part 20 of the Civil Procedure Rules. It is most often used when a defendant in the main case wants to bring in a third party, perhaps to seek a contribution or indemnity, to pass on liability, or to raise a counterclaim against the original claimant.
If you have been served with one, you are being asked to defend an allegation or money claim that sits alongside, or flows out of, a case that may already have been running for some time. The procedure largely mirrors an ordinary civil claim: you will receive a claim form, particulars of claim setting out what is alleged against you, and response pack paperwork explaining your options.
You are treated as a defendant in your own right, with the same rights and obligations as a defendant in a standalone claim. That means you can admit, defend, or partially defend the claim, and you face the same risks if you ignore it.
How to use this document
- Check the date of service carefully. Your response deadline depends on when you are deemed to have been served, and this varies depending on the method used. Post, personal delivery and document exchange all have different deemed service rules, so work out your actual deadline before doing anything else and diary it prominently.
- Read the particulars of claim in full. Take time to understand exactly what is being claimed, who is claiming it, and why you have been joined to the proceedings. Look for the amount claimed, the legal basis, any documents attached, and whether interest and costs are being sought on top of the principal sum.
- Decide how you want to respond. You generally have four options: pay the full amount claimed, admit the claim in whole or in part, file an acknowledgment of service to buy extra time, or file a defence disputing the claim. Each route has different implications for costs, credit records and how the case proceeds from here.
- File the correct response form on time. If you need more time to prepare a defence, file an acknowledgment of service (Form N213 for Part 20 claims) within the deadline, which typically extends your time to serve a defence. If you are admitting or defending outright, complete the relevant admission or defence form and return it to the court.
- Keep proof of everything you send. Whether you post, email or deliver your response, retain copies and evidence of dispatch. If there is any dispute later about whether you responded in time, that paper trail can be the difference between a judgment standing against you and being able to set it aside.
Common questions
Q How long do I have to respond to a Part 20 claim?
You usually have 14 days from the date of service to file a response, whether that is a full defence, an admission, or an acknowledgment of service. Filing the acknowledgment typically extends your time to file a defence. The deemed date of service depends on how the form was delivered, so check the rules carefully before assuming a particular deadline.
Q What happens if I ignore the claim form?
If you do not respond within the time limit, the court may enter a default judgment against you for the amount claimed plus interest and costs. You would then be treated as liable without the claim ever being tested. Setting aside a default judgment is possible in some circumstances but is not guaranteed, and it usually involves further cost and delay.
Q Can I dispute only part of the claim?
Yes. You can admit part of the amount claimed and defend the rest, which is sometimes the most sensible course where there is genuine disagreement only about certain items or sums. The response forms allow you to set out which elements you accept and which you contest, and the case will then proceed on the disputed portion.
Q Will a judgment affect my credit rating?
A county court judgment against you can be entered on the Register of Judgments, Orders and Fines, which is consulted by lenders and credit reference agencies. This can make it harder to obtain credit, mortgages or certain financial products. If you pay in full within one month of judgment, you can apply to have the entry removed.
Q Do I have to pay interest and court costs as well?
If the claim succeeds, the court can order you to pay interest on the sum owed plus the claimant's recoverable costs, including the court fee and any fixed costs. The exact figures will depend on the size of the claim and the track it is allocated to. Early settlement often reduces the costs exposure significantly.
Q What is the difference between an admission and an acknowledgment of service?
An admission is where you accept liability for all or part of the claim. An acknowledgment of service is a neutral step that tells the court you have received the claim and intend to defend it, giving you additional time to file your defence. The two have very different consequences, so choose the right one for your position.
Q Should I get legal help before filing a response?
It is usually sensible to take some guidance before responding, particularly if the sums are significant or the legal issues are complex. An experienced legal adviser can help you think through your options based on what you describe, so you go into the response with a clearer view of the likely consequences of each route.
Sources
This guide is based on primary UK law and official guidance.
- Guidance · HMCTSForm N211C: Notes for defendant on replying to the Part 20 claim formgov.uk
- Guidance · UK GovForm N213: Acknowledgment of service (Part 20 claim)gov.uk
- Guidance · HMCTSCivil Procedure Rules, Part 20justice.gov.uk
- Guidance · UK GovRespond to a court claim for moneygov.uk
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.