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RTA Small Claims Forms UK: Directions, Liability, Quantum

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Part ofUK Court & Tribunal Forms

Written by Brad Askew Solicitor (non-practising)
Brad is on the roll of solicitors of England & Wales but does not hold a practising certificate and does not provide legal advice.
Updated June 2026 · England & Wales
If you have been injured in a road traffic accident and the value of your claim falls below the small claims limit for personal injury, three specific forms sit at the heart of the procedure: the Directions Form, the Liability Form and the Quantum Form. These were introduced on 2 June 2021 as part of the Pre-Action Protocol for Personal Injury Claims Below the Small Claims Limit in Road Traffic Accidents. They were designed to streamline lower value whiplash and injury disputes, keep costs proportionate, and give both sides a clearer framework for reaching a resolution. This page walks through what each form is for, how they fit together, and the kind of information you will need to hand before you complete them. It is written for claimants and defendants who are handling a claim themselves and want a plain-English overview.

What this document is

The three RTA small claims forms are procedural documents used in personal injury claims arising from road traffic accidents where the injury element sits below the small claims limit (currently set by the Civil Procedure Rules, check gov.uk for the current figure). They support the Pre-Action Protocol for Personal Injury Claims Below the Small Claims Limit in Road Traffic Accidents, which sits alongside the Official Injury Claim portal for unrepresented claimants.

The Directions Form captures the practical information the court needs to list a hearing fairly, including the parties' details, the time each side expects to need, and the documents they intend to rely on. The Liability Form is the defendant's structured response to who was at fault, setting out what is admitted, what is denied, and why.

The Quantum Form deals with the numbers: what the claim is worth, how each head of loss is made up, and whether there is any counterclaim. Used together, they encourage both sides to narrow the issues early so the court can focus on what is genuinely in dispute.

How to use this document

  1. Check whether the protocol applies. Confirm the accident happened on a road or public place in England or Wales, that a personal injury is claimed, and that the injury element of your claim is below the small claims limit. If the injury is a whiplash injury within the scope of the Official Injury Claim portal, that route may apply first. Check gov.uk and the Civil Procedure Rules for current thresholds.
  2. Gather your evidence before you fill anything in. Pull together the accident details, vehicle information, insurer correspondence, medical records, repair estimates, receipts for out-of-pocket expenses, and any photographs or witness contact details. Accurate, organised evidence makes every one of the three forms faster to complete and reduces the risk of points being missed or later disputed.
  3. Complete the Directions Form. This form sets out who the parties are, contact details, dates of birth, whether anyone is representing you, an estimate of hearing time, and the documents you will rely on. Be realistic about hearing length and only list documents you genuinely intend to produce. The court uses this information to give directions that keep the case moving proportionately.
  4. Deal with liability using the Liability Form. If you are the defendant, this is where you accept or deny that you caused the accident and explain your position. If you are admitting part but not all of the blame, say so clearly and set out the basis, for example contributory negligence. Claimants should read any completed Liability Form carefully because it shapes what still needs to be proved.
  5. Set out the money side on the Quantum Form. Break down each head of claim: general damages for the injury, loss of earnings, treatment costs, travel, vehicle damage and any other financial losses. Attach or reference supporting evidence for each figure. If there is a counterclaim, it is dealt with here too. Keep the figures consistent with what you have said elsewhere in the claim.

Common questions

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Common questions

Q What is the small claims limit for personal injury in road traffic accidents?
The small claims track limit for the injury element of a road traffic accident claim is higher than the general personal injury limit and was increased as part of the 2021 reforms. The limit can change, so check gov.uk or the Civil Procedure Rules for the current figure before assuming your claim falls within it. Vehicle damage and other losses can push the overall claim above the limit even where the injury element does not.
Q Do I have to use the Official Injury Claim portal first?
For most whiplash and lower value RTA injury claims involving adult drivers and passengers, the Official Injury Claim portal is the starting point. The court forms come into play if the claim exits the portal and proceeds to litigation. Some claims are outside the portal's scope from the outset, for example those involving children, protected parties, or certain vulnerable road users. Check the portal rules for which route applies.
Q Who completes the Liability Form, the claimant or the defendant?
The Liability Form is completed by the defendant. It is their structured response setting out whether they admit or deny causing the accident and, if they deny it, the reasons why. The claimant will have already set out their version of events in the claim. If the defendant argues the claimant was partly to blame, that contributory negligence argument is made on this form.
Q What goes on the Quantum Form?
The Quantum Form is where the financial side of the claim is set out in detail. It covers general damages for pain, suffering and loss of amenity, plus special damages such as loss of earnings, treatment costs, travel expenses, care and assistance, and vehicle-related losses. Any counterclaim by the defendant is also dealt with here. Each figure should be supported by evidence like payslips, receipts or invoices.
Q Can I handle these forms without a solicitor?
Yes. The small claims track is designed to be navigable by litigants in person, and the RTA small claims forms were created with unrepresented parties in mind. That said, claims involving disputed liability, significant losses, or medical complexity can quickly become harder to manage alone. It is sensible to get some early guidance before committing to a position you cannot easily change later.
Q What happens at the small claims hearing?
Small claims hearings are less formal than other civil hearings. A judge will consider the papers, hear from each party and any witnesses, and decide the case on the evidence. The directions given after the Directions Form is filed will set out what needs to be done beforehand, such as exchanging witness statements and filing documents. Hearings can be in person or remote depending on the court.
Q Can I recover my legal costs if I win?
Costs recovery on the small claims track is limited by design. Generally only fixed costs, court fees and limited expenses are recoverable, so instructing a solicitor on a standard basis can cost more than you get back. That is one of the reasons the RTA small claims forms were introduced: to make the process workable without full legal representation.
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.

Brad Askew, Solicitor (non-practising)

Written & reviewed by

Brad Askew Solicitor (non-practising)

Brad is on the roll of solicitors of England & Wales but does not hold a practising certificate and does not provide legal advice. LegalDocuments.co.uk is not a law firm and does not provide regulated legal advice.

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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.