Form N210B UK: Acknowledge an RTA Injury Claim
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Part ofUK Court & Tribunal Forms
If someone has brought a road traffic accident personal injury claim against you, Form N210B is the court document you use to acknowledge service and tell the court how you intend to respond. It sits within the specific pre-action and Part 8B procedure that handles low-value RTA claims, so it's slightly different from the standard acknowledgment forms used in other civil matters.
Missing the deadline or ticking the wrong box can shape the rest of the case, including whether you can challenge jurisdiction, dispute the amount being sought, or contest liability itself. This page walks through what the form does, how to complete each section, and the practical points defendants often overlook.
It is written for England and Wales. If you want to talk through your situation before filing, you can book a call with an experienced legal adviser at the bottom of this page.
What this document is
Form N210B is the acknowledgment of service used by defendants in road traffic accident personal injury claims that fall under the stage 3 procedure in Practice Direction 8B. When a claimant cannot settle a low-value RTA injury claim through the Pre-Action Protocol and asks the court to decide the amount of damages, the claim is issued on Form N208B.
As the defendant, you reply by filing Form N210B within a short, fixed window. The form lets you record whether you accept the claim, dispute the damages figure, object to an order for damages, challenge the court's jurisdiction, or raise issues with the use of the stage 3 procedure itself.
It also asks whether you want the claim decided on paper or at an oral hearing, and whether you intend to file further evidence. Getting these choices right matters because the stage 3 procedure is designed to move quickly and the court will give directions based on what you tick.
How to use this document
- Check the deadline and read the notes. You have 14 days from the date the claim form was served to file Form N210B with the court. Read the notes that come with the form carefully before ticking any boxes, because each option has consequences for how the claim proceeds and what arguments remain open to you later. 2. Complete Section A: your response to the claim. This is the core of the form. You choose between accepting the claim, disputing the amount of damages, objecting to an order for damages, challenging jurisdiction, or objecting to the use of the stage 3 procedure. If you object to the procedure, you must give your reasons. Think carefully about which option reflects your position. 3. Complete Section B: paper decision or oral hearing. Tell the court whether you want the damages assessed on the papers submitted or at a hearing you attend. An oral hearing gives you a chance to make submissions in person but will usually take longer and may carry additional costs. The claimant's preference also feeds into what the court decides. 4. Fill in Sections C and D and sign the form. Print the defendant's full name in Section C. Section D is the signature block, which needs to be completed by the defendant, their legal representative, or an insurer acting on their behalf, depending on who is filing. Make sure the contact details are accurate so the court can reach you. 5. File with the court and serve on other parties. Send the completed form to the court office handling the claim within the 14-day window. You also need to serve a copy on every other party named on the claim form at the same time. If you intend to rely on further evidence under Practice Direction 8B, file and serve that too.
Common questions
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Common questions
Q What is Form N210B used for?
Form N210B is the acknowledgment of service for defendants in low-value road traffic accident personal injury claims that reach the stage 3 procedure under Practice Direction 8B. It tells the court you have received the claim and sets out how you intend to respond, whether that's accepting the claim, disputing the damages, challenging jurisdiction, or objecting to the procedure being used.
Q How long do I have to file Form N210B?
You must file the form within 14 days of the date the claim form was served on you. This is a strict deadline under the stage 3 procedure. If you miss it, the claimant can ask the court to proceed without your input, which usually means losing the chance to dispute the damages figure or raise procedural objections. If time is short, file the form first and deal with evidence afterwards where permitted.
Q What happens if I tick the wrong box in Section A?
Each option in Section A leads to a different procedural path. Accepting the claim but ticking 'disputing the amount' limits you to arguing about damages, not liability. Objecting to the procedure may push the case out of stage 3 entirely. Because the consequences are significant, it's worth thinking carefully about which option genuinely reflects your position before filing.
Q Can I file additional evidence with Form N210B?
Yes. Practice Direction 8B allows defendants to file further evidence alongside the acknowledgment of service, provided it is relevant to the issues the court will decide. Any evidence you want the court to consider should be filed with the form and served on the other parties at the same time. Evidence filed late may not be admitted.
Q Do I have to send a copy to the claimant?
Yes. As well as filing Form N210B with the court, you must serve a copy on every other party named on the claim form. This is your responsibility as the defendant, not the court's. Keep a record of when and how you served each party in case a dispute arises later about whether the form was properly served.
Q Paper determination or oral hearing, which should I choose?
A paper determination is quicker and usually cheaper, and suits cases where the issues are narrow and the evidence speaks for itself. An oral hearing lets you put your case in person and can help where credibility, complex injury evidence, or disputed facts are involved. The right choice depends on the specifics of your claim and what you want the judge to focus on.
Q What happens after I file Form N210B?
Once the court receives your form, a judge will give directions for how the claim will be determined, which may include a timetable for any further evidence and confirmation of whether the case will be decided on paper or at a hearing. The court will then write to the parties with the next steps. How quickly this happens varies between courts.
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.
- Guidance · UK GovForm N210B on gov.ukgov.uk
- Guidance · HMCTSCivil Procedure Rules Practice Direction 8Bgov.uk
- Guidance · UK GovMake a court claim for money (gov.uk)gov.uk
Legal helpline
Unsure how to respond to the claim?
The box you tick on Form N210B shapes the rest of the case, and the 14-day window leaves little room to second-guess yourself. An experienced legal adviser can help you think through your options based on what you describe on the call.
- Plain-English answers to your specific questions about the form
- Practical perspective on your situation based on what you describe
- Help thinking through paper determination versus an oral hearing
- Clarity on what to watch out for before you file
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.