Skip to main content
Book a call — £89
Menu

Form PL2 UK: Public Liability Claim Notification

We're not a law firm — we help you find the right legal support. For advice on your situation, speak to a legal adviser or find a solicitor.

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've been injured in an accident caused by a public body or organisation responsible for a public space, and the value of your claim sits between one thousand and twenty-five thousand pounds, your claim is likely to start with Form PL2. This is the Claim Notification Form used within the public liability low value personal injury protocol. It tells the defendant and their insurer that a claim is coming, sets out the basics of what happened, and captures the information the other side needs to investigate and respond. Getting this form right matters. The details you provide early on shape how quickly the claim moves through the portal, how liability is considered, and how medical evidence is arranged. This guide walks through what Form PL2 covers, how each section works, and the practical points worth thinking about before you submit it.

What this document is

Form PL2 is the official Claim Notification Form used to start a low value personal injury claim that arises from a public liability accident. It sits within the Pre-Action Protocol for Low Value Personal Injury (Employers' Liability and Public Liability) Claims, which governs how these claims are handled through the online Claims Portal before any court proceedings are needed.

The form is designed for claims where the injury is valued at more than one thousand pounds but not more than twenty-five thousand pounds in total general and special damages. Typical examples include slips and trips on pavements, falls in shops or public venues, and injuries caused by poorly maintained premises owned or controlled by a business, local authority, or other organisation.

The form captures the claimant's details, the defendant and their insurer, the circumstances of the accident, the injuries sustained, medical treatment received, rehabilitation needs, and the basis on which the defendant is said to be responsible. Once submitted through the Claims Portal, it triggers fixed timescales for the defendant's insurer to respond on liability.

How to use this document

  1. Confirm the claim fits the protocol. Before using Form PL2, check that the accident is genuinely a public liability matter, that it happened on or after the relevant protocol start date, and that the likely value falls within the one thousand to twenty-five thousand pound band. Claims outside these limits, or ones involving disease, abuse, or certain other categories, follow different routes.
  2. Gather the information you need. Pull together your own details including full name, address, date of birth, occupation, and National Insurance number if relevant. Collect the defendant's correct legal name and address, and where possible the name of their insurer or compensator. Note the date, time, and precise location of the accident, and write down what happened while it is fresh in your mind.
  3. Complete Sections A to E carefully. Work through the claimant details, injury and medical information, rehabilitation needs, accident description, and liability sections. Be accurate about dates, hospital attendance, time off work, and any ongoing symptoms. For the accident description, include a sketch or photograph where that helps explain what happened and why the defendant is at fault.
  4. Set out why the defendant is responsible. Section E asks you to explain the basis for saying the defendant caused the accident. Describe the hazard, why it should not have been there, and what the defendant did or failed to do. Clarity here helps the insurer make a sensible early decision on liability rather than disputing the claim on vague grounds.
  5. Submit through the Claims Portal and track the response. Form PL2 is filed electronically through the official Claims Portal rather than posted or emailed. Once submitted, the defendant's insurer has a set period to acknowledge and then respond on liability. Keep copies of everything you send and any correspondence that follows, as these may be needed if the claim later exits the portal.

Common questions

If you're dealing with this kind of situation, speak to an experienced legal adviser who can walk you through it — from £89.

Common questions

Q What types of accident does Form PL2 cover?
Form PL2 is used for public liability claims, meaning accidents caused by the act or omission of a person or organisation in control of public or business premises or land. This typically includes slips and trips on pavements, falls in shops, restaurants, or leisure venues, and injuries from poorly maintained public spaces. It does not cover road traffic accidents or workplace accidents, which have their own notification forms.
Q What value of claim does the PL2 form apply to?
The form is intended for claims where the total value of the personal injury damages falls between one thousand pounds and twenty-five thousand pounds. If the claim is likely to be worth less than one thousand pounds, it may fall into the small claims track. If it is worth more than twenty-five thousand pounds, it sits outside the low value protocol and is handled through a different process.
Q Do I need a solicitor to complete Form PL2?
There is no legal requirement to use a solicitor, and the form can be completed by a claimant acting in person. In practice most claimants use a legal representative because the Claims Portal, fixed costs regime, and protocol timetables can be difficult to navigate alone. Getting the initial form right tends to influence how smoothly the claim runs, so many people find independent input useful before submitting.
Q What happens after Form PL2 is submitted?
Once the form is filed through the Claims Portal, the defendant's insurer receives it electronically and has a fixed period to acknowledge receipt. They then have a further period to investigate and respond on liability, either admitting it, denying it, or raising issues such as contributory negligence. If liability is admitted, the claim continues through the portal's fixed cost stages. If denied, the claim exits the portal.
Q What information goes in the rehabilitation section?
Section C asks whether a medical professional has recommended rehabilitation, and if so, what treatment was suggested and who is providing it. This might include physiotherapy, occupational therapy, or psychological support. The protocol encourages early rehabilitation to help recovery, so flagging needs in this section can prompt the insurer to consider funding treatment without waiting for the claim to conclude.
Q What if I don't know the exact date of the accident?
The form asks for the accident date, but if the precise date is unclear you are expected to provide as much detail as possible, including a brief description of the injury and the approximate time frame. Accuracy matters because limitation periods generally require personal injury claims to be brought within three years of the date of the accident or date of knowledge of the injury.
Q Can Form PL2 be used against a sole trader or small business?
Yes. The form can be used where the defendant is a company, a local authority, a partnership, or a sole trader, provided they had control of or responsibility for the place or activity where the accident occurred. You will need the correct legal name and address of the defendant and, ideally, the details of their public liability insurer so the notification reaches the right party quickly.
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.

Full profile →SRA register ↗
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.