This is for those who want to “Go alone” in the courts, specifically utilising the small claims track facility to avoid expensive lawyers (lawyers are not allowed in small claims track, or at least if they do, they will not be paid).

1. Costs.

This is the biggest issue of course and you should know that if you are doing it yourself you are probably of a low value (under £10,000) and on the small claims track. I would estimate that for a case nearing the high end of this range (costs are on a sliding scale for most types of claims for a purely monetary remedy) then you are looking at exposure to £1,000 maximum costs if you lose. These are mostly court fees and if it is a tiny claim this goes down to as low as £100 – see EX50. Costs can also be incurred that you may have to pay for expert (max £750) and loss of earnings for your opponent and his witnesses (£95 a day).