The letter before claim (before issuing at Middlesbrough County Court at Teesside Combined Court)

Before any money claim is issued for Middlesbrough County Court at Teesside Combined Court, the Practice Direction on Pre-Action Conduct expects a letter before claim: what you claim, why, and a reasonable window to respond - typically 14 days for straightforward debts, up to 30 for complex consumer matters. Judges check compliance with this at the first opportunity, and it costs a stamp.

What the letter must contain

State the facts in date order, the basis of the claim (which duty or contract was broken), what you want (amount plus interest), and a deadline to respond. Attach copies of key documents - never originals. Send it to the correct legal entity (see the business-claim page) by a means you can prove, and keep proof of postage.

If they ignore it

A non-response after the deadline completes your pre-action duty - note the date and proceed to issue. The court can penalise parties who skip or rush this stage with costs sanctions even if they win, so the letter is not optional courtesy: it is a rule-compliance step the judge will ask about.

Checklist

• Correct entity named; address verified
• Facts + legal basis + amount + deadline stated
• Key documents copied and attached
• Proof of posting retained

Official sources and related pages

• Suing a business - entity check
• Issuing online

Court details (verified register data)

• Court: Middlesbrough County Court at Teesside Combined Court
• Court code: 270
• Address: The Law Courts, Centre Square, Middlesbrough, Middlesbrough, TS1 2AE
• Phone: 01642 340000; 0300 123 5577; 0300 303 0642
• Civil filing email: Adoptions.middlesbrough.countycourt@justice.gov.uk
• DX: DX 65152 Middlesbrough 2
• Public counter hours: Monday to Friday (County Court)(Llys Sirol)
• Document drop-box: Not published in the register - confirm with the court directly
• Hearing format: Not published in the register - confirm with the court directly
• Facilities: disabled access, hearing loop

Source: https://www.find-court-tribunal.service.gov.uk/courts/middlesbrough-county-court-at-teesside-combined-court. Verified 2026-09-04. Always confirm against the official court finder before travelling.

Free national support

• Support Through Court: 0300 081 0000 - free, independent support for litigants without a lawyer
• Citizens Advice consumer service: 0808 223 1133 - consumer disputes, pre-claim guidance
• HMCTS general enquiries: 0300 123 7050 - finding the right court or money claim centre

This page is general information about County Court procedure, not legal advice, and it is not provided by HMCTS or any court. Procedures and fees change - always confirm against the official sources linked here before you act.

>Small Claims Court Help is an independent information directory. It is not affiliated with HMCTS, the Ministry of Justice, or any court.

Reviewed by Sean McNamara, 2026-09-04.