Can you sue a person in the UK?

Asked by: Addison Monahan  |  Last update: October 11, 2025
Score: 4.1/5 (35 votes)

You can apply to a county court to claim money you're owed by a person or business. This is known as making a court claim. It often used to be known as taking someone to a 'small claims court'. You can apply online or by post.

Can you sue individuals in the UK?

You can take someone to the civil court about broken contracts (often called 'breach of contract'), money owed, compensation, and personal injury - including those caused by road traffic accidents or accidents at work.

Can a US citizen sue someone in the UK?

The answer is yes. Personal jurisdiction over the defendant is essential in international legal disputes, much like it is in domestic ones.

What happens if you sue someone with no money in the UK?

If they ignore the statutory demand or cannot repay the money, you can apply to a court to: make someone bankrupt - if you're owed £5000 or more by an individual, including a sole trader or a member of a partnership. get a company wound up (liquidated) - if you and any other creditors are owed £750 or more.

How to sue someone in England?

You can apply to a county court to claim money you're owed by a person or business. This is known as making a court claim. It often used to be known as taking someone to a 'small claims court'. You can apply online or by post.

HOW TO SUE A COMPANY OR AN INDIVIDUAL? Watch this before you file a lawsuit.⚖️

35 related questions found

Who pays if you sue someone with no money?

If you win your lawsuit but the responsible party has no money, they are still legally required to pay you. In the meantime, legal funding or pre-settlement lawsuit loans can help you manage expenses like mortgage payments and other financial obligations.

Can you sue someone for emotional distress in the UK?

Legal Basis for Emotional Distress Lawsuits

In the UK, healthcare providers owe a duty of care to their patients, and if a breach of this duty of care causes harm, including emotional distress, this can constitute negligence.

Who pays court costs in the UK?

The general rule is that each side has to pay their own legal costs and no-one else's, whether they win or lose. However, if the court decides that the loser has behaved unreasonably, it can order them to pay the winner's legal costs. This only happens very occasionally.

How long do you have to sue someone UK?

The limitation period for negligence claims (that are not personal injury) is six years from the date of the negligent act. If you only become aware of the negligence much later, you have three years from the date you discovered, or could reasonably have discovered it.

Can US debt be enforced in the UK?

Enforcement in England

Due to the absence of a reciprocal enforcement agreement, a US judgment can only be enforced in England at common law by bringing a new action under which the judgment is seen as a simple contractual debt. New proceedings are therefore issued in the English court for payment of the 'debt'.

What kind of lawyer do I need if I want to sue someone?

Civil litigation lawyers often go to court to represent their clients, including for personal injury claims, contract disputes, and other common civil matters. Likewise, criminal defense attorneys frequently defend their clients in court.

Can you sue someone who owes you money without a contract?

Yes, if you lent someone money and they never paid you back you can sue for the money they owe you. Additionally, you do not need a contract to sue someone for money owed, however, if there is a contract or some type of written agreement or evidence of an agreement this will be useful in court.

Can I sue someone in the UK from the US?

If the governing law/ jurisdiction clause says the US, then you can issue a claim in the US and get a judgment there. However, as there is no reciprocal enforcement agreement between the US and the UK, that judgment can't be enforced in the UK directly, so you won't automatically be able to recover what you're owed.

Is it worth suing someone?

You need to answer three fundamental -- and fairly obvious -- questions as part of deciding whether it's worthwhile to bring a lawsuit to court: Do I have a good case? Am I comfortable with the idea of a compromise settlement or going to mediation? Assuming a lawsuit is my best or only option, can I collect if I win?

Can you sue someone for defamation of character in the UK?

To win a defamation case, you need to prove that the statement was defamatory, was published, refers to you, and has yielded or is likely to cause severe harm to your reputation.

How much does it cost to bring a civil suit against someone?

The Average Cost of a Lawsuit

On average, a lawsuit costs approximately $10,000 for a simple suit. However, numerous factors can influence the cost of your lawsuit.

How much compensation for stress and anxiety in the UK?

Can I get compensation for anxiety? You can receive compensation for anxiety, provided that you can successfully prove it was caused by your employer's negligence. The compensation you could receive will range from anywhere between £1400 to over £100,000.

Can you sue someone for ruining your relationship?

Depending on where you live, you might have the option of suing for "criminal conversation" or "alienation of affection." Both of these causes of action are civil lawsuits (known as "marital torts") filed by the aggrieved spouse (the "plaintiff") against the alleged homewrecker (the "defendant").

Can I sue the police for emotional distress UK?

Yes, you can. If you feel you have suffered emotionally and/or psychologically, you may be able to make a claim against the Police.

Can you go to jail for not paying someone who sued you?

While debt collectors can no longer have you jailed or threaten to have you arrested for not paying your debts, there are a few instances in which you can be incarcerated with debt as the underlying cause. For example, a debt collector can sue you and, if you fail to comply with court orders, you could get jail time.

How to sue a broke person?

Potential Options for Collecting Compensation When Suing a Person Who Has No Money
  1. Wage Garnishment. The court orders may allow you to garnish the person's wages up to a certain percentage. ...
  2. Levying Personal Assets. ...
  3. Levying Business Assets.

Is it worth going to small claims court for $500?

Conclusion: Going to small claims court may be worth it for $500, but it will determine how you weigh your costs versus benefits. At a minimum, it is worth it to send a demand letter.