Dartford County Court small claims: waiting times and fees
How long small claims take to reach a hearing at Dartford County Court and Family Court, from Ministry of Justice figures. Useful if you are claiming unpaid rent or damage costs from a former tenant.
median from issuing a small claim to the hearing, Q2 2026 (average 57.5 wks).
the middle court in England and Wales in the same quarter, for comparison.
small claims hearings at this court in the last four quarters.
Most money claims never reach a hearing: if the former tenant does not reply, you can ask for judgment in default without going to court. These waits only matter if the claim is defended.
Small claims waiting time: last 8 quarters
| Quarter | Median wait | Average wait | Small claims hearings | Fast/multi-track median to trial |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Q3 2024 | 67.7 wks | 83.8 wks | 117 | 101.4 wks |
| Q4 2024 | 85.1 wks | 98.9 wks | 68 | 99.4 wks |
| Q1 2025 | 65.9 wks | 79.2 wks | 91 | 79.4 wks |
| Q2 2025 | 70.9 wks | 78.0 wks | 89 | 123.3 wks |
| Q3 2025 | 56.9 wks | 67.2 wks | 203 | 57.4 wks |
| Q4 2025 | 51.7 wks | 68.6 wks | 113 | 63.9 wks |
| Q1 2026 | 55.2 wks | 70.3 wks | 129 | 77.8 wks |
| Q2 2026 | 47.9 wks | 57.5 wks | 118 | 63.7 wks |
Source: MoJ Civil Justice Statistics Quarterly, April to June 2026 (court-level timeliness and workload CSVs). Small courts hold few hearings a quarter, so single quarters can swing widely.
Court fees for a claim against a former tenant
| up to £300 | £35 |
| £300.01-£500 | £50 |
| £500.01-£1,000 | £70 |
| £1,000.01-£1,500 | £80 |
| £1,500.01-£3,000 | £115 |
| £3,000.01-£5,000 | £205 |
| £5,000.01-£10,000 | £455 |
| £10,000.01-£200,000 (5% of claim) | 5% of the claim |
| over £200,000 or unlimited | £10,000 |
| claim up to £300 | £27 |
| £300.01-£500 | £59 |
| £500.01-£1,000 | £85 |
| £1,000.01-£1,500 | £123 |
| £1,500.01-£3,000 | £181 |
| over £3,000 | £346 |
The small claims track is normally for claims up to £10,000. Fees are usually added to what the defendant is ordered to pay if you win.
What to do next
- Check whether a possession order already included a money judgment for the arrears; if it did, you enforce that rather than starting a new claim.
- Find a current address for the former tenant – a claim needs an address in England or Wales for service.
- Send a letter before claim and give time to reply.
- Issue online through the money claim service. The claim is processed centrally; hearings are usually sent to a court local to the defendant.
- If you win and they don't pay, see how to enforce a CCJ.
Possession figures for Dartford County Court and Family Court →
Related guides
Is it worth claiming, and how.Money Claim Online for landlords →
Fees, steps and timings.Enforcing a CCJ →
Bailiffs, wage deductions, charging orders.Small claims for landlords →
How the small claims track works.
Sources
- MoJ: Civil Justice Statistics Quarterly, April to June 2026
- GOV.UK: Make a court claim for money
- GOV.UK: Court claim for money – court fees
- GOV.UK: Civil court fees (EX50), updated 13 July 2026
- HMCTS: Dartford County Court and Family Court
Last checked 28 Sep 2026. Figures and fees change; check the official source before you act.