Do I need a forwarding address?

Starting the Claim:
You can start the claim through the Money Claim Online (MCOL) service or by filling out the paper form. You need to provide as much information about the defendant as possible (name, last known address, etc.).

If You Don’t Have a Current Address:

• The court usually needs an address to send the claim form (called the Claim Form N1) to the defendant.

• If you only have an old address or no address, you should provide whatever details you have to the court.

• The court might allow you to serve the claim via alternative methods if the defendant can’t be found at a known address. This could include serving by post to a last known address or even using advertisement in some cases.

Tracking Down the Defendant:
Before making the claim, it’s often recommended to try to find the defendant’s current address using online checks, contacting known associates, or using a tracing agent.

Consequences of Not Having an Address:
If the defendant never receives the claim form because you can’t serve them properly, the case may not proceed. The court must be satisfied that you made reasonable efforts to notify the defendant.