Claiming against a business at Barnet Civil and Family Courts Centre

Most small claims at Barnet Civil and Family Courts Centre are against businesses - garages, builders, online sellers. The single most common fatal error is suing the wrong entity: the trading name is usually not the legal person. Getting the defendant right at issue prevents a struck-out claim months later.

Finding the right defendant

Look the business up free on Companies House: a limited company is sued in its registered name and number; a sole trader is sued as the individual 'trading as' the name; a partnership as the partners. The invoice header is a clue, not an answer - the registered entity controls. Get the registered office address for service, not the shop front.

Consumer rights angle

For faulty goods or poor services, the Consumer Rights Act 2015 gives statutory remedies: repair or replacement, then price reduction or rejection - with short-time rejection rights on goods. Set out in your particulars which provision you rely on; the pre-claim letter to the business should give them the statutory chance to put it right.

Checklist

• Companies House name + number verified
• Registered office address recorded for service
• CRA 2015 provisions identified in the claim
• Pre-claim letter sent and retained

Official sources and related pages

• Issuing the claim online
• Exhibiting business documents

Court details (verified register data)

• Court: Barnet Civil and Family Courts Centre
• Court code: 117
• Address: St Mary's Court, Regents Park Road, Finchley Central, London, N3 1BQ
• Phone: 0300 123 5577 (enquiries); 020 8371 7124 (counter apps); 0300 303 0642 (divorce)
• Civil filing email: bailiffs.barnet.countycourt@justice.gov.uk
• DX: DX 122570 Finchley
• Public counter hours: Monday to Friday 9am to 4pm
• 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: level access, Sunflower lanyards, assistance dogs, hearing loop by arrangement, private interview rooms, baby changing in 2nd-floor disabled toilets

Source: https://www.find-court-tribunal.service.gov.uk/courts/barnet-civil-and-family-courts-centre. 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.