Help with a small claim in Portsmouth
You do not need a solicitor for a small claim in Portsmouth - most litigants in these cases have none - but you also should not go it alone. This page lists the free and low-cost support routes that genuinely help, and explains the one paid drafting tool this site links to.
Free routes that actually help
Support Through Court (national helpline 0300 081 0000) provides free, independent practical support before and at hearings - including desks in some court buildings. Citizens Advice (consumer line 0808 223 1133) helps with pre-claim letters and consumer rights. Several universities run free law clinics staffed by supervised students - check whether one covers Portsmouth.
When paid drafting help earns its fee
The procedural formatting - witness statements, exhibit bundles, deadline calculations - is where self-represented claims most often stumble. The Casewright CPR 32 builder linked on this page structures the documents for a flat £79; court representation is not included and is not needed on this track.
Checklist
Official sources and related pages
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.
Confirm on the official register
- HMCTS Court and Tribunal Finder - the authoritative list of courts and their contact details
- gov.uk: Make a court claim for money - the official small claims process