Jurisdiction(s):
United Kingdom

Drafting Letters of Claim: pre-action protocols, required content, ADR and sanctions for non-compliance (England and Wales)

Published by a LexisNexis Dispute Resolution expert

Practice notes

This Practice Note gives high-level guidance on preparing a letter of claim. For more related material, including links to a selection of precedent letters of claim, see:

Pre-action: general—overview
Pre-action protocols—overview

What is a letter of claim?

A letter of claim—also known as a letter before action or pre-action letter—marks the opening step in litigation. It notifies the prospective defendant(s) that court proceedings are intended if the dispute is not resolved. Practically, it allows you to set out, with clarity, the grounds on which you say a claim arises and the actions the recipient should take to avoid formal proceedings, confined to remedies a court could award if the claim succeeded. A carefully crafted letter can, at times, prompt the other party to engage seriously and remove the need to issue proceedings. Failing that, it can frame the litigation that follows, so it should not be dispatched speculatively or as a mere threat. It is worth dedicating time and...

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Web page updated on 21/05/2026

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