N244 Form Guide

If you are involved in a civil court case in England or Wales and need the court to take a specific action — such as setting aside a judgment, changing a payment order, or postponing a hearing — you will almost certainly need to complete an N244 form. This guide explains what the form is, when you need it, how to fill it in, and what happens after you file it.

What Is the N244 Form?

The N244 is the standard application notice used in county court and High Court proceedings in England and Wales. It is the form you use to ask a judge to make an order or give a direction in an existing case. It is governed by Part 23 of the Civil Procedure Rules (CPR).

You cannot use the N244 to start a new claim — that requires an N1 claim form. The N244 is for applications within proceedings that are already underway, or in some cases, after a judgment has been entered.

When Do You Need an N244?

The N244 form is required whenever you want to ask the court to do something during or after civil proceedings. Common uses include:

• Set aside a default judgment — if judgment was entered against you because you did not respond to a claim in time, you can apply to have it set aside under CPR Part 13
• Set aside a CCJ (County Court Judgment) — a CCJ that was entered in default can be set aside if you have a real prospect of defending the claim, or if there is a good reason the judgment should be set aside
• Vary a court order — for example, changing the amount or frequency of payments under an instalment order
• Request an adjournment — to postpone a scheduled hearing because you are unable to attend or need more time to prepare
• Apply for a payment plan — to ask the court to allow you to pay a judgment debt in instalments rather than in a lump sum
• Apply to strike out a claim or defence — under CPR Part 3.4, you can ask the court to strike out a statement of case that discloses no reasonable grounds
• Apply for summary judgment — under CPR Part 24, you can ask the court to decide the case (or an issue) without a full trial, on the basis that the other side has no real prospect of succeeding
• Apply to amend a statement of case — to change or add to your particulars of claim or defence after it has been filed
• Apply for relief from sanctions — if you missed a court deadline and a sanction was imposed, you can apply under CPR 3.9 for relief
• Apply for specific disclosure — to require the other party to disclose specific documents relevant to the case

N244 Form Fees

As of 2024, the standard court fee for filing an N244 application notice is £275. If your application is made by consent (meaning both parties agree to the order being sought), the fee is reduced to £119.

There are some applications for which no fee is payable, including applications to set aside a default judgment where the full amount of the judgment has already been paid, and certain applications made during the course of a hearing.

How to Fill In the N244 Form

The N244 form is available to download from the gov.uk website as a PDF. You can fill it in digitally or print it and complete it by hand. Below is a section-by-section walkthrough.

Section 1: Your Details and the Case

At the top of the form, fill in:

• The name of the court where the case is being dealt with
• The claim number — this is on all court correspondence about the case
• The warrant number (if applicable — leave blank if you do not have one)
• The claimant's name and the defendant's name
• Your name and role in the case (claimant, defendant, or other)

Section 2: What Order Are You Asking For?

This is the most important part of the form. You must clearly state what you want the court to do. Be specific and direct. For example:

• “I apply for the default judgment entered on [date] to be set aside.”
• “I apply for the hearing listed on [date] to be adjourned to a date after [date].”
• “I apply to vary the instalment order dated [date] to reduce payments from £200 per month to £100 per month.”
• “I apply for summary judgment on the whole of the claim under CPR Part 24.”

Section 3: Why Are You Making This Application?

Here you explain the reasons for your application. This is your opportunity to set out the facts and explain why the court should grant the order you are requesting. Key points:

• Be factual and concise — stick to what happened and why it matters
• Refer to relevant dates, correspondence, and events
• If there is a legal test the court must apply (for example, CPR 13.3 for setting aside default judgments), address each element of the test
• If there is not enough space on the form, you can write “See attached witness statement” and provide a separate document

Evidence and Witness Statement

Many applications require supporting evidence. The form asks whether you want to rely on a witness statement and, if so, whether it is attached or will follow. For most applications, you should provide a witness statement that:

• Sets out the full facts in chronological order
• Explains why the court should grant the order
• Exhibits any relevant documents (letters, emails, contracts, photographs)
• Is signed with a statement of truth

How Do You Want the Application to Be Dealt With?

The form asks you to indicate whether you want your application to be:

• At a hearing — a judge will hear arguments from both sides. Choose this for contested applications where you expect the other party to oppose your request
• Without a hearing (on paper) — the judge reads the written submissions and makes a decision. This is quicker and cheaper, and is suitable for straightforward or consent applications
• At a telephone hearing — an option for simpler matters, especially if parties are in different locations

Statement of Truth

You must sign the statement of truth at the bottom of the form. This confirms that you believe the facts stated in the application are true. The form provides the wording — you just need to sign and date it. If you are completing the form on behalf of a company, the statement of truth should be signed by someone authorised to do so.

Where to Send the N244 Form

Send the completed N244 form to the court that is dealing with your case. This is usually the county court that issued the original claim or the court to which the case has been transferred. The court address will be on any orders or correspondence you have received.

You will need to send:

• The completed N244 form
• A copy of any witness statement and exhibits
• A copy of the draft order you are seeking (if applicable)
• The court fee (or a completed Help with Fees form)
• Enough copies for the court and every other party to the proceedings

Some courts accept applications by email or through the online Civil Money Claims portal. Check with the specific court for their filing requirements.

What Happens After You File the N244

Once the court receives your application, one of the following will happen:

• The application is dealt with on paper — a judge reads the application and any response from the other party, and makes a decision without a hearing. You will receive the order by post or email
• A hearing is listed — the court will send you a notice with the date, time, and location of the hearing. You (and the other party) will attend and present your arguments to a judge
• Further directions are given — the judge may order the other party to file a response by a certain date, or may request further information from you before deciding

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Filing an N244 incorrectly can result in delays, extra costs, or your application being refused. Here are the most common mistakes:

• Not stating clearly what order you want — vague applications create confusion. Be specific about the order you are asking for and the rule or provision you are relying on
• Not providing evidence — most applications need a supporting witness statement. An application without evidence is much less likely to succeed
• Filing at the wrong court — your application must go to the court dealing with your case, not any court
• Missing the fee — your application will not be processed without the correct fee or an approved Help with Fees application
• Not serving the other party — failing to give the other side notice of your application can result in it being dismissed or adjourned
• Leaving it too late — some applications have time limits (for example, applying to set aside a default judgment should be done promptly). Delay can count against you
• Not addressing the legal test — for applications like setting aside a judgment (CPR 13.3) or relief from sanctions (CPR 3.9), the court applies a specific test. Your application should address each element

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the N244 form used for?

The N244 form (application notice) is used to ask the court to make an order or take action in existing civil proceedings. It covers a wide range of applications, from setting aside judgments and varying orders to requesting adjournments and applying for summary judgment.

How much does it cost to file an N244?

The standard fee is £275. Applications made by consent (where both parties agree) cost £119. Some applications incur no fee. If you are on a low income, you may qualify for Help with Fees. Always check gov.uk for the most up-to-date fee schedule.

Can I fill in the N244 myself without a solicitor?

Yes. The N244 is designed to be completed by anyone, including litigants in person. You do not need a solicitor. The form includes guidance notes, and court staff can assist with procedural questions (though they cannot give legal advice).

Where do I send the completed N244?

Send it to the court dealing with your case — usually the county court that issued the original claim. The court address appears on all correspondence about the case.

How long does the court take to deal with an N244?

It depends on the court and the type of application. Paper applications (without a hearing) can be decided within a few weeks. Applications requiring a hearing may take several weeks to months. Urgent applications can be expedited if you explain the urgency.

What if my N244 application is refused?

If refused on paper, you can usually request reconsideration at an oral hearing. If refused at a hearing, you may be able to appeal, though you will generally need permission to appeal from either the original judge or the appeal court.