As from 19th March 2012, if you want to make a County Court money claim you must send the claim by post to the County Court Money Claims Centre in Salford.
Cases, which become defended, will be transferred to an appropriate local County Court. Where the defendant is an individual rather than a company, this will generally be the County Court for the area where they live.
Claims can still be issued on-line via Northampton County Court. Postal claims issued through the centre in Salford will also bear the name of the Northampton Court.
Claims, which include remedies other than payment of money, are not affected and can still be issued in the local County Court.
If you wish to know about HM Courts & Tribunal Services, go to www.justice.gov.uk or you have a query in relation to a dispute, contact Francis Wallace on 01825 761555.
I popped down to my local County Court office (Sheffield) on 21st March in order to put a small claim in for approximately £3000 plus any damages that the court felt reasonable. I was told that since it was a money claim it would now have to be sent to Salford. I argued that it was not solely a money claim, as it also had a request for damages, however I was told that they could no longer process it and it would have to be sent there.
I have subsequently sent the claim via post to Salford. Do you know whether this was the right port of call, as I am rather concerned that it should not have been sent there?