Form N9: Acknowledgment of Service — Fill In Online

What is N9 Acknowledgment of service?

When a claim form arrives from the County Court in England and Wales, it comes with a response pack. Form N9 is the front sheet of that pack: the top half explains which form to use (an admission, a defence, or this acknowledgment), and the bottom half is the acknowledgment of service itself.

Filing the acknowledgment says you intend to defend all of the claim, defend part of it, or contest the court's jurisdiction. The form explains that it gives you 28 days from the date of service, rather than 14, to prepare your defence. It asks for the court and claim number, your name if the claim form has it wrong, an address for documents, contact details, your date of birth and who is signing.

FileIt asks the questions in plain English, fills the letter boxes for the postcode and dates, strikes out the 'delete as appropriate' wording that doesn't apply to the person signing, and prints everything into HMCTS's own N9 PDF (04.14 edition). You sign it and send it where the notes for defendant tell you to. FileIt never sends it for you.

Who fills it: The defendant, their legal representative or litigation friend
Sent to: The court shown in the notes for defendant
What it does: Says you intend to defend, and gives 28 days instead of 14 to file a defence
Courts: County Court, England and Wales
Signature: Signed by the defendant or the person acting for them
Edition: N9 Response pack (04.14)

Who needs to fill out N9 Acknowledgment of service?

A defendant who needs more time to work out their defence to a County Court claim.
A defendant who intends to defend only part of a claim.
A defendant who wants to argue that the court doesn't have jurisdiction to hear the claim.
A legal representative or litigation friend acting for a defendant.
Not needed if you're ready to file your defence (N9B or N9D) or an admission (N9A or N9C) straight away.

When to use N9 Acknowledgment of service

Soon after the claim form, or the particulars of claim if they come separately, is served on you. The notes for defendant say when the forms must reach the court.
When 14 days isn't enough to prepare your defence and you want the 28 days the acknowledgment gives.
Before the deadline passes. The pack warns that if you do nothing, judgment may be entered against you.

What you need before you start

The claim form, for the court's name, the claim number and the claimant's and defendant's names exactly as written.
Your full name, if it's different from the name on the claim form.
An address where documents about the claim should be sent, with its postcode.
A phone number, and fax, DX number, reference or email if you have them.
Your date of birth, if the defendant is an individual.
If you sign for a firm or company, your position or office.

What’s on N9 Acknowledgment of service

The 2014 edition has 1 page. FileIt asks for it in 4 parts, and it is signed by Defendant:

The claimDefendant
Your name and address for documentsDefendant
What you intend to doDefendant
SigningDefendant

How to fill out N9 Acknowledgment of service, step by step

1 The claim

Copy the name of the court, the claim number, the claimant (with any reference) and the defendant from the claim form, so the court can match your acknowledgment to the case.

2 Your name and address

Give your full name only if it differs from the claim form, then the address for documents about the claim, the postcode and any phone, fax, DX number, reference or email.

3 What you intend to do

Tick one box: you intend to defend all of the claim, defend part of it, or contest jurisdiction. The form notes that if you don't then apply to dispute jurisdiction within 14 days of filing the acknowledgment, you're taken to accept it.

4 Date of birth and signing

Give the date of birth and say who is signing: the defendant, their legal representative or their litigation friend. FileIt strikes through the words in brackets that don't apply, and adds the position held if you sign for a firm or company.

Common mistakes to avoid

Waiting until the 28 days have nearly gone. The acknowledgment only buys time to file a defence: the form warns that judgment may be entered if no defence follows within 28 days of service.
Assuming it's a defence. It isn't: you still need to file N9B or N9D (or an admission) afterwards.
Getting the claim number wrong, so the court can't link your form to the case.
Leaving out an address for documents, so papers go to the wrong place.
Forgetting to apply to dispute jurisdiction within 14 days when you've ticked 'contest jurisdiction'.

After you fill it out

Download the filled PDF from FileIt and check every box against the claim form.

Sign it by hand, or send it for signature with FileIt's eSignature, then send it to the court as the notes for defendant explain. FileIt doesn't file anything for you.

Note the date 28 days from service in your calendar, and start on your defence form (N9B for a fixed sum, N9D otherwise).

Keep the claim form, the acknowledgment and any letters together in your FileIt vault.

Fill out N9 Acknowledgment of service online with FileIt

Pick the person. Choose someone from People and FileIt fills in their name, date of birth, address and other details it already knows.
Answer plain-language questions. One part of the form at a time, with the official help text beside each question — 24 fields in all. Your answers save as you go.
Check the live preview. Watch your answers land on the real HM Courts & Tribunals Service form, and let FileIt do any worksheet arithmetic.
Generate the official PDF. FileIt prints your answers into the agency’s own PDF and files it in that person’s folder in your vault. Sign it, or send it for e-signature.

FileIt fills the form — it never files or submits anything for you. Deliver the finished form to whoever asked for it, the way the form’s instructions say.

Start N9 Acknowledgment of service now — it’s free

N9 Acknowledgment of service: frequently asked questions

What is an acknowledgment of service?

It's a short form telling the court you've received the claim and intend to defend all or part of it, or to contest the court's jurisdiction. Form N9 contains it as part of the County Court response pack.

How much extra time does it give me?

The form says it lets you have 28 days, rather than 14, from the date of service to prepare your defence.

Do I still need to file a defence?

Yes. The form warns that if you file an acknowledgment but no defence within 28 days of service, judgment may be entered against you. The defence forms are N9B (specified amount) and N9D (unspecified amount or non-money claims).

What if my name is spelt wrongly on the claim form?

Give your full name in the box for the defendant's full name if different from the name on the claim form.

Who can sign it?

The defendant, the defendant's legal representative, or a litigation friend acting for them. FileIt strikes out the descriptions that don't apply.

Where do I send it?

The notes for defendant attached to the claim form tell you when and where to send the forms. FileIt prepares the PDF but never sends it.

Official sources

Blank form (PDF), published by HM Courts & Tribunals Service: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/5c45e568ed915d38a0611a61/n9-eng.pdf
Official instructions and guidance: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/form-n9-response-pack
Edition shown on this page: N9 Response pack (04.14) (checked 2026-10-19).

FileIt is not affiliated with or endorsed by HM Courts & Tribunals Service or any government. This page explains the form in general terms and is not legal, tax or immigration advice. Always read the official instructions, and check that you are using the edition the recipient accepts. Page last reviewed 2026-10-19.