Form N9B: Defence and Counterclaim (Specified Amount)

What is N9B Defence and counterclaim?

If you've been sued in the County Court in England and Wales for a specified amount of money and you don't agree you owe it, form N9B is your defence. It comes in the response pack sent with the claim form, and it also lets you make a counterclaim if you say the claimant owes you money.

The form walks through whether you dispute the whole amount or admit part of it, whether you dispute it because you already paid before the claim was issued, your defence in your own words, any counterclaim, and a statement of truth. The form warns that you must say which allegations in the particulars of claim you deny and why: if you fail to deny an allegation it may be taken that you admit it.

You have a limited number of days to return it, set out in the notes that came with the claim form. FileIt asks only the questions that apply, checks that the box you tick in the statement of truth matches who's signing, and prints your answers into HMCTS's own N9B PDF (05.24 edition). You sign it by hand or with FileIt's eSignature and send it to the court yourself. FileIt never files anything for you.

Who fills it: The defendant or their legal representative
Given to: The court named on the claim form
Claim type: A specified (fixed) amount of money
Signature: Statement of truth, signed
Counterclaim fee: Payable; the form says court staff can tell you how much
Edition: N9B (05.24)

Who needs to fill out N9B Defence and counterclaim?

A defendant who disputes all of a money claim.
A defendant who admits part of the claim and disputes the rest.
A defendant who paid the claimant before the claim form was issued.
A defendant who wants to make a counterclaim against the claimant.
Solicitors filing a defence for a client.

When to use N9B Defence and counterclaim

After receiving a County Court claim form for a specified amount, within the time set out in the notes that came with it.
Alongside the admission form (N9A) when you admit part of the claim and haven't paid that part.
Not for a claim for an unspecified amount, which has its own defence form.

What you need before you start

The claim form, for the court name, claim number and the parties' names and references.
How much of the claim you dispute, and the amount you admit if it's only part.
If you already paid: how much, when (before the claim was issued), and where and how.
Your defence: which allegations you deny and why, and your own version of events.
For a counterclaim: what you're claiming and why, the amount if it's a fixed sum, and the fee.
An address where documents should be sent.

What’s on N9B Defence and counterclaim

The 2024 edition has 6 pages. FileIt asks for it in 7 parts, and it is signed by Defendant:

The claimDefendant
1. Disputing the claimDefendant
2. Claim already paidDefendant
3. DefenceDefendant
4. CounterclaimDefendant
5. Statement of truthDefendant
Address for documentsDefendant

How to fill out N9B Defence and counterclaim, step by step

1 Court and parties

Copy the court name, claim number and the parties' names from the claim form. The form says the court can't trace your case without them.

2 1. Disputing the claim

Tick whether you dispute the full amount or admit part of it. If you admit part, either pay that amount to the claimant (as the claim form's How to Pay notes explain) and give the date you paid, or enclose the completed admission form.

3 2. Claim already paid

If you dispute the claim because you already paid it, give the amount, the date (before the claim form was issued) and where and how you paid. Then go straight to section 5.

4 3. Defence

Set out your defence: the allegations you deny, your reasons, and your own version of events. Continue on a separate sheet with the claim number on it if you need more room.

5 4. Counterclaim (optional)

If you're claiming against the claimant, give the amount (for a fixed sum), the fee you enclose, what the claim is for and your reasons. The form notes you may not be able to counterclaim against the Crown, such as a government department.

6 5. Statement of truth and address

Tick the statement of truth that fits who's signing, sign, date and print your name, then give the address where documents should be sent and any phone number, DX number, reference or email.

Common mistakes to avoid

Not addressing each allegation in the particulars of claim. The form warns that one you don't deny may be taken as admitted.
Admitting part of the claim without paying it or enclosing the admission form.
Ticking 'I believe' when a legal representative is signing for you, or the other way round.
Making a counterclaim without the fee.
Missing the deadline in the notes that came with the claim form.

After you fill it out

Sign section 5 and send the form to the court named on the claim form, with the admission form or counterclaim fee if they apply. FileIt doesn't send it for you.

Keep a copy of the claim form and your N9B in the case's FileIt folder, as the form asks.

The form says that if the claimant disagrees with your explanation, you'll need to attend a mediation appointment arranged by the Small Claims Mediation Service, part of HMCTS.

Fill out N9B Defence and counterclaim 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 — 33 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 N9B Defence and counterclaim now — it’s free

N9B Defence and counterclaim: frequently asked questions

Can I admit part of the claim on N9B?

Yes. Tick 'I admit the amount of' and give the amount. You must then either pay that amount to the claimant and say when, or complete the admission form and send it with this defence.

What if I already paid before the claim was issued?

Answer Yes in section 2, give the amount, the date and where and how you paid, then go to section 5.

How much is the counterclaim fee?

The form says you'll have to pay a fee to start a counterclaim and that court staff can tell you how much. FileIt doesn't supply fee amounts.

What if my defence doesn't fit in the box?

Continue on a separate sheet with the claim number in the top right-hand corner, as the form says.

Can I sign N9B electronically?

FileIt places a signature box for its eSignature. The Civil Procedure Rules (CPR 5.3) allow a required signature to be printed by computer or other mechanical means, but check with the court if you're unsure. You can always print and sign by hand.

Official sources

Blank form (PDF), published by HM Courts & Tribunals Service: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/664cb108b7249a4c6e9d38da/N9B_0524_save.pdf
Official instructions and guidance: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/form-n9b-defence-counterclaim-specified-amount
Edition shown on this page: N9B Defence and Counterclaim (specified amount) (05.24) (checked 2026-10-01).

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 2026-10-01.