Fill and sign Small Claims Form A online
Starts a cross-border claim of up to €5,000 under the European Small Claims Procedure.
Small Claims Form A at a glance
- Official name
- European Small Claims Procedure – Claim Form (Form A)
- Issued by
- European e-Justice Portal
- Country
- European Union
- Category
- Legal and powers of attorney
- Language
- All EU languages
- Who uses it
- Consumers and small businesses with a claim against someone in another EU country.
- Signature
Check with the recipient
Form A ends with a date and signature section (section 12). EU guidance does not say whether an electronic signature is accepted; the court that receives the claim sets the accepted means of filing.
- Instructions
- Official European e-Justice Portal page
Form A starts a claim under the European Small Claims Procedure, for cross-border civil and commercial claims of up to €5,000 against someone in another EU country, except Denmark. Consumers and small businesses use it without needing a lawyer. Open the official form from the European e-Justice Portal in BunnyDoc's free Sign PDF tool straight from this page, type into its fillable fields, add your signature and date, and download it. The PDF is handled in your browser and never leaves your device.
How to fill in and sign Small Claims Form A
Court and parties (sections 1 to 3)
Name the court you are sending the claim to, then give your details as claimant and the defendant's details.
Jurisdiction and cross-border nature (sections 4 and 5)
Explain why this court has jurisdiction, for example the defendant's home country or the consumer's home country, and show that at least one party lives in a different member state from the court.
Bank details and fee payment (section 6)
Optionally give bank details, and say how you will pay the court fee. Card or bank details for the fee go in the appendix, which is not sent to the defendant.
The claim and its details (sections 7 and 8)
State the amount or other claim, costs and interest, then explain the reasons and list your evidence, such as invoices or receipts.
Hearing, service and certificate (sections 9 to 11)
Say whether you want an oral hearing, how documents should be served on you, and whether you want a certificate for enforcement in another country.
Date, sign and send to the court (section 12)
Sign and date the form and send it with supporting documents to the competent court by post or by any other means that court accepts. Fill it in the court's language.
What you need before you start
- The full name and address of the person or business you are claiming from.
- The competent court, which you can find through the e-Justice Portal.
- Copies of invoices, contracts, receipts and correspondence.
- Payment for the court fee, which varies by country.
What the procedure covers
According to the EU users guide, a case is cross-border when at least one party is not based in the same member state as the court. The procedure does not cover family law, maintenance, employment, social security, bankruptcy, revenue, customs or administrative matters. Denmark is not bound by it.
The court must serve your claim within 14 days, the defendant has 30 days to reply, and within 30 days of the reply the court gives judgment, asks for more details or calls a hearing (e-Justice Portal).
Common mistakes
- Claiming more than €5,000, not counting interest and costs.
- Filling in the form in a language the court does not accept.
- Sending it to a court without jurisdiction.
- Forgetting supporting evidence.
Small Claims Form A: frequently asked questions
What is the limit for the European Small Claims Procedure?
€5,000, not counting interest, expenses and costs.
Do I need a lawyer?
No. You do not need a lawyer to start the procedure or to attend an oral hearing.
Is there a court fee?
In most member states, yes. The amount varies by country and is listed on the e-Justice Portal. You usually get it back if you win.
Can I sign Form A electronically?
EU guidance does not say. The court decides which means of filing it accepts, so check with that court. You can add a signature for free with the Sign PDF tool.
In which language do I fill in Form A?
In the language of the court, or another language that court accepts. The form is available in all EU languages.
Is BunnyDoc connected to the European e-Justice Portal?
No. BunnyDoc is not affiliated with the European Commission or the e-Justice Portal. We link to the official form and give you a free tool to fill and sign it in your browser.
BunnyDoc is not affiliated with European e-Justice Portal. Check that the recipient accepts electronic signatures.
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