Hi SV and thank you for such a prompt response. I have looked again at that form N260 and of course it does as you say and acts as a guide to remind me what I did with respect to case preparation. I suppose I could pad out a subheading of case preparation with details of form filling, writing particulars of claim, witness statement, statement of issues, case summary .......its all coming back to me now, and then simply estimate a total time spent. Your guidance regarding the covering letters and the importance of filing at court and serving on the other side in plenty of time is noted and much appreciated. I am now much more relaxed thanks to the time and effort you have spent in helping me. Many thanks once again.

Hello again SV Thank you again for taking time to help me. I have looked at the form N260 and my impression is that it is for professionals and far too detailed for what I could possibly itemise. Is it a case of either/or with respect to a simple invoice that I could produce? Are you familiar with the RCJ Advice Bureau? Their guidance leaflet No 4 has a reference to claiming costs in the Fast Track which gives an example of a simple invoice that can be used to claim costs. Is it that simple and does it require a covering letter or just the court and case number perhaps? As I mentioned I started this claim over one year ago without realising I could claim for my time. In that time I have only met the other side once at a recent Case Management Hearing at the court. I was there about 2 hours. The RCJ leaflet implies that only the cost of travel (petrol/bus fare) can be claimed and not the time getting to and from the court. The only other time I have spent outside my home has been physically taking forms/documents to the offices of the other side and the court for which I am claiming only petrol/bus fare (14 miles each way). All other contact has been via e-mail and one telephone conference. The other side have indicated that their costs will be more than £10,000. Although I have spent a huge amount of time on research and case preparation, I obviously can't itemise such time and instead thought that I would claim the amount indicated in the RCJ example which is 200 hours. Obviously I have spent far more than that but then a LiP would on researching the law and justice system. Even at 200 hours that is only 1/3 of my opponents bill. Your thoughts would be much appreciated. The trial is listed for one day.

Sorry SV, I should have mentioned that it is Fast Track. When I started the claim I had no idea that LiPs could claim for their time. I have spent a huge amount of time on case preparation and research and now discover that I can claim £18 per hour for that time. All of my time was spent at home using my own IT facilities. I will simply make a conservative estimate for that time in the two categories and I know my disbursements. I can prepare a simple itemised invoice but what do I do with it? Thanks for the link to the CPRs and PDs. As for the trial costs in Table 9, I do not know what the claim is worth - that is for the judge to determine at trial. Presumably he will assess that amount at trial. I have had no legal assistance - what is the cost referred to at 46.5(3)© - costs of obtaining expert assistance in assessing the costs claim. Thank you for any more help you may give.

I am sure that this question will have been asked before but I can't find an answer. I am the Claimant in a County Court action. It is coming up to the trial date. What is the correct procedure and format of the claim? Is there a form? Thanks for your help in advance.