Where to sue a builder in Durham County Council — the venue and the process
The short answer: claims up to £10,000 in Durham County Council run through the county court small claims track, normally listed at Durham County Court and Family Court (Durham, DH1 3RG). You start online; the court's own page is the authority on venue details.
REVIEWED BY: Sean McNamara on 2026-09-03
The venue
Durham County Court and Family Court — official court page (verified 2026-09-04). Address: (Postcode is for deliveries only - do not use for directions - please use google maps or sat nav), Durham Justice Centre, Green Lane, Old Elvet, Durham, DH1 3RG.
The process, briefly
1. Letter before action with a 14-day deadline. 2. Claim online via GOV.UK — fee by value (the fee table). 3. Defendant responds; default judgment if they ignore; directions if defended. 4. Hearing at Durham County Court and Family Court — informal, usually under 2 hours (what happens on the day). 5. Unpaid judgment → enforcement.
Evidence
Schedule of loss + witness statement + the evidence file.
Independent information directory — not legal advice.
Source: https://www.find-court-tribunal.service.gov.uk (verified 2026-09-04).
Reviewed by Sean McNamara · 2026-09-03 · Independent information directory — not legal advice.