Has anyone used small claims court to recover money lent?

Pinkfuzzyoctopus · 2026-04-20T20:53:45+00:00

Evening everyone, I honestly can’t believe I am writing this as I have been such an idiot. Please don’t judge me, I am doing a good enough job of it myself. So, my friend was going through some financial problems. They were unwell, on SSP and needed a bit of cash to pay their rent. I have *_NEVER_* lent anyone money in my life but they were struggling and it was breaking my heart. I decided to lend them the money (£500) on the condition it was paid back at the end of the week. They agreed. Stupid I know but I’ve got a good heart and a kind nature. Anyway, the end of the week came and no money returned. I couldn’t get in touch with them, when I did manage they told me they were really unwell and still struggling. Stupidly I said not to worry about it for now and to focus on their health, money can be dealt with at a later date. Fast forward five weeks and still no mention of the money so I mentioned it. I got a vile message from them saying I’ve been hounding them for the money and I don’t understand the position they are in and they have now blocked me on all platforms, messages, social media etc. I’ve only referenced the money twice and suggested that they don’t need to pay me back all in one go, they could just pay in instalments at whatever is best for them. I would not consider that to be hounding them. I am in a mess with money, I was in my overdraft last month and now this month. I am struggling. I know I have been stupid but I thought we were friends. I supported them, I know SSP isn’t much so I helped and this is the way they have repaid me. My question is has anyone took anyone to a small claims court to get the money back? If so, was it ok or was it an awful experience? Sorry for babbling on but I can’t tell anyone about this as I am so ashamed. I know I shouldn’t have lent them the money and it’s my own fault, I’ve only got myself to blame for ending up in a bit of a hole, I shouldn’t have lent them the money. Thanks, hope everyone is having a good night x

redboxerclub · 21/04/2026 02:55

Sorry op I have no experience of this but what a kind soul you are and sorry you have been treated so horribly, especially as you weren’t really in a situation to do so.

contact citizen advice for help on this and do not be ashamed you have done nothing wrong. They should be ashamed of themselves. Keep all messages and a record of the conversations where the money was asked for with dates and times etc.

start filing for the small claims court as soon as possible.

I am assuming the friendship is now untenable.

joyava · 21/04/2026 03:11

I’ve only seen this type of scenario on Judge Judy. It those cases she always looks for evidence that it was a loan. So ideally a signed letter confirming the loan amount & repayment plan. In your case I’m guessing you may only have text messages, so make sure to screenshot all of these. Also did you give her cash or make a bank transfer? If you did a bank transfer did you label it as a loan. Best of luck trying to recover your money. No good deed goes unpunished etc.

Original poster

Pinkfuzzyoctopus · 21/04/2026 03:12

redboxerclub · 21/04/2026 02:55

Sorry op I have no experience of this but what a kind soul you are and sorry you have been treated so horribly, especially as you weren’t really in a situation to do so.

contact citizen advice for help on this and do not be ashamed you have done nothing wrong. They should be ashamed of themselves. Keep all messages and a record of the conversations where the money was asked for with dates and times etc.

start filing for the small claims court as soon as possible.

I am assuming the friendship is now untenable.

Thank you for your kind words ❤️

I have took a screenshot of all the messages discussing the loan. I also have my bank statement that shows the transfer to their account.

I’m just so sad about it to be honest. I genuinely thought we were friends. I don’t have many friends, they knew this and they knew how much I valued them and they have trampled over me. Just awful. If they ever come back the friendship is well and truly over.

OP posts:

Original poster

Pinkfuzzyoctopus · 21/04/2026 03:15

joyava · 21/04/2026 03:11

I’ve only seen this type of scenario on Judge Judy. It those cases she always looks for evidence that it was a loan. So ideally a signed letter confirming the loan amount & repayment plan. In your case I’m guessing you may only have text messages, so make sure to screenshot all of these. Also did you give her cash or make a bank transfer? If you did a bank transfer did you label it as a loan. Best of luck trying to recover your money. No good deed goes unpunished etc.

Edited

I have screenshots of the discussion regarding amount, when it was to be paid back, offering a payment plan etc. I also have my bank statement. I am kicking myself because I didn’t label it loan but the amount matches what is discussed in the messages so hopefully that is ok.

Thank you ❤️

OP posts:

SD1978 · 21/04/2026 03:22

You can represent yourself so you can try- but there are costs involved. It’s a hard lesson, but you should never lend more money why than you’re willing to lose.

Original poster

Pinkfuzzyoctopus · 21/04/2026 03:28

SD1978 · 21/04/2026 03:22

You can represent yourself so you can try- but there are costs involved. It’s a hard lesson, but you should never lend more money why than you’re willing to lose.

A very hard lesson.

I stupidly believed they would have the money back to me when they said they would. I foolishly put my trust in them. I told them I could lend them it till the end of the week but I would need it back as I had direct debits coming out the following week. At that point I could afford it as I was up to date with bills and as long as it was paid back by the date I told them it wouldn’t be an issue but as they haven’t paid it back it has had a knock on effect on each month.

OP posts:

redboxerclub · 21/04/2026 03:32

SD1978 · 21/04/2026 03:22

You can represent yourself so you can try- but there are costs involved. It’s a hard lesson, but you should never lend more money why than you’re willing to lose.

I th ink the OP is able to work that out for themselves.

Bromptotoo · 21/04/2026 05:16

General comment

Getting a judgment in your favour is one thing. Enforcing it and actually getting cash back is much more problematic. If the person you lent money to is 'potless' you'll just be throwing good money after bad in fees to the court.

Bjorkdidit · 21/04/2026 06:41

It's not clear from your post whether this is a 'can't pay' or a 'won't pay'.

If they're still struggling themselves as in still ill and not earning, it will probably be good money after bad right now. Although it could still be the way to go later on.

However if they're back on their feet, have money coming in again and you know they're spending on non essentials, so have spare money, then it's probably worth doing it. But as a last chance, it might be worth telling them (put a note through their door if they otherwise have blocked you) that if they don't pay the money back in a few days, you'll take them to the small claims court to recover the money. This might focus their minds as it will add fees and affect their credit rating if they don't pay.

ThejoyofNC · 21/04/2026 06:45

You could probably win but they can't give you what they don't have. Worth a try though.

Original poster

Pinkfuzzyoctopus · 21/04/2026 07:47

Bjorkdidit · 21/04/2026 06:41

It's not clear from your post whether this is a 'can't pay' or a 'won't pay'.

If they're still struggling themselves as in still ill and not earning, it will probably be good money after bad right now. Although it could still be the way to go later on.

However if they're back on their feet, have money coming in again and you know they're spending on non essentials, so have spare money, then it's probably worth doing it. But as a last chance, it might be worth telling them (put a note through their door if they otherwise have blocked you) that if they don't pay the money back in a few days, you'll take them to the small claims court to recover the money. This might focus their minds as it will add fees and affect their credit rating if they don't pay.

They have now returned to work. I honestly believe it’s more of a case of won’t pay now. Before the awful message I would have said it was can’t pay but since I got the message and been blocked I think they have retaliated because they thought I was going to write the money off.

OP posts:

Kepler22B · 21/04/2026 07:54

A letter before action might do the trick - she thinks. you will just ignore it now. The friendship is already lost so you might as well take the steps to reclaim the money. This doesn’t have to cost anything, you can get templates online and ChatGPT will be able to help.

Also, tell some people in real life, especially shared contacts. Tell them you are struggling and why. You need to get the truth out first, or (highly probably) she will tell everyone how mean you are/ money grabbing/ don’t care.

It might feel petty, but it will protect yourself in the long run. Do you have a mutual friend who is the source of all gossip? Confide in her!

mcmuffin22 · 21/04/2026 08:19

Kepler22B · 21/04/2026 07:54

A letter before action might do the trick - she thinks. you will just ignore it now. The friendship is already lost so you might as well take the steps to reclaim the money. This doesn’t have to cost anything, you can get templates online and ChatGPT will be able to help.

Also, tell some people in real life, especially shared contacts. Tell them you are struggling and why. You need to get the truth out first, or (highly probably) she will tell everyone how mean you are/ money grabbing/ don’t care.

It might feel petty, but it will protect yourself in the long run. Do you have a mutual friend who is the source of all gossip? Confide in her!

Edited

I agree. I think a letter stating you will go through the small claims court to reclaim your money would hopefully be enough. Citizens Advice website has information on what you need to include.

Original poster

Pinkfuzzyoctopus · 21/04/2026 08:27

Kepler22B · 21/04/2026 07:54

A letter before action might do the trick - she thinks. you will just ignore it now. The friendship is already lost so you might as well take the steps to reclaim the money. This doesn’t have to cost anything, you can get templates online and ChatGPT will be able to help.

Also, tell some people in real life, especially shared contacts. Tell them you are struggling and why. You need to get the truth out first, or (highly probably) she will tell everyone how mean you are/ money grabbing/ don’t care.

It might feel petty, but it will protect yourself in the long run. Do you have a mutual friend who is the source of all gossip? Confide in her!

Edited

Yeah I’ve been on ChatGPT, it’s drafted a letter and taken me through the process step by step.

We don’t have any mutual friends thankfully.

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Lennonjingles · 21/04/2026 08:35

I agree sending a letter outlining due to the £500 money lent, I am now in financial difficulties myself, this money was loaned on the agreement that it was paid back within a certain time and this hasn’t happened. My bank account details are "…….. If I do not hear back from you within 2 weeks with either a payment plan or return of all the money, I will have no alternative than to put in a claim with the Courts.

Never a lender or a borrower, like you we lent some money years ago to a relative, it was paid back, but several years later.

Bumbles78 · 21/04/2026 08:43

I’ve done exactly the same as you in good faith. Knew they had returned to work so went through small claims court. Took several weeks but eventually got a repayment plan including additional costs incurred. However this is a tiny amount taken each month from their pay. I done it all myself using the guidance online. Good luck.

Riapia · 21/04/2026 10:30

I can’t understand how your friend thought she was going to be able to repay you in such a short amount of time. She was skint, £500 was not going to be repaid in so short a time.

Original poster

Pinkfuzzyoctopus · 21/04/2026 10:44

Riapia · 21/04/2026 10:30

I can’t understand how your friend thought she was going to be able to repay you in such a short amount of time. She was skint, £500 was not going to be repaid in so short a time.

I did wonder myself but didn’t think too much about it. In light of what has happened: vile message, blocking, accusations, I don’t think they had any intention of paying it back straight away…if at all.

OP posts: