SMALL CLAIMS COURT: CLAIMANT ADDRESS

FrankieLandlord

Hi Everyone,

As a Claimant, can I use a PO Box Number as my address?  I'm preparing a civil claim for damages, but there is a historic worrying criminal file; and I am mindful of any potential repercussions.  Thank you for your time.

DullGreyGuy

If you are meaning a proper PO Box, rather than a forwarding service from a random company, then it provides you no protection anyway as Royal Mail will give the real address on request, there are only a few exceptions like jewellers who can have their address concealed.

Civil Procedure Rules 6.23 (c) (i) (i) requires that the address used is:
an address within the United Kingdom at which the party resides or carries on business

So unless you intend to move into the virtual/forwarding office for a while you would be at risk of breaching the CPR by not including the address at which you reside. 

Alderbank

FrankieLandlord said:

Hi Everyone,

As a Claimant, can I use a PO Box Number as my address?  I'm preparing a civil claim for damages, but there is a historic worrying criminal file; and I am mindful of any potential repercussions.  Thank you for your time.

Welcome to the Forum.

You must give your full name and address.

In 'Make a court claim for money' 
the Government says 'After you make your claim.

Your claim, including your name and address, will be sent to the person or business owing you money (the ‘defendant’).

They must respond to your claim. You’ll be sent a letter or email telling you the date they need to respond by.'

https://www.gov.uk/make-court-claim-for-money/after-you-make-your-claim

I think if you live outside the UK you can also give a correspondence address and in practice communication will mostly be by email but you must give the court your proper name and address.

DE_612183

If as your name suggests you are a landlord - could you just use the address of the property in question ( assuming the people you are making the claim against are no longer there? ).