The Civil National Business Centre (CNBC) is an essential part of the UK civil justice system, serving as the central administrative hub for processing money claims and related court procedures for England and Wales. Unlike traditional county courts where hearings take place, the Civil National Business Centre manages administrative work — from issuing money claims to handling County Court Judgments (CCJs) and supporting case progression.
This guide is designed for individuals, businesses, and legal professionals who need clear, accurate, and practical information about the Civil National Business Centre, including how to contact it, how to make or respond to claims, and recent operational updates.
What is the Civil National Business Centre?
The Civil National Business Centre (CNBC) is a centralised facility operated by His Majesty’s Courts & Tribunals Service (HMCTS) to handle civil money claims in England and Wales. It replaced the older County Court Money Claims Centre and the County Court Business Centre in August 2023, bringing all functions under one name and location.
Rather than acting as a physical court where hearings occur, the Civil National Business Centre deals with administrative tasks like issuing claim documents, processing forms, and managing correspondence. This centralisation improves consistency and efficiency, especially for high‑volume money claims and related documentation.
The CNBC handles claims of all sizes under the civil money claim framework and interacts with services such as Money Claim Online (MCOL), allowing both online and post‑based submissions.
Services Provided by the Civil National Business Centre
The Civil National Business Centre delivers a range of services for claimants and defendants:
- Money claims processing: CNBC manages civil claims for debt recovery, unpaid invoices, and other monetary disputes.
- County Court Judgments (CCJs): Once a claim is processed, the centre can issue a CCJ if the defendant does not respond or disputes the claim.
- Case progression support: The centre oversees key legal forms such as Directions Questionnaires (N180), requests for judgment (N225), and other procedural submissions.
- Attachment of Earnings and Charging Orders: These legal tools help enforce judgments.
- Customer support: The centre provides guidance on procedures through email, phone, and webchat.
Unlike local county courts, the CNBC does not hold hearings. Instead, it serves as the administrative engine for money claims.
Contact Details for the Civil National Business Centre
To get in touch with the Civil National Business Centre in Northampton, you can use the following verified contact information.
Official Address
Civil National Business Centre
St. Katharine’s House
21‑27 St. Katharine’s Street
Northampton
NN1 2LH
DX: 702885 Northampton 7
Telephone
- Civil National Business Centre: 0300 123 1056
- Welsh language support: 0300 303 5174
- Other HMCTS related services: 0300 123 1058‑1059
(Monday to Friday, 9am–5pm)
Webchat
CNBC offers live webchat support during business hours via the official contact page.
Official Email Addresses
Different query types go to dedicated inboxes:
| Purpose | Email address |
| Acknowledgement of Service (AOS) | AOS.CNBC@justice.gov.uk |
| Claim Responses / N9 forms | ClaimResponses.CNBC@justice.gov.uk |
| Directions Questionnaire (N180) | DQ.CNBC@justice.gov.uk |
| Request for Judgment (N225/N225a) | Judgments.CNBC@justice.gov.uk |
| Case Progression enquiries | CaseProgression.CNBC@justice.gov.uk |
| Help with Fees (EX160) | HWF.CNBC@justice.gov.uk |
| Attachment of Earnings enquiries | CAPs.CNBC@justice.gov.uk |
| Charging Orders | Chargingorders.CNBC@justice.gov.uk |
| Attachment of Earnings applications | AE.CNBC@justice.gov.uk |
| Warrants or Writs | Writs.CNBC@justice.gov.uk |
| Applications & procedural issues | Applications.CNBC@justice.gov.uk |
Using the correct email for your query can speed up processing and reduce miscommunication.
How to File a Claim Through the Civil National Business Centre
You can file a claim with the Civil National Business Centre in two main ways:
Online Via Money Claim Online (MCOL)
This is the fastest and most common method for submitting a civil money claim. Users register or log into the MCOL system, enter claim details (such as the amount owed and defendant information), and upload documents. Fees are calculated automatically and paid online. Once submitted, the Civil National Business Centre processes the claim electronically.
Online submissions reduce delays, provide electronic tracking, and allow users to manage claims without posting documents.
Paper Submission
If you cannot use the online system, you can submit a paper claim form (N1) by post to the Civil National Business Centre address. Complete the form accurately, attach supporting documents, and include the correct fee. The court will then process the claim and return stamped documents.
After submission, the defendant has a fixed period (typically 14 to 21 days) to respond. If they do not respond, you may apply for a default judgment. For certain case types or forms (such as Directions Questionnaires), you may also submit documentation to the relevant CNBC email address.
How to Respond to a Claim at the Civil National Business Centre
If you receive a civil claim, your response depends on how the claim was issued:
- Fixed amount claims: Use forms like N9A to agree to pay or N9B to dispute.
- Unspecified amount claims: Use forms N9C or N9D based on your circumstances.
- Where to send responses:
- For online MCOL claims: send responses to the MCOL service address.
- For paper claims or MCOL claims sent by email: post to CNBC, St. Katharine’s House, Northampton.
Always check deadlines carefully and retain proof of postage or electronic submission.
Recent Changes: Merger of CCBC & CCMCC
In August 2023, the County Court Business Centre and the County Court Money Claims Centre were formally replaced by the Civil National Business Centre. The merger involved updates to the Civil Procedure Rules so that all references now use the name Civil National Business Centre. Claims bearing old centre names after 1 September 2023 may be returned.
This change aligns processes and avoids confusion between legacy systems, helping claimants and professionals route documents efficiently.
Practical Tips for Dealing with CNBC
Here are useful tips to improve your experience with the Civil National Business Centre:
- Use the correct email address: Sending queries to the relevant inbox can reduce delays.
- Prepare documents carefully: Incomplete paperwork is a common source of processing errors.
- Avoid scam emails or calls: Official correspondence always comes from @ justice. gov .uk or through the MCOL service; scammers may imitate HMCTS numbers.
- Webchat is useful for quick guidance: This can reduce long phone wait times during busy periods.
FAQs About Civil National Business Centre
Is the Civil National Business Centre a court?
No. CNBC is an administrative centre handling civil money claim procedures, not an in‑person court.
How can I contact the Money Claim Centre by email?
Use the specific CNBC email addresses listed above for claim responses, judgments, and forms.
Do I need to file claims with the new CNBC name?
Yes. Claims with old centre names (CCBC/CCMCC) after 1 September 2023 could be returned.
How long does it take to process a claim?
Processing times vary; online claims are typically faster than paper ones. You can view updates on the official GOV.UK “processing times” page.
Can I respond to a claim by email?
Yes, for many procedural forms (e.g., DQ.CNBC@justice.gov.uk for Directions Questionnaires), but always keep proof of submission and serve the other party appropriately.
Conclusion
The Civil National Business Centre plays a key role in the UK civil justice framework by processing money claims, managing CCJs, and supporting a wide range of civil procedures. By understanding how to contact the centre, file or respond to claims properly, and follow official guidance, claimants and defendants can navigate the system confidently and efficiently.
Whether you choose Money Claim Online or postal submission, the Civil National Business Centre offers structured pathways for resolving disputes without requiring in‑person court attendance.
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