Fast Track, Multi-Track, and Small Claims Tracks: What they mean for your injury claim

When making a personal injury claim, your case will follow one of 3 different 'tracks'. These tracks are clearly defined legal processes that solicitors and courts use to manage claims and set deadlines for processing each step of the claim.

The type of track your claim will follow depends on the type, severity, and value of your claim:

• Small claims track - For low value claims for very minor injuries. This track does not require formal court proceedings and can be handled without a solicitor's help.
• Fast track - For fairly minor injuries where there are no major legal issues.
• Multi-track - For complex cases and high-value injuries, and where there are disputes about evidence, liability or the law.

Small claims track claims

The small claims track is used for personal injury claims that are relatively uncomplicated and of lower value.

Until the regulations changed on 31 May 2021, the small claims limit was £1,000. In practice, this meant that only the most ‘trivial’ of injuries, such as minor cuts and short-living soft tissue injuries were ‘small claims’.

However, the small claims limit has now been raised to £5,000 for most injury claims resulting from car accidents. The compensation awards for injuries like whiplash have also been drastically lowered. The changes mean that many road accident claims that would have been Fast Track before June 2021 are now classed as Small Claims.

Road accident claims with a total value of under £10,000, including both the injury compensation (general damages) and compensation for financial losses like lost earnings (special damages), will now also use the Small Claims process.

Small claims can be made through the Official Injury Claim Portal.

See also:

Small or 'Low-Value' Personal Injury Claims - What you Need to Know

Fast track claims

If your claim is estimated to be worth between £10,000 and £25,000, it will follow the fast-track. Most claims follow the fast-track protocol.

Fast-track claims follow a structured process, with a set timetable that ensures the case is resolved efficiently, usually within 30 weeks. Fast-track cases are managed to prevent delays, keeping costs and preparation time in check. The process usually includes an exchange of evidence, witness statements, and, if necessary, an expert report.

In the unlikely event that your case goes to court, the fast-track process is intended to provide a fair outcome within a single day of court time.

Your solicitor will assess your claim to determine which track applies, and arrange for a medical assessment of your injuries to confirm this. If your claim becomes more complicated at any stage, it is possible to change to Multi-Track.

See also:

How much is my claim worth?

Multi-track claims

If your claim is estimated to be worth more than £25,000, or the circumstances are more complex, your claim will follow the multi-track.

As multi-track claims tend to be more complicated, they do not follow a set procedure in the way that small claims track and fast-track claims do, and it is harder to predict how long a multi-track claim will take to resolve.

This flexibility means the defendant's and claimant's solicitors have more time to discuss and negotiate a settlement. There is also more time to carry out medical assessments of your injuries to determine the extent of the harm, what your ongoing care needs are likely to be, and how long your recovery will take.

Complex claims, or claims where there is difficulty establishing liability, may also follow the multi-track process even if the claim is worth less than £25,000.

Do I need to know which track applies to my injury claim?

Knowing which track applies to your claim can help you understand what to expect in terms of complexity, costs, and timelines.

However, you are not expected to decide this yourself. When you start your claim, your solicitor will assess the value and details of your case and prepare to follow the most suitable track.

Your lawyer will guide you through each stage, whether it’s a straightforward small claim or a more complex multi-track claim, ensuring the right processes are followed for the best possible outcome. While understanding the basics of each track is useful, your solicitor’s expertise will ensure that your claim is managed effectively from start to finish.

Author:
Chris Salmon, Director

About the author

Chris Salmon is a co-founder and Director of Quittance Injury Claims. Chris has played key roles in the shaping and scaling of a number of legal services brands and is a regular commentator in the legal press.