Letter to warn trader about court action for faulty goods by Citizens Advice
Updated 3 November 2025
The Citizens Advice template letter before court claim for faulty goods helps consumers request a refund and sets out their intent to pursue legal action. It is part of Citizens Advice’s widely trusted library of open, lawyer-vetted letter templates.
Letter before court claim for faulty goods
[sender name]
[sender line address 1]
[sender line address 2]
[sender email]
[sender phone]
[recipient name]
[recipient line address 1]
[recipient line address 2]
[letter date]
To whom it may concern,
Re: [product description]
I have not received a reply to my letter dated [previous letter date] regarding the faulty goods which I bought from you on [purchase date]. The letter explained what is wrong with the goods and why I am entitled to a refund.
I am once again requesting a full refund of the purchase price of [purchase price] on the grounds that the goods were not of satisfactory quality under the Consumer Rights Act 2015. I enclose a copy of the proof of purchase.
I would like a reply as soon as possible so that I know you have received this letter. If you don't agree to the refund, could you please then send me a detailed response saying why you don't agree.
To avoid taking court action, I am willing to use Alternative Dispute Resolution to resolve this problem.
If I do not receive a satisfactory response from you within [number of days] days of the date of this letter, I intend to issue proceedings against you in the county court without further notice. This may increase your liability for costs.
I refer you to the Practice Direction on pre-action conduct under the Civil Procedure Rules, and in particular to paragraph 13-16 which sets out the sanctions the court may impose if you fail to comply with the Practice Direction.
I look forward to your acknowledgement.
Yours faithfully,
[sender name]
Enc: copy of proof of purchase
About this template
What is this template?
Letter to warn trader about court action for faulty goods by Citizens Advice is a free, ready-to-use Consumer law template you can open, customize, and download on GitLaw. It gives you a professionally structured starting point, so you never have to draft from a blank page. The wording is plain and modern, organized into clear sections that are easy to read, edit, and adapt to your own situation before you share or sign it.
When should you use it?
Reach for this Consumer law template whenever you need a reliable agreement quickly and want to be sure the essentials are covered. It suits individuals, freelancers, startups, and established businesses alike. Instead of paying for a document drafted from scratch, you can start here, tailor the details to your arrangement, and have a polished draft ready in minutes. This version is drafted with England & Wales in mind, though you should always review the final wording against the laws that apply to you.
What's typically included?
A well-drafted Consumer law usually sets out the parties involved, the scope of the agreement, and each side's rights and responsibilities. Expect sections covering key terms and definitions, how long the agreement lasts, how it can be ended, and what happens if something goes wrong. This template brings those building blocks together in a sensible order, so you can focus on the specifics rather than worrying about what to include. Open it to read the full document, then sign up to edit, negotiate, and e-sign it directly in GitLaw.