Before small claims
Complaint letter before small claims in Ireland
Why a clear complaint letter should usually come before deciding whether small claims is worth it.
Check your dispute first
Answer a few questions to see your options before writing your complaint.
Check your optionsA complaint letter is not just paperwork. It gives the business a clear chance to resolve the issue and creates a record if escalation later becomes necessary.
TBD keeps the letter focused on the remedy and evidence. It does not draft court filing text or tell the customer to threaten proceedings.
If the business refuses, the complaint record helps decide whether small claims, chargeback, regulator, or another route makes sense.
What to do next
- 1Prepare the complaint first.
- 2Remove weak extras such as stress and time spent.
- 3If the business refuses or does not reply, check whether your dispute qualifies for small claims.
Before you write
- Complaint message
- Evidence list
- Amount breakdown
- Response deadline
- Trader identity