How to sue Ryanair!

Ryanair rejects a large number of claims each year. Some Claimants make an application to the CAA’s website others instruct claims management companies. However what happens if you want to pursue them direct in the small claims court.

The small claims court is available to all Claimants based in England and Wales. If you are a Claimant in England and Wales, it is desirable to commence your action in the UK rather than the Republic of Ireland for ease of access to the local courts.

This brief article provides guidance for claims valued at less than £10,000 involving Ryanair for Claimant’s who live in England and Wales. It is not a definitive guide and cannot replace receiving legal advice.

Please note that litigation is a last resort and you should have already had your claim rejected or not responded to in a reasonable amount of time. Before issuing a claim form I would recommend sending an email or claim indicating that unless you have a reply within 14 days you will issue a claim in the county court.

How to make a claim

If you live in England and Wales and you have a monetary claim against Ryanair, you are at liberty to access justice by applying to a county court to claim money you’re owed.

This is known as making a court claim. It often used to be known as taking someone to a ‘small claims court’.

The process is different in Scotland and Northern Ireland.

Make a claim

Download and fill in a paper claim form N1

You must pay a court fee when you make a claim.

You must also complete a form N510 as you are issuing against a company based outside of the UK. This should be sent to the Court.

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/form-n510-service-out-of-the-jurisdiction

When completing the claim form you must make it clear that you want the claim form returning to you for you to effect Personal Service. Please mark the claim form on the first page with : PERSONAL SERVICE

Put the details of the local County Court you wish the claim to be transferred to in the Claim form, e.g. County Court at Sheffield.

I would send a covering letter to the court explaining that the claim form need be returned to you so you can effect service.

Send the paper form to the County Court Money Claims Centre.

County Court Money Claims Centre
PO Box 527
Salford
M5 0BY

Who to issue against?

Ryanair has a number of different companies in registered in England and Wales, as well as Ireland. The correct company and address is

Ryanair Designated Activity Company

Ryanair Dublin Office

Airside Business Park

Swords

Co Dublin

Ryanair Designated Activity Company should be referred to in the claim form as the Defendant.

How and where to serve

When the sealed claim form has been returned to you send the claim form (original sealed) response pack and N510, by first class post to:

Ryanair

Enterprise House,

2nd Floor,

Bassingbourn Road,

London Stansted Airport,

Stansted,

England,

CM24 1QW

Ryanair may complain that service is not effected, however, given this is their major hub, service will be effected in my view.

Then complete a certificate of service and sent this document to Court

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/form-n215-certificate-of-service

Remember the claim form is deemed served two days after being sent by first class post. Sent on the Monday service is effected on the Wednesday. Please ignore bank holidays and weekends e.g. if serve on a Friday, deemed service would be the Tuesday unless the Monday was a bank holiday in which case service would be effected in the Wednesday.

What happens next

Ryanair should reply to the claim within 14 or 28 days from service.

You might have to go to a court hearing if they (the ‘defendant’) denies owing the money and you disagree with their response.

You can get the court to order them to pay if they:

• do not respond to your claim
• admit they owe you but do not pay