I did a claim a few years ago for criminal damage to one of my vehicles & it was easy.Got in touch with local county court & they sent out forms.Fill in forms with relevant info,bills,estimates etc & send fee.Wait for reply from court with court date then go infront of judge who may ask you & defendant questions then the judge sends you out of court to make decision then calls you back into court, in my case within 5 minutes & case proved so order was made for defendant to pay weekly.Defendant is liable for costs if you win.If they do not pay you go back to court & they then send bailifs & those charges are added to costs.