Quantum calculator
Interest on damages calculator
Conventional pre-judgment interest on general and special damages in England and Wales. The figure is computed from the encoded rate records, shown with its full segment-by-segment working, and cited to the primary source for every rate applied.
Rules current to 9 January 2026. Read how these calculators work on the quantum methodology page.
How interest on damages is assessed
Interest on damages before judgment is awarded under Senior Courts Act 1981 section 35A and County Courts Act 1984 section 69, following the methodology settled in Jefford v Gee. The award is discretionary and the conventional rates the courts apply are rebuttable, but they are stable and well established.
General damages for pain, suffering and loss of amenity carry interest at 2 per cent per annum from the date of service of the claim form to trial or settlement, following Birkett v Hayes and Lawrence v Chief Constable of Staffordshire. One-off completed special losses carry interest at the full Special Account Rate from the date of loss. Continuing past losses, such as ongoing loss of earnings or care, carry interest at half the Special Account Rate from the accident date, following Dexter v Courtaulds.
The calculator counts days from the day after the start date up to and including the assessment date. Each day accrues at the rate in force on that day, as simple interest with no compounding, at the annual rate divided by 365. Where the Special Account Rate changes during the period, the working shows one segment per rate period with its day count, its rate, and its interest amount. Only the final total is rounded to the penny.
The calculator does not cover Part 36 enhanced interest under CPR 36.17, which is a separate module, interest on costs, interest on judgment debts after judgment, or compound interest. DWP benefits are disregarded for interest purposes, following Wadey v Surrey CC. The Special Account Rate history before 3 March 2025 is not yet loaded, so an accrual period that begins before that date is refused rather than estimated until the historic series has been sourced from the Court Funds Office determinations.
Primary sources
- Senior Courts Act 1981 section 35A, the power of the High Court to award interest on damages.
- County Courts Act 1984 section 69, the corresponding power of the county court.
- Court Funds Office rate announcement, the Special Account Rate of 3.75 per cent in force from 9 January 2026, previously 4 per cent from 3 March 2025.
- Jefford v Gee, on the methodology for interest on damages.
- Birkett v Hayes [1982] 1 WLR 816 and Lawrence v Chief Constable of Staffordshire [2000], on the 2 per cent conventional rate for general damages.
- Dexter v Courtaulds, on the half rate for continuing past losses.
- Wadey v Surrey CC, on the disregard of DWP benefits.
Frequently asked questions
What rate applies to interest on general damages?
General damages for pain, suffering and loss of amenity carry interest at 2 per cent per annum from the date of service of the claim form to trial or settlement. The rate is a judicial convention established in Birkett v Hayes [1982] 1 WLR 816 and confirmed in Lawrence v Chief Constable of Staffordshire [2000]. It is rebuttable but stable.
What rate applies to interest on special damages?
One-off completed special losses carry interest at the full Special Account Rate from the date of loss. Continuing past losses, such as ongoing loss of earnings or care, carry interest at half the Special Account Rate from the accident date, following Dexter v Courtaulds. The Special Account Rate has been 3.75 per cent since 9 January 2026, having been 4 per cent from 3 March 2025, so the current half rate is 1.875 per cent.
How are the days counted?
Days are counted from the day after the start date up to and including the assessment date. Each day accrues at the rate in force on that day, as simple interest with no compounding, at the annual rate divided by 365. Where the rate changes during the period, the working shows one segment per rate period. Only the final total is rounded to the penny.
Does this calculator cover Part 36 enhanced interest?
No. Enhanced interest under CPR 36.17 is out of scope and is a separate module. The calculator also excludes interest on costs, interest on judgment debts after judgment, and compound interest. It computes conventional pre-judgment simple interest on damages only.
Are DWP benefits deducted before interest is calculated?
No. DWP benefits are disregarded for interest purposes, following Wadey v Surrey CC. The calculator flags that position and does not compute any benefit recovery or offset.