Help in a court direction please

[Sam-H]

Hello There, I just joint this community and looking for some help in a court claim. I'm the defendant and the claimant is my former Lawyer seeking payment of an allegation outstanding fee, and I filed a counterclaim for Professional Negligence and Detrimental treatment that damaged my interest. I filed my defence with the claimant and the court by email, and I just realised that the court does not accept claims by email. The claimant contacted me a few days ago requested to extend the time 56 days to respond to my counter-claim. I'm not sure if the court read my defence and what they mean by "this is now the defended claim"

The court sent me today a notice proposed allocating the case to Small Claims Track, suggested small claims mediation and headed the letter "amended pursuant to CPR 40.12" saying:

1. This is now a defended claim and Counter Claim. A copy of the defence has already been sent to you by the defendant.
2. It appears that this case is suitable for allocation to the small claims track. If you believe that this track is not the appropriate track for the claim, you must complete box Cl on the Small Claims Directions Questionnaire (Form N180) and explain why.
3. You must by 3 September 2020 complete the Small Claims Directions Questionnaire (Form N180) and file it with the court office.

Would appreciate any advice about what to do next, and if I should accept the court suggestion for meditation and why they suggested now?

[efpom]

You could consult a solicitor.