Small claims court - counterclaim for time

[Reviewwworld]

I recently submitted a small claim against a tradesperson. They have sent a response that includes a counter claim for their estimate for the time spent dealing with defending the claim (basically asked for X days at their daily rate).

I've not come across this before. Is this a permitted claim? i.e. theoretically if I lost my claim is there a risk I'm even further out of pocket?

Thanks in advance

[atticus]

This is a claim for costs. Ordinarily, if a case is allocated to the Small Claims Track the loser will not be ordered to pay the winner's costs.

[Reviewwworld]

Thank you for the quick response.

This was certainly my understanding of the small claims court process. I know in larger cases there can be claim for costs such as legal fees etc but I was under the impression of the came is below £10,000 then claims for costs are not permitted

[atticus]

I can confirm that impression.

[Reviewwworld]

Thanks again