* In the UK the court has considerable discretion when awarding costs. It has an obligation to deal with cases "justly and at proportionate cost". Both sides mu

* In the UK the court has considerable discretion when awarding costs. It has an obligation to deal with cases "justly and at proportionate cost". Both sides must produce budgets that the court may order to be adjusted if it sees fit. If one side tries to outspend the other then the court can refuse to award costs. * No one in the UK needs to spend $5k on representation to get their landlord to return their deposit, and I think the court would take a dim view of anyone who tried! The law is pretty simple: if the landlord does not return the deposit, less agreed deductions, then the court will order them to return the money, and in addition award a sum between 1x and 3x the value of the deposit. A tenant in your situation would only be out the cost of a few stamps. * This is a feature, not a bug! Litigation _is_ the last resort, and should only be attempted after all other attempts to settle have failed. The court will take a dim view of a litigant who has not made reasonable attempts to settle, and/or undergo some mediation or other alternative dispute resolution.