Not really a hassle Craig, just time consuming, however this day and age the Judges know that court is the only way that the tenant gets justice, and they usually go out of their way to preach the law to the landlords, this is quite amusing to see sometimes. The whole judicial system can take up to 6 months, which is a long time if you need the deposit to move somewhere else, so in that respect yes a real hassle, but the winner in court is awarded travel costs, court costs (not the opponents solicitors bill in a small claim court) and days pay, last landlord I took to court in October was from me moving out in June, I was awarded the whole deposit, and £275 costs. Only just got the money last week though.