Debt recovery: Range of fixed fees

Court Claims

These costs guidelines apply where your claim is in relation to an unpaid invoice which is not disputed, and enforcement action is not needed. If the other party disputes your claim at any point, we will discuss any further work required and provide you with revised advice about costs if necessary, which could be on a fixed fee (e.g. if a one-off letter is required), or an hourly rate if more extensive work is needed.

Anyone wishing to proceed with a claim should note that:

• The VAT element of our fee cannot be reclaimed from your debtor.
• Interest and compensation may take the debt into a higher banding, with higher costs.
• The costs quoted above are not for matters where enforcement action, such as the bailiff, is needed to collect your debt.

Our fee includes:

• Taking your instruction and reviewing documentation
• Undertaking appropriate searches
• Sending a letter before action
• Receiving payment and sending it onto you, or if the debt is not paid, drafting and issuing a claim
• Where no Acknowledgement of Service or Defence is received, applying to the court to enter Judgment in default
• When Judgment in default is received, write to the other side to request payment
• If payment is not received within 21 days, providing you with advice on next steps and likely costs

Matters usually take 6 – 12 weeks from receipt of instructions from you to receipt of payment from the other side, depending on whether or not it is necessary to issue a claim. This is on the basis that the other side pays promptly on receipt of Judgment in default. If enforcement action is needed, the matter will take longer to resolve.