Debt Recovery

Debt Recovery for sums up to £100,000

These costs 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 a revised advice about costs if necessary. This 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. The table below sets out our fixed fees in regard to undisputed claims.

 

Debt ValueCourt FeeOur Fee (including VAT)Total
Up to £5,000£25 to £185£200 (£240)£265 – £425
£5,001 – £10,000£410£400 (£480)£890
£10,001 – £25,0004.5% of value of claim£750 (£900)£1350 – £2025
£25,001 – £50,0004.5% of value of claim£2,000 (£2,400)£3525 – £4650
£50,001 – £100,0004.5% of value of claim£3,000 (£3,600)£5850 – £8100

 

A business 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 in to a higher banding, with a higher cost
  • The costs noted above are not for matters where enforcement action such as bailiffs or attachment of earnings orders are needed to collect your debt

 

 

Our fee includes:

  • Taking your instruction and reviewing the documentation
  • Undertaking the appropriate searches
  • Sending a letter before action and at least one chaser letter
  • Receiving payment and sending on to you, or if the debt is not paid, drafting and issuing the claim
  • Where no acknowledgement of service or defence is received, applying to the Court to enter Judgement in default
  • When Judgement in default is received, writing to the other side to request payment
  • If payment is not received within 14 days, providing you with advice on the next step to enforce judgement and likely cost

Additional costs

In the event of the debtor not making payment then we would normally advise bailiff action as a first step. Subject to the size of the debt we would normally advise that a County Court Judgement is converted in to a High Court Writ of Control. There is a Court fee in this regard of £66. Our fees for dealing with the Bailiffs on your behalf would be £100 plus VAT (£120). Further enforcement action will be discussed at the time and costs advised if further action is required.

Timescale

From receipt of instructions obtaining Judgement in default will normally take 8-10 weeks and payment from the other side is normally ordered immediately. If enforcement action is needed, such as Bailiffs, the matter will of course take longer to resolve.
With regards to non-routine claims or defended actions then our hourly rate of £220 plus VAT would apply. We confirm that we can of course provide an estimate of costs in such a claim.