Thank you for looking at our Debt Recovery services. Debts can arise in all walks of life and we regularly advise and assist businesses and individuals alike.
The bulk of our debt recovery instructions come from businesses across various sectors. With many years of experience and strong expertise in litigation both in and out of court, our debt recovery service is fast, efficient and economical.
Why Us
We have an experienced team comprising of Keith Whitehead who is a solicitor with over 35 years of experience of this type of work and Alexa Gorse who is a Solicitor with over 18 years experience of this type of work and who can assist you with recovering both disputed and undisputed debts. This page principally covers our pricing for undisputed debt recovery – please do not hesitate to contact us to find out more about our fee structure for pursuing disputed debts. We pride ourselves on exceptional customer care skills enabling you to deliver the right message and retain the goodwill of your customers whilst recovering outstanding payments.
We can offer you clear, practical advice and will discuss all the options available to establish the most appropriate way of dealing with debtors. We have tried and tested processes in place to ensure we can recover undisputed debts quickly, efficiently and cost-effectively, with transparent fixed fees.
Fixed Fee Pricing
We appreciate that the fees involved in debt recovery are important to you. We review our fees on a regular basis, considering client’s feedback, to ensure we continue to offer a cost-effective debt recovery service.
We typically work on a fixed fee basis, so that from the outset you know what the fees will be for your transaction. These costs apply for unpaid and undisputed payment of invoice(s). If during the debt recovery process, the matter becomes disputed or enforcement action is required (where for example you need to appoint a bailiff), we will discuss the change in fees with you and agree a way on a time based estimate (please see further below).
When claiming costs from the debtor, it is important to note that the VAT element of any fees cannot be claimed. You can claim interest and compensation and we will advise you of the applicable rates.
Fixed Fees for Undisputed Claims to Default Judgment
Claim Amount | Court Fee |
| Our Fees (&VAT)* | Total (inc VAT) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Up to £300 | £35 |
| £150 | £215 |
£300.01 to £500 | £50 |
| £150 | £230 |
£500.01 to £1,000 | £70 |
| £150 | £250 |
£1,000.01 to £1,500 | £80 |
| £150 | £260 |
£1,500.01 to £3,000 | £115 |
| £150 | £295 |
£3,000.01 to £5,000 | £205 |
| £150 | £405 |
£5,000.01 to £10,000 | £455 |
| £200 | £695 |
£10,000.01 to £50,000 | 5% of claim |
| £300 | TBA |
*This fee alone will be charged if payment is made following instruction and drafting but prior to proceedings being issued. | ||||
Exclusions
Our fees are fixed as detailed above, however there may be factors which would typically increase the cost of the fees. Where there is likely to be any additional cost, we will make sure you are informed of this at the earliest opportunity and a clear estimate of those extra costs will be provided.
The fixed fees do not include a Protocol compliant letter before Claim for which we typically charge £50 plus VAT although we can agree a discount for multiple claims.
Factors that may lead to an increase in cost include:
- Stand alone Particulars of Claim
- Enforcement proceedings
Time Scales for Undisputed Debts
A typical debt recovery will take between 4-12 weeks, from instruction through to payment from the other side. This may be shorter or longer depending on whether we are required to issue a claim and whether the other side pay promptly on receipt of any Judgment issued by a court. As detailed above, if enforcement action is required, we will discuss the fees and timescales involved before any further action is taken.
Key Milestones for Undisputed Debts
With every transaction there are key milestones, which may vary according to individual circumstances. Our fee will include these milestones and may be as follows:
- Taking your instructions and reviewing documentation
- Undertaking appropriate searches
- Issuing a standard letter before action requesting payment from the debtor
- Receiving payment and sending this on to you
- Drafting and issuing a claim form to the relevant court if the debt is not paid
- Applying to the court to enter a Judgment in Default if the debtor fails to respond to court proceedings
- Contacting the other side to request payment where a Judgment in Default has been issued by the court
Variable Pricing
If we know from the outset that the debt is or is likely to be disputed then we will provide you with a fee based estimate as we will be unable to undertake this for a fixed fee.
The amount of our fees will depend upon complexity, number of witnesses and whether or not there is a need to adduce expert evidence. The latter will incur disbursements which you will be informed of as soon a quote is sought from a suitably qualified expert.
Court hearings will also be charged in accordance with our hourly rates, and will be determined by how long they take. If we advise the involvement of a specialist barrister, those fees will increase significantly in line with that barrister’s charging rate. By way of example, an hour’s hearing will incur an hours charge, plus any time reasonably spent in preparing for the hearing.
In claims at the higher end of the spectrum we are required by the courts to file a costs budget at an early stage in proceedings. This will be a calculated schedule of the estimated charges that will be incurred in running the matter to trial and you will be provided with a copy.
Timescales for Disputed Debt
It is impossible for us to give an accurate timescale from instruction as this depends on the complexity, number of witnesses and whether experts are required and generally whether it settles or proceeds to trial or typically it could last between 12-18 months. This may be shorter or longer depending upon what is required.
Additional Key Milestones for Disputed Debts (as applicable)
- Consideration of Defence
- Directions Appointment
- Costs Schedules and Budgets
- Disclosure and inspection of documents
- Witness statements
- Appointment and instruction of experts
- Preparation for trial
- Trial bundles
- Hearing