These costs apply where your claim is in relation to an unpaid invoice (whether by another business or a consumer) which is not disputed.
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 (eg if a one-off letter is required), or an hourly rate if more extensive work is needed.
Stage One – Letter Before Action
This is the initial stage that could see your debt being recovered with immediate effect. We will write to the debtor demanding immediate payment. The process is slightly different depending on whether we are writing to a business or individual as there are different legal protocols to follow. However, we find that these letters often have the desired effect in obtaining your payment.
If you are claiming against another business, you are also able to claim compensation under the Late Payment of Commercial Debts (Interest) Act 1998 which means that you are entitled to recover between £40 to £100 depending on the size of the debt. There is also the possibility of recovering other reasonable charges which we shall discuss with you.
VAT on the fees below is charged at the current rate of 20%.
The cost of dealing with Stage 1 is:
| Debt value |
Our fee |
| Up to £5,000 |
£300 + VAT (Total: £360) |
| £5,001–£10,000 + |
£350 + VAT (Total: £420) |
|
|
These fees include:
- taking your instructions and reviewing documentation;
- undertaking appropriate searches;
- sending a letter before action;
- receiving payment and sending onto you.
Stage Two – Issuing a Claim
If the debtor fails to pay within the time scale given, we can make an application to the court. The debtor is then required to respond to the court or settle the debt within 14 days. If they don’t, you can obtain a judgment for the monies owed.
The cost of making a court application under Stage 2 is:
| Debt value |
Court fee |
Our fee |
| Up to £5,000 |
£25 - £205
(depending on the claim value) |
£275 + VAT (Total: £308.40) |
| £5,001–£10,000 |
£410 - £455 |
£450 + VAT (Total: £540) |
| £10,001—£100,000 |
5% value of the claim |
5.5% of the claim + VAT |
|
|
|
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 a higher cost;
- the costs quoted above are not for matters where enforcement action, such as the bailiff, is needed to collect your debt.
These fees include:
- 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, write to the other side to request payment;
- if payment is not received within 14 days, providing you with advice on next steps and likely costs.
Work not included in Stage 2 fees
If the person that owes you the money defends the claim or makes an application against you in response, there will be further fees to pay. We will advise you on an estimate of our fees before undertaking any work.
If you have obtained a judgment for the monies owed, but you don’t receive payment, you will have the ability to enforce the debt. Our fees above don't include us undertaking enforcement proceedings. If enforcement proceedings are required, we shall discuss these fees with you.
Time Scale
Matters usually take 4 - 10 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 Judgement in default. If enforcement action is needed, the matter will take longer to resolve.
