Dispute resolution

Debt recovery solicitors

Recover what you are owed quickly and cleanly, without burning the relationship unless you have to.

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In short

Ansons Law's debt recovery solicitors help businesses and individuals recover unpaid invoices and debts. We start with a formal letter before action, which often gets the debt paid, and escalate to a court claim and enforcement where a debtor will not pay. For claims up to £10,000, our fixed fee to obtain default judgment starts at £500 plus VAT. Most debt claims must be brought within six years.

Fixed fee to default judgment: From £500 plus VAT, for claims up to £10,000
Time limit: Generally six years from when the debt became due
Business to business debts: Statutory interest and a fixed compensation sum can be added
Head of dispute resolution: Jason Alcock, Director

Time limit for debt claims

Most debt claims must be brought within six years under the Limitation Act 1980, so do not let an old debt drift.

Can you recover a debt without going to court?

Usually, yes. Most debts are recovered without ever reaching a courtroom. A clear, formal letter before action, setting out the debt and the consequences of not paying, is often enough to prompt payment from a debtor who has simply been stalling.

Unpaid invoices drag on cash flow and tie up time you do not have. Whether it is one stubborn debtor or a string of late payers, we start with a firm, professional approach and agree payment plans where they make sense. Where a debtor will not engage, we are ready to escalate through the courts and enforcement.

What can you claim on top of the debt?

For business to business debts, the Late Payment of Commercial Debts (Interest) Act 1998 lets you claim statutory interest and a fixed compensation sum on top of the sum owed, unless your contract sets out its own terms.

That can make pursuing a debt more worthwhile than it first appears.

How can you make future debts easier to chase?

Clear written terms and good credit control make future debts far easier to chase, and we can help you put them in place. Acting early matters too: the longer a debt sits, the harder it can be to recover.

What we do

What our debt recovery solicitors can help with

From a single overdue invoice to ongoing late payment problems, we help you recover what you are owed.

Letters before action and formal demands
Recovering unpaid invoices and trade debts
Disputed debts and counterclaims
Late payment interest and compensation claims
Statutory demands
County court claims and judgments
Enforcing a county court judgment (CCJ)
Charging orders, attachment of earnings and bailiffs
Insolvency-based recovery routes
Personal guarantees and director liability
Credit control and clear payment terms
Negotiated payment plans and settlements

Step by step

How we recover a debt

The usual route when a debtor will not pay. The timescales for the letter, the claim and default judgment come from our pricing information.

Early advice
We review the debt, the paperwork and the debtor, then set out the quickest, most cost-effective route to getting paid.
Letter of claim
A formal letter before action sets out the debt and the consequences of not paying. We prepare it within 28 days of your instructions.
Court claim
If the debt is still unpaid, we draft, file and serve the claim form and particulars of claim within 2 months of your instructions.
Default judgment
If no defence is filed, we request default judgment not more than 30 days after the claim is issued. If the debtor defends the claim, it becomes a contractual dispute.
Enforcement
A judgment confirms the debt but does not pay it. We recommend the right route: a charging order, attachment of earnings, bailiffs or an insolvency-based route.

Fees

What debt recovery costs

For a claim to recover unpaid invoices, we charge a fixed fee to obtain default judgment. Excluding VAT, the fixed fee is:

£500 for claims up to £1,500
£750 for claims of £1,500 to £5,000
£1,000 for claims of £5,000 to £10,000

It covers the letter of claim, the claim form with particulars of claim and the request for default judgment. If the debtor files a defence, our costs are based on the time spent from that point, and we give you a more accurate estimate then. Court fees are payable on top when the claim is issued.

In small claims (under £10,000) it is unusual to recover your legal costs from the other side. In claims of £10,000 to £100,000, specific rules set the fixed costs you can recover if you win, and our costs may be more than those sums.

Defended claims up to £100,000, court fees and third-party costs are set out in full on our pricing information page.

Ask for an estimate

The team

Your dispute resolution team

The solicitors who handle debt recovery at Ansons Law. Every card opens the person's profile.

Meet the whole team

Director, Head of Dispute Resolution and Employment Jason Alcock

Managing Director Martin De Ridder

Director, Dispute Resolution & Property Litigation Ian Meadows

Senior Associate Solicitor Louise Palmer

Associate Solicitor Alexander Medford

Associate Solicitor Victoria Simpson née Ramshaw

Advanced Paralegal Rachael Wood

Consultant Solicitor Robin Heslop

Associate Director Ranjit Shergill

Trainee Solicitor Charlie Woolman

Questions

Debt recovery questions

How quickly can I recover a debt?

It varies. An undisputed debt can sometimes be paid within days of a firm letter before action. Where a court claim and enforcement are needed it takes longer, but we always push for the quickest route that fits your situation.

Can I charge interest on a late payment?

Often, yes. For business to business debts, the Late Payment of Commercial Debts (Interest) Act 1998 allows statutory interest and a fixed compensation sum, unless your contract sets out its own terms. We will tell you what you can claim.

What is a statutory demand?

It is a formal demand for payment that can lead to insolvency proceedings if ignored. It can be very effective for an undisputed debt, but it is not appropriate where the debt is genuinely disputed, so it needs using with care.

What if the debtor disputes the debt?

Then it becomes a contractual dispute rather than a simple collection, and the focus shifts to the strength of each side's position. We will review the paperwork and advise on the right way forward.

How long do I have to chase a debt?

Generally six years from when the debt became due, under the Limitation Act 1980. After that it usually becomes much harder to enforce, so it is wise not to wait.

What happens after I get a judgment?

A judgment confirms the debt is owed, but it does not automatically get you paid. Enforcement options such as charging orders, attachment of earnings, bailiffs or insolvency routes are then used to recover the money, and we will recommend the right one.

How much does debt recovery cost?

Up to default judgment we charge a fixed fee, excluding VAT: £500 for claims up to £1,500, £750 for claims of £1,500 to £5,000 and £1,000 for claims of £5,000 to £10,000. Court fees are on top. If the debtor files a defence, the claim is charged on the time spent from that point. Full details are on our pricing information page.

Accreditations and awards

The Legal 500 UK 2025 (opens in a new tab)
Nachural Summer Business Awards 2024: winner
East Midlands Rainmaker Awards 2025: shortlisted

Talk to a debt recovery solicitor

Tell us who owes you money, how much and since when. We will set out the quickest, most cost-effective route to getting paid and what it is likely to cost.

Call 01543 263 456

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