Personal Debt Recovery Solicitors

Our costs and services

These costs apply where your claim relates to an unpaid invoice or invoices which are 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 which might be on a fixed fee or an hourly rate. The fixed fees set out below do not include giving you any advice about your claim.

Debt Recovery, up to £100,000. We will assist with the recovery of your debt claim from the sending of a letter before action through to enforcement of a judgment if necessary.

Our services include:

• Debt recovery for business
• Debt recovery for private individuals

The length of any given matter can vary dramatically on a case by case basis. In our experience, most non-contested (undefended) cases can take between seven days and six months. For defended cases the time frame can range up to eighteen months to two years. We will be able to provide you with a more accurate estimate once we have understood your particular circumstances.

What does it cost?

The fee information set out in this document relate specifically to those services mentioned and is indicative only. Once the full details relating to your particular matter are understood, we will provide a specific fee proposal to you. Once this has been accepted by you we will be providing you with a client engagement letter and terms of business. This will be the basis upon which we will deliver our services. 

During the progress of any matter it is possible that fees may change, up or down, due to change in your instructions, or because it is necessary to reassess the level of complexity of the matter should new information come to light or circumstances change. Should this be the case, we would discuss this with you at the time and agree any changes before progressing. Any additional services required outside those set out in the Services section would be quoted separately on an individual basis.

The below costs apply where your claim relates to an unpaid invoice or invoices which are 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 which might be on a fixed fee or an hourly rate. The fixed fees set out below do not include giving you any advice about your claim.

Stage 1 – pre action

• Letter before action

• Company debtor: letter before action: £150 plus VAT at 20% (£30)

• Individual/sole trader debtor: letter of claim: £175 plus VAT at 20% (£35)

• Letters before action sent to companies usually require the debtor to pay within 14 days, but letters to individuals provide for a 30 day period in accordance with guidelines laid down by the court.

Pre action debt recovery and assistance

We can assist you in corresponding with your debtor to resolve disputes and recover your debt without the need for legal action. We offer fixed fees at each stage of this process, which might involve a second letter demanding payment or lengthy negotiations to reach a Settlement Agreement or repayment plan.

• Fixed fees for pre action assistance

• Second letter of demand: £100 plus VAT at 20% (£20)

• If there are then substantive discussions to reach a settlement, a further fee will be payable.

Pre action advice on recovery

We offer a fixed fee service for a one hour appointment to review your invoices and contract and advise you on the most effective method of recovery; the options available to you; pre action protocol requirements and your right to receive interest and compensation under the Late Payment of Commercial Debts (Interest) Act 1998.

Our fixed fee for this service for a one hour appointment is £125 plus VAT at 20% (£25)

If further advice is then required, in addition to the above appointment, a further fee will be payable.

Stage 2 – court action

Court claims – issue claim

Anyone wishing to proceed with a claim should note that interest and compensation may take the debt into a higher banding with a higher cost. We will prepare and issue the claim on your behalf, based on your instructions, and after you have approved the claim form. Once the court has served the claim a debtor has 14 days in which to file a defence or enter an acknowledgement. After the 14 day period has expired a request can be made to the court for judgment to be entered providing the debtor has not filed an acknowledgement or a defence.   

Request judgment – £75 plus VAT at 20% (£15)

If judgment is obtained but not paid, then further action will be required to enforce payment.

It usually takes the court about 10 or more working days to enter judgment, following receipt of a request to enter judgment.

Additional services if required:

Enforcement

• Letter demanding payment of judgment: £25 plus VAT at 20% (£5)
• Warrant of Execution fixed costs (County Court): £100 plus VAT at 20 % (£20) plus Related third party costs: Court fee – £110
• Third Party Debt Orders: £500 plus VAT at 20% (£100) plus Related third party costs: Court fee – £110, Agents fee for hearing – depends on location
• Charging Order: £300 plus VAT at 20% (£60) (excluding hearing) plus Related third party costs: Court fee – £110, Agent’s fee for attendance at court if necessary – depends on location, Registration of charging order – £40, Search fee – £11
• Writ of Control (High Court Enforcement Officers to seize goods in satisfaction of debt): £100 plus VAT at 20% (£20) plus Related third party costs: Court fee – £66, HCEO fee – £90 payable if the warrant is not successful
• Attachment of Earnings Order: £250 plus VAT at 20% (£50) plus Related third party costs: Court fee – £110

Insolvency proceedings

• Issue of statutory demand for companies and individuals: £500 plus VAT at 20% (£100) plus Related third party costs: Process server fee – up to £250 plus VAT at 20% (£50)

What these fees do not include

Our fees do not include advice or action on any issues that do not relate to recovery of your debt or representation at hearings. Nor do they include complex cases or claims where defences or counterclaims are filed and served.

Most debt claims are claimed on the basis of contract law. Should a claim require advice of a different area of law, such as landlord and tenant or employment law, we reserve the right to charge on a different basis. We will always inform you of the likely costs and seek your authority before taking such steps.

Disbursements / related third party costs

Disbursements are additional costs related to your matter that would typically be incurred by us on your behalf to ensure that the matter progresses in an efficient manner. These would be chargeable by us in addition to the fees set out above and will be required to be paid on account to us. 

The disbursements that you can expect to be charged in respect of your matter are as follows:

• Trace agent fees: £25.00 to £70.00
• Other court fees: £100.00 to £255.00 (including VAT)
• HM Land Registry fee for registration of a charge: £45.00 (including VAT)
• Copies of a title register: £3.00 (including VAT)
• Hearing fees for advocates / Counsel: these are subject to papers, time frame and location and we will inform you of these fees at the time. These fees will vary. 

Beyond what has already been stated, time scales will vary depending on what course of action is taken. If proceedings are begun, or enforcement action is taken, the time scales will be determined largely by the Civil Procedure Rules and by Court listings.

How can our Solicitors help?

Should a matter become disputed or complex our team professionally and efficiently deal with your claim and will also advise more thoroughly on business debt recovery, commercial debts, loan recovery services and prospects of recovery should this be required. 

To speak to us and find out more, get in touch with one of our local branches at the following locations:

• Southampton
• Hedge End
• Chandlers Ford
• Winchester
• Lymington 
• Shoreham-by-Sea
• Marlborough
• Richmond Upon Thames