Issue legal proceedings - debt recovery

If payment is not made in full after a letter before action or a letter of claim is issued, on your instruction our debt recovery specialists will issue a claim at court on your behalf, for a fixed fee. Our charges vary depending on the size of the debt involved.

The claim form will detail the debt due and will include a claim for interest and/or compensation, as well as solicitors fixed costs and the court fee paid.

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How long does a debtor have to respond?

Once the claim is issued at court, the debtor has 14 days to respond by either acknowledging the debt (in which case a further 14 days is allowed, 28 days from issue in total) or by admitting the debt and/or offering a rate of repayment, part admitting the debt and/or offering a rate of repayment or; to defend and/or lodge a counterclaim.

If no response is received after 14 days you are entitled to request judgment often referred to as a CCJ.

Unpaid debts hold up your business, affecting cash flow, creating uncertainty and potentially preventing payment of your staff or creditors, harming your reputation. It’s crucial for any business to ensure that those you trade with do so on your terms. For debt recovery advice that’s tailored to your business, call our team on 0203 816 9303.

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It is our business to deliver legal services that work for our clients, and you can trust our specialists to take care of things on your behalf.

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I would like to thank Stephensons for their help in this matter which has been resolved quickly and without stress. I will certainly use this service again in the future if required.
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As an award-winning top 150 law firm, with over 450 staff based in offices across the country, you're never far from the advice you need.

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As an award-winning top 150 law firm, with over 450 staff based in offices across the country, you're never far from the advice you need.