Debt Recovery
Is your customer or client not paying you?
Enforcements of debts can be a tricky and intricate area. We know that it is crucial to ensure that debts are recovered while maintaining on-going commercial relationships, where possible.
Assistance we can provide includes:
- Advice on the most commercial approach to debt recovery
- Drafting of letters to debtors
- Court proceedings against debtors
- Statutory demands
- Winding up/insolvency proceedings against debtors
- Enforcements of County Judgments/Orders
Our specialist team led by Colin Adamson works with businesses and debts of all sizes and has the experience to ensure that your debts are recovered in a cost effective and timely manner.
For non-contested debts, we are able to offer a fixed fee service; please see the table below or you can download it here
How long does it take?
How long it takes will depend on a number of factors, but in a very simple case it could be concluded within 3 to 4 weeks if court proceedings are not required. Some debts may not be recoverable in whole or part. In an uncontested case it should be concluded in between 3 and 6 months. If the matter is contested, then a reasonable estimate is between 9 and 15 months. Any subsequent enforcement action required will lengthen the process.
Our fixed fee service applies to non-contested debts. For matters which are contested, please contact us for more information on fees.
You will also incur further costs if the sum is not paid after judgment is obtained and enforcement action is then required. You will also be responsible for these enforcement costs which are shown in the disbursements section.
All these estimates reflect average prices based on recent instructions and a small proportion of cases will fall outside these ranges; the actual cost to you will depend on a number of factors, which we will discuss with you if you decide to instruct us.
The charges are based on our average hourly charging rate of between £165 + VAT at 20% to £288 + VAT at 20% per hour.
Always remember that you are liable to pay all the legal costs and expenses to us first and you will then be credited with whatever can be recovered from the debtor. With claims for under £10,000, very little of the legal costs and expenses you incur is likely to be recoverable.
For more information, please contact Rebecca Garrould in Colin Adamson's team by emailing regarrould@cozens-hardy.com or calling 01603 724694.
Disbursements
Court Issue Fee
| Description | Fee |
| Money claim up to but not exceeding £300 | £35.00 |
| Exceeds £300 but does not exceed £500 | £50.00 |
| Exceeds £500 but does not exceed £1,000 | £70.00 |
| Exceeds £1,000 but does not exceed £1,500 | £80.00 |
| Exceeds £1,500 but does not exceed £3,000 | £115.00 |
| Exceeds £3,000 but does not exceed £5,000 | £205.00 |
| Exceeds £5,000 but does not exceed £10,000 | £455.00 |
| Exceeds £10,000 but does not exceed £200,000 | 5% of the value of the claim |
| Exceeds £200,000 | £10,000 |
Hearing Fee
| Description | Fee |
| Small claims case (does not exceed £300) | £27.00 |
| Small claims case (exceeds £300 but not £500) | £59.00 |
| Small claims case (exceeds £500 but not £1,000) | £85.00 |
| Small claims case (exceeds £1,000 but not £1,500) | £123.00 |
| Small claims case (exceeds £1,500 but not £3,000) | £181.00 |
| Small claims case (exceeds £3,000) | £346.00 |
| Fast-track case | £545.00 |
| Multi-track case | £1,175.00 |
Enforcement Fee
| Description | Fee |
| Issue of warrant of control against goods | £83.00 |
| Application to require judgment debtor to attend court | £59.00 |
| Application for a third-party debt order | £119.00 |
| Application for a charging order | £119.00 |
| Application for a judgement summons | £119.00 |
| Issue of a warrant of possession/warrant of delivery | £130.00 |
| Application for an attachment of earnings order | £119.00 |
Download the disbursements guide as a PDF below: