Chasing customers, clients, companies and anyone else who owes money can be time consuming, infuriating and damaging to cash flow. Seeking specialist assistance to recover debts can be a cost-effective way to make this process much easier and faster. If you manage a dispute worth over £250,000, our experts litigation solicitors can help.
Our debt recovery team understands the importance of balancing the impact of bad debts against the cost of recovery. A well-drafted solicitors letter demanding payment is often all that is required to trigger prompt payment, but where more robust action is needed, our team is highly experienced with the full range of legal options, including court proceedings.
Saunders Law is a partner-led, niche litigation practice based in Central London assisting personal and business clients with all aspects of debt recovery, including:
- Pre-action debt collection
- County Court debt proceedings
- High Court debt enforcement
- Winding-up Orders
- Bankruptcy Orders
- High-value debts of over £250,000
We attract enquiries from all over the world due to our reputation, but we can only act for you or your organisation if we both agree we are the right law firm for you. Our team specialises in high vale debt recovery and cannot cost-effectively deal with debts below £100,000.
Our expertise includes international debt recovery, with our team having recently taken action on behalf of creditors of an insolvent company chasing debts of many millions both in Europe and beyond.
Find out more about the firm, its teams and its typical work by taking a look at our clients.
Speak to our debt recovery solicitors in London
For expert assistance with recovering personal or business debts, contact Saunders Law today for a free, no obligation initial discussion of how we may be able to help.
Call us on 02076324300 or make an enquiry online.
Why Saunders Law is the smart choice for personal and business debt recovery
More than 40 years’ experience
At Saunders Law, our partner-led team of dedicated debt recovery solicitors has over 40 years of knowledge and experience. This makes us perfectly equipped to offer straightforward, commercially sound and practical legal advice on recovering personal and commercial debts.
Independently recognised expertise
Our team has been independently recognised for our market-leading litigation expertise with strong rankings in highly respected client guides the Legal 500 and Chambers & Partners.
Tailored approach to recover debts cost-effectively
We plan our approach around our clients’ circumstances and priorities. With strong skills in negotiating out-of-court settlements and exceptional experience with court litigation, our debt recovery solicitors ensure the cost of recovering our clients’ debt always stays proportionate to its value.
Exceptional personal service & client satisfaction
We pride ourselves on providing an exceptional service. Our clients will always receive a call back the same day following an enquiry and can always speak to one of our partners when required. As a result, we consistently achieve excellent feedback from clients.
Examples of our successful debt recovery work
Recent work includes:
- Litigating a six-figure debt between a finance professional and a private individual investor, against a backdrop of fraud
- Recovering debts across the globe for a global commercial organisation
- Negotiating a settlement before court proceedings, in a complex debt claim, whilst preserving the commercial relationship between two companies
- Advising an international cosmetic distribution agency in relation to managing its debts
How our team recover debts for individuals and businesses
Pre-action debt collection
The first step in our debt recovery process will be to send a letter before action (sometimes called a ‘letter of claim’). This will clearly set out the amount owed, the reason for the debt and the date by which payment is required to avoid further action.
For straightforward debt recovery cases, a letter before action will usually be all that is needed to secure payment, allowing the matter to be resolved swiftly and at a relatively low cost. Our team are highly experienced in drafting these letters and dealing with any follow-up correspondence.
Without prejudice negotiations
Where the debtor disputes the amount owed or states that they are unable or unwilling to make full payment immediately, it can be beneficial to enter into negotiations on a ‘without prejudice basis’. This means anything disclosed or any concessions made during the negotiations cannot be used in any subsequent claim if a satisfactory outcome cannot be agreed.
Our debt recovery solicitors can advise and represent you during without prejudice negotiations, helping to consider options such as part payment or a suitable payment plan. We will always provide realistic guidance on whether any settlement offered is sensible and whether pursuing further action is likely to be cost effective.
Alternative Dispute Resolution for debt recovery
Where a settlement cannot be agreed through straightforward negotiation, but the parties still wish to avoid court proceedings, there are other options which can be highly effective.
These options include commercial mediation and arbitration, which can be much faster, less costly and less acrimonious than pursuing a debt through the courts. This can also allow both parties to keep the matter private.
Our commercial litigation team is highly skilled in Alternative Dispute Resolution, so can provide expert assistance with using this approach to recover business and personal debts.
Find out more about our Alternative Dispute Resolution services.
County Court debt proceedings
Where full payment or a suitable settlement cannot be secured, or the debtor simply refuses to engage, it may be necessary to pursue court proceedings. Applying for a County Court Judgement (CCJ) can act as a very strong incentive for debtors to make payment, as well as opening up a number of enforcement options should payment not be forthcoming.
Our debt recovery solicitors can provide seasoned advice, including our opinion on the chances of success and whether court action is likely to be cost-effective. We have very strong court experience and an excellent success rate with court proceedings, so can expertly guide clients through every stage of taking a debt to court.
High Court debt enforcement
Where a County Court Judgement has been issued against a debtor and they still do not make payment, there are various enforcement options available. These include:
Bailiff action – A county court or the High Court can authorise a bailiff to recover the debt. They will be empowered to contact the debtor in writing and by phone to negotiate payment and to enter the debtor’s home or business premises where necessary to take assets to cover the debt.
Charging Order – A Charging Order can be applied for against the debtor’s property, such as their home or business premises. This means that, should the debtor ever sell their property, they must repay the debt from the proceeds. It also means the party to whom the debt is owed will be treated as a ‘priority creditor’ if the debtor ever becomes insolvent, making recovery of the debt more likely.
Order for Sale – Once a Charging Order is in place, it may be possible to apply for an Order for Sale depending on the circumstances. If granted, this Order will force the debtor to sell their property and repay the debt.
Third Party Debt Order – If granted by a court, this type of Order can be used to freeze the debtor’s assets and allow the creditor to recover the debts either directly from the debtor or from their bank accounts.
Our debt recovery solicitors can advise on which of these options are appropriate and make the necessary applications, as well as dealing with any correspondence with the court and the debtor as required.
Winding-up Orders & Bankruptcy Orders
Where a debtor has become insolvent, it may still be possible to recover some or all of the monies owed depending on the circumstances.
The first step is to issue a Statutory Demand for payment. If payment is not received, an application can be made to a court for a Bankruptcy Order (where the debtor is an individual) or a Winding-up Order (where the debtor is a business).
The debt can then be pursued with the Insolvency Practitioner or Official Receiver, allowing some or all of the money owed to be paid out of the assets of the individual or business that owes the debt.
Our debt recovery solicitors regularly assist clients in pursuing debts where the debtor has become insolvent, help to apply for Bankruptcy Orders and Winding Up Orders and dealing with Insolvency Practitioners and the Official Receiver as required.
Arrange an initial, no obligation consultation with our debt recovery solicitors in London.
Call us on 020 7632 4300 or make an enquiry online.