Debt Recovery – Range of Fixed Fees

Our Dispute Resolution team have extensive experience in advising upon all aspects of debt recovery.  When advising in relation to any form of dispute, where appropriate, we will seek to find an early and cost-efficient resolution.  If it is not possible to achieve early settlement, our lawyers have significant experience bringing and defending proceedings in the County and High Court.

The Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) launched new Transparency Rules in December 2018 with the aim to ensure that people have accurate and relevant information about a solicitor or firm whey they are considering purchasing legal services to assist consumers and business to make informed choices.  More information about the Transparency Rules can be found on the SRA website.

Each case is different.  Please email us or call 01202 525 333 and we will give you an estimate or fixed fee based on the circumstances of your individual case.

Our Charges, Key Stages and Services Provided

These costs below apply where your claim is in relation to an unpaid invoice which is 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 if necessary, which could be on a fixed fee (e.g. if a one off letter is required), or an hourly rate if more extensive work is needed.  Where appropriate, we seek to agree a fixed fee at the outset of the matter.  Below we have set out a guide to likely costs based upon the value of the debt.  In the event that a matter became more complicated than initially anticipated we would charge additional fees on a time spent basis of £175 plus VAT* per hour.

*Please note we will charge VAT on top of our costs for the work we carry out for you.  VAT is currently charged at 20%

Debt value Court fee Our fee (incl. VAT) Total
Up to £5,000 £35 (minimum)

£205 (maximum)

£350 (excluding VAT*)

The total fee above is made up as follows:-

£50 plus VAT* to draft a Letter Before Action

£150 plus VAT* to draft the Claim Form & Particulars of Claim and issue at Court

£50* to request Judgment be entered by the Court

£50* to write to the other side to request payment of the Judgment debt

£50* to advise the client on next steps regarding enforcement

£555 plus VAT*
£5,001 – £10,000 £455 (max) £700 (excluding VAT*)

The total fee above is made up as follows:-

£150 (excluding VAT*) to draft a Letter Before Action

£250 (excluding VAT*)to draft the Claim Form & Particulars of Claim and issue at Court

£100 (excluding VAT*) to request Judgment be entered by the Court

£100 (excluding VAT*) to write to the other side to request payment of the Judgment debt

£100 (excluding VAT*) to advise the client on next steps regarding enforcement

£1,155 plus VAT*
£10,001 – £50,000 5% value of the claim

(£2,500 max)

£1,050  (excluding VAT*)

The total fee above is made up as follows:-

£500  (excluding VAT*)to draft a Letter Before Action

£600  (excluding VAT*) to draft the Claim Form & Particulars of Claim and issue at Court

£100 (excluding VAT*)to request Judgment be entered by the Court

£150 (excluding VAT*) to write to the other side to request payment of the Judgment debt

£150  (excluding VAT*) to advise the client on next steps regarding enforcement

£4,000 plus VAT  (excluding VAT*)

 

*Please note we will charge VAT on top of our costs for the work we carry out for you.  VAT is currently charged at 20%.

Our charges includes:

  • Taking your instructions and reviewing documentation.
  • Undertaking appropriate searches.
  • Sending a letter before action.
  • Receiving payment and sending onto you, or if the debt is not paid, drafting and issuing claim.
  • Where no Acknowledgment of Service or Defence is received, applying to the court to enter Judgement in default.
  • When Judgement in default in received, write to the other side to request payment.
  • If payment is not received within X days, providing you with advice on next steps and likely costs.

Factors that could make a claim more complicated

Anyone wishing to proceed with a claim should note that:

  • The VAT element of our fee cannot be reclaimed from your debtor.
  • Interest and compensation may take the debt into a higher banding, with a higher cost.
  • The costs quoted above are not for matters where enforcement action, such as the bailiff, is needed to collect your debt.
  • If the matter becomes contested at any point will increase our charges, which we will discuss with you.

How long will my matter take?

Matters usually take 8 – 12 weeks from receipt of instructions from you to receipt of payment from the other side, depending on whether or not it is necessary to issue a claim. This is on the basis that the other side pays promptly on receipt of Judgement in default. If enforcement action is needed, the matter will take longer to resolve.

If you would like to discuss a debt recovery matter please contact the team, you can email us or call 01202 525 333.

Anti-Money Laundering 

To comply with anti-money laundering and counter terrorist financing requirements, we are required to ask you for proof of your identity and will conduct searches or enquiries for this purpose. Alongside this we may require details on source of funds.

To make this process easier for you we will use our third-party digital ID checking service provided by InfoTrack. We will charge you for undertaking these identification and verification checks as a cost. We do not make a profit on these checks. The cost of the check is £9.17 plus VAT per individual being checked and £4 plus VAT for Verification of funds if required.

Here to help

Our specialist teams can provide full service legal advice and assistance, providing practical and cost-effective solutions.

Our offices

Bournemouth
302 Charminster Road Bournemouth Dorset BH8 9RU
01202 525333 Contact
London
Office 320 107 – 111 Fleet Street London EC4A 2AB
02039 784720 Contact
Poole
14a Haven RoadCanford Cliffs, Poole Dorset BH13 7LP
01202 709898 Contact
Ringwood
Monmouth Court Southampton Road, Ringwood Hampshire BH24 1HE
01425 484848 Contact
Swanage
55 High Street Swanage Dorset BH19 2LT
01929 422233 Contact
Wimborne
39a East Street Wimborne Dorset BH21 1DX
01202 057676 Contact