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Debt Collection London:
Collecting your claim in England
Are you doing business in the United Kingdom and have a debtor in London who isn’t paying an invoice? Collection Company specializes in international debt recovery and has an extensive network of lawyers and attorneys in London.
Whether you have a customer in London who isn’t paying an invoice, are entitled to damages, or are involved in a prolonged business dispute, with our well-thought-out debt collection strategy our team of expert debt collectors can recover any claim for you, regardless of its difficulty or amount.
- Nationwide coverage in the United Kingdom
- One dedicated English speaking contact
- Proven track record
- Tailor-made services for each case
- Expert advice and a transparent process
- 24/7 online access
Specialized in Debt Collection in England
Recovering debt is always a hassle, especially when your debtor is located abroad. It’s more challenging to contact the delinquent payer and you also have to comply with the rules and regulations of the country where your debtor is based.
What makes it even more complicated is that since Brexit, England is no longer part of the EU, meaning you cannot rely on European procedures such as the European Payment Order or the European Small Claims Procedure.
Fortunately, you can hire Collection Company as an external party for your debt collection in England. With our proven international debt collection strategy, we can collect even from the most stubborn debtors. In London, we also collaborate with the best lawyers and legal experts to collect your invoices.
As a client, you have a clear dedicated English-speaking contact. This debt recovery specialist coordinates the entire process and maintains contact with local experts. You can keep track of the progress 24/7 via our Online Cockpit.
Why Collection Company for your debt collection in London?
- Global coverage
- One dedicated English speaking contact
- Experienced debt collection specialists with knowledge of UK legislation
- Broad network with local lawyers and bailiffs
- Seamless connection from extrajudicial to judicial action
- Effective local approach
- 24/7 tracking through your own Online Cockpit
Debt recovery in London: Submit Your Claim Directly?
Is your company dealing with a cliënt in London who is not paying an invoice? Take immediate action. Fill in your details, and one of our highly trained debt collectors will contact you to discuss your case.
How does debt collection in London work?
For collecting claims abroad, Collection Company employs a quick and efficient collection strategy. This strategy consists roughly of two phases: an amicable (out-of-court) phase and a judicial phase. A key feature of our international debt collection procedure is that we collaborate with local specialists such as lawyers and bailiffs.
Out-of-court collection involves trying to collect your claim without court intervention. Judicial procedures are time-consuming, so we always first attempt to collect your claim out of court. In 9 out of 10 cases, this approach is successful.
However, it is important that we have the option to go to court if collecting the owed money through an amicable route fails. This way, we can increase the pressure on your debtor. If your debtor adamantly refuses to pay, we can ultimately seize assets with a court ruling.
Below, we explain what both the out-of-court phase and the judicial procedure look like in London.
- Upload your invoice online
- We'll start your case
- We'll start with the debt collection process
- Together we decide the best strategy for collecting your debts
- Monitor the status of your case 24/7
- Any questions? Your personal accountmanager will answer them all!
- Your invoice is payed
Extrajudicial Debt collection
An extrajudicial debt recovery process is the quickest and most efficient way to recover your money, especially if your debtor does not dispute the claim. During an extrajudicial or amicable collection, we send your debtor a reminder and contact them by phone, email, and WhatsApp. This immediately makes it clear that you hired collection agency. Usually, this alone is enough to prompt your debtor to pay.
If your debtor does not pay right away, we gradually increase the pressure. Over a three-week period, we contact your debtor a total of 16 times through phone calls, text messages and emails. We make it clear that we will go to court if the invoice remains unpaid.
Eventually, we send a final demand. This gives your debtor one last chance to pay the outstanding amount. If your debtor has not paid by the due date of the letter, we start a legal procedure (in England). We specify what costs will be involved for your debtor.
During the amicable collection, all correspondence is conducted in our name. We write to your debtor in London (if relevant) in English. This way, we increase the chances of a quick payment. In most cases, an amicable debt collection is sufficient to receive payment.
Legal procedures
If the debtor fails to pay, we can take legal action to make your debtor pay.
What the judicial procedure looks like depends on the amount of the claim in England. There are three separate tracks we can use to issue legal proceedings, depending on the claimed amount (and the complexity of the case).
When we file your case, we must complete a questionnaire that asks, among other things, the amount in dispute. Based on this questionnaire a judge will determine what track will be followed and which court will hear the case.
Once the court has established the directions, all parties will receive a Notice of Allocation. This is a confirmation specifying which court has been assigned the case and outlining the steps the parties must take next.
Small claims (up to $10,000)
Provided the case is not too complicated, small claims of less than £10,000 are handled via a so-called Small Claims Track at the Bailiff’s Court. Cases in the Small Claims Track are processed in an informal and accessible manner, and an attorney is not required. The judge often tries to mediate and encourages the parties to find a solution to the conflict themselves. This small claims procedure can be followed for all civil claims, such as unpaid invoices, undelivered goods, or rental disputes.
Fast Track Procedure ($10,000 to $25,000)
Claims over £10,000 and under £25,000 are generally handled through a Fast Track Procedure at one of the County Courts in London. This is an expedited process for claims that are not overly complex.
When assigning the track, the judge assesses whether the procedure can be completed within approximately 30 weeks, whether written witness statements are sufficient, and whether more than one hearing is necessary. If these conditions are met, the case can proceed via a Fast Track Procedure.
If, during the process, it becomes evident that the case is more complicated than initially thought and will require more time, the judge can refer the case to a Multi Track Procedure.
An attorney is not required during a Fast Track Procedure, but it is advisable to seek legal assistance. The process is more formal and complicated than a Small Claims Procedure.
Claims over £25,000
Claims over £25,000 and cases too complicated for a Fast Track Procedure are handled via a Multi Track Procedure. During this process, all aspects of the case are thoroughly examined, and the judge investigates the matter in depth. As a result, a Multi Track Procedure takes more time.
A Multi Track Procedure can be assigned to either a County Court or the High Court in Westminster. There is no standard pathway for a Multi Track Procedure. Based on the complexity of the case, the judge informs the parties of what is expected of them.
During a Multi Track Procedure, there is no limit to the number of hearings, and there is no time limit. This allows ample opportunity for the parties to call witnesses, for example.
After one of the civil procedures, both parties can appeal to a higher court if they disagree with the judgment.
How does the collection procedure work in London?
- We usually start the debt collection process with an amicable phase. During this stage, we try to persuade your debtor to pay without involving the court. We do this by sending a reminder and contacting your debtor up to 16 times over three weeks, if necessary.
- If payment is not made, we send your debtor a final notice. This informs your debtor that we will initiate a legal procedure if the owed amount is not received by the specified due date.
- As the creditor, you ultimately decide whether to proceed with the legal process. With a court judgment in London, we can eventually seize assets from your debtor.
Arbitration
In the business world, it is not uncommon to resolve conflicts through arbitration. This way, lengthy legal procedures are avoided, and all parties quickly know where they stand.
Arbitration is an alternative to a lawsuit, where a neutral arbitrator (or multiple arbitrators) assesses the case instead of a judge and makes a ruling. The arbitrators are usually experts.
Arbitration is thus a form of alternative dispute resolution. An arbitration ruling is binding. After an arbitration procedure, it is no longer possible to initiate a judicial procedure with a government court.
The advantage of an arbitration case is that it can generally take place much faster. Moreover, the case often takes less time. There is also often no possibility of appeal, and it can be agreed to handle the case confidentially (a regular court case is typically public).
To resolve a business conflict through arbitration, both parties must agree to it. It is also possible to stipulate this in advance, for example, by including it in the general or delivery conditions.
Debt enforcement procedures
Has the court ordered your debtor to pay the outstanding debt, but they still haven’t complied with the payment? Or have you won the arbitration case, but the opposing party still hasn’t paid you? Then it is possible to seize assets from your debtor.
For this, we need to ask the court to enforce your claim. Based on a court judgment or an arbitration award, the court will appoint a bailiff to collect your money.
For claims between £600 and £5000, we can submit the request to both the lower court and the high court. For amounts over £5000, it can only be submitted to the high court. For amounts under £600, it is possible to submit the request for debt collection online.
It is also possible to first request the court to require the opposing party to disclose their income (or the company’s finances). This way, we can find out where we can seize assets.
Once the bailiff is instructed to collect the claim, your debtor has 7 days to pay the owed amount. If this does not happen, the bailiff can seize assets, for example, by withholding it from the debtor’s salary or other income. It is also possible to seize real estate.
Interim remedies
To prevent your debtor from disposing of money or assets before the judge has made a decision, it is possible to take temporary protective measures (interim measures) prior to the legal procedure.
For instance, we can request the court to freeze bank accounts. Both the district court and the supreme court can impose such temporary measures. Generally, the judge will more readily grant a request for prejudgment attachment if the claim is substantial.
Insolvency proceedings in the United Kingdom
It often happens that a debtor acknowledges owing you money but claims they cannot pay. Our experience shows that this is often an excuse to avoid payment. Frequently, the opposing party tries to reach a settlement where you waive part of the debt. This is unnecessary.
If your debtor owes you more than $5,000, you are legally entitled to file for their bankruptcy. One of the following two conditions must be met for this:
- You have officially served your debtor with a statutory demand, giving them an additional 21 days to pay the outstanding debt.
- You have filed for enforcement in court.
A bankruptcy petition is an effective pressure tool to get your debtor to pay. No one wants to go bankrupt or have a failing business, so there is a good chance your debtor will do everything possible to avoid bankruptcy. This can be achieved by paying the outstanding amount. If the debtor pays, we can withdraw the bankruptcy petition.
If your debtor truly lacks the funds to pay you and they go bankrupt, a trustee will be appointed to liquidate all their assets. The proceeds from this will be used to pay off as many outstanding debts as possible.
More information?
Would you like to learn more about filing for bankruptcy of your debtor in London? Enter your details and one of our expert debt collectors will contact you.
Legal fields
As an experienced debt collection agency we specialize in international debt collection. We collect claims across various legal fields. We assist businesses that struggle to get their invoices paid, and we also collect damages, manage rental collections, and mediate in business disputes.
As an international debt collection agency, we conduct debt recovery services in the following legal areas, among others:
- Construction law
- Leasing and rentals
- Buying and selling
- Employment law
- Agency agreements
- Transportation
- Damages and wrongful acts
We work directly for creditors (private individuals and commercial clients) as well as intermediaries such as law firms and accounting firms.
Other debt collection services
- Advice on contracts and terms
- Credit information about companies in London
- Mediation in disputes including Retention of title and right of complaint
- Facilitating private agreements and settlements
Submit your debt collection case
You can submit your claim directly to us via our debt collection registration form. Would you like to consult with a collection specialist first? Leave your details or call us at 070 – 762 0330.
Free advice on debt collection in London?
Submit your personal information and plan your free consult.
FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions about debt collection in London
FAQ: What do we need for a debt collection in London?
If you want to submit your claim to us, we would like to receive as many documents as possible that support your claim. Think of signed agreements, contracts, invoices, payment reminders, and statements or credit notes.
We know from experience that the file is not always complete initially. That is not a problem. Even if certain documents are missing, you can still submit your claim to us. Our international debt collection specialist will contact you to discuss how we can substantiate your claim.
If you have them, we would like to receive the following documents:
- A copy of the agreement
- Email correspondence confirming what has been agreed upon
- A fax confirmation
- Your summary of what has been agreed upon
- Invoices
- Reminders
- A copy of your terms and conditions
- Possibly proof of delivery
FAQ: Can I request a European Payment Order for a claim in London?
Since the United Kingdom left the European Union, it is no longer possible to use European procedures such as the European Payment Order (EPO) and the European Small Claims Procedure to collect debts from a debtor in London.
If such a procedure was started before December 21, 2020, it can still be completed.
FAQ: Do you need a solicitor for debt collection in England?
In England, it is not mandatory to hire a lawyer (solicitor or barrister). However, it is advisable to seek legal assistance, especially in Fast track and Multiple track procedures. These processes involve strict procedures that must be followed. Mistakes in filing your claim or during the procedure can result in the judge rejecting your claim.
Collection Company works with the best legal experts and attorneys in London. If your case requires it, we will engage them.
The Small claims procedure is a more accessible process, making it usually unnecessary to hire a lawyer.
FAQ: How much does it cost to start legal proceedings in London?
The cost of legal proceedings in England is determined by the amount of the claim. For example, a legal procedure for claims up to £300 currently costs £35. Initiating a lawsuit for claims between £1,000 and £1,500 costs £80. For claims between £10,001 and £200,000, 5% of the claim is charged as court fees. For claims above £200,000, a fixed amount of £10,000 in court fees applies.
Additionally, as a debtor, you incur costs for legal assistance, serving court documents, and bailiff fees for enforcement. These costs are typically initially paid by the creditor.
In principle, the losing party is ordered to pay the court fees and the legal costs incurred by the other party. Parties are required to try to keep costs as low as possible.
FAQ: Why not hire a debt collection agency in London?
Most local debt collection agencies only handle the out-of-court process. For legal proceedings, you will then need to hire a lawyer yourself.
At Collection Company, we can take care of the entire collection process for you, from the amicable phase to legal proceedings and seizure. Thanks to this effective international collection strategy, we can collect your claim quickly and efficiently, while you have little to worry about.
Why 40.000 customers tried our services
- The #1 collection company in the Netherlands and abroad
- Regional & local specialists
- Years of experience with international invoices
- Your own personal contact
- Extensive advice on the legal process
- Monitor the status of your case 24/7
Meet our specialized legal team
Joost Konings LLMLaw expert- May Leung LLMLaw expert
- Wesley Boeters LLMInterim lawyer
