Chasing money is draining. You have sent reminders. You have made phone calls. Still, the invoice sits unpaid or the refund never arrives.
Our letter before action and debt recovery services in the UK give you a solicitor-prepared letter that sets out what is owed, why, and what happens next. In fact, many debtors pay as soon as they receive a formal letter, because it shows you are ready to issue a claim.
Moreover, in England and Wales the courts expect you to follow pre-action conduct before suing. A proper letter before action is therefore not just persuasive — it protects your position on costs if the case goes to court.
What a letter before action does
A Letter Before Claim / Letter Before Action is a formal notice that you intend to issue court proceedings unless the matter is resolved. It sets out the facts, the amount, the legal basis and a deadline to respond.
For debts owed by individuals, including sole traders, the Pre-Action Protocol for Debt Claims applies in England and Wales. It generally requires a reply form and information sheet, and usually 30 days to respond. Our Debt Recovery Letter follows it correctly.
Consequently, if the debtor ignores the letter, you can proceed knowing the court will see you acted properly.
From letter to small claims
If payment does not arrive, the next step is usually a claim. In England and Wales, most claims up to £10,000 are allocated to the small claims track. Scotland uses simple procedure, and Northern Ireland has its own small claims court, each with different limits.
Our Small Claims Document Pack covers the letter before claim, particulars of claim, evidence and witness templates, and a hearing checklist. Additionally, it explains how to issue online through Money Claims where appropriate.
For example, a business owed £3,500 for completed work in Manchester would send a letter before action, then issue a small claim if unpaid. The hearing, if needed, might be at the Manchester Civil Justice Centre. As a result, the path from invoice to judgment is clear.
Consumer claims and refunds
The Consumer Rights Act 2015 gives you strong rights when goods are faulty or services are poorly performed. For instance, you can usually reject faulty goods within 30 days for a full refund.
A Consumer Complaint Letter sets out those rights formally. Similarly, a Refund Demand Letter demands money you are owed, and a Compensation Demand Letter claims for losses caused by poor service.
If a builder left a job unfinished or defective, a Contractor / Builder Dispute Letter records the problems and demands a remedy. Therefore, you have a written record if the dispute escalates.
Invoices and contract disputes
Businesses face unpaid invoices every day. A Payment Demand Letter demands a specific sum with a firm deadline. Moreover, the Late Payment of Commercial Debts (Interest) Act 1998 often lets businesses claim statutory interest and fixed compensation on late business-to-business invoices.
If you receive an invoice you believe is wrong, an Invoice Dispute Letter sets out your objection. Likewise, a Breach of Contract Letter notifies the other side of a breach and the remedy you require.
Consequently, both sides of a commercial dispute can put their position in writing early.
How it works
Choose your service and package, answer a short questionnaire, and upload invoices, contracts, emails or photos. A qualified solicitor prepares your letter, usually within one to three working days.
You receive it in Word and PDF, with guidance on sending it — for example, by Royal Mail Signed For. Additionally, you can message your solicitor from your dashboard at any time. If the letter is ignored, we can prepare the court papers next. As a result, you move quickly from "they owe me" to "I've been paid".
Your debt recovery checklist
Start with the paperwork. Find the contract or order. Gather invoices and reminders.
Next, confirm the debtor's details. Is it a person or a company? Use the correct legal name.
Then, send a letter before action. Give a clear deadline. Keep proof of sending.
If they still do not pay, issue a claim. As a result, you give yourself the best chance of getting paid.
Stay polite in every message. Judges read them. Keep a log of calls. Note promises to pay. Record part payments. Each one helps your case. Moreover, it shows you acted fairly.
Be realistic too. Can the debtor pay? Check before you sue. A judgment is only useful if you can collect it. Consider a payment plan. Instalments beat nothing. Put any deal in writing. Then keep track of each payment.
Our Money & Debt Recovery services in the UK
Every service below has a fixed price, is prepared by a qualified solicitor and is delivered online — wherever you are in the UK. Additionally, you can upload evidence, message your solicitor and track progress from your secure client dashboard.
Letter Before Claim / Letter Before Action in the UK
A formal pre-action letter that sets out what is owed, why, and the deadline to pay before court proceedings are issued — compliant with the Practice Direction on Pre-Action Conduct.
It includes pre-action compliant letter, correct response deadline (14 or 30 days), statement of intended court action. Moreover, it is usually ready in 2 working days. Express delivery is also available. As a result, you can act before deadlines pass.
Order Letter Before Claim / Letter Before Action — from £29 See what's included →
Small Claims Document Pack in the UK
Everything you need to get a small claim court-ready: letter before claim, particulars of claim, evidence and witness templates and a hearing checklist.
It includes letter Before Claim, particulars of Claim preparation, evidence checklist. Moreover, it is usually ready in 5 working days. Express delivery is also available. As a result, you can act before deadlines pass.
Order Small Claims Document Pack — from £49 See what's included →
Debt Recovery Letter in the UK
Chase unpaid invoices and personal loans with a firm letter that follows the Pre-Action Protocol for Debt Claims, including the reply form and information sheet where required.
Moreover, it is usually ready in 2 working days. Express delivery is also available. As a result, you can act before deadlines pass.
Payment Demand Letter in the UK
A formal demand for payment of a specific sum with a clear deadline and consequences of non-payment.
Moreover, it is usually ready in 2 working days. Express delivery is also available. As a result, you can act before deadlines pass.
Order Payment Demand Letter — from £29 See what's included →
Breach of Contract Letter in the UK
Notify the other party of a breach, the terms breached, the loss caused and the remedy you require.
Moreover, it is usually ready in 3 working days. Express delivery is also available. As a result, you can act before deadlines pass.
Order Breach of Contract Letter — from £39 See what's included →
Compensation Demand Letter in the UK
Claim compensation for loss, damage or poor service with a reasoned calculation of your losses.
Moreover, it is usually ready in 3 working days. Express delivery is also available. As a result, you can act before deadlines pass.
Order Compensation Demand Letter — from £39 See what's included →
Consumer Complaint Letter in the UK
Assert your rights under the Consumer Rights Act 2015 for faulty goods, digital content or poor services.
Moreover, it is usually ready in 2 working days. Express delivery is also available. As a result, you can act before deadlines pass.
Order Consumer Complaint Letter — from £19 See what's included →
Money & Debt Recovery services near you — every region we cover
Because everything is handled online, it makes no difference where you live. Nevertheless, the law does change from England and Wales to Scotland and Northern Ireland, so every document is prepared for your local rules. Here are some of the places our clients come from most often.
Money & Debt Recovery help in London
We prepare money & debt recovery documents for London law and local court practice. Clients come to us from Westminster (near the Royal Courts of Justice on the Strand), City of London (near the Central London County Court at the Thomas More Building). For example, see Letter Before Claim / Letter Before Action in Westminster, Letter Before Claim / Letter Before Action in City of London, Letter Before Claim / Letter Before Action in Camden. Similarly, see Small Claims Document Pack in London.
Money & Debt Recovery help in North West
We prepare money & debt recovery documents for North West law and local court practice. Clients come to us from Manchester (near the Manchester Civil Justice Centre), Liverpool (near the Liverpool Civil and Family Court). For example, see Letter Before Claim / Letter Before Action in Manchester, Letter Before Claim / Letter Before Action in Liverpool. Similarly, see Small Claims Document Pack in North West.
Money & Debt Recovery help in West Midlands
We prepare money & debt recovery documents for West Midlands law and local court practice. Clients come to us from Birmingham (near the Birmingham Civil and Family Justice Centre). For example, see Letter Before Claim / Letter Before Action in Birmingham, Letter Before Claim / Letter Before Action in Coventry. Similarly, see Small Claims Document Pack in West Midlands.
Money & Debt Recovery help in Yorkshire and the Humber
We prepare money & debt recovery documents for Yorkshire and the Humber law and local court practice. Clients come to us from Leeds (near the Leeds Combined Court Centre). For example, see Letter Before Claim / Letter Before Action in Leeds, Letter Before Claim / Letter Before Action in Sheffield. Similarly, see Small Claims Document Pack in Yorkshire and the Humber.
Money & Debt Recovery help in South West
We prepare money & debt recovery documents for South West law and local court practice. Clients come to us from Bristol (near the Bristol Civil and Family Justice Centre). For example, see Letter Before Claim / Letter Before Action in Bristol. Similarly, see Small Claims Document Pack in South West.
Money & Debt Recovery help in North East
We prepare money & debt recovery documents for North East law and local court practice. Clients come to us from Newcastle upon Tyne (near the Newcastle Combined Court Centre). For example, see Letter Before Claim / Letter Before Action in Newcastle upon Tyne. Similarly, see Small Claims Document Pack in North East.
Money & Debt Recovery help in East Midlands
We prepare money & debt recovery documents for East Midlands law and local court practice. Clients come to us from Nottingham (near the Nottingham County Court). For example, see Letter Before Claim / Letter Before Action in Nottingham, Letter Before Claim / Letter Before Action in Leicester. Similarly, see Small Claims Document Pack in East Midlands.
Money & Debt Recovery help in Wales
We prepare money & debt recovery documents for Wales law and local court practice. Clients come to us from Cardiff (near the Cardiff Civil and Family Justice Centre). For example, see Letter Before Claim / Letter Before Action in Cardiff, Letter Before Claim / Letter Before Action in Swansea. Similarly, see Small Claims Document Pack in Wales.
Money & Debt Recovery help in Scotland
We prepare money & debt recovery documents for Scotland law and local court practice. Clients come to us from Glasgow (near the Glasgow Sheriff Court on Carlton Place), Edinburgh (near the Edinburgh Sheriff Court on Chambers Street). For example, see Letter Before Claim / Letter Before Action in Glasgow, Letter Before Claim / Letter Before Action in Edinburgh. Similarly, see Small Claims Document Pack in Scotland.
Money & Debt Recovery help in Northern Ireland
We prepare money & debt recovery documents for Northern Ireland law and local court practice. Clients come to us from Belfast (near the Laganside Courts). For example, see Letter Before Claim / Letter Before Action in Belfast. Similarly, see Small Claims Document Pack in Northern Ireland.
We also help clients in South East, East of England. See every location we cover.
Frequently asked questions
Do I have to send a letter before action before suing?
In England and Wales you are expected to follow pre-action conduct, and for most debts owed by individuals the Pre-Action Protocol for Debt Claims applies. Skipping it can lead to costs penalties.
How long should a letter before action give the debtor?
Usually 14 days for businesses and 30 days where the debt protocol applies to an individual. Your solicitor chooses the correct period.
What is the small claims limit in the UK?
In England and Wales most claims up to £10,000 go to the small claims track. Scotland and Northern Ireland have separate procedures and limits.
Can I claim interest on a late invoice?
Often, yes. Businesses can usually claim statutory interest and fixed compensation under the Late Payment Act on late business-to-business debts, unless the contract says otherwise.
Do you cover Scotland and Northern Ireland?
Yes. We prepare letters and claim documents for England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, following each jurisdiction's rules.
Contact LegalCounsel
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Related guides
This guide is general information, not legal advice for your situation. Every case is different — speak to a qualified solicitor before you act.