This guide sets out our charges and the court fees payable in respect of the recovery of debts of up to £100,000. It is assumed that the debtor is based in England and Wales.

We will always endeavour to charge competitive legal fees. For our debt recovery work, these are usually calculated on an hourly basis. However, we may agree on a fixed fee upon assessment of your case.

Our hourly rates are as follows: -

We will provide you with an overall fee estimate at the start of your matter and shall aim to keep you updated throughout.       

Not sure whether to pursue a claim?

We can offer an initial consultation at a fixed fee of £150.00 plus VAT to advise you on your situation. You are under no obligation to instruct us any further after the appointment.

Undisputed debt recovery claims

Statutory demand for debts owed by companies/individuals

In certain circumstances, it may be appropriate to draft and serve a statutory demand claiming payment of an undisputed debt.  Our fees for doing this will be in the region of £600 plus VAT.  We can discuss this method (and the costs and disbursements involved) in further detail during our initial consultation.

 If County Court proceedings are required and the claim is not disputed, our fees for debt recovery claims up to £100,000 would typically be between £1,500 to £4,000 plus VAT.

Our fees include:

• Opening a file, taking your instructions and reviewing documentation;
• Undertaking an investigation/searches if appropriate;
• Sending a letter of claim;
• Receiving payment and sending on to you, or if the debt is not paid, drafting and issuing a claim
• Where no Acknowledgment of Service or Defence is received, applying to the Court to enter Judgment in Default;
• When Judgement in default is received, requesting payment from Defendant
• If payment is not received, providing you with advice on next steps (enforcement) and likely costs.

Our fees do not include disbursements which are found further down this page. The likely disbursements payable would be the appropriate Court fee, electronic ID check fees, trace fees and pre-litigation reports.

The costs quoted are not for matters where enforcement action, such as the bailiff, is needed to collect your debt.

The fixed costs regime applies to debt recovery claims under £100,000 including where you obtain a Judgment in Default. If you obtain a judgment in default, you will usually be responsible for most of your own legal costs.

Matters usually take 2-6 months 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.

Disputed debt recovery claims

Disputed debt recovery claims up to £10,000 (small claims track)

The fixed costs regime applies to the small claims track. In a small claims matter, legal fees other than fixed costs are generally not recoverable from the other party. This means that you will usually be responsible for most of your own legal costs whatever the outcome of the Court action.

The fixed costs in the small claims track are normally limited to fixed costs to issue the claim (nominal sum), loss of earnings/travel costs, experts fees and Court fees.

Our fees for disputed debt recovery claims up to £10,000 are typically in the region of £4,000 - £5,000 plus VAT. Please contact us for a tailored quote.

Disputed debt recovery small claims can take up to 6-12 months to resolve under the small claims track.

Our fees include:

• Opening a file, taking your instructions and reviewing documentation;
• Undertaking an investigation/searches if appropriate;
• Sending a letter of claim;
• Drafting and issuing a formal claim;
• Disclosure of documents;
• Preparation of up to 2 witness statements and review of opposing witness statement(s);
• Trial preparation and briefing Counsel.

Counsel’s fees for representing you at a small claim hearing: varies but likely in the region of £750.00 – £2,500.00 plus VAT

What is not included in our fees

• Disbursements which are found further down this page
• Travel costs (if required)
• Costs recovery and enforcement action
• Advising or assisting in relation to any counterclaim, any appeal, any interim application or ADR.

Disputed debt recovery claims above £10,000 and up to £100,000

Recovering debts between £10,000 to £25,000 (Fast Track): our fees are typically in the region of £5,000 to £15,000 plus VAT.

Recovering debts of more than £25,000 and up to £100,000 (new Intermediate Track): our fees are typically in the region of £12,000 to £50,000 plus VAT.

Please contact us for a tailored quote.

In cases where the value of the claim is above £10,000 and under £100,000, it is possible for a successful party to recover some of its legal costs from the other side. You are unlikely to recover 100% of your legal costs as a fixed costs regime applies to these tracks.

Disputed claims (depending on the complexity) can take between 1-3 years to resolve.

Our fees include:

• Opening a file, taking your instructions and reviewing documentation;
• Undertaking an investigation/searches if appropriate;
• Sending a letter of claim;
• Drafting and issuing a formal claim;
• Dealing with case management matters (directions questionnaire, proposed directions);
• Complying with Court directions such as disclosure, expert evidence, preparation of witness statements and consideration of opposing witness statements, pre-trial review;
• Trial preparation (including bundle preparation and briefing Counsel).

What is not included in our legal fees

• Disbursements which are found further down this page
• travel costs and accommodation (if required)
• Costs recovery and enforcement action
• Advising or assisting in relation to any counterclaim, any appeal, any interim application or ADR.

Recovering debts of more than £100,000- please contact us for a tailored quote.  

Disbursements payable in addition to our fees

Disbursements are costs related to your matter that are payable to third parties, such as Court fees.

Should it become necessary to issue proceedings for recovery of a debt, the following Court fees will apply:

In addition to Court issue fees, these additional disbursements may be payable:

• Interim application Court fees
• Counsel’s fees
• Expert’s fees
• Witness summons fees
• Process server
• ID checks
• Pre-litigation checks
• Trace fees
• Transcription services

Any disbursements will be discussed with you before they are incurred so that you may approve the expenditure.