Chasing payment advice

Hi,

in a nutshell, first of all you need to write to them enclosing a copy of the outstanding invoice(s). You need to be firm and say that payment is overdue and if you do not receive payment within x (say 5 working days) then you will be forced to commence legal proceedings to recover the money. Send this letter Special Delivery.

After the 5 days are up, you need to write again this time informing them that since payment has not been received you will now be commencing legal action and that you will be also be seeking to recover costs. To avoid this action, payment must be received within 48 hours. You can also add interest as per the late charges

If they still haven't paid, unfortunately you must now commence legal proceedings. Depending upon the amount owed to you, you can file a claim at the Small Claims Court online.

If they don't pay they will end up with a CCJ and you can ask bailiffs to recover the money. Unfortunately this doesn't always work and you may not get your money back. You could also ask for the company to be wound up but you will incur additional costs for this.

PM me if you want example letters to send.

Some further reading..

Hi everyone

Just to remind you all there are some guides on this in our Running Your Business section, such as:

- general guidance on credit control

- How to get paid when freelancing

- Step-by-step guide to collecting payment, and

- one freelancer's experience of using a reputable debt collection agency

If you are a Freelance Alliance member you do get privileged rates for using Credit Safe.

Hope that helps.

Well as rss stated you can begin legal proceedings to recover this amount, but before you commit you may want to consider the possible pitfalls involved. This company as dis-organised as they are, will probably be most adept at defending legal proceedings.


1. Speed.

Undefended small claims actions can be fast tracked in approximately 8 weeks, however should your client decide to lodge a defence the option to fast track will be denied to you & you must be prepared to spend longer in dealing with the courts than you did on the original work.

2. Cost

Again should no defence be issued all of your costs are recoverable from the debtor, but as stated before if they lodge a defence spurious or otherwise your costs will sky rocket (think £100 per hour solicitors fee's) & these will not be recoverable from the debtor even if you are successful in your claim (see small claims limits on the web).

3. Success

Ask yourself, do you have everything you need to assure your success in this matter? Are all of your time/job sheets signed off? Do you still have copies of the confusing briefs & correspondence to clarify the confusion. They have already blocked your emails & ignore your calls will a small claims suit actually deliver the result you need?

Perhaps you need to look at different options before you commit yourself to her majesties courts...

Edit: Thanks admin for the shameless plug 😉 Will join in...
Creditsafe Ltd on the web:
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Creditsafe Ltd review by this Freelancer:

Thanks for the replies chaps, a lot of useful information here. Good lord I hope the one politely threatening letter will do the trick. I'll post my progress.