Is your unpaid business debt worth recovering?
Get an immediate, practical indication of whether an unpaid UK business debt may be worth pursuing. The checker highlights strengths, risks and a proportionate next step before you commit time or money.
Check your debt now
Answer nine straightforward questions. You will receive an indicative recovery score, the main strengths and risks, and a suggested next step.
No account, payment or commitment is required. Submitting the debt requests a review only and does not authorise legal or enforcement action.
Why we recommended this
Factors supporting recovery
Factors that may affect recovery
Understand your result and choose your next step
What your assessment means
Your assessment provides an indication based on the information you entered. It helps identify whether the debt appears suitable to pursue and highlights the factors most likely to influence recovery.
A free manual review allows us to consider the supporting evidence, the debtor's circumstances, any potential dispute and the most proportionate recovery approach. This may confirm the assessment or identify issues that cannot be fully evaluated by the checker.
If you request a review, we will:
- Review the information and documents you provide.
- Explain any issues that could affect recovery.
- Recommend the most appropriate recovery option and likely next steps.
- Tell you plainly if pursuing the debt is unlikely to be worthwhile.
You remain in control: requesting a review does not authorise us to contact the debtor, begin recovery action or incur costs without your approval.
What usually determines whether recovery is worthwhile?
No single factor decides the outcome. Viability depends on the combined strength of the debt, evidence, debtor position and realistic next route.
What different debt recovery viability results may mean
The interactive score is indicative. These explanations remain visible so visitors and search engines can understand the possible outcomes without completing the checker.
Stronger Recovery Position · 78–100
Clear evidence, an active and identifiable debtor, limited dispute risk and a realistic enforcement route may support prompt recovery action.
Further Review Recommended · 55–77
The debt may still be recoverable, but missing documents, debtor uncertainty, delay or a developing dispute should be checked before paid escalation.
Higher-Risk Recovery Position · 0–54
Evidence gaps, insolvency concerns, a genuine dispute or no realistic enforcement target may make formal escalation disproportionate.
Need a case-specific view?
A free review can consider the documents, debtor circumstances and dispute details that the checker cannot fully assess.
Submit the Debt for a Free ReviewProfessional commercial debt recovery, with clear safeguards
HK Commercial Debt Recovery combines commercial credit expertise with transparent terms, appropriate insurance and registered data-protection controls.
HK Commercial Debt Recovery is a trading name of HK Credit Services Ltd, Company No. 17265874, registered in England and Wales. Using this checker does not instruct recovery action.
How we assess commercial debt recoverability
The recovery score combines nine practical indicators. It distinguishes between a debt that is simply overdue and one that also appears commercially sensible to pursue.
The score is a commercial screening tool, not a legal merits test. Evidence, dispute risk, debtor activity and a realistic escalation route carry the greatest influence because weakness in any one of these areas can change whether formal action is proportionate.
Evidence and dispute risk
Clear documents, written admissions and no genuine dispute strengthen the recovery position. Missing evidence or a substantive dispute can weaken it significantly.
Debtor status and recovery target
An active, identifiable debtor with a realistic payment or enforcement target presents a stronger position than an insolvent, dissolved or untraceable debtor.
Value, age and proportionality
Debt value and age affect urgency, likely return and whether court, enforcement or insolvency costs are commercially proportionate.
What the score considers
- Whether the liability is a UK business-to-business debt and is currently due.
- The approximate balance and age of the debt.
- The quality of contracts, invoices, orders, delivery evidence and correspondence.
- Admissions, part-payments, disputes and debtor engagement.
- Trading status, solvency indicators and the realistic route if chasing fails.
What needs a case review
- The legal effect of contract terms, limitation, set-off or counterclaims.
- Whether a stated dispute is genuine, tactical or capable of resolution.
- Current company, asset, credit and insolvency information.
- The likely cost and suitability of court, enforcement or insolvency action.
- Documents or circumstances not reflected in the answers selected.
Examples of stronger and weaker recovery positions
A recent unpaid invoice supported by a purchase order, delivery evidence and written acknowledgement from an active company is likely to score more strongly, particularly where a proportionate escalation route exists.
An older balance with incomplete records, a substantive dispute and signs that the debtor has ceased trading may require investigation before any paid escalation is commercially justified.
The score is an initial screening aid, not a legal opinion, credit report or guarantee of payment. A case review may reach a different conclusion once the documents and current debtor information have been checked.
Choose the next step that fits the debt
The appropriate route depends on the evidence, any dispute, the debtor’s position, the debt value and the likely prospect of recovery.
Recovery routes
Route suitability checks
Calculators and support
Common questions about assessing an unpaid business debt
Is there any obligation when I use the debt viability checker?
No. The checker is free and completing it does not oblige you to instruct us.
Is there an upfront recovery fee?
There is no upfront fee to use the checker or submit a debt for review. Please review the pricing page for the terms that apply if you later instruct recovery work.
What debts is the checker for, and does completing it authorise action?
The checker is for UK business-to-business debts. Completing it or submitting details does not authorise recovery, court, enforcement or insolvency action.
Can the checker tell me whether I will recover the debt?
No. It provides an indicative commercial assessment based on your answers. Recovery cannot be guaranteed, and a case review may identify further legal, evidential or enforcement issues.
Can I recover an unpaid business invoice?
Potentially. Recovery prospects usually depend on whether the invoice is due, the evidence supports the balance, the debtor is correctly identified and trading, and there is a proportionate recovery route if ordinary payment requests are ignored.
How old is too old to recover a business debt?
Older debts may still be recoverable, but delay can affect evidence, debtor viability and limitation. Review the likely timescale and urgency of recovery, and obtain a case-specific review before acting on a debt that is several years old.
Can a disputed invoice still be recovered?
Yes, in some cases. The nature and credibility of the dispute must be assessed first. A genuine contractual or evidential dispute may change the appropriate route and make immediate insolvency-based action unsuitable. A carefully prepared Letter Before Action assessment may help clarify the next step.
Is court action always necessary to recover a business debt?
No. Many debts are resolved through structured contact, negotiation or a formal demand. Court action should be considered only where it is proportionate and there is a realistic prospect of obtaining and enforcing payment.
Get a clear view of your recovery options
Request a free case review before incurring legal costs. We will consider the debtor, evidence, dispute risk and realistic recovery options, then explain the most proportionate next step.
Submitting the debt does not authorise legal or enforcement action. Any proposed escalation will be explained before you decide whether to proceed.