Our debt recovery process

How our UK business debt recovery process works

Submit the debt once. We assess the evidence, debtor position and recovery prospects, recommend the most proportionate route, and keep you informed from first contact through to payment or conclusion.

Free recovery assessmentGenuine no win, no fee collectionsNo legal action without approvalWeekly case updates
You do not need to choose a legal route before submitting the debt. We assess the case first and explain the recommended next step.
What happens first

A free assessment before recovery action begins

The first stage is not a generic demand letter. It is a commercial review of the debt, evidence, debtor and realistic recovery options.

1. InformationYou submit the essentials

Provide the debtor, amount owed, reason for the debt and available documents.

2. EvidenceWe review the claim

Invoices, contracts, statements, delivery records and correspondence are considered.

3. DebtorWe assess recovery prospects

Company status, trading position, distress indicators, dispute status and potential routes are reviewed.

4. RecommendationYou receive a clear next step

We explain whether recovery appears viable and what route is commercially proportionate.

Recovery stages

From unpaid invoice to recovery conclusion

Not every case needs every stage. The process advances according to the debtor’s response, the evidence and the continuing likelihood of recovery.

1

Submit the debt

Send the core case details and supporting documents through the debt instruction form.

Start submission →
2

Free assessment

We review viability, debtor status, dispute issues, distress indicators and available routes.

View viability factors →
3

Route confirmed

We explain the recommended recovery strategy, likely stages and any material cost before action.

Compare routes →
4

Recovery activity

Written and telephone contact begins, with negotiation, decision-maker engagement and payment-plan discussions where appropriate.

View services →
5

Formal demand

If ordinary collection does not resolve the matter, a final demand or Letter Before Action may be recommended.

Letter Before Action guide →
6

Court or insolvency route

Where justified, County Court, statutory demand or winding-up action may be considered and separately approved.

How escalation works →
7

Enforcement

If judgment is obtained and remains unpaid, enforcement options are assessed against likely recovery prospects.

Enforcement guide →
8

Conclusion and remittance

The case concludes when payment is secured or reasonable options are exhausted. Funds received are remitted under the agreed terms.

Terms of Business →
The route can change as new information emerges. A debtor response, dispute, payment proposal, insolvency event or new asset information may alter the recommended next step. We explain material changes before proceeding.
First recovery objective

Secure payment without unnecessary legal action

Many commercial debts can be resolved through focused collection activity. We aim to establish contact, understand the reason for non-payment and secure a practical payment outcome before recommending stronger action.

  • Written and telephone recovery communications
  • Director and decision-maker engagement
  • Settlement negotiation
  • Payment plans where commercially appropriate
  • Identification of disputes and supporting evidence
  • Clear deadlines and controlled follow-up
Commercial control

Viability is reviewed throughout

Recovery should improve your position rather than create avoidable cost. We continue to consider the debtor’s status, response, evidence and likely benefit as the case progresses.

  • Recovery prospects considered before escalation
  • Costs explained before external action
  • Client approval required for legal action
  • Uncommercial routes are not recommended for activity’s sake
  • Funded escalation may be available on qualifying cases
Formal escalation

Stronger action only when it is justified and approved

Formal routes are selected according to the nature of the debt, dispute status, debtor solvency, evidence, proportionality and likely enforcement outcome.

Pre-action demands

A final demand or Letter Before Action can set a formal deadline and explain the consequences of continued non-payment.

  • Appropriate before many court claims
  • Can prompt payment or meaningful engagement
  • Must accurately reflect the debt and intended route

Court and enforcement

A County Court claim may be appropriate for a recoverable, evidenced debt. If judgment remains unpaid, enforcement options can then be considered.

  • County Court claim assessment
  • Judgment and enforcement planning
  • High Court enforcement where eligible

Insolvency-related routes

Statutory demands and winding-up petitions are serious remedies and are not substitutes for resolving a genuinely disputed debt.

  • Debtor solvency and dispute reviewed first
  • Proportionality and commercial outcome considered
  • Specialist instruction managed where required
No legal action is commenced without your approval. External court, solicitor, insolvency or enforcement costs are explained before commitment. General collection activity remains separate from formal escalation decisions.
Communication and control

You remain informed throughout the case

Clear reporting reduces uncertainty and ensures that material decisions remain with you.

Weekly progress updates

Updates cover completed actions, debtor contact, payment proposals, disputes and the planned activity for the following week.

Material developments

Significant responses, payments, insolvency information or proposed escalation are communicated when they arise rather than being held for a routine report.

Approval before commitment

You retain control over settlements outside agreed parameters and over any formal action that creates external cost or legal exposure.

Recovery guidance

Understand each available recovery route

These pages explain the principal commercial debt recovery, court, enforcement and insolvency options.

Before submitting

What information helps us assess the debt?

You can submit a case even if every document is not immediately available. The most useful starting information is:

  • Correct legal name and address of the debtor
  • Amount owed and invoice due dates
  • Invoices, statements and contractual documents
  • Evidence of supply or delivery
  • Previous reminders and debtor correspondence
  • Details of any dispute, set-off or payment proposal
  • Known concerns about solvency or business closure
What happens next

Start with one free recovery review

Submit the essential debt details and upload the documents you already have. We will review the case and contact you if a material point needs clarification.

You are not committing to court action by requesting an assessment. The purpose is to identify whether recovery is viable and which route is proportionate.

Ready to find out how your debt should be pursued?

Submit the debt and supporting documents for a free assessment. We will review the evidence, debtor position, recovery prospects and recommended route before recovery action begins.

B2B debts only. General collections are provided under the agreed no-win, no-fee case terms.