Our fees
Debt recovery — business debts up to £100,000
Published in accordance with the SRA Transparency Rules. Fixed fees wherever possible, a fixed or capped fee proposal within one working day, and staged budgets so costs never run ahead of your approval.
Who will handle your matter
All matters are partner-led, handled by a partner experienced in commercial litigation and debt recovery, supported where cost-effective by a supervised solicitor or paralegal. Where hourly rates apply, they are:
| Fee earner | Hourly rate (ex VAT) |
|---|---|
| Partner, 2+ years' PQE | £300 |
| Partner, 4+ years' PQE | £350 |
| Partner, 10+ years' PQE | £450 |
Our fees by stage
| Stage | Fee (ex VAT) |
|---|---|
| Letter before action (PAP-compliant / Late Payment of Commercial Debts) | £800–£1,500 |
| Statutory demand (drafting and arranging service) | £800–£1,500 |
| Issuing a county court claim (undisputed debt) | £1,500–£2,500 |
| Entering judgment in default (undefended claim) | £1,000 + disbursements |
| Disputed or defended claims (fixed fee by complexity and court track) | £10,000–£20,000 + disbursements |
| Enforcement (e.g. writ of control / instructing an HCEO) | from £800 |
All fees exclude VAT, which is charged at 20%. The fee within each range depends on the complexity of the claim; we confirm the figure in our fixed or capped fee proposal before any work begins. Where the debtor pays following a letter before action, no court fee is incurred.
Disbursements
Disbursements are costs payable to third parties, which we pass on at cost:
- Court fees — charged at the prevailing HMCTS rates, set on a sliding scale by claim value. Court fees carry no VAT. Current fees: gov.uk court fees.
- High Court Enforcement Officer fees — as prescribed, quoted per case.
- Process server fees, where required — quoted per case.
What our fees include
Each fee covers the stage described — the initial review, the work stated, routine correspondence with you and the debtor, and reporting. The undisputed-debt stages above are fixed fees. If a debt is disputed or defended, we act for a fixed fee of £10,000–£20,000, depending on the complexity of the dispute and the court track, agreed with you before any further work begins. Our fees exclude insolvency proceedings, appeals, and enforcement beyond the method quoted.
On undisputed debts we will, where available, claim interest and compensation under the Late Payment of Commercial Debts (Interest) Act 1998 and fixed costs from the debtor. Court-recoverable costs are often less than the fees actually incurred; we will explain any shortfall at the outset.
How long will it take?
Timescales depend heavily on current court processing times — which are subject to significant backlogs — and on the debtor’s conduct, so we are not able to guarantee a timescale. A letter before action can often prompt payment within a few weeks, while a contested claim or enforcement can take considerably longer. We will give you a realistic, case-specific estimate at the outset and keep you updated as your matter progresses.
Owed money? Start with a free 20-minute consult.
Speak directly to a partner. Fixed or capped fee proposal within one working day.
Call 020 7082 2677