Debt Recovery

Get what You're Owed

Cash flow is critical to the development and growth of any business and when customers, be that businesses or individuals, fail to pay it can be a long drawn out stressful process to get what you're owed.

After just a couple of chasing letters and telephone calls, it is easy to ignore the debt in the optimism that payment will finally arrive, but many businesses or individuals end up writing off the debt as bad debts further down the line.

We can usually begin the process of recovery of your debt with just your unpaid invoice and can tailor your needs accordingly, from sending a pre-action protocol debt recovery solicitor’s letter to taking your debtor to the county court.

Foster and Coleman are specialists in debt recovery work having worked previously on behalf of national and international banks.

Costs

Our expert debt recovery lawyers  charge an hourly rate for all the work they undertake. The hourly rate ranges from £175 plus Vat to £330 plus VAT.

As a general guide, our pricing for debt recovery are as follows:

  • Simple Case: £1,500 - £5,000
  • Medium Complexity Case - £5,000 - £12,000
  • High Complexity Case - £12,000 - £20,000

As you can appreciate, it is very difficult to give an accurate estimate of the total fees you are likely to incur in regard to debt recovery as each case is assessed on its merits and its own facts. However, once we have had an initial discussion with you and have been provided with further information, we will be able to give you a more accurate estimate and will keep you regularly updated as the matter progresses.

All quoted prices are exclusive of VAT.

Factors that could make a case more complex:

  • If it is necessary to make or defend applications to amend claims or to provide further information about an existing claim
  • Accessibility of assets
  • Defending counter claims, especially those that are brought by litigants in person
  • Making or defending a costs application
  • Complex preliminary issues
  • The number of witnesses and documents

There will be an additional charge for attending any Hearing (charged at 8 hours of the solicitors’ time for each day of the Hearing that you wish your solicitor to attend).

Disbursements

Disbursements are costs related to your matter that are payable to third parties, such as counsel’s fees. We handle the payment of the disbursements on your behalf to ensure a smoother process.

Counsel's fees range between £700 to £10,000 plus VAT per day (including Brief Fee) (fees depend on the experience of the advocate) for attending a Hearing (including preparation).

Additional disbursements

  • Translation fees - £250 - £2,000 plus VAT
  • Handwriting experts - £500 - £1,500 plus VAT
  • Company searches/solvency checks - £35 - £500 plus VAT

Key stages

The fees set out above cover all of the work in relation to the following key stages of a claim:

  • Taking your initial instructions, reviewing the papers and advising you on merits and likely chance of recovering the debt (this is likely to be revisited throughout the matter and subject to change)
  • Preparing claim or response
  • Reviewing and advising on claim or response from other party
  • Exploring settlement and negotiating settlement throughout the process
  • Preparing or considering a schedule of loss
  • Preparing for (and attending) a Case Management Hearing
  • Exchanging documents with the other party and agreeing a bundle of documents
  • Taking witness statements, drafting statements and agreeing their content with witnesses
  • Preparing bundle of documents
  • Reviewing and advising on the other party's witness statements
  • Agreeing a list of issues, a chronology and/or cast list
  • Preparation and attendance at Final Hearing, including instructions to Counsel

The stages set out above are an indication and if some of the stages above are not required, you will not be charged for this. You may wish to handle the claim yourself and only have our advice in relation to some of the stages. This can also be arranged on your individual needs.

How long will my matter take?

The time that it takes from taking your initial instructions to the final resolution of your matter depends largely on the stage at which your case is resolved. If a settlement is reached during pre-claim conciliation, your case is likely to take 6-8 weeks. If your claim proceeds to a Final Hearing, your case is likely to take 18-24 months. This is just an estimate and we will of course be able to give you a more accurate timescale once we have more information and as the matter progresses.

Key individuals

Our debt recovery team are under the direct supervision of Paul Coleman

GET IN TOUCH

Service Testimonial

"Paul,
We wanted to send you an email to thank you for everything you have done for us, we really do not know what we would have done without all your advice, help and support and couldn’t have wished for a better outcome.

We appreciate so much all you did for us and all the pressure, stress and strain you took off of our shoulders during that time. It was lovely meeting you and we wish you a lovely Christmas and all the very best wishes for 2017 and the future."

– Mark & Susan