This page contains the regulatory information required in accordance with the SRA's Transparency Rules, but our legal relationship will be governed by the terms of business that are agreed between the firm and the client.

Debt Recovery

Costs Information for Debt Recovery claims for businesses up to £100,000

The Solicitors Regulation Authority’s Transparency Rules require law firms to provide relevant information about the costs of some of their services to assist the public and small businesses to make informed choices when considering purchasing legal services.

For businesses, the services we provide and which are covered by these Rules include debt recovery up to a value of £100,000.

The fees and disbursements we will charge cover a typical debt recovery claim.  These fees will, however, differ depending on complexity where, for example, counsel’s involvement is required to advise and draft proceedings in which case fees will increase.  Complications may also arise which may increase fees.  Whilst the table below provides a range of fee estimates, we will always provide an individual tailored fee estimate at the outset of any new matter.

Our fees are based on hourly charge out rates and are calculated by the number of hours we take to complete the work.  VAT will be added to our fees and is not recoverable from the debtor.  VAT is not charged on court fees.

The costs table below covers the following work that we will undertake:

  • Taking instructions and reviewing documentation.
  • Undertaking appropriate searches.
  • Sending a letter before claim.
  • Receiving payment and sending it on to you, or if the debt is not repaid, drafting and issuing proceedings.
  • Where no Acknowledgment of Service of Defence is received, applying to the Court to request that Judgment in Default be entered.
  • When Judgment is made, write to the debtor and demand payment.
  • If payment is not received within the deadline, providing you with advice on next steps and likely costs.

The costs table take does not include work where the debtor:

  • disputes your claim and we enter into correspondence and/or some form of ADR is adopted;
  • files a defence to your claim;
  • applies to set aside Judgment in Default;
  • is based outside of the jurisdiction; and
  • fails to satisfy the Judgment debt and enforcement proceedings are required.

In these situations we will discuss next steps with you and advise you of the cost implications going forward.

Debt ValueCourt feeOnline claim feeOur feeTotal including VATTotal excluding VAT
£1000.01 - £1,500
£80
£70
£500 - £1,000£1,050 - £1,950
£900 - £1,650
£1,500.01 - £3,000£115£105£1,000 - £1,500£1,420 - £2020£1,220 - £1,720
£3,000.01 - £5,000£205£185£1,500 - £2,000£2,190 - £2,790£1,890 - £2,390
£5,000.01 - £10,000£455£410£2,000 - £3,000£3,265 - £4,465£2,865 - 3,865
£10,000.01 - £100,0005% of the claim4.5% of the claim£5,000 - £100,000£6,000 - £120,000£4,800 - £100,000

Frances Coulson (Partner) leads our debt recovery practice. Frances’ hourly rate ranges from £250 – £550 per hour depending on the mandate. A range of fee earners including paralegals and solicitors are available as the needs of a mandate dictate. Hourly rates range from £170 – £450 per hour.

The length of time it takes from receipt of instructions from you to receipt of payment from the debtor depends on whether or not it is necessary to issue a claim, whether it is successful and whether the other side pays promptly on receipt of Judgment.  If enforcement action is needed, the matter will take longer to resolve.

Last reviewed April 2023.