Late payment is not a favour you owe them. Speak to Kestrel.

Big customer paying you late, again?. The law of England and Wales, in plain English.

The law, in plain English

Business customers who pay late owe more than the invoice. The Late Payment of Commercial Debts (Interest) Act 1998 adds statutory interest at 8% above base rate and fixed compensation of £40 to £100 per invoice, plus reasonable recovery costs beyond that. These rights apply even where the contract is silent, and they change the conversation with serial late payers.

How it usually goes

  1. Calculate the real debt: invoices plus statutory interest plus compensation per invoice.
  2. A letter before action with the full statutory figures attached.
  3. County court claim if unpaid; the interest keeps running to judgment.

What it costs

Late payment letter £180 plus VAT · claim from £450 plus VAT (illustrative).

Speak to Kestrel now.

Any hour. Plain answers, a fixed quote in writing, and a named solicitor by 9:00.

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