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Unpaid invoice? The law is on your side. The law of England and Wales, in plain English.

The law, in plain English

In England and Wales an unpaid invoice for goods or services delivered is a debt. Business-to-business debts usually attract statutory interest under the Late Payment of Commercial Debts (Interest) Act 1998: currently 8% a year above the Bank of England base rate, plus a fixed compensation sum per invoice. Courts expect a formal letter before action before a claim is issued, and most debts settle at that stage.

How it usually goes

  1. A formal letter before action sets out the debt, the interest and a deadline, usually 14 days.
  2. No payment: a claim is issued in the County Court. Claims up to £10,000 usually go to the small claims track, where legal costs exposure is limited.
  3. Judgment in hand: enforcement options include bailiffs, attachment of earnings and charging orders.

What it costs

Letter before action £180 plus VAT · county court claim from £450 plus VAT (illustrative).

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