Pricing Information

Debt Recovery

Chasing unpaid invoices can be time-consuming and commercially disruptive. Our role is to take that burden off your hands, allowing you to focus on running your business while we pursue recovery on your behalf.

We provide a comprehensive debt recovery service for the collection of uncontested debts, supporting you from initial pre-action steps through to court proceedings, judgment and enforcement where required. Where appropriate, we can also advise on and handle insolvency-related action, including Statutory Demands and Bankruptcy or Winding-Up Petitions. The fees below are based on volume regular debt collection instructions for our larger and national clients. These fees are distinct from the fees we offer for commercial and civil litigation. Our Debt Recovery team operates a dedicated software platform designed to manage high volume collections.

For straightforward, undisputed debt recovery matters, we offer a transparent fixed-fee structure, starting with the initial pre-action stage. The following fees apply to work undertaken in 2026. These rates are likely to be increased in 2027 and we are always happy to discuss fee arrangements with clients.

Stage 1 – Pre-Action

Letter before action

• AES fee: £50

This formal demand letter is often sufficient to prompt payment without the need for further action. In many cases, payment is secured within 7 to 30 days of issuing the letter.

Where applicable, we will also seek to recover statutory entitlements under the Late Payment of Commercial Debts (Interest) Act 1998, including:

• Interest at 8% above the Bank of England base rate
• Fixed compensation (typically £40 to £100)
• Reasonable recovery costs (typically 5% of the debt, subject to a minimum of £50)

Any interest and compensation recovered will be paid directly to you. Where reasonable recovery costs are recovered, these will be payable by you in addition to our fixed fee.

Court Proceedings (Uncontested Claims)

Where pre-action correspondence does not result in payment, we can issue court proceedings on your behalf.

AES fixed fee (claims up to £100,000): £150

This includes:

• Preparing and issuing the claim
• Entering judgment where no defence is filed

Typical timeframe: 4–6 weeks to obtain a County Court Judgment (CCJ)

Court Fees and Recoverable Costs

Court fees and recoverable costs are set by the court and depend on the value of the claim:

Debts up to £5,000

• Court fee: £35 to £205
• Recoverable costs: £85 to £285

£5,000.01 to £10,000

• Court fee: £455
• Recoverable costs: £555

£10,000.01 to £100,000

• Court fee: 5% of the claim value
• Recoverable costs: 5% of the claim value plus £100

Full details of court fees are available on the HMCTS website.

Enforcement Action

If payment is not made following judgment, we can advise on and pursue the most appropriate enforcement option.

Common options include:

• County Court Bailiff
  • AES fee: £100
  • Court fee: £94
  • Recoverable costs: £96.25
• High Court Writ of Control
  • AES fee: £150
  • Court fee: £80
  • Enforcement fees are generally recoverable from the debtor if successful
  • Abortive fee: £75 + VAT if unsuccessful
• Attachment of Earnings Order
  • AES fee: £250
  • Court fee: £135
• Order for Questioning
  • AES fee: £250
  • Court fee: £67
• Charging Order
  • AES fee: £500
  • Court fee: £135
  • Recoverable costs: £245
• Third Party Debt Order
  • AES fee: £300
  • Court fee: £135
  • Recoverable costs: £245

We will always discuss the most appropriate and cost-effective enforcement route with you before proceeding