Debt Collection | Curtis Parkinson
Debt Collection

Private & Commercial Debt Collection

Private & Commercial Debt Collection

Whether you are a business suffering from unpaid invoices or an individual who is owed money, bad debts spell bad news to everyone. Not only is bad debt an inconvenience but a situation which can have a long-term damaging effect on both your cash flow and your peace of mind. Curtis Parkinson has helped individuals and organisations across Nottingham and the wider area recover what is due to them.

Things to remember…

Where people are late payers, the law provides you with the right to apply an enhanced interest rate. With a company, this means that you have the right to charge 8% above the base rate on the period between the due date for payment and actual payment – hence stating on invoices that they are payable ‘on demand’ will stop you from losing out if you allow 30 days credit.

For individuals who are owed money by other individuals or companies, you have the option of using a mediation service, making a claim online (if the debt is less than £100,000 and owed by no more than two people or two organisations) or making an official demand for the money you’re owed.

How Curtis Parkinson can help

We aim to recover monies owed to you in a quick, efficient and cost-effective manner.
Our debt recovery team is able to offer a bespoke service which ranges from action to recover a one-off debt to bulk debt processing and defended actions.

Nobody likes a bad payer, but life sometimes makes this inevitable, so let our specialist team help you get what you’re owed as quickly as possible.

Our experience

Paralegals, Denise Clarke and Lorraine Johnson have 18 years of combined experience in handling debt-collecting matters. They are supervised by Roger Pitts, a partner and solicitor with 35 years of experience. Together, the team handles hundreds of cases every year. As you can see, we receive excellent client reviews.

Our Fees – Debt Recovery for an Undisputed Debt

If the other party disputes your claim at any point, we will discuss any further work required and provide you with revised advice about costs at an hourly rate if more extensive work is needed.

Fees for business debt owed by a business, not a sole trader

Sole traders are not businesses for these purposes but are deemed to be individuals under the Pre-Action Protocol for Debt Claims, and different costs apply.

These costs apply where your claim is in relation to an unpaid invoice owed to a business by another business which is not disputed and enforcement action is not needed to obtain payment and the amount of the debt falls within the bands specified below. If the debt is larger than £25,000 you will need to contact us.

If a judgment (order for payment) is obtained but not paid by the debtor, then the costs associated with seeking payment will be in addition to those below

A business wishing to proceed with a claim for an unpaid invoice should note that:

  • If the debt is less than £10,000, the court awards fixed costs no matter what the costs are of the legal action.
  • If you are registered for VAT and the debt is more than £10,000, there are different rules on costs, in which case the VAT element of our fee may not be reclaimable from your debtor.
  • Interest and compensation may take the debt into a higher banding, with a higher cost, although you can limit your claim to a particular band.
  • The costs quoted are not for a matter where there is any dispute, including dealing with any issue in connection with payment or enforcement of a judgment, such as the instruction of the bailiff to collect your debt.
  • The costs are in relation to debts up to £25,000. Larger debts may be a fixed fee or are required to be paid at an hourly rate.

Our fee includes:

  • Receiving a copy of the undisputed invoice and your instructions to issue a letter before action.
  • It does not include any consideration of your right to make a claim or consider whether there may be a defence or check to up on the debtor company. This will fall outside our fixed fee.
  • Drafting and sending a letter before action with instructions to the debtor to pay you directly.
  • Receiving instructions if payment is not received to issue proceedings. Including drafting and issuing the claim.
  • Where no Acknowledgment of Service or Defence is received, applying to the court to enter judgment in default

Matters usually take 2-6 weeks from receipt of instructions from you to receipt of payment from the other side, depending on whether or not it is necessary to issue a claim. This is on the basis that the other side pays promptly on receipt of judgment in default.

The impact of complying with the Court imposed Pre-Action protocol, and then, if unresolved, the cost (inclusive of VAT) of issuing proceedings are as follows in respect of a debt which is not disputed.

If the debt is disputed, further costs and expenses will become payable.

Cost of our Services (inclusive of VAT)

For the Recovery of an Undisputed Debt up to £5,000
For each Letter Before Action – £45.00
For the issue of County Court Proceedings for the recovery of an undisputed Debt up to £5,000 – £150.00
For the entry of Judgment – £80.00
The fee to be paid to the Court to Issue the claim – up to £205.00

Total: £275 plus the cost of the issue fee*

For the Recovery of an Undisputed Debt up to £10,000
For each Letter Before Action – £45.00
For the issue of County Court Proceedings for the recovery of an undisputed Debt up to £10,000 – £150.00
For the entry of Judgment – £80.00
The fee to be paid to the Court to Issue the claim – up to £455.00

Total: £275 plus the cost of the issue fee*

For the Recovery of an Undisputed Debt between £10,001 and £25,000
For each Letter Before Action – £45.00
For the issue of County Court Proceedings for the recovery of an undisputed Debt between £10,001 and £25,000 – £150.00
For the entry of Judgment – £100.00
The fee to be paid to the Court to Issue the claim at 5% of value of the claim – up to £1250.00

Total: £295 plus the cost of the issue fee*

For the Recovery of an Undisputed Debt over £25,000 up to £100,000
For each Letter Before Action – £245.00
For the issue of County Court Proceedings for the recovery of an undisputed Debt between £25,000 up to £100,000 – £512.00
For the entry of an undisputed Judgment – £100.00
The fee to be paid to the Court to Issue the claim – 5% of the value of the claim

Total: £857.00 plus the cost of the issue fee*

*The above costs do not include either:

  • The cost of dealing with a matter becomes disputed by the debtor. Our costs of dealing with a disputed debt will be charged at the hourly rates of: –
    • Paralegals £192.00 per hour
    • Solicitor £354 per hour
  • It is your obligation to take enforcement action for the recovery of the debt after judgment. The cost and expense involved in taking enforcement action depend upon the amount of the judgment and the method(s) used to enforce the judgment and are in addition any fees or expenses stated above.
  • If the debtor is worthless then taking any debt action may be pointless as the costs may exceed any benefit you may obtain. This is a decision for you.
Fees for business debt owed by an individual

For recovery from an individual or sole trader under the Pre-Action Protocol for Debt Claims and different costs apply.

These costs apply where your claim is in relation to an unpaid invoice owed to a business by an individual which is not disputed and enforcement action is not needed to obtain payment and the amount of the debt falls within the bands specified below. If the debt is larger than £25,000 you will need to contact us.

A business wishing to proceed with a claim for an unpaid invoice should note that:

  • If the debt is less than £10,000 the court awards fixed costs no matter what the costs are of the legal action.
  • If you are registered for VAT and the debt is more than £10,000 there are different rules on costs in which case the VAT element of our fee may not be reclaimable from your debtor.
  • Interest and compensation may take the debt into a higher banding, with a higher cost, although you can limit your claim to a particular band.
  • The costs quoted are not for a matter where there is any dispute including dealing with any issue in connection with payment or enforcement of a judgment, such as the instruction of the bailiff to collect your debt.
  • The costs are in relation to debts up to £25,000. Larger debts may a fixed fee or be required to be paid by on an hourly rate.

Our fee includes:

  • Receiving a copy of the undisputed invoice and your instructions to issue a letter before action.
  • It does not include any consideration of your right to make the claim the debt or consider whether there may be a defence or check to up on the debtor company. This will fall outside our fixed fee.
  • Drafting and sending a letter before action with instructions to the debtor to pay you direct.
  • Receiving instructions if payment is not received to issue proceedings. To include drafting and issuing the claim.
  • Where no Acknowledgment of Service or Defence is received, applying to the court to enter Judgement in default

Matters usually take 5-10 weeks from receipt of instructions from you to receipt of payment from the other side, depending on whether or not it is necessary to issue a claim. This is on the basis that the other side pays promptly on receipt of Judgement in default.

Cost of our Services (inclusive of VAT)

For the Recovery of an Undisputed Debt up to £5,000
For each Letter Before Action – £45.00
For the issue of County Court Proceedings for the recovery of an undisputed Debt up to £5,000 – £150.00
For the entry of Judgment – £80.00
The fee to be paid to the Court to Issue the claim – up to £205.00

Total: £275 plus the cost of the issue fee*

For the Recovery of an Undisputed Debt up to £10,000
For each Letter Before Action – £45.00
For the issue of County Court Proceedings for the recovery of an undisputed Debt up to £10,000 – £150.00
For the entry of Judgment – £80.00
The fee to be paid to the Court to Issue the claim – up to £455.00

Total: £275 plus the cost of the issue fee*

For the Recovery of an Undisputed Debt between £10,001 and £25,000
For each Letter Before Action – £45.00
For the issue of County Court Proceedings for the recovery of an undisputed Debt between £10,001 and £25,000 – £150.00
For the entry of Judgment – £100.00
The fee to be paid to the Court to Issue the claim at 5% of the value of the claim – Up to £1250

Total: £295 plus the cost of the issue fee*

For the Recovery of an Undisputed Debt between £25,000 up to £100,000
For each Letter Before Action – £245.00
For the issue of County Court Proceedings for the recovery of an undisputed Debt between £25,000 up to £100,000 – £512.00
For the entry of an undisputed Judgment – £100.00
The fee to be paid to the Court to Issue the claim – up to 5% of the claim

Total: £857 plus the cost of the issue fee*

*The above costs do not include either:

  • The cost of dealing with a matter becomes disputed by the debtor. Our costs of dealing with a disputed debt will be charged at the hourly rates of: –
    • Paralegals £192.00 per hour
    • Solicitor £354 per hour
  • It is your obligation to take enforcement action for the recovery of the debt after judgment. The cost and expense involved in taking enforcement action depend upon the amount of the judgment and the method(s) used to enforce the judgment and are in addition any fees or expenses stated above.
  • If the debtor is worthless then taking any debt action may be pointless as the costs may exceed any benefit you may obtain. This is a decision for you.

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Read Our Reviews

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Please get in touch to arrange an appointment, or simply ask a question about our Property services.

    Will writing

    We came to have a will written and we were so happy and at ease with the help and advise we were given. Thank you.

    Mr. & Mrs. T. Goodall

    Curtis Parkinson
    5
    2016-11-10T09:40:25+00:00

    Mr. & Mrs. T. Goodall

    We came to have a will written and we were so happy and at ease with the help and advise we were given. Thank you.

    general testimonial 26

    I have consulted Roger before when needing help with litigation and dispute resolution. This time he was as helpful as ever. He was able to get to the nub of the matter and present the arguments so that the other party had to agree.

    Peter D. Rymann

    Curtis Parkinson
    5
    2016-09-22T10:49:29+01:00

    Peter D. Rymann

    I have consulted Roger before when needing help with litigation and dispute resolution. This time he was as helpful as ever. He was able to get to the nub of the matter and present the arguments so that the other party had to agree.

    General Testimonial 25

    We got an appointment quickly and staff were very helpful.

    Mr & Mrs Slater

    Curtis Parkinson
    5
    2016-02-11T15:00:04+00:00

    Mr & Mrs Slater

    We got an appointment quickly and staff were very helpful.

    General Testimonial 24

    Communication was always clear and responses were prompt.

    Mrs. C. R.

    Curtis Parkinson
    5
    2016-02-11T14:59:34+00:00

    Mrs. C. R.

    Communication was always clear and responses were prompt.

    General Testimonial 23

    Everything was done in a friendly and professional manner and gave piece of mind.

    G. Hayward

    Curtis Parkinson
    5
    2016-02-11T14:58:54+00:00

    G. Hayward

    Everything was done in a friendly and professional manner and gave piece of mind.

    General Testimonial 22

    Very quick and I felt at ease with everything.

    B. Wyer

    Curtis Parkinson
    5
    2016-02-11T14:58:23+00:00

    B. Wyer

    Very quick and I felt at ease with everything.

    General Testimonial 21

    You were very professional, yet friendly and didn't rush me. You explained things as we went along.

    E. Bugg

    Curtis Parkinson
    5
    2016-02-11T14:57:38+00:00

    E. Bugg

    You were very professional, yet friendly and didn't rush me. You explained things as we went along.

    General Testimonial 20

    Friendly and down to earth.

    A. P. Rothwell

    Curtis Parkinson
    4
    2016-02-11T14:56:57+00:00

    A. P. Rothwell

    Friendly and down to earth.

    General Testimonial 19

    You took the time to make me feel at ease. You were very straight forward and helpful.

    R. B. Taylor

    Curtis Parkinson
    5
    2016-02-11T14:56:26+00:00

    R. B. Taylor

    You took the time to make me feel at ease. You were very straight forward and helpful.

    General Testimonial 18

    I would highly recommend you. Very efficient and you made everything very easy to understand.

    Mr & Mrs Dawes

    Curtis Parkinson
    5
    2016-02-11T14:55:33+00:00

    Mr & Mrs Dawes

    I would highly recommend you. Very efficient and you made everything very easy to understand.

    General Testimonial 17

    Everything is fully explained and easy to understand.

    A. L. Glover

    Curtis Parkinson
    5
    2016-02-11T14:54:46+00:00

    A. L. Glover

    Everything is fully explained and easy to understand.

    General Testimonial 16

    Clear and understandable advice, professional approach and simple communication.

    J. Gunter

    Curtis Parkinson
    5
    2016-02-11T14:54:19+00:00

    J. Gunter

    Clear and understandable advice, professional approach and simple communication.

    General Testimonial 15

    Excellent legal service with straight and honest advice.

    D. Sims

    Curtis Parkinson
    5
    2016-02-11T14:53:39+00:00

    D. Sims

    Excellent legal service with straight and honest advice.

    General Testimonial 14

    You answered our questions and advised us in the most professional and caring way.

    J. Webster

    Curtis Parkinson
    5
    2016-02-11T14:52:34+00:00

    J. Webster

    You answered our questions and advised us in the most professional and caring way.

    General Testimonial 13

    A very efficient service, you went through each stage very well.

    J. Greensheilds

    Curtis Parkinson
    5
    2016-02-11T14:52:00+00:00

    J. Greensheilds

    A very efficient service, you went through each stage very well.

    General Testimonial 12

    Good advice and a friendly service.

    P. A. Bell

    Curtis Parkinson
    5
    2016-02-11T14:51:22+00:00

    P. A. Bell

    Good advice and a friendly service.

    general testimonial11

    You get things done quickly and and use plain language.

    D. J. B. Mills

    Curtis Parkinson
    4
    2016-02-11T14:49:31+00:00

    D. J. B. Mills

    You get things done quickly and and use plain language.

    general testimonial10

    Very happy from start to finish and they helped us every step of the way.

    Mr J. Clarke

    Curtis Parkinson
    5
    2016-02-05T12:47:40+00:00

    Mr J. Clarke

    Very happy from start to finish and they helped us every step of the way.

    general testimonial9

    Very helpful advice in a friendly manner.

    Mr & Mrs W.B. Jones

    Curtis Parkinson
    5
    2016-02-05T12:42:49+00:00

    Mr & Mrs W.B. Jones

    Very helpful advice in a friendly manner.

    general testimonial8

    Friendly staff, accessible offices and professional service.

    Mr. Pitcher

    Curtis Parkinson
    5
    2016-02-05T12:41:23+00:00

    Mr. Pitcher

    Friendly staff, accessible offices and professional service.

    general testimonial7

    Your explanations made it easy to understand. Nothing was too much trouble.

    Mr & Mrs Swaby

    Curtis Parkinson
    5
    2016-02-05T12:40:12+00:00

    Mr & Mrs Swaby

    Your explanations made it easy to understand. Nothing was too much trouble.

    general testimonial6

    Nice to have things sorted with no fuss.

    Mrs S. Longdon

    Curtis Parkinson
    5
    2016-02-05T12:36:16+00:00

    Mrs S. Longdon

    Nice to have things sorted with no fuss.

    general testimonial5

    You were very helpful and efficient in sorting out my affairs.

    Mrs M. Pashley

    Curtis Parkinson
    4
    2016-02-05T12:32:54+00:00

    Mrs M. Pashley

    You were very helpful and efficient in sorting out my affairs.

    general testimonial4

    I would recommend Curtis Parkinson! Very straight forward and uncomplicated.

    Mr J. Stamper

    Curtis Parkinson
    5
    2016-02-05T12:31:12+00:00

    Mr J. Stamper

    I would recommend Curtis Parkinson! Very straight forward and uncomplicated.

    general testimonial3

    Everything was explained in detail with no hesitation to explain anything you are not able to understand.

    Mrs E.K. Roe

    Curtis Parkinson
    5
    2016-02-05T12:28:39+00:00

    Mrs E.K. Roe

    Everything was explained in detail with no hesitation to explain anything you are not able to understand.

    general testimonial2

    You helped me do something I have put off for too long. Now I have my affairs in order and peace of mind.

    Mr & Mrs Nutt

    Curtis Parkinson
    5
    2015-10-26T10:13:00+00:00

    Mr & Mrs Nutt

    You helped me do something I have put off for too long. Now I have my affairs in order and peace of mind.

    general testimonial1

    You helped resolve a long standing dilemma. You made the experience painless and understandable and you dealt with things exemplary.

    Mr Solanki

    Curtis Parkinson
    5
    2015-10-26T10:12:29+00:00

    Mr Solanki

    You helped resolve a long standing dilemma. You made the experience painless and understandable and you dealt with things exemplary.
    4.9
    27
    Curtis Parkinson
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