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Debt Recovery and Enforcement

This publication guides practitioners through debt recovery, including non-court dispute resolution and enforcement orders.

3 Matter Plans

Overview

The commentaries cover the pre-action protocol and practice direction, settlement, issuing and responding to proceedings, default and summary judgment, case management, disclosure, and trial.

The Reference materials folder includes guidance on electronic signing and witnessing, and the comprehensive Getting the matter underway folder includes compliance and client care documents. Using the extensive Retainer Instructions when gathering information ensures nothing is missed.

Precedents in this publication include:

  • letters to clients explaining the process and protocols for conditional fee agreements;
  • letters of demand;
  • particulars of claim;
  • settlement agreements;
  • defence and counterclaims;
  • chronology, case summary, and trial bundles.
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3 Matter Plans Included

  • Item icon ALERTS - Nil
  • Item icon Full Commentary - Debt Recovery - Acting for the Claimant
  • Folder icon Reference materials
    • Item icon AI Prompts
    • Item icon Electronic Signing and Witnessing
    • Item icon Looking to the Future
    • Item icon Further information
    • Item icon Article: Alternative dispute resolution
    • Item icon Article: Costs actually
  • Item icon Overview and limitation periods
    Debt recovery is the collection of money from a person or business, due under a commercial contract or arrangement. The same law applies whether the debt due is a small claim or a large claim that may eventually be determined in the High Court. In England and Wales there is a single County Court ...

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  • Item icon Summary of the process
    The usual steps in acting for a claimant in a debt recovery matter are:

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  • Folder icon A. Getting the matter underway
    • Item icon File cover sheet - Debt recovery
    • Item icon To do list - Debt recovery - Acting for the claimant
    • Item icon First steps
    • Item icon Retainer instructions - Debt recovery
    • Folder icon Compliance documents
      • Item icon Client Due Diligence and Anti-money Laundering Guidance
      • Item icon Client Details, Identity Verification and Source of Funds
      • Item icon Conflict of interest check
      • Item icon Client and matter risk assessment
      • Folder icon If required - Reporting an issue
        • Item icon Anti-money laundering internal disclosure
    • Item icon Initial letter to client enclosing Client Care and Terms of Business
    • Folder icon Enclosures for initial letter to client
      • Item icon Client care information
      • Item icon Terms of business
      • Item icon Scope of work - Debt recovery - Acting for the claimant
      • Item icon Enclosure - Overview of the litigation process from a claimant's point of view
      • Item icon A summary of the dispute resolution process
    • Item icon Funding a dispute matter
    • Folder icon If required - Conditional fees and damages-based agreements
      • Item icon Conditional fee agreement
      • Item icon Letter to client explaining barrister's fees
      • Item icon Letter to client giving informed consent to conditional fee agreement
      • Item icon Enclosure - Conditional fee agreements explained
      • Item icon Damages-based agreement
      • Item icon Letter to client enclosing damages-based agreement for signing
      • Item icon Enclosure - Damages-based agreements
      • Item icon Notice of funding of case or claim
    • Item icon Time and costs estimates
    • Folder icon If required - Letter to client varying the Client Care and Terms of Business
      • Item icon Letter to client varying the Client Care and Terms of Business
    • Folder icon General deeds, agreements, statements, declarations, consents, and execution clauses
      • Item icon Deeds and agreements
      • Folder icon Deeds
        • Item icon Deed for general use
        • Item icon Deed of assignment of agreement
        • Item icon Deed of assignment of agreement with consent
        • Item icon Deed of assignment of an insurance policy
        • Item icon Deed of assignment of equitable interest in residential land
        • Item icon Deed of gift
        • Item icon Deed of guarantee
        • Item icon Deed of release
        • Item icon Deed of release and grant
        • Item icon General deed of indemnity
        • Folder icon Library of standard clauses for deeds
          • Item icon Amendment
          • Item icon Confidentiality
          • Item icon Confidentiality - Extensive
          • Item icon Costs
          • Item icon Counterparts
          • Item icon Dispute resolution
          • Item icon Events beyond control
          • Item icon Governing law and jurisdiction
          • Item icon Interpretation
          • Item icon No assignment
          • Item icon Notices
          • Item icon Severance
          • Item icon Third parties
          • Item icon Waiver
          • Item icon Whole agreement
      • Folder icon Agreements
        • Item icon Agreement for general use
        • Item icon Boundary agreement
        • Item icon Confidentiality agreement
        • Item icon Construction agreement
        • Item icon Heads of agreement
        • Folder icon Library of standard clauses for agreements
          • Item icon Amendment
          • Item icon Confidentiality
          • Item icon Confidentiality - Extensive
          • Item icon Costs
          • Item icon Counterparts
          • Item icon Dispute resolution
          • Item icon Events beyond control
          • Item icon Governing law and jurisdiction
          • Item icon Interpretation
          • Item icon No assignment
          • Item icon Notices
          • Item icon Severance
          • Item icon Third parties
          • Item icon Waiver
          • Item icon Whole agreement
      • Folder icon Statements and declarations
        • Item icon Statement of truth
        • Item icon Statement of truth - High Court
        • Item icon Statutory declaration
        • Item icon Statutory declaration of solvency
        • Item icon Affidavit - General
        • Item icon Exhibit sheet for affidavits - General
        • Item icon Witness statement - Family matters
        • Item icon Exhibit sheet to witness statement - Family matters
        • Item icon Witness statement - Civil matters
        • Item icon Exhibit sheet to witness statement - Civil matters
      • Folder icon Execution clauses
        • Item icon Execution clauses - Agreements and contracts
        • Item icon Execution clauses - Deeds
        • Item icon Execution clauses - Overseas companies
      • Folder icon Consents
        • Folder icon If required - Personal data consent - General
          • Item icon Letter to client enclosing general consent
          • Item icon Letter to third party enclosing general consent
          • Item icon Letter to third party requesting personal data and enclosing client’s general consent
          • Item icon Letter to third party requesting personal data and enclosing third party general consent
          • Item icon Consent to provide information - General
          • Item icon Consent to provide information - General - Third party
        • Folder icon If required - Personal data consent - Health professional
          • Item icon Letter to client enclosing consent - Health professional
          • Item icon Letter to third party enclosing consent - Health professional
          • Item icon Letter to doctor enclosing client consent
          • Item icon Letter to doctor enclosing third party consent
          • Item icon Consent to provide information - Health professional
          • Item icon Consent to provide information - Health professional - Third party
        • Folder icon Change of name
          • Item icon Change of name deed for an adult - Concise
          • Item icon Change of name deed for a minor - Concise
          • Folder icon If required - Enrolment by an adult
            • Item icon Change of name deed for an adult - For enrolment
            • Item icon Statutory declaration - Enrolment of adult change of name deed
            • Item icon Notice for the London Gazette on the change of name of an adult
            • Item icon Consent to enrolment of change of name of an adult
          • Folder icon If required - Enrolment by a minor
            • Item icon Change of name deed for a minor - For enrolment
            • Item icon Statutory declaration - Enrolment of minor change of name deed
            • Item icon Affidavit of best interest for the change of name of a minor
            • Item icon Consent to enrolment of change of name of a minor
    • Item icon I’ve started a claim in court – what happens next?
    • Item icon The fast track and multi-track in the civil courts
    • Item icon The small claims track in the civil courts
    • Item icon A guide to debt recovery through the County Court for small business
  • Folder icon B. Preparatory casework and letters before claim
    • Item icon Practice Direction - Pre-Action Conduct and Protocols
    • Item icon Initial considerations, including the ability to pay
    • Item icon In office debtor research
    • Item icon Request for and result of search in the attachment of earnings index
    • Item icon Letter to client comparing court proceedings with statutory demand
    • Item icon Initial demand letter before action to debtor
    • Item icon Letter to client confirming initial demand letter before action has been sent
    • Item icon Letter to debtor chasing for response
    • Item icon Pre-action protocols
      The Civil Procedure Rules specify pre-action protocols as set out in Practice Direction – Pre-Action Conduct and Protocols, including the steps the court expects parties typically to take before commencing proceedings. The objectives of the pre-action conduct and protocols are to:

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    • Folder icon Letters of response by debtor
    • Item icon Letter to client advising on protocols
    • Item icon Pre-action protocol for debt claims
    • Item icon Practice direction - Pre-action conduct and protocols
    • Folder icon If required - Part 36 offer
      • Item icon Notice of offer to settle
    • Item icon Letter to client confirming instructions to issue proceedings despite non-compliance with protocols
    • Item icon Letter of Claim
      Under the protocols, every case begins with correspondence between the opposing sides to establish the basis of the claim, allowing each side to have enough information to decide where they stand and attempt an early settlement of the matter without recourse to the courts. A Letter of Claim, also ...

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    • Item icon Letter of claim to defendant
    • Item icon Letter of claim to defendant's solicitor
    • Folder icon Enclosures for letters of claim - Pre-action protocol
      • Item icon Pre-action protocol for debt claims
      • Item icon Pre-action protocol for debt claims - information sheet
      • Item icon Pre-action protocol for debt claims - reply form
      • Item icon Enclosure - Financial statement
    • Item icon Certificate of service
    • Item icon The debtor’s reply
      See paragraph 4 of the Pre-Action Protocol for Debt Claims and the Reply Form which is Annex 1 to it. When an unrepresented debtor responds to the Letter of Claim they should use the Reply Form which should have been provided with the Letter of Claim. If the debtor is represented, their ...

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  • Folder icon C. Settling the matter
    • Item icon Settling the matter
    • Item icon Letter to the other side’s solicitor suggesting alternative dispute resolution
    • Item icon Mediation settlement agreement
    • Item icon Letter to defendant’s solicitor making Calderbank offer
    • Item icon Early neutral evaluation agreement
    • Item icon Neutral evaluator confirmation and agreement
    • Item icon Arbitration agreement
    • Folder icon If required - Part 36 offers
      • Item icon Enclosure - Part 36 offers
      • Item icon Letter to client suggesting making a Part 36 offer
      • Item icon Offer to settle (Section I Part 36)
      • Item icon Letter to other side's solicitor making Part 36 offer
      • Item icon Letter to client enclosing copy Part 36 offer made
      • Item icon Letter to client enclosing copy Part 36 offer received
    • Item icon Settlement agreement
    • Item icon Letter to client with draft settlement agreement
    • Item icon Letter to other side's solicitor with settlement agreement
    • Item icon Letter to court confirming settlement
    • Item icon General form of judgment or order
    • Folder icon Library of example consent orders
      • Item icon Clause - Consent order for judgment notation of agreement
      • Item icon Clause - Consent order payment inclusive of costs
      • Item icon Clause - Consent order judgment in favour of one party
      • Item icon Clause - Consent order for proceedings to be dismissed with no order as to costs
      • Item icon Clause - Consent order for acceptance of lesser sum
      • Item icon Clause - Consent order Tomlin wording for stay of proceedings
    • Item icon Letter to other side's solicitor sending draft consent order
    • Item icon Letter to court filing draft consent order on settlement
    • Item icon Debt statement
    • Item icon Letter to debtor enclosing debt statement
  • Folder icon D. Court practice and procedure
    • Item icon Court practice and procedure, including limitation and issuing claims
    • Folder icon If required - Limitation issues
      • Item icon Standstill agreement to extend limitation
      • Item icon Standstill agreement to suspend limitation
    • Item icon Starting a claim online
    • Item icon Issue a claim for damages with MyHMCTS
    • Item icon Money Claim Online (MCOL)
    • Item icon Starting a paper claim
  • Folder icon E. Statements of case, filing and service
    • Item icon Starting a claim
    • Item icon Claim form (CPR Part 7)
    • Item icon Claim form (N1SDT)
    • Item icon Particulars of claim
    • Item icon Clause - Particulars of claim
    • Item icon Letter to court filing claim
    • Item icon Service
    • Item icon Letter to defendant serving claim
    • Item icon Letter to defendant's solicitor serving claim
    • Folder icon Enclosures for letter serving claim - Response pack
      • Item icon Guidance for defendants replying to the claim form: N1C
      • Item icon Response pack
      • Item icon Admission (specified amount)
      • Item icon Admission (unspecified amount, non-money and return of goods claims)
      • Item icon Form of admission (specified amount)
      • Item icon Defence and counterclaim (specified amount)
      • Item icon Defence and counterclaim (unspecified amount, non-money and return of goods claims)
      • Item icon Defence form
      • Item icon Notice of Issue
    • Item icon Letter to defendant providing particulars of claim after MCOL claim
    • Item icon Letter to court providing particulars of claim after MCOL claim
    • Item icon Certificate of service
    • Item icon Defendant’s response
    • Item icon Example content - Reply to defence
    • Item icon Extension of time
    • Item icon Letter to defendant's solicitor responding to request for extension of time
    • Item icon Counterclaims and additional claims
  • Folder icon F. Interim applications
    • Item icon Interim applications
    • Item icon Letter to court filing documents
    • Item icon Letter to client with advice about default judgment
    • Item icon Request for judgment and reply to admission (specified amount)
    • Item icon Letter to client with advice about summary judgment
    • Item icon Application notice
    • Item icon General form of judgment or order
    • Item icon Letter to court filing documents
    • Folder icon If required - Evidence
      • Item icon Letter to court filing written evidence
      • Item icon Letter to other side's solicitor serving written evidence
    • Item icon Letter to client after summary judgment success
  • Folder icon G. Case management and directions
    • Item icon Case management including directions questionnaire
    • Item icon Directions questionnaire (small claims track)
    • Item icon Directions questionnaire (fast track, intermediate track and multi-track)
    • Folder icon Enclosures for directions questionnaire - Disclosure and costs
      • Item icon Disclosure report
      • Item icon Costs budget (Precedent H) and budget discussion report (Precedent R)
      • Item icon Precedent T - (budget variation summary sheet)
      • Item icon Using the automated app – Precedent H – Costs budget
      • Item icon Using the automated app – Precedent S – Bill of costs
    • Item icon Letter to client confirming costs budget
    • Item icon Letter to defendant's solicitor serving costs budget
    • Item icon Small claims track standard directions
    • Item icon Precedent H - Guidance notes
    • Item icon Small claims track special directions
    • Item icon Fast track standard directions
    • Item icon Multi-track standard directions
    • Item icon Listing questionnaire (pre-trial checklist)
    • Item icon Letter to court filing documents
    • Item icon Application notice
    • Item icon General form of judgment or order
  • Folder icon H. Disclosure and evidence
    • Item icon Disclosure
    • Item icon Letter to client regarding disclosure
    • Item icon Standard disclosure
    • Item icon Electronic documents questionnaire (Civil Procedure Rules Practice Direction 31B)
    • Item icon Disclosure report
    • Item icon Letter to other side's solicitor enclosing disclosure report
    • Item icon Letter to other side's solicitor requesting to inspect documents
    • Item icon Evidence
    • Folder icon Library of evidence documents
      • Item icon Proof of evidence
      • Item icon Witness statement - Civil matters
      • Item icon Example content - Witness statement for civil matters
      • Item icon Exhibit sheet to witness statement - Civil matters
      • Item icon General form of affidavit
      • Item icon Clause - Affidavit for civil matters
      • Item icon Exhibit sheet for affidavits - Civil matters
      • Item icon Notice of intention to rely on hearsay evidence
      • Item icon Notice to admit facts
    • Item icon Letter to court filing documents
    • Item icon Letter to court filing written evidence
    • Item icon Letter to other side's solicitor serving written evidence
    • Item icon Expert witnesses
    • Folder icon If required - Expert witnesses
      • Item icon Letter to expert requesting report
      • Item icon Letter to client enclosing expert's report
      • Item icon Letter to court filing expert's report
      • Item icon Letter to other side's solicitor serving expert's report
  • Folder icon I. Final hearing and costs
    • Item icon Preparation for the final hearing, including court bundles
    • Item icon Letter to counsel enclosing brief
    • Item icon Brief to counsel - Civil matters
    • Item icon Special directions in the Small Claims Track
    • Item icon Letter to client advising of court hearing date
    • Item icon Letter to court advising client will not attend
    • Item icon Letter to witness advising hearing date
    • Item icon Small claims track special directions
    • Item icon Listing questionnaire (pre-trial checklist)
    • Item icon Letter to court filing documents
    • Item icon County Court, High Court and Appeal Court - Trial bundle cover page
    • Item icon County Court, High Court and Appeal Court - Trial bundle index
    • Item icon Case summary
    • Item icon Chronology - Civil matters
    • Item icon Letter to other side's solicitor enclosing index to trial bundle
    • Item icon Letter to other side's solicitor enclosing trial bundle
    • Item icon Letter to court filing trial bundle
    • Item icon Costs budget (Precedent H) and budget discussion report (Precedent R)
    • Item icon Precedent T - (budget variation summary sheet)
    • Item icon Using the automated app – Precedent H – Costs budget
    • Item icon Using the automated app – Precedent S – Bill of costs
  • Folder icon J. Finalising the matter
    • Item icon Settled matters
      Practitioners are required to advise the court immediately a matter is settled. Until terms of settlement, consent orders, or a notice of discontinuance is filed, the parties must attend before the court if the matter is listed.

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    • Folder icon If required - Discontinuance
      • Item icon Notice of discontinuance
      • Item icon Letter to court filing documents
    • Item icon Advising the client
      The client should be advised of the outcome in writing and of any element of the judgment that requires them to take action. The client needs to be made aware of any costs consequences associated with not taking the action and breaching the court order. If the client has been successful, an invoice ...

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    • Item icon Letter to client advising successful outcome and enclosing invoice
    • Item icon Letter to client advising unsuccessful outcome with advice about appeal and enclosing invoice
    • Item icon Letter to client finalising the matter
    • Item icon Guidance note – How to appeal (civil and family proceedings) – EX340
    • Item icon Example invoice
    • Item icon Invoice recital - Debt recovery - Acting for the claimant
    • Item icon Enclosure - Explaining the bill
    • Item icon Closing the file
    • Item icon File closing checklist
    • Item icon File review form - General
  • Item icon Comments and suggestions for By Lawyers

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