At Burtons our litigation team offers specialist debt collection services, read on to find out our debt collection fees. We work efficiently and in a cost effective manner, often on a fixed fee. Burtons work closely with specialist personal investigators, asset tracers and bailiffs to work towards quick tracing and recovery of costs.
We can advise on the whole process, from pre-issue to enforcement. Our team regularly represents clients in County Courts and Tribunals.
The court process isn’t always the most suitable option. We have a wealth of experience in organising and assisting our clients. This includes other forms of alternative dispute resolutions.
The debt collection team at all our offices are highly trained and consist of Solicitors, Chartered Legal Executives and Paralegals.
Debt Collection fees for small business where the debt is less than £100,000
The costs to recover a debt will be proportionate to the amount owed and include the circumstances of each individual client. We offer a free half hour initial interview to discuss the situation, assess the evidence and to provide general advice on the risks and benefits of each option available to you.
This is when we can provide an estimate based on your circumstances. We take into consideration the complexity of the case and paperwork involved. We have a list of basic estimates for debt collection based on undisputed debts below. If a debt becomes disputed, we will advise you of any additional costs that it may incur.
Charging
Debt collection matters are charged on a time spent basis. This includes a combination of:
- hourly rates,
- the experience of the case handler,
- the complexity of the matter
- and the amount of paperwork provided.
Our hourly rates are as follows:
Partners £245 plus VAT (£294) to £350 plus VAT (£420)
Solicitors/Legal Executives £200 plus VAT (£240) to £300 plus VAT (£360)
Trainees & Paralegals £120 plus VAT (£144) to £200 plus VAT (£240)
Legal Assistants £75 plus VAT (£90)
Staff
Our current ligation team who may be assigned to your matter consist of the members of staff below. Please note that you may not deal only with one person and we will assign the most suitable member of staff to the matter based on complexity, value and timescale. Where possible we will also use junior members of staff, or may outsource (where cheaper), some of the administrative tasks in the interests of reducing costs.
Tristan Alder – Partner & Head of Litigation and Head of Family – Solicitor (2004)
Chris Kennett – Chartered Legal Executive
Julia Gerke – Paralegal
Costs
The following debt collection fees apply only to uncontested claims. If the debtor already disputes the claim, or does so at any stage of the process, then you will be given an estimate based on the individual circumstances.
All matters will involve the following initial steps:
- Reviewing the documentation you provide
- Consider the claim and possible further investigations (such as locating the debtor)
- Drafting and agreeing a Letter Before Action
- Notifying the debtor of your claim
Your total costs and estimated timescale are shown below according to how the debtor responds:
-
Immediate Response
Should the debtor not respond to the Letter Before Action we will send one reminder letter.
If the debtor responds to the Letter Before Action, or the reminder, and pays the debt then once funds are cleared, they will be transferred to you and the matter concluded.
Based on a Solicitor or Partner undertaking the work on your behalf the total costs of this stage will be between:
- £450 plus VAT (£540) and
- £700 plus VAT (£840).
We estimate that this process would take between six to eight weeks to conclude. Depending on how quickly the debtor pays the debt and the method used to make payment.
-
Issuing Proceedings
If the Debtor does not respond to the Letter Before Action, then it may be necessary to issue proceedings at Court.
At this stage we will draft the Court Application for you, agree the same and then arrange for this to be issued.
Assuming that upon receipt of the issued Court papers the debtor pays and based on a Solicitor or Partner undertaking the work on your behalf the total cost of this stage will be between:
- £250 plus VAT (£300) and
- £350 plus VAT (£420) and disbursements.
We estimate that this process would take a further six to eight weeks more to conclude than the Immediate Response detailed above. Depending on how quickly the Court processes the paperwork, how quickly debtor pays the debt and the method used to make payment.
-
Requesting Judgment
If the Debtor does not respond to the Court proceedings, then you are entitled to apply for Judgment in Default (a Court Order in the absence of a reply). We will prepare this application and arrange for this to be issued by the Court. Based on a Solicitor or Partner undertaking this work on your behalf, the total cost of this stage will be between
- £50 plus VAT (£60) and
- £100 plus VAT (£120).
We estimate that this process would take a further four weeks to then obtain the Judgment in Default. This does depend on how quickly the Court processes paperwork.
-
Enforcement
If the debtor does not pay in response to the Judgment in Default and the timescale for doing so passes, then we will provide you with options available for enforcing the Judgment. Based on a Solicitor or Partner undertaking the work on your behalf, the total cost of this stage will be between:
- £50 plus VAT (£60) and
- £100 plus VAT (£120).
We can’t list the actual costs of enforcement as they will vary on the method used and the necessary steps. You will receive a detailed estimate of the proposed fees and disbursements based on your individual circumstances and the enforcement method chosen.
Disbursements
To issue proceedings at Court, a Court Fee is payable, which attracts no VAT. This fee is calculated on the value of the claim with fixed fees of between £35 and £455 for matters up to £10,000 in value.
Court Fees are subject amendment, often on short notice and whilst we will advise you of the Court Fee, you are recommended to check the up-to-date Court Fees on the GOV.UK website here. Should your matter reach the Enforcement stage there is likely to be further Court Fees or costs associated with the enforcement process. We will advise you of these at this stage depending on the enforcement option to be used.
VAT will be added to our debt collection fees, as mentioned above, at the prevailing rate (currently 20%). For example, a fee of £2,000 will currently attract a VAT liability of £400, giving a total of £2,400.
Whilst we endeavour to keep our website up to date, please be aware that VAT is subject to change and you should independently check the prevailing rate.
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