Debt recovery

This guidance sets out:

• Our total costs (or average or range where a total cannot be given)
• Likely disbursements
• What services are included at each key stage
• The key stages of the debt recovery process and likely timescales

Every case is unique and cost or timescale may vary depending on complexity or how long the matter progresses.

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The team

The Debt Recovery team has extensive experience in debt recovery and court procedure. The team is supervised by a Partner.

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The Insolvency team works alongside the Debt Recovery team and includes a Senior Associate Solicitor and a Solicitor.

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Debt Recovery ream members and rates (exclusive of VAT)

• Tina Eyles – Paralegal
  Hourly rate: £220
  Experience: 18 years as a Paralegal, including 5 years in debt recovery
• Andrew Morgan – Senior Associate Solicitor
  Hourly rate: £320
  Experience: 9 years
• Yat Wong – Senior Associate Solicitor
  Hourly rate: £330
  Experience: 30 years
• James Martin – Legal Director
  Hourly rate: £330
  Experience: 15 years
• Luke Patel – Partner
  Hourly rate: £370
  Experience: 29 years

Insolvency team members and rates (exclusive of VAT)

• Victoria Tynan – Solicitor
  Hourly rate: £270
  Experience: 5 years
• Ian Scobbie – Senior Associate Solicitor
  Hourly rate: £360
  Experience: over 30 years

VAT is charged at the prevailing rate, currently 20%.

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Costs overview

Debt recovery work is generally charged on an hourly rate basis. The figures below are estimates. Costs may increase if a matter becomes protracted or more complex.

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Some fees may be recoverable from the debtor if your claim is successful.

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1. Pre-issue stage

1a. Letter Before Action

This stage includes:

• Reviewing documents
• Drafting and sending a Letter Before Action
• Considering the debtor’s response
• Advising on next steps

We aim to send the Letter Before Action within 5 working days of receiving all required information.
The debtor has 14 days to respond if they are an individual, or 30 days if they are a company.
Advice is provided within 5 working days of receiving any response.

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Estimated fees (exclusive of VAT):

• For debts up to £25,000: between £220 and £440
• For debts between £25,000 and £100,000: between £220 and £660

There are no disbursements at this stage.

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The typical timescale is 4 to 12 weeks from the date of instruction.

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These costs do not include negotiating settlement with the debtor.

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1b. Pre-issue discussions/negotiations

This covers negotiations with the debtor after the Letter Before Action and before issuing court proceedings. This may include telephone calls, letters, or emails.

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Work is charged at the applicable hourly rate.

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We would not normally expect these discussions to exceed 2 to 3 hours over approximately 4 weeks.

Estimated fees (exclusive of VAT):

• For debts up to £100,000: between £440 and £660

There are no disbursements at this stage.

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2. Post-Issue Stage

If the debtor does not respond to the Letter Before Action, or disputes the debt and negotiations break down, County Court proceedings can be issued.

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Please note that after proceedings are issued, it can take 12 to 18 months for a final hearing to be listed.

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2a. Issuing a Claim Form (Money Claim Online)

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This assumes the claim is straightforward and issued online via Money Claim Online, without the need for separate Particulars of Claim.

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Our fixed fee for issuing the claim is £220 plus VAT.

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Court fees depend on the debt value, for example:

• Up to £300: court fee £35
• £300 to £500: court fee £50
• £500 to £1,000: court fee £70
• £1,000 to £1,500: court fee £80
• £1,500 to £3,000: court fee £115
• £3,000 to £5,000: court fee £205
• £5,000 to £10,000: court fee £455
• £10,000 to £100,000: court fee is 5% of the claim value

The claim is usually submitted for issued within 5 working days once all information is received.

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2b. Defence

If the debtor files a Defence, the matter may be transferred to a Solicitor in the Dispute Resolution team. At that stage:

• You will receive a tailored cost estimate
• You will be advised whether it is economical to pursue the claim
• Prospects of success will be assessed

If the case proceeds to a final hearing, a court hearing fee will apply depending on the claim value:

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• Small claims up to £300: court fee £27
• Small claims between £300 to £500: court fee £59
• Small claims between £500 to £1,000: court fee £85
• Small claims between £1,000 to £1,500: court fee £123
• Small claims between £1,500 to £3,000: court fee £181.00
• Small claims over £3,000: court fee £346
• Fast track claims: court fee £455
• Intermediate or multi track claims: £1,334

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A defended matter typically takes 12 to 18 months to reach a final hearing.

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2c. Judgment

If the debtor does not respond to the claim or admits it in full, you can request judgment.

Our fee for requesting judgment is £110 plus VAT, regardless of the debt value (up to £100,000).

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There are no disbursements at this stage.

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Judgment is usually entered within 12 weeks, and often sooner.

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The process of requesting judgment itself takes 1 to 2 weeks.

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This does not include dealing with any application by the debtor to set aside judgment.

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3. Enforcement

If the judgment is not paid, enforcement options are available. Fees below assume the debtor does not contest enforcement.

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Available enforcement options include:

• Charging Order
  Disbursements include Land Registry search fees and court fees.
  Total estimated cost: between £583 and £803 plus VAT
  Timescale: approximately 12 weeks
• County Court Bailiffs
  Disbursments include: court fee
  Total estimated cost: approximately £274 plus VAT
  Timescale: approximately 3 to 12 months
• High Court Enforcement
  Disbursements include: court fee and abortive fee if enforcement unsuccessful.
  Estimated total cost: between £520 and £815 plus VAT
  Timescale: approximately 3 to 12 months
• Third Party Debt Order
  Includes court fees and advocate attendance.
  Estimated total cost: approximately £945 plus VAT
  Timescale: approximately 12 weeks
• Attachment of Earnings Order
  Estimated total cost: between £355 and £555 plus VAT
  Timescale: approximately 12 weeks
• Order to Obtain Information from a Debtor
  Includes court issue fee and bailiff service.
  Estimated total cost: between £642 and £862 plus VAT
  Timescale: approximately 12 weeks

Enforcement usually takes 3 to 12 months, but payment is not guaranteed and depends on the debtor’s assets or ability to pay.

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Negotiations after enforcement has commenced are charged separately on an hourly rate basis.

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4. Insolvency proceedings

Insolvency proceedings may be used instead of County Court proceedings or as an alternative enforcement method, but only where the debt is not disputed.

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Statutory demand

Includes:

• Drafting
• Process server fee
• Total estimated cost: between £745 and £1,030 plus VAT

We aim to arrange service within 5 working days of receiving information.

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Bankruptcy proceedings (individual debt)

Includes:

• Service of Statutory Demand
• Bankruptcy search
• Court issue fee
• Official Receiver deposit (refundable if dismissed)
• Service of Bankruptcy Petition
• Advocate fee at hearing

Total estimated cost: between £4,000 and £4,700 plus VAT.

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The timescale is typically 2 to 3 months from service of the Statutory Demand to hearing.

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Winding-up proceedings (company debt)

Includes:

• Company search
• Court issue fee
• Official Receiver deposit (refundable if dismissed)
• Advertising in the London Gazette
• Service of the petition
• Advocate representation at hearing

Total estimated cost: between £5,250 and £6,500 plus VAT.

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A winding-up hearing usually takes place 6 to 8 weeks after the petition is issued.

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Costs do not include dealing with:

• Applications to set aside a Statutory Demand
• Injunctions to restrain presentation or advertisement of a winding-up petition

Any such work is charged at hourly rates and an estimate will be provided.

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Blacks Solicitors LLP
May 2026

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