Business-to-Business Debt Collection

Business-to-business collection involves two commercial entities governed primarily by contract law, Late-Payment legislation and, where relevant, the Commercial Agents Regulations. Consumer collections, by contrast, must adhere to strict FCA rules and consumer-protection statutes such as the Consumer Credit Act. B2B debts often involve higher values, longer payment terms and complex supply-chain knock-on effects. Collectors therefore need stronger commercial negotiation skills, industry insight and the ability to escalate quickly into legal enforcement without damaging future trading relationships.

Best practice is to escalate as soon as agreed credit terms expire—typically within 30 days of invoice date. Delaying beyond 90 days dramatically reduces recovery odds because debtors’ cash-flow pressure—and potential insolvency risk—increases over time. Early intervention also preserves contractual leverage and goodwill, making it easier to negotiate payment plans or secure settlement before legal fees accumulate.

Yes. Under the Late Payment of Commercial Debts (Interest) Act 1998 you can claim statutory interest at 8 % over Bank of England base rate plus a fixed compensation charge (£40–£100 depending on invoice value). Contracts may also specify bespoke interest clauses or indemnity costs. Our team calculates the maximum lawful uplift, includes it in demand letters and seeks the full amount through court proceedings where necessary.

Handled correctly, no. We operate under a “firm but fair” ethos—professional language, transparent breakdowns of sums owed, and structured repayment options. Many debtors appreciate the clarity and finality a third party brings. Where long-term partnerships exist, we co-brand correspondence or limit communication channels to preserve your brand tone.

Options include County Court Claims for undisputed sums up to £100,000, High Court transfer for enforcement on judgments over £600, Statutory Demands leading to Winding-Up Petitions for companies, and Alternative Dispute Resolution where elements are contested. Our solicitors advise on the quickest, most cost-effective route based on asset intelligence and debtor behaviour.

We leverage cross-border solicitor partners and local enforcement agents familiar with jurisdiction-specific procedures. Where reciprocal judgement treaties exist (e.g., EU, EFTA), we can obtain a UK judgment then register and enforce overseas. For more complex territories we may pursue arbitration or local court action. Currency fluctuation and translation costs are factored into settlement negotiations.

We handle both. For genuine disputes we gather delivery notes, purchase orders and contractual milestones, then mediate to isolate the payable portion. If a dispute is frivolous or purely a delay tactic, we proceed with litigation to obtain judgment on the undisputed balance.

Core items include signed contract or T&Cs, invoice copy, statement of account, correspondence trail, and any delivery or service evidence. If credit insurance or personal guarantees exist, copies help determine enforcement strategy. Our onboarding portal streamlines document uploads and KYC compliance in minutes.

We offer fixed-fee pre-legal packages, sliding-scale commission models, or blended retainers for ongoing credit-control support. Legal fees are quoted transparently and many costs—court fees, enforcement officer charges—are recoverable from the debtor once judgment is secured. We discuss the risk profile of each ledger to align pricing with likely recovery prospects.

We monitor Companies House and Gazette notices in real time. If administrators or liquidators are appointed, our solicitors file Proofs of Debt promptly and liaise to maximise dividend returns or secure asset sales. Where a personal guarantee exists, we may pursue guarantors separately to protect your position.