Suggest a Debt Collection Agency in UK

Vinh Hoang wrote:

A client from the UK of mine has delayed paying my works 6 months ago - And they use the NDA to claim that they would not pay me until their clients pay them.

Has anyone found a reliable debt collector in the country?

Sheila Wilson wrote:

Before taking any expensive action against a UK-based company, you should always check out their financial status on https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/companies-house . You may have to pay a small amount for the information you need, but there's no point trying to chase a debt if they've already filed. If that's the case, all you can do is register your claim with the nominated solicitor and cross your fingers (although there wasn't a cent for me on the two occasions it happened with France-based clients).

@ Michael: Have you considered using the Small Claims procedure? You'd get every penny of what's due to you when the bailiffs collect, whereas a debt recovery company would take maybe a third. However, if you think the company may be on the point of failing then debt recovery is the way to go as it's fast -- jump the queue on other creditors.

@ Vinh Hoang: The same applies. The EU Payment Order is simple and ends up being free as you're awarded costs. I don't understand what you mean about the NDA. That's simply a Non-Disclosure Agreement and shouldn't concern itself with other matters. Maybe they have combined the NDA with a service agreement? It was a definite mistake to have signed anything that says you agree to that practice. However, I made a similar mistake once in France and the judge was quite clear: all labour performed correctly MUST be paid for and paid in a timely manner -- no ifs and buts. The judge awarded me the full invoice amount plus all costs plus interest. I suggest you prepare an EU PO, save it as a PDF on their site, and send that PDF to your client with an email giving your proposed date of filing. When I did that once (French client when I'd moved to Spain) the client paid immediately as they realised I wasn't going to disappear and they didn't want a court order against them. The procedure is free up to the point of filing and only around €30 then.

@ Sanjay: Your problem is less simple of course, not being within the EU. Have you tried contacting a lawyer in the UK that specialises in small claims from abroad? Many will give some legal advice for free. Depending on the size of the debt, they may well be able to suggest something. As your client too is trying to hold you to a contractual clause that's clearly considered abusive, then a lawyer's letter to that effect may well see you paid. The lawyer would probably also have contacts among the recovery companies.

Michael Beijer wrote:

I'm currently looking for a collection agency to deal with a non-paying London-based agency.

Michael