Debt Collection: Costs

We are required to provide the best estimate possible for Debt Collection work.

The costs will reflect the complexity of the matter. Costs will also depend on whether the matter settles. The costs below are based on the matter going all the way to a tribunal. You should check whether you have legal expenses cover.

In a simple case, costs are likely to be in the range of £5,000 plus VAT including expenses/disbursements and Counsel's fees.

In a medium complexity case, costs are likely to be in the range of £5,000 to £20,000 plus VAT including expenses/disbursements and Counsel's fees.

In a high complexity case, costs are likely to be in the range of £20,000 to £35,000 plus VAT including expenses/disbursements and Counsel's fees.

We are required to obtain evidence of the identity of our clients at the outset of a matter and of relevant third parties. Where it is reasonably necessary for us to identify you and/or any person associated with your case remotely, rather than in person, a charge of £9.95 plus VAT per person will be added to your bill.

There is an electronic bank transfer cost of £50 plus VAT per transfer.

Disbursements are fees paid to other parties, e.g. a court fee or medical report.

Factors that could make a case more complex:

• If the case is allocation to the Small Claim, Fast Track or Multri-Track
• Whether the case is held in the County Court or the High Court
• Whether there is any Appeal
• Whether there is enforcement proceedings necessary to recover the judgment obtained
• Whether there is a counter claim.
• Defending claims that are brought by litigants in person
• Making or defending a costs application
• Whether there is electronic evidence that needs to be obtained or recovered
• The number of witnesses and documents

The fees set out above cover all of the work in relation to the following key stages of a claim:

• Taking your initial instructions, reviewing the papers and advising you on the merits and likely compensation (this is likely to be revisited throughout the matter and subject to change)
• Entering into pre-claim conciliation where this is mandatory to explore whether a settlement can be reached
• Preparing a claim or response
• Reviewing and advising on claim or repsonse from other party
• Exploring settlement and negotiating settlement throughout the process
• Preparing or considering a schedule of loss
• Preparing for (and attending) a Preliminary Hearing
• Exchanging documents with the other party and agreeing a bundle of documents
• Taking witness statements, drafting statements and agreeing their content with witnesses
• Preparing a bundle of documents
• Reviewing and advising on the other party's witness statements
• Agreeing a list of issues, a chronology and/or cast list
• Preparation and attendance at Final Hearing, including instructions to Counsel

The time that it takes from taking your initial instructions to the final resoution of your matter depends largely on the stage at which your case is resolved. If a settlement is reached during pre-claim conciliation, your case is likely to take 12 to 26 weeks. If your claim proceeds to a Final Hearing your case is likely to take 6 months to a year. This is just an estimate and we will of course be able to give you a more accurate timescale once we have more information and as the matter progresses.