Debtor F.A.Q.

The records of the venue show that there is an outstanding debt. The debt has been referred to us for collection.  If you dispute the debt it is important that you advise us (please quote the case number when you contact us).
If you ignore our correspondence, the debt may be escalated to County Court proceedings against you.

Under the Late Payment of Commercial Debts (Interest) Act 1998 and subsequent regulations (2002, 2013), our client is legally entitled to claim fixed compensation for every overdue commercial debt.

The Compensation Entitlement claimed depends on the value of each overdue payment:

The Late Payment of Commercial Debts (Interest) Act 1998 introduced the statutory right to charge interest on invoices paid late etc.

The statutory rate of interest varies, and can change twice a year. The rate payable is 8% above the relevant Bank of England rate. Our correspondence explains the annual percentage of the interest rate charged and the number of days that interest has been calculated for. Interest charges continue to be added to the debt until the debt is settled in full.

Alternatively, the Terms of Business you agreed with our client may specify a different interest rate.

The Late Payment of Commercial Debts (Interest) Act 1998 (Section 5A (2A)), as amended by The Late Payment of Commercial Debts Regulations 2013 (SI2013/395), states:

“If the reasonable costs of the supplier in recovering the debt are not met by the fixed sum [i.e. Compensation Entitlement], the supplier shall also be entitled to claim a sum equivalent to the difference between the fixed sum and those costs.”
The Late Payment of Commercial Debts (Interest) Act 1998 (Section 5A (2A))

Where applicable, we will calculate this additional charge and include this sum within the calculation of the total debt owed. The additional cost may increase as the additional costs incurred in pursuing the debt also increase. The additional debt collection costs are a contribution to the additional costs incurred by both our client and Hotel Debt UK. Our client may have incurred significant additional costs before the matter was referred to us.

The debt does need to be repaid. If necessary you can contact us to discuss a payment plan to repay over an extended period.

Our correspondence normally includes a copy of the bill / invoice from the venue. Additionally, payment is made direct to the venue.

If you would like further proof that we’re acting for the venue then please contact us quoting the relevant case number.

Our first port of call is to correspond with the debtor to ask them to settle their debt.

County Court proceedings are only considered if the debtor does not make payment or does not agree to a payment plan to settle the debt.

County Court proceedings add considerable costs to a claim and are also a matter of public record. We would hope to secure payment without County Court proceedings, but this remains an option.

If you would like to propose a payment arrangement, please contact us with your proposal. We can then discuss your ability to repay using a payment plan.

All offers of repayment are subject to client approval and will consult them. Where possible you should look to make a reasonable down payment as this shows your commitment to the proposal.

Do not ignore the correspondence you have received from us. The problem will not go away by ignoring our correspondence.

If you cannot afford to immediately repay the debt, then please contact us to propose a payment plan.

If a debtor has not paid as directed on the judgment made against them, then their details are registered as a CCJ. CCJs stay on the public register for six years, and may affect your ability to get credit.

If the debtor ignores the CCJ, the employer can use a County Court Bailiff or High Court Enforcement Officer to ensure payment. Other enforcement proceedings are also available.

A County Court Bailiff or an agent of a High Court Enforcement Officer (Sheriff), will only visit a debtor after they default on a County Court Judgment (CCJ). There is plenty of opportunity to settle the debt before County Court proceedings, and after a CCJ before enforcement proceedings commence.

A “Notice of Enforcement” is part of the process to recover a debt after a Writ of Control has been issued against the debtor by the High Court. This process only starts after the debtor fails to make payment after a County Court Judgment (CCJ) is issued.

Full instructions, including how to make payment, will be on the “Notice of Enforcement”, along with the next steps available to the High Court Enforcement Officer.