Debt Recovery Product & Service List
O’Donnell Solicitors offer a fixed fee service to assist our individual and commercial clients to recover debts from other individuals and businesses.
We offer the following fixed fees for undisputed debts: –
| Debt Amount | Letter of Claim (excl. VAT) | Issuing Proceedings (excl. VAT) | Entering Judgment (excl. VAT) | Court Issue Fee |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Up to £10,000 | £250 | £500 | £250 | £35 - £455 |
| £10,000 - £200,000 | £500 | £750 | £500 | 5% claim value |
| £200,000+ | £750 | £1,000 | £750 | £10,000 |
Our fixed fee service for undisputed debts includes the following: –
- Taking instructions and reviewing documents;
- Drafting and dispatching a letter of claim;
- Receiving any response;
- If the debt remains unpaid, drafting and issuing proceedings;
- Applying to enter judgment in default, where the time for responding to the claim has expired.
Fixed costs can be claimed from the debtor, including the court issue fee and a contribution towards the cost of issuing the proceedings and entering judgment. In some cases, a higher amount of costs can be claimed, e.g., where a contract or legislation allows.
Some cases fall outside the scope of the above fixed fees where they require additional work, e.g., where they are disputed or complex. We are happy to provide an estimate of timescale and cost for this type of case.
Timescale
Undisputed debts may take between 1 and 3 months to obtain judgment or sooner payment.
Disputed debts may take between 9 and 15 months up to trial and judgment depending on the circumstances.
Statutory Demand
In some cases, we may recommend serving a Statutory Demand on the debtor, requiring them to make payment within 21 days of service, as an alternative to issuing proceedings or after obtaining judgment.
Where this option is applicable, we offer the following fixed fee service: –
| Service | Fee + VAT |
|---|---|
| Drafting & serving Statutory Demand | £500 |
| Process Server to arrange and carry out personal service (approx.) | £100 |
Our service includes taking instructions, reviewing the documents, drafting and arranging service of the Statutory Demand, and receiving any response.
If the debt is still not settled, we can advise our clients about obtaining judgment and / or the other enforcement options set out below, and provide a related timescale and cost.
Enforcement
Where judgment is obtained but remains unpaid, we can assist with taking steps to recover or secure the monies owing. These can involve applying for or issuing a: –
- Warrant of Control;
- Writ of Control;
- Charging Order;
- Third Party Debt Order;
- Attachment of Earnings Order;
- Statutory Demand (see above);
- Bankruptcy Petition / Winding Up Petition.
We can advise our clients on the most appropriate option and agree an estimate of related costs.
Hourly Rates
In cases where we are unable to offer a fixed fee, we charge our fees on a time spent basis at the following rates: –
| Position | Hourly Rate + VAT |
|---|---|
| Director and Solicitors with over 8 years’ post qualification experience | £250 |
| Solicitors with over 4 years’ post qualification experience | £225 |
| Other Solicitors, Legal Executives & other staff of equivalent experience | £200 |
| Trainee Solicitors and other staff of equivalent experience | £150 |
Our Team
The members of our Dispute Resolution and Litigation Department are as follows: –
| Team Member | Hourly Rate + VAT |
|---|---|
| Richard Dobson-Mason (Director) (2008) | £250 |
