What this covers

Debt recovery is the process of getting paid money you are owed, ideally without going to court. In practice that means checking the debt is properly due, telling the debtor clearly what you want and by when, and having a realistic plan if they do not pay.

Most matters start with a letter before action. Many resolve at that stage or through negotiation. Some need a County Court claim, and a smaller number need enforcement after judgment.

Who I help

Businesses with unpaid invoices from customers or clients, including sole traders, partnerships and limited companies.
Individuals owed money under a contract or a loan.
Creditors who have received a reply disputing the debt and need to decide what to do next.
Businesses that already hold a judgment and want to consider enforcement.

I act for creditors and, in separate matters, for people who are being chased for money. I never act for both sides in the same dispute, and every matter starts with a conflict check.

What is included

Depending on the agreed scope, my work can include:

Reviewing the contract, invoices, correspondence and payment history.
Assessing whether the debt is likely to be disputed, and how strong any dispute looks.
Considering statutory interest and compensation for late payment on business debts, or contractual interest where your terms provide for it.
Preparing a letter before action that follows the Practice Direction – Pre-Action Conduct and, where the debtor is an individual or sole trader, the Pre-Action Protocol for Debt Claims.
Negotiating payment, including instalment arrangements, and recording any settlement in writing.
Issuing and running a County Court claim where it is proportionate.
Advising on enforcement options after judgment.
Advising on whether a statutory demand or insolvency route is legally suitable in a particular case.

What is not included

Statutory demands or insolvency petitions as a pressure tactic for a genuinely disputed debt. The court can set aside a statutory demand where the debt is disputed on substantial grounds, and misuse can result in adverse costs.
Consumer credit or regulated debt collection work.
Bulk or volume collection of large numbers of low-value debts.
Advocacy at hearings unless separately agreed. Where a hearing needs a barrister, I will explain this and the likely cost first.

How a matter usually progresses

Timescales below are typical, not promised. They depend on the debtor's response, the court's workload and whether the debt is disputed.

1. Initial review

I look at the documents and give you a view on whether the money is properly due, what you can add to the claim and whether the debtor is likely to be able to pay. This usually takes a few working days once I have the papers.

2. Letter before action

The letter sets out the debt, how it is calculated and what you want. In a business-to-business matter, a reasonable time to respond is often around 14 days for a straightforward claim. If the debtor is an individual or sole trader, the debt protocol requires a 30-day response period and specific enclosures, and more time may be needed if they say they are seeking debt advice.

3. Negotiation and settlement

If the debtor engages, the aim is a clear agreement: a lump sum, instalments, or a reduced figure in return for prompt payment. The courts expect parties to consider negotiation or other forms of alternative dispute resolution before issuing a claim.

4. Court proceedings

If the debt remains unpaid, a claim can be issued in the County Court. If the debtor does not respond, you may be able to request judgment without a hearing. If they defend, the claim is allocated to a track:

Small claims track: most claims worth up to £10,000. Recoverable legal costs are limited, and defended claims of this size are usually referred to a free court mediation appointment first.
Fast track: most claims worth up to £25,000 that can be tried in a day.
Intermediate track: claims worth up to £100,000 that meet its conditions, including a trial of no more than three days.
Multi-track: larger or more complex claims.

A defended claim can take many months to reach a final hearing, although many settle earlier.

5. Enforcement

If judgment is not paid, we look at which method fits what the debtor owns or earns. Enforcement adds cost and is not guaranteed to succeed, so it should be considered at the start, not only at the end.

Costs

My fees for debt recovery are set out on the fees page. Before each stage I will give you a written estimate or fixed fee for that stage, so you can decide whether the next step is worth taking.

In addition to my fees, a debt matter often involves disbursements, which are third-party costs paid on your behalf:

Court issue fees. These are set by HM Courts & Tribunals Service and banded by the value of the claim. For claims over £10,000 and up to £200,000, the issue fee is currently 5% of the claim value (EX50, GOV.UK, retrieved 26 October 2026).
Hearing fees, if a defended claim goes to a final hearing, which also vary by track and value.
Enforcement fees, for example to apply for a warrant of control, an attachment of earnings order or a charging order.
Tracing agent fees, if the debtor has moved and needs to be located.
Barrister's fees, if a hearing or specialist advice requires counsel.

Court fees change from time to time. I check the current EX50 figures when giving you an estimate. Some fees may be recoverable from the debtor if you succeed, but recovery depends on the court's order and the debtor's ability to pay.

How to start

Email info@sadikbugra.com with a short summary: who owes the money, how much, what it is for and when it fell due. Please do not send documents until I have confirmed there is no conflict.

After a preliminary conflict check, I can offer a free initial discussion of up to 15 minutes, subject to availability, by video or in person in St Albans. That discussion is to understand your matter and explain how I could help. It does not include detailed advice or document review.

Sending an enquiry does not create a solicitor–client relationship and does not protect any deadline. If you think a limitation period may be close, say so in your enquiry, but do not wait for my reply before taking steps to protect your position.

This page is general information about the law in England and Wales as at 26 October 2026. It is not advice on your situation.

Fees

Debt recovery pre-action package

£1,400No VAT charged — I am not currently VAT-registered (VAT added only if applicable in future, with notice).

Includes

Initial review of the debt and supporting documents
A proportionate assessment of the claim and recovery prospects
One letter before action
Review of one substantive response and advice on next steps

Not included

Further negotiation beyond one response
Issuing or defending court proceedings
Enforcement and tracing
Counsel's fees and other third-party costs

Hourly rate

£350 per hourNo VAT charged — I am not currently VAT-registered (VAT added only if applicable in future, with notice).

Includes

Work by Sadik Bugra Isler personally, recorded in units agreed in the engagement letter

Not included

Disbursements and third-party costs, which are estimated separately in advance

Conditional fee arrangements may be considered for suitable debt recovery matters following an individual assessment.

Full fee information

Questions people often ask

Do I need a solicitor to send a letter before action?

No, but a letter that sets out the claim clearly, follows the relevant pre-action rules and states what happens next is more likely to be taken seriously and less likely to cause problems later on costs. If the debtor is an individual or sole trader, the Pre-Action Protocol for Debt Claims sets specific requirements, including enclosures and a 30-day response period.

Is a claim under £50,000 a small claim?

No. In the County Court, most money claims worth up to £10,000 are normally allocated to the small claims track. Claims up to £25,000 normally go to the fast track, and claims up to £100,000 may go to the intermediate track if they meet its conditions. Larger or more complex claims go to the multi-track. The track affects procedure and how much of your legal costs you can usually recover from the other side.

Can I claim interest and compensation on a late business invoice?

Often, yes. Where your contract does not provide for interest, the Late Payment of Commercial Debts (Interest) Act 1998 may allow statutory interest and a fixed compensation sum on business-to-business debts. It does not apply to debts owed by consumers. Whether it applies, and from when, depends on the contract and the facts.

The customer says they dispute the invoice. Can I serve a statutory demand?

Usually not. A statutory demand is the first step towards bankruptcy or winding up, and the court can set it aside where the debt is disputed on substantial grounds. Using it to pressure someone over a genuine dispute can lead to an adverse costs order. A disputed debt normally needs to be resolved by negotiation, ADR or a court claim.

What happens if I win but the debtor still does not pay?

A County Court judgment does not pay itself. You may need to choose an enforcement method, such as a warrant or writ of control, an attachment of earnings order, a charging order over property or a third-party debt order. The right choice depends on what the debtor owns or earns, so it is worth thinking about recoverability before you issue a claim.

How long do I have to bring a claim for an unpaid invoice?

For a claim under a simple contract in England and Wales, the general limitation period is six years from when the cause of action arose. Some situations are different, and leaving a debt late usually makes it harder to recover, so act early if you can.

Does sending an enquiry mean you are acting for me?

No. I can only act once I have completed a conflict check, confirmed that the matter is suitable and we have agreed the scope and fees in writing. Until then, I am not monitoring any deadline for you.