Client wont pay - UK
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- 18 Responses
- chrisRG
I don't have a contract for tis one, but I do have the invoice and tons of emails about the job, even the one he agrees to pay what i've asked for.
Can I take any legal action, does it worth and how fast is it?
Thanks.
- SunSunSun0
It's worth taking legal action if the job is worth a lot.
What are his reasons?
- chrisRG0
What u mean by worth a lot?
He doesn't say he won't pay, but he keeps postponing and it's been more than 3 months from the due date!
- iheartfun0
Legal action costs a lot so if it is some $300 dollar job is it worth it.
Also 3 months, while still unacceptable, is not a long time. Keep at him.
- MSL0
You'll be looking at the small claims court. If you win (and there is no reason you won't if you have evidence) then they will have to pay you the money owed, your court fee and any other fees accrued.
Good luck.
- SunSunSun0
Well if it's more than a couple of grand I would consider legal action. I've had to wait a lot longer for clients to pay though. Which is not good.
Tell him you need to see the money in your account by a certain date or you'll have to get your lawyer involved. He will then probably give you an excuse - like he's waiting on payments or something - and then you have 2 options:
- trust his word and wait. (shitty option - but can keep a good working relationship if this is a one off)
- explain that his cashflow is not your problem and you're going to have to take legal action.
- SunSunSun0
Yeah I think a lawyer can work it so they pay your legal costs.
- MSL0
Go along to your local CAB too - there is a stigma attached that they are a useless bunch, but I have found quite the opposite.
- Fax_Benson0
Not sure whether this is enforcable without a contract, but you're legally entitled to interest on late payments. There's a calculator on the site. I threatened a non paying client with it. Nothing happened.
- Client says: "LOL, more money I will not be paying you."monNom
- honest0
Do you have written confirmation on approval of your estimate/completion of the job?
- honest0
Do you have written confirmation on approval of your estimate/completion of the job?
- lowimpakt0
fuck you, pay me.
- jamble0
You should still have enough to follow up through legal channels but it might be worth consulting a solicitor if it's for a reasonable amount and you can always consider small claims court.
- ThePublics0
I don't do anything without enforceable contracts anymore, but the last time someone tried to pull a fast one, it wasn't enough money worth the lawyer, so I threatened to destroy the person's reputation amongst his peers. It worked.
- Jimbo820
I had a very similar issue a few years back, did the work for a client, they were very happy about it all and then stalled on paying for months.
I then went through the small claims system and they paid up, just before going bust.
Here's the thread, might be some nuggets of information towards the end
- spot130
Why not just have a lawyer write a threatening letter, that might be all it takes. Say that they have until [insert date] to pay or you will take legal action. Probably will cost you around $500 to have the letter drafted and sent by a lawyer.