Chasing unpaid invoices is frustrating, but most people pay if you follow the right process. The key is to start quickly and escalate gradually: polite at first, then firmer, then formal legal action if they ignore you.
The escalation process
Days 1-7: Friendly reminder Send a polite email or call assuming they forgot:
"Hi [Name], just a quick reminder that invoice #1234 for £1,500 was due on [date]. Could you let me know when payment will be made?"
40-50% pay at this stage.
Days 7-14: Firmer reminder More direct, asking for confirmation:
"Invoice #1234 is now 7 days overdue. Please confirm when payment will be made."
Days 14-30: Escalation Mention consequences:
"This invoice is now 14 days overdue. If payment isn't received within 7 days, I'll have to escalate this further."
Days 30-45: Letter Before Action Formal legal warning sent by Recorded Delivery:
"If payment isn't received within 14 days, I will file a court claim without further notice."
An additional 30-40% pay at this stage to avoid court.
Day 60+: Court filing File a small claims court claim.
70-80% of court cases result in judgment for the creditor.
Why start early
The sooner you chase, the more likely you are to recover.
Delays mean:
- The debtor's financial situation gets worse
- They think you won't actually do anything
- Your evidence becomes stale (emails, records)
- Your cash flow suffers
Start chasing within 7 days of the due date. Don't wait weeks hoping they'll pay.
Common mistakes to avoid
Wrong tone
- Too aggressive (threats, insults) makes you look unprofessional
- Too soft (apologizing, vague language) makes you seem easy to ignore
Missing legal requirements If your Letter Before Action doesn't include the right information, the court can dismiss your claim.
Incorrect court forms Filling in the N1 form wrong can delay your case by months.
Poor evidence organization If you can't prove the debt in court, you'll lose.
Your options compared
DIY recovery:
- Time: 12-20+ hours per invoice
- Success rate: Lower (easy to make mistakes)
- Cost: Just your time
Solicitors:
- Cost: £2,200-£5,600 per case
- Not recoverable in small claims (you're out of pocket even if you win)
- Unprofitable for most invoices under £10,000
Debt collectors:
- Commission: 10-25% of what they collect
- You lose a big chunk of your money
- Success rate: 40-50%
Garfield:
- Time: 5 minutes to set up
- Cost: Fixed, recoverable fees (effectively free if you win)
- Success rate: 70-80%
- You keep 100% of your recovery
How Garfield works
Garfield automates the entire process:
- Sends friendly reminders automatically
- Escalates to firmer language if ignored
- Generates and sends Letter Before Action by trackable post
- Files court claims with one click if still unpaid
- Tracks everything for you in one dashboard
No chasing, no legal research, no hours spent on paperwork. Just automated, professional debt recovery that actually works.