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Debt recovery solicitors

All businesses and local authorities face periodic cashflow and debt challenges. Macro-economic conditions such as labour shortages, inflation, rising interest rates and funding cuts lead to strains on liquidity and part of the solution is expert and cost-effective debt recovery, quickly increasing cash and realising assets.

Our credentials

Weightmans has been providing specialist recovery services to private and public sector clients for over 25 years, annually collecting in excess of £150 million. We take a commercial approach, focusing on the practical realities of each situation and creating bespoke processes to suit each client’s requirements.

We are equally experienced in recovering debt from businesses and individuals and we adapt our approach to the circumstances of each case. For example, a conciliatory approach is required if our client wishes to preserve a customer relationship throughout a recovery process.

Our results are achieved by a dedicated team, using sophisticated technology and maintaining the highest regulatory standards. We are consistently recommended in legal directories, including being ranked as Tier 1 for Debt Recovery by the Legal 500 for over a decade and being named as Debt Recovery Team of the year at the 2023 Yorkshire Legal Awards.

Our services

Our national team provides a full recoveries service. We recover money, assets, goods and property, deploying the best strategy to deliver the best result for the client.

  • Pre Litigation processes to encourage early payment or delivery-up of assets
  • Statutory Demands and Bankruptcy Petitions
  • Obtaining and enforcing Judgments for both money and asset recovery
  • Winding Up Petitions
  • All types of enforcement action
  • Defended and/or Disputed claims
  • Section 146 Notices
  • Enforcement of foreign Judgments
  • Tortious claims for conversion and/or wrongful interference
  • Recovery of monies from deceased estates
  • Negotiations and mediations
  • Asset searches

Adding value

Helping clients by recovering money and assets presents us with an opportunity to provide insights into our clients’ credit processes, reducing the risk of future debt problems. We provide assistance with:

  • Advice on credit policies
  • Review and advice on contractual terms and conditions
  • Horizon scanning for developing trends within the industry
  • Reviewing debt portfolios to inform our clients’ credit control policies and procedures.

Our people

We recognise the importance of protecting a client’s brand and reputation and we view our involvement as an extension of our client’s business which is why we have invested in a market leading training programme for our staff which focuses on emotional intelligence. This training enables our people to navigate the challenges of achieving the best commercial result without risking adverse publicity. Core training modules include treating customers fairly, consumer duty, vulnerability, suicide awareness, resilience and empathy.

Your recoveries matters will be handled by our specialist recoveries team. Typically, a solicitor or legal executive will have day to day conduct of your matters, with support from paralegals. A solicitor acting for you may be described as a Partner, Consultant, Principal Associate, Associate or Solicitor, all of whom are legal qualified with their title based on experience. Our paralegals are not qualified but they are fully trained and they are an integral part of our cost effective services.

Timescales

The time it takes to reach a final resolution of an individual recoveries matter will depend on a variety of factors, particularly the extent to which the debtor/customer cooperates. The timescales provided below are estimates and we will keep you updated on any factors which are likely to result in a delay.

Money claims

Stage Timescale
Letter before claim to a business 7 days for the debtor/customer to respond
Letter before claim to an individual 30 days for the debtor/customer to respond
Service by the court of a money claim on debtor/customer 14 days for the debtor/customer to respond; if they fail to do so, Judgment can be entered against the debtor/customer
Enforcement One to four months depending on the enforcement action taken

Insolvency

Stage Timescale
Letter of demand to a business 7 days for the debtor/customer to respond
Service of a statutory demand 21 days for the debtor/customer to respond
Issue of petition 8 weeks to a court hearing

Asset recovery

Stage Timescale
Review of papers and investigations 1 – 28 days depending on the volume of documentation and location of the asset
Letter before claim 14 days for the debtor/customer to respond
Service by the court of a return of goods claim on debtor/customer One to four months, depending on Court processing times
Recovery of the asset Up to one month, depending on the location of the asset and willingness of debtor/customer to comply with the order; further legal action might be required in the event of non-compliance
Enforcement (if required) One to four months depending on the enforcement action taken

Costs

We are always keen to work with our clients to understand their needs and create bespoke pricing proposals based on volume, value and the nature of the claim. We would welcome the opportunity to discuss your needs and objectives which costing options including hourly rate, fixed fees and contingent arrangements.

For money only claims, most of our clients prefer a fixed fee approach which provides certainty as to costs. Download our fixed fee pricing structure for money only claims. It is based on the recovery of undisputed debts from a business debtor/customer.

Key contacts

Client feedback

  • This team is excellent in all aspects, communication being a huge strength, which is key in this area of business. Their operation is slick and simple with all eventualities covered, and relevant contacts provided to ensure work between both parties is flawless and uninterrupted, which in turn avoids any unnecessary delays along the chain of operation.
  • The staff are always professional, helpful and knowledgeable and give very precise advice.
  • We have always found the team very approachable at all times. They deal with our requirements as per our request and in a timely manner.
  • Weightmans are committed to enhancing the customer journey and recognise that for many customers, entering into claims and/or litigation can be a daunting process, and they ensure that customers are treated with empathy and care.
  • The entire team at Weightmans was superb throughout an extremely lengthy and complex process — a commercially minded team, with good partner engagement and appropriate resourcing.
  • Each of the individuals we work closely with at Weightmans are always fully focused on finding the right outcomes for our customers and will always ensure the customer is at the heart of everything we do, in line with our company principles.

Key contacts

Benjamin Davies
Benjamin Davies

Principal Associate

+44 (0)151 242 6874 Email Benjamin View Profile