Recover a debt

We will help you recover money owed to you through effective debt recovery action.

You did the work. You delivered the goods. You issued the invoice. And now the client is not paying. Debt recovery is not a complicated area of law, but it requires a clear, disciplined process, and the credibility that comes from having a lawyer involved often makes the difference between a debt that is recovered and one that is not. We take over the process, issue the demand, and pursue the recovery so you can get back to running your business.

What is unsecured debt recovery and why does it matter?

As an unsecured creditor, you are owed money but do not have a security interest over any of the debtor’s assets. Recovering an unsecured debt requires a structured approach, from formal demand letters through to court judgment and enforcement. Acting quickly and strategically gives you the best chance of recovering what you are owed before assets disappear.

How much does it cost to use a lawyer to recover a debt?

Costs depend on the size of the debt, the debtor’s cooperation, and whether court proceedings are required. A formal letter of demand is often sufficient to prompt payment in straightforward matters. We provide a clear fee estimate upfront and advise on whether the cost of recovery is proportionate to the debt.

What happens if the debtor ignores my demand for payment?

If the debtor does not respond to a formal demand, we can commence proceedings in the appropriate court or tribunal. Once we obtain a judgment, enforcement options include garnishing bank accounts or wages, and seizing and selling assets.

Can I recover my legal costs from the debtor?

Cost recovery in debt matters depends on the court or tribunal and the outcome of the proceedings. In many cases, especially smaller claims, the costs awarded by the court may not cover all your legal fees. We advise on the realistic cost recovery position before you commit to proceedings.

How long does unsecured debt recovery take?

Many debtors respond to a formal demand within 7 to 14 days. If proceedings are required, timelines depend on the court or tribunal and whether the debtor contests the claim. We advise on realistic timeframes and pursue the most efficient path to recovery.

Your debt is recovered with minimum cost and delay.

The debtor is put on formal notice that non-payment has legal consequences.

You have a court judgment and enforcement options if the debtor still refuses to pay.

Is a client refusing to pay what they owe you?

Chasing unpaid invoices is frustrating and time-consuming. Before you write off the debt, let us assess your recovery options and take the pressure off with a formal approach that gets results.

You delivered. Now get paid.

You are owed money by a client who is ignoring your invoices and follow-up messages, and informal approaches have clearly failed. You need to take formal action, but you are not sure whether the cost of legal recovery is proportionate, what the process involves, or how quickly you can actually get paid.

We will assess your debt and advise on the most effective recovery strategy.
We will prepare and issue a formal letter of demand on your behalf.
We will pursue the debtor through the appropriate court or tribunal if the demand is ignored.
We will obtain a judgment and pursue enforcement action against the debtor's assets.
We will advise on insolvency options if the debtor is unable to pay.

You delivered. They did not pay.

You provided goods or services in good faith, on agreed terms, and the client has not paid. It has been weeks or months. Your follow-up messages have been met with excuses, silence, or promises that have not been kept. You are frustrated, out of pocket, and beginning to wonder whether it is worth pursuing at all… but the amount is significant enough that walking away does not feel right either.

What's included in your debt recovery service

Review of your debt and assessment of recovery prospects.
Preparation and service of a formal letter of demand.
Initiation of court or tribunal proceedings where required.
Obtaining a default or contested judgment.
Enforcement action against the debtor's assets, wages, or bank accounts.
Advice on insolvency options including statutory demands and winding up.

What happens if you let unpaid debts slide

The longer a debt goes unpursued, the harder it becomes to recover. Debtors who are not challenged quickly learn that you will not act, and the behaviour continues. Meanwhile, their financial position may be deteriorating — assets may be disposed of, a company may be approaching insolvency, or they may be accumulating other creditors whose claims will rank ahead of yours if you leave it too long. A debt that is recoverable today may not be recoverable in six months. The cost of inaction is rarely obvious until it is too late.

Here is how we put you back in control

We issue a formal letter of demand that puts the debtor on notice in clear, unambiguous terms; the amount owed, the legal basis for the claim, and the consequences of non-payment. Many debtors respond at this stage. For those who do not, we commence proceedings efficiently, obtain a judgment, and pursue enforcement through the mechanisms available — wage garnishments, bank garnishments, property charges. We keep you informed at every stage and pursue the most cost-effective path to getting you paid.

Our debt recovery process

Three steps to recovering what you are owed.

Demand payment

We issue a formal letter of demand to the debtor setting out the amount owed, the legal basis for the debt, and the consequences of non-payment.

Pursue proceedings

If the demand is ignored, we commence court or tribunal proceedings on your behalf and obtain a judgment against the debtor.

Enforce and recover

With a judgment in hand, we pursue enforcement action, including garnishment, asset seizure, or insolvency proceedings, to recover the debt.

Experienced debt recovery lawyers ready to act for you

We know how demoralising it is to be owed money by someone who simply chooses not to pay, and how much time and energy a single unpaid invoice can consume. Our lawyers have recovered debts for businesses across every industry and across the full range of amounts. We know how to assess the cost-effectiveness of recovery for any given debt, and we will tell you honestly when pursuit is and is not worthwhile.

We understand you want to know the cost, before we get started.

We will map out our process, from beginning to end, so you know what the journey will look like before you get started.

We will provide you with a clear and detailed Work Proposal covering each step along the way.

Our fair fees are all-inclusive. No hidden costs for telephone calls, emails, photocopying, couriers, or coffee.

Our great lawyer guarantee

We want to be part of your team over the long term. We achieve this by adhering to these core principles:

Take the time

We listen carefully to understand what you want to achieve. Then we thoroughly explain our advice and step you through the documents. You can be sure you know the full consequences.

Share our knowledge

We will pass on as much knowledge as we can, so you can make your own informed decisions. We want to make you truly independent.

Stick to our knitting

We only do what we're good at. You can be confident that we know what we're doing and don't pass on the cost of our learning.

Work as one team

Someone will always be available to answer your questions, or point you in the right direction. You will also benefit from a range of perspectives and experience.

Fair pricing

For advice and documents, we provide a fixed or capped quote so you don't take price risk. If you're in a dispute, we map out the process and costs so you know what to expect.

It's your show

We're not in this for our egos. We're in it for a front row seat to witness your success.

Ready to recover your debt?

Book a call today and we will assess your debt, advise on your recovery options, and take over the process so you can focus on your business.

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