Letter Before Action — Debt Recovery
Pre-action letter formally demanding payment of a debt within 14 days, complying with the Pre-Action Protocol for Debt Claims.
When to use this template
Use this before issuing a County Court claim for an unpaid debt. The Pre-Action Protocol for Debt Claims requires you to send a formal letter before action and allow a reasonable response period (at least 14 days). Courts will expect compliance and may penalise non-compliance in costs.
When NOT to use this template
Do not use this for debts that are statute-barred (more than 6 years old under the Limitation Act 1980). Do not use it to threaten proceedings you do not intend to bring — sending a demand without genuine intention is a contempt risk.
Legal Basis
Pre-Action Protocol for Debt Claims (effective 1 October 2017); CPR Practice Direction — Pre-Action Conduct and Protocols; Limitation Act 1980, s.5 (6-year limitation period for simple contract debts). Interest on judgment debts runs at 8% under the Judgments Act 1838.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- ✗Not attaching a Reply Form and Financial Statement as required by the Protocol
- ✗Giving less than 14 days to pay — the Protocol requires at least 14 days
- ✗Not specifying the precise amount claimed with a breakdown
- ✗Sending the letter to an address you know is wrong — ensure it goes to the correct address for service
Build Your Letter
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Letter preview
[YOUR NAME (CREDITOR)] [YOUR ADDRESS] [YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS] [DATE OF LETTER] [DEBTOR'S FULL NAME] [DEBTOR'S ADDRESS] --- Dear [DEBTOR'S FULL NAME], **LETTER BEFORE ACTION — OUTSTANDING DEBT OF £[TOTAL AMOUNT OWED (£)]** I write in connection with the sum of £[TOTAL AMOUNT OWED (£)] which is owed to me / [CREDITOR'S NAME (IF A COMPANY)] by you and which remains unpaid. **Details of the debt** Nature of the debt: [DESCRIPTION OF THE DEBT] Date the debt arose: [DATE THE DEBT AROSE] Invoice/reference number(s): [INVOICE OR REFERENCE NUMBERS] A full breakdown of the amount owed is set out below: [BREAKDOWN OF THE AMOUNT OWED] **Total amount outstanding: £[TOTAL AMOUNT OWED (£)]** **Previous requests for payment** I / [CREDITOR'S NAME (IF A COMPANY)] have previously requested payment of this debt on the following occasions: [PREVIOUS PAYMENT REQUESTS] To date, no payment has been received and no satisfactory explanation has been provided. **What I require from you** I require you to respond to this letter within 14 days of the date above. You may: 1. **Pay the full amount** of £[TOTAL AMOUNT OWED (£)] to [BANK/PAYMENT DETAILS FOR PAYMENT]. 2. **Propose a payment plan** — if you cannot pay immediately, I am prepared to consider a reasonable instalment arrangement. Please contact me to discuss this or complete the enclosed Financial Statement. 3. **Dispute the debt** — if you believe you do not owe this sum, please set out your reasons in writing with any supporting documents within 14 days. **Consequences of non-response** If I do not hear from you within 14 days, I will issue a claim in the County Court without further notice. If a judgment is obtained against you, it may affect your credit rating and I may seek to enforce it by attachment of earnings, a charging order against your property, or bailiff action. Interest at 8% per annum under the Judgments Act 1838 will continue to accrue until the debt is paid. Yours faithfully, [YOUR NAME (CREDITOR)]
Unfilled fields appear as [FIELD NAME]. Review the letter carefully before sending. This template is a starting point — adapt it to your specific circumstances.