PDA

View Full Version : Disputed Invoice and the Small Claims Court


ABCStudio
6th July 2008, 09:50
We have a client that will shortly be passed to the debt collector and then on to the small claims court over and outstanding debt of almost £2000. Although the client has emailed us stating that he disputes the amount he wont say for what reason so at this rate we will be going to court not knowing what his reason is for not paying.


Does anyone have any experience of this? I would assume that the court will look very badly on his refusal to state his objection to the invoice but that could be wishful thinking on my behalf.

DavidT
6th July 2008, 11:12
I'd also expect it to look badly on him with the court.

What is it for? A product or service?

I take it you have an agreement of some sort. Quote that was agreed, evidence he accepted this in some way and the work was carried out accordingly?

Although it is only a small amount of information you've provided - understanding he is simply refusing to pay for no reason and if you can show you've attempted to resolve the problem, find out what the dispute is and so on - I wouldn't think you would be likely to lose it.

Hopefully the debt collector will light a cracker and get something happening... might not go to court.

David Toohey
The Accountants Circle (http://www.accountantscircle.co.uk/)
Accountancy & Bookkeeping Forums (http://www.accountantscircle.co.uk/Forums/tabid/59/Default.aspx) | Accountant & Bookkeeper Blogs (http://www.accountantscircle.co.uk/NewsampBlogs/AccountantBlogs/tabid/595/Default.aspx) | Company Formations from £21! (http://www.accountantscircle.co.uk/OurPartners/UKCompanyFormationsOnline/tabid/667/Default.aspx)

ABCStudio
6th July 2008, 11:21
Its the balance of a web site that was in use for over 2 years, all well documented from our side of things, first reminder from us 2 days after the invoice fell over due asked if he had a dispute to let is know and we can try and sort it out.

We have a database of over 2000 users of the site as well as over 120 email from him requesting various changes and updates so it would be vary hard to say he hasn't go what he wanted, or after such a long period of use to turn round and say he didn't like it.

Our latest reminder asking what his dispute was simply got the response "I don't have time to read this!"

I get the impression that we are just being fobbed off to buy time, but we hae followed all our procedures now and this week we can finally pass it on and hopefully they will be taken more seriously.

nigelmarsh
6th July 2008, 20:46
send me an email and we will be glad to act on your behalf , and have an order on their desk by 10am tomorrow morning .

Fernhurst Accountancy Solutions
7th July 2008, 07:55
Hiya Nigel

How much would you charge to chase an outstanding debt of £695.00??

Cheers!

nigelmarsh
7th July 2008, 09:26
the question is less about what we would charge and more about what we would cost you !

If your debt qualify s then the cost to you is £zero as our costs are past onto the debtor not to you , we do of course charge the debtor for everything possible and a bit more ;)