If you have sent a Letter of Claim and the debtor still refuses to pay, the next step may be to issue a County Court Claim. This is the formal legal process for recovering money owed when all reasonable attempts to settle have failed.
At Latimer Solicitors, we assist clients across England and Wales with every aspect of the county court procedure. Our debt recovery solicitors prepare and issue claims accurately, ensuring that your case is properly presented and legally compliant from the start.
Why Issuing a Claim Matters
Taking court action is often the only way to recover a debt when the debtor will not engage or continues to delay payment. A County Court Claim can:
- Place legal pressure on the debtor to respond or settle.
- Result in a County Court Judgment (CCJ) if payment is not made.
- Enable further enforcement steps such as High Court enforcement or charging orders.
- Show other parties that you are serious about recovering what you are owed.
Many debtors pay once they receive official court papers, knowing that a CCJ can affect their credit rating and ability to borrow in future.
How Latimer Solicitors Can Help
Our experienced debt recovery solicitors handle the full claims process on your behalf, from preparing the paperwork to representing you through to judgment.
We will:
- Review all evidence and correspondence to confirm that your claim is ready to issue.
- Draft and file the Claim Form and Particulars of Claim with the court.
- Calculate any statutory interest and court fees.
- Manage all service requirements and time limits.
- Deal with any defence or response from the debtor.
- Guide you through mediation, hearings, or settlement discussions if required.
If the debtor does not respond to the claim, we can apply for a default judgment. If a defence is filed, we will advise on the next procedural steps and your prospects of success.
We aim to keep the process smooth and cost-effective, providing clear updates throughout.
Our Process / What to Expect
We make sure that issuing your claim is straightforward and fully compliant with court rules.
- Case Review
We check that all pre action steps have been completed and that the debt is valid, supported, and within limitation timeframes.
- Preparation of the Claim
We draft the Claim Form and Particulars of Claim, outlining the amount owed, any interest due, and the legal basis for recovery.
- Issuing and Service
The claim is issued at the County Court Money Claims Centre or online. The debtor must be formally served and given time to respond.
- Debtor’s Response
The debtor can pay, admit the debt, defend it, or ignore it. If no response is received, we can request a default judgment.
- Judgment
Once judgment is obtained, the debtor becomes legally required to pay. If they do not, we can move to the enforcement stage to secure payment.
Why Choose Latimer Solicitors?
- Decades of experience handling county court claims and debt recovery.
- Nationwide service for clients across England and Wales.
- Clear communication and step-by-step support.
- Efficient case handling, reducing delays and avoiding procedural errors.
- SRA regulated for professionalism, transparency, and confidentiality.
- Fixed fee options may be available for standard claims.
We take care of the formalities so that you can focus on getting results.
If you need to start a County Court Claim to recover money owed, our experienced solicitors can guide you through every step.
We will assess your case, prepare the documents, and ensure your claim is handled correctly from the outset.
Call 0161 798 9000, email info@latimerlee.com, or complete our online enquiry form to get started.
Wherever you are in England or Wales, Latimer Solicitors can help you recover the debt you are owed.
