Pricing transparency
DEBT RECOVERY PRICING INFORMATION
INTRODUCTION
The Solicitors Regulation Authority requires us to publish on our website certain details regarding our debt recovery work.
Accord Solicitor’s debt recovery work is for existing Accord group clients only, although in some circumstances Accord Solicitors may accept debt recovery instructions at our sole discretion.
We have several members of the team who may work on your debt recovery matter. They will be supervised by James Manna.
The fees below are a general guide, the fees agreed in our Engagement Letter with you will be legally binding and may differ from the guide below, for example, where we act on a no-win-no-fee basis.
FEES
Pre-Action
Pre-Action Fees are not recoverable from the Debtor unless your Terms of Business state otherwise.
Stage 1 – Instructions and Letter of Claim (against businesses and individuals)
Receiving your instructions and full documentation to comply with the Pre-Action Protocol for Debt Claims. Drafting the Letter of Claim and sending by first class post to the Debtor and sending copy by email and/or fax (if available) together with the requisite enclosures.
| Value of Debt | Fee |
| Up to £500 | £50 + VAT |
| £500.01 to £1,000 | £75 + VAT |
| £1,000.01 to £3,000 | £100 + VAT |
| £3,000.01 to £5,000 | £150 + VAT |
| £5,000.01 to £10,000 | £180 + VAT |
Stage 2 – Response from the Debtor
- Debtor admits the full outstanding sum is due and sends payment either directly to the Client or to Accord Solicitors (and accounting to the Client). (Please note, we are unable to accept card payments from the Debtor).
- Debtor admits the full outstanding sum is due but requires time to pay and wishes to negotiate payment proposals or wishes to seek financial advice. Includes correspondence between Accord Solicitors, the Client and the Debtor to agree and finalise any payment plan and monitor instalments.
- Debtor admits part of the debt and disputes the balance. Includes receiving instructions from the Client.
- Client accepts the admitted sum as full and final settlement.
- Client does not accept the admitted sum as full and final settlement.
- Debtor requests further documentation or information. Includes correspondence between Accord Solicitors, the Client and the Debtor, receiving documentation or information from the Client, forwarding to the Debtor and further discussion to negotiate settlement.
- Debtor disputes the full outstanding debt. Receiving details of the dispute from the debtor and providing the Client with a copy and initial advice. All further work following this initial advice will be charged at our hourly rates and an estimate of our fees will be provided.
| Section | Fee |
| i) | 5% + VAT of the total sum recovered |
| ii) | £50 + VAT plus 5% + VAT of the total sum recovered |
| iii) a) | £50 + VAT plus 5% + VAT of the total sum recovered |
| iii) b) | £50 + VAT then hourly rates – estimate to be provided |
| iv) | £90 + VAT plus 5% +VAT of the total sum recovered
If the debt is disputed then hourly rates – estimate to be provided |
| v) | £90 + VAT then hourly rates – estimate to be provided |
Stage 3 – Taking Stock
Discussing with the Client the merits of the case and potential costs if a Claim is defended and proceeds to Trial. Drafting and sending by first class post, email and/or fax a 14 day notice to the Debtor advising of Client’s intention to issue Court Proceedings.
Fee: £50 + VAT
| Hourly Rates: | |
| Paralegal | £155 + VAT |
| Solicitor | £300 + VAT |
Court Proceedings
Issue of County Court Claim:
Receiving your instructions, preparing the County Court Claim, Particulars of Claim and enclosures, sending documents to the County Court Money Claims Centre, receiving the Notice of Issue and informing the Client.
A proportion of the fees below is added to the debt and is recoverable from the Debtor.
Interest is added to the initial debt pursuant to Section 69 of the County Court Act 1984 at the rate of 8% per annum or alternatively the interest rate set out in your Terms of Business.
| Debt plus Interest | Court Fee | Our Fee | Recoverable from Debtor |
| Up to £300 | £35 | £50 + VAT | £85 |
| £300.01 – £500 | £50 | £50 + VAT | £100 |
| £500.01 – £1,000 | £70 | £100 + VAT | £140 |
| £1,000.01 – £1,500 | £80 | £115 + VAT | £160 |
| £1,500.01 – £3,000 | £115 | £130 + VAT | £195 |
| £3,000.01 – £5,000 | £205 | £145 + VAT | £285 |
| £5,000.01 – £10,000 | £455 | £165 + VAT | £555 |
| More than £10,000 | 5% of sum claimed | Hourly Rates – Estimate will be provided | £100 + Court Fee |
Request of County Court Judgment:
Upon no reply to the Claim, prepare Request for Judgment and send to the County Court Money Claims Centre, receiving Judgment Order and sending copy to the Debtor requesting payment.
Further interest is added to the debt at this stage. The following fees (excluding VAT) are added to the debt and are recoverable from the Debtor.
Our fee:
| Debt plus Interest | In Default of Acknowledgment of Service |
In Default of Defence | On Admission Accepting Payment Proposals | On Admission Rejecting Payment Proposals |
| Up to £5,000 | £22 + VAT | £25 +VAT | £40 + VAT | £55 + VAT |
| Over £5,000 | £30 + VAT | £35 + VAT | £55 + VAT | £70 + VAT |
Enforcement of County Court Judgment:
Seeking the Client’s instructions, preparing and posting relevant documentation and correspondence throughout.
A proportion of the fees below is added to the debt and is recoverable from the Debtor.
| Method of Enforcement | Our Fee | Court Fee (or Other Disbursement) | Recoverable from Debtor |
| Warrant of Execution (County Court Bailiffs) | £50 + VAT | £110 | £112.25 |
| Writ of Control (High Court Enforcement Officers) | £100 + VAT | £66 | £117.75 |
| Creditor Guaranteed Fee if unsuccessful | £75 + VAT | ||
| Order to Attend Court for Questioning | £75 + VAT | £55 | £55 |
| 2nd or 3rd Appointment Dates and Suspended Committal Orders | £40 + VAT | ||
| Process Server Fee (per Order) (Additional fees may apply) | £100+VAT (approx) | ||
| Attachment of Earnings | £75 + VAT | £110 | £118.50 |
| Application to Vary Order | £50 + VAT | ||
| Third Party Debt Order | £225 + VAT | £110 | £208.50 |
| Attendance at Final Hearing, if necessary | TBA | ||
| Charging Order | £325 + VAT | £153 inc Office Copies and Land Registry Fee | £263 |
| Statutory Demand | £195 + VAT | Nil | Nil |
| Process Server Fee (Additional fees may apply) | £100 – £150 + VAT (approx) |
Defended Cases
If the Claim is defended, our fees will be based on our hourly rates (as advised above) and a full estimate will be provided prior to undertaking any further work.
Other Fees
Enquiry Agents
To receiving instructions from the Client, sending instructions to Enquiry Agent, receiving report and advising the Client.
The following fees are not recoverable from the Debtor.
| Agent’s Fee | Our Fee | |
| Positive Trace | £30-£100 + VAT | £50 + VAT |
| Negative Trace | Nil | £50 + VAT |
Please Note
* There is no VAT payable on Court Fees but VAT is payable on our fees and other disbursements.
* Court fees are correct at time of printing however they are subject to change.
* You are liable for all of our fees whether or not recovery is made.
* Fees are billed at the end of each month and deducted from any funds held on account with the balance remitted to the Client.