Someone broke your contract.
Here's what you can do about it.
Whether they didn't pay, didn't deliver, did poor work, or walked away without notice — a breach of contract gives you clear legal rights. You don't need a solicitor to enforce them.
What is a breach of contract in UK law?
A breach of contract occurs when one party to a legally binding agreement fails to fulfil their obligations under it — without a lawful excuse. It doesn't matter whether the contract was written, verbal, or implied by conduct. If an agreement existed and one party didn't hold up their end, that's a breach.
In England and Wales, contract law is primarily governed by common law principles developed over centuries of case law, supplemented by statutes including the Sale of Goods Act 1979, the Supply of Goods and Services Act 1982, the Consumer Rights Act 2015, and the Contracts (Rights of Third Parties) Act 1999.
The key point: you don't need a solicitor to enforce a breach of contract claim for amounts up to £10,000. The small claims court is specifically designed for this — and a professionally structured Letter Before Action resolves the majority of disputes before they ever reach a judge.
The 4 elements you need to prove
A valid contract existed
There must have been an agreement — offer, acceptance, and consideration (something of value exchanged). Written contracts are easiest to prove, but verbal agreements and implied contracts are also legally binding in the UK.
Even a text message exchange confirming a job and a price can constitute a binding contract.
The other party failed to perform
They didn't do what they agreed to do — whether that's paying, delivering, completing work to standard, or keeping to agreed terms. The failure must be material, not trivial.
Minor deviations from a contract don't always constitute a breach. The failure needs to be significant enough to matter.
You suffered a loss
The breach must have caused you actual financial loss or damage. Courts award damages to put you back in the position you would have been in had the contract been performed.
Keep records of all financial losses — costs incurred, income lost, remediation expenses.
You're within the limitation period
In England and Wales, you have 6 years from the date of breach to bring a claim (12 years for contracts under seal). Acting sooner is always better — evidence fades and enforcement becomes harder.
Don't wait. The 6-year clock starts from the date of breach, not when you discovered it.
What type of breach are you dealing with?
Select your situation to see the legal basis, claim strength, and the right approach for your specific breach.
Non-payment
Work done, money not received
The most common breach in the UK. You delivered goods, completed a service, or fulfilled your side of an agreement — and the other party simply hasn't paid. This is a clear, provable breach with strong legal remedies.
Common examples
- Unpaid invoices for completed work
- Client refusing to pay final instalment
- Buyer taking delivery but withholding payment
- Retainer fees not paid after services rendered
Claim strength
Very strongRecommended remedy
Letter Before Action + small claims court claim
What can you actually get if you win?
UK courts have several remedies available for breach of contract. The right one depends on the nature of the breach and what you're trying to achieve.
Damages
The most common remedy. The court awards a sum of money to compensate you for the loss caused by the breach. The aim is to put you in the position you would have been in had the contract been performed.
Specific Performance
A court order requiring the breaching party to actually perform their contractual obligations. Rare in commercial disputes — courts prefer damages — but available for unique goods or property transactions.
Rescission
The contract is cancelled and both parties are returned to their pre-contract positions. Available where the breach is so serious it goes to the root of the contract, or where misrepresentation is involved.
Injunction
A court order preventing the other party from doing something — for example, continuing to use confidential information or breaching a non-compete clause. Requires urgent application to court.
The "expectation damages" principle
In most breach of contract cases, courts award expectation damages — the amount needed to put you in the position you would have been in had the contract been performed. This means you can claim not just what you lost, but what you expected to gain. For example, if a contractor abandoned a job halfway through, you can claim the cost of getting someone else to finish it — even if that costs more than the original contract price.
How to pursue a breach of contract claim in the UK
Five steps from identifying the breach to getting your money — without a solicitor.
Identify and document the breach
Gather all evidence of the contract and the breach. Written agreements, emails, texts, invoices, photos, bank records — anything that shows what was agreed and how it was broken. The stronger your paper trail, the stronger your position.
Don't delete any communications, even if they're uncomfortable. Courts look at the full picture.
Assess your claim strength
Before spending time and money on a claim, understand how strong your case is. Our free Claim Checker assesses your situation and gives you a realistic view of your prospects — in under 2 minutes.
A realistic assessment upfront saves time and money. Not every breach is worth pursuing in court.
Send a Letter Before Action
Key stepA formal Letter Before Action (LBA) is required before you can issue court proceedings. It sets out your claim, the amount you're seeking, and gives the other party a deadline — typically 14 days — to respond. Most disputes settle at this stage.
A professionally structured LBA from Claim Builder references the specific legal basis for your claim and is far more effective than a personal letter.
File a court claim if needed
If the other party doesn't respond or refuses to pay, file your claim online via Money Claim Online (MCOL) for claims up to £100,000, or submit an N1 form at your local county court. Your Claim Builder pack includes draft court particulars.
Court fees start from £35 for claims under £300. Use our court fees calculator to know your costs before filing.
Enforce the judgment
If you win and the other party still doesn't pay, you'll need to enforce the judgment. Options include bailiffs (High Court Enforcement Officers), attachment of earnings, charging orders on property, and third-party debt orders.
Winning a judgment is step one. Enforcement is step two — and it's where many claimants get stuck without the right guidance.
Breach of contract — what it looks like in practice
These are the kinds of situations Claim Builder handles every day. Each one is a breach of contract — and each one has a clear legal remedy.
Builder abandoned the job
A homeowner paid £8,000 upfront for a kitchen extension. The builder completed the groundwork then stopped showing up. Calls go unanswered.
Client refusing to pay final invoice
A web developer completed a full e-commerce site. The client accepted the work, launched the site, then refused to pay the £4,500 final invoice claiming vague "issues".
Car repair made things worse
A garage charged £1,800 to fix a gearbox. The car broke down again within a week with the same fault. The garage refuses to accept responsibility.
Supplier delivered wrong goods
A small retailer ordered 500 units of a specific product. The supplier delivered a different specification and refuses to exchange or refund.
Agency contract cancelled without notice
A marketing agency had a 12-month contract with a 3-month notice clause. The client terminated with 2 weeks' notice and refused to pay the remaining fees.
Landlord kept deposit unlawfully
A tenant moved out leaving the property in good condition. The landlord deducted £1,500 for "cleaning and wear and tear" without providing any evidence.
Everything you need to enforce your contract — for £99
Claim Builder generates a complete, professionally structured claim pack tailored to your specific breach. No legal knowledge required — just answer the questions and download your documents.
- Personalised Letter Before Action citing the specific breach and legal basis
- Case Strength Report — scored assessment of your claim
- Step-by-step recovery guide from LBA to court to enforcement
- Evidence checklist tailored to your breach type
- Court particulars draft (N1) — ready to file if needed
- Instant PDF download — ready to send today
One-off · Instant download · No subscription · You keep 100% of recovery
Fixed fee — you keep 100% of what you recover
Solicitors take 20–40% of your claim. Claims companies take 25–35%. Claim Builder charges £99 flat — and you keep everything you recover.
See the comparisonKnow your court fees before you file
Small claims fees start from £35. Use our free calculator to see exactly what filing will cost for your claim amount.
Court Fees CalculatorNot sure how strong your case is?
Run the free Claim Checker. Answer a few questions and get a realistic assessment of your breach of contract claim — in under 2 minutes.
Free Claim CheckBreach of contract — your questions answered
Plain English answers to the questions people ask most about breach of contract in the UK.
They broke the contract.
You have the right to enforce it.
A formal Letter Before Action is the most effective first step — and it resolves the majority of breach of contract disputes before they reach court. Get yours today for £99.
Fixed fee · You keep 100% of your recovery · No solicitor needed
Legal disclaimer: This page provides general guidance only and does not constitute legal advice. Contract law in England and Wales is complex and outcomes depend on the specific facts of each case. For advice specific to your situation, consult a qualified solicitor. Different rules apply in Scotland and Northern Ireland.
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