How do I recover an unpaid debt in my city?

You have two options. You can handle it yourself using Claim Builder — answer a few questions, get a professional Letter Before Action and court-ready documents for £29.99. Or you can have it handled for you by a specialist who will assess your claim and manage the process. Most straightforward debts under £10,000 are suitable for the DIY route.

When should I have it handled for me instead of doing it myself?

Have it handled for you if the debt is large, the debtor is a company with hidden assets, the case involves complex evidence, or you already have a judgment and need enforcement. A specialist can also help if the debtor has stopped responding entirely. For straightforward unpaid invoices and smaller debts, the DIY pack is usually the faster and more cost-effective option.

How much does debt recovery cost?

The DIY Debt Recovery Pack costs £29.99 — a one-off payment with no subscription. This includes a personalised Letter Before Action, case strength report, evidence checklist, and step-by-step guidance. If you choose to have it handled for you, the initial case review is free. The specialist will then quote based on the complexity and value of your case. Court fees are separate and depend on the amount claimed.

How do I recover an unpaid debt?

You have two clear options. Build your document pack with Claim Builder — answer a few questions, get a professional Letter Before Action and court-ready documents for £29.99. Or request a free case review from a specialist who will assess your claim and advise on the best approach. Most straightforward debts under £10,000 are suitable for the structured route.

When should I use a specialist instead of using the document pack?

Use a specialist if the debt is large, the debtor is a company with hidden assets, the case involves complex evidence, or you already have a judgment and need enforcement. A specialist can also help if the debtor has stopped responding entirely. For straightforward unpaid invoices and smaller debts, the document pack is usually the faster and more cost-effective option.

How much does debt recovery cost?

The Debt Recovery Pack costs £49.99 — a one-off payment with no subscription. This includes a personalised Letter Before Action, case strength report, evidence checklist, and step-by-step guidance. If you choose the specialist route, the initial case review is free. The specialist will then quote based on the complexity and value of your case. Court fees are separate and depend on the amount claimed.

What court handles debt claims?

Claims can be filed online via Money Claims Online (MCOL) or in person at your local County Court. The small claims track handles amounts up to £10,000 with no solicitor required. For larger claims, the fast track or multi-track may apply depending on the amount and complexity.

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Debt Recovery

Debt Recovery Brighton

Debt Recovery — Brighton

Recover a debt in Brighton — or have it handled for you

Take action with a professional document set from £49.99 — or have a specialist handle the recovery properly.

Choose how you want to proceed

Two clear paths. Both get results. Pick the one that suits you.

Handle it yourself

Build your claim and take action yourself with structured, ready-to-use documents.

Structured document set
Letter Before Action
Enforcement guidance
Court-ready documents
Instant PDF download

Have it handled for you

Experienced specialists handle your case — no need to manage it yourself.

Specialist handles recovery
No need to manage the process
Free initial assessment
Honest guidance on your case
Complex cases managed end-to-end

Debt Recovery in Brighton

Debt recovery in Brighton

Brighton and Hove is one of the UK's most dynamic creative and digital economies outside London. The city has a dense concentration of design agencies, software studios, freelance creatives, and hospitality businesses — all operating in a market where informal agreements and flexible payment terms are common. This informality makes debt recovery a frequent challenge for Brighton's SME community.

The North Laine and London Road creative quarters, the Brighton Marina business district, and the growing tech cluster around Preston Park and Moulsecoomb all generate substantial B2B invoice volumes. Debtors in Brighton's creative sector often challenge deliverables after acceptance or delay payment citing cashflow issues — a pattern that responds well to a formal Letter Before Action.

Brighton's tourism and hospitality economy — concentrated around the seafront, Kemptown, and the Lanes — also generates significant supplier and contractor debt. Seasonal cashflow fluctuations mean that suppliers to hotels, restaurants, and event venues often face delayed payments during off-peak periods.

Local Context

Brighton's creative economy operates across several distinct clusters. The North Laine and London Road area is home to a high density of design studios, freelance photographers, and digital marketing agencies — where retainer arrears and post-project invoice disputes are common. The Brighton Marina and seafront hospitality sector generates supplier debt with seasonal patterns. The emerging tech cluster around Preston Park and the Brighton Digital Festival community produces software and SaaS invoice disputes. Brighton County Court is experienced in creative sector commercial claims. For most Brighton cases, the document pack is the right starting point.

Court filing note

Brighton County Court on Edward Street handles county court money claims for East Sussex and the Brighton & Hove area. Claims up to £10,000 can be filed online via Money Claims Online (MCOL).

Which path is right for you?

Not sure which route to take?

Use ClaimBuilder when:

Simple cases with clear evidence
Want fast action — documents ready same day
Debt under £10,000 and straightforward
Prefer to stay in control of the process
Cost-effective solution at £29.99

Have it handled when:

The debt involves a large hospitality group with multiple venues and complex corporate structures
You are dealing with a multi-party creative project dispute with several subcontractors
The case involves intellectual property or licensing disputes alongside the unpaid invoice
The debtor is a London-based company that contracted work through a Brighton agency
You need enforcement against a debtor with assets across Sussex and Kent

Simple Process

How debt recovery works in Brighton

Three straightforward steps — whether you choose to handle it yourself or have it handled for you.

Assess your case

Describe your situation — who owes you money, how much, and what evidence you have. In minutes, you will see your case strength and the best path forward.

Choose your path

For straightforward debts, build your professional Letter Before Action and court documents using the structured pack from £49.99. For complex or high-value cases, request a free review from a specialist who can handle the process for you.

Take formal action

Send your Letter Before Action and give the debtor 14 days to respond. If they do not pay, proceed to the county court via Money Claims Online. Most debts are resolved at the LBA stage without ever reaching court.

Local Scenarios

Common debt recovery situations in Brighton

Illustrative examples of the types of cases that arise in the Brighton market.

Digital agency retainer in the North Laine

A Brighton design studio completed a 6-month brand and web retainer for a Sussex hospitality group. Two monthly invoices totalling £9,400 remain unpaid after the client's finance director disputed the scope.

Freelance photographer not paid

A Brighton-based commercial photographer delivered a 3-day product shoot for an e-commerce brand in London Road. The £4,800 invoice has been ignored for 10 weeks despite multiple follow-ups.

Hospitality supplier debt in Kemptown

A local food and beverage supplier delivered goods on 14-day credit terms to a seafront hotel group. Invoices totalling £13,200 are 60 days overdue with no response from the hotel's accounts team.

FAQ