Advice needed regarding a local company who owe money

[wilson]

I did some freelance work for a local East Dulwich company

They were very difficult to work with so I told them I was uncomfortable in the work environment.

Apparently I?m not the first!

In addition to this they have a bad relationship with many clients

not completing work etc.

They are refusing to pay my April invoice

Any suggestions on what I should do?

I?ve kept very amicable and reduced some off the invoice total.

[Sue]

Citizens Advice Bureau?

Write the company a letter laying out the position exactly, send it by a method requiring proof of delivery, so you have a record of exactly what was owed to you and why, and that they received it, as evidence in case you need to take further action?

Name and shame them on here? (I'm interested to know who they are so that I can avoid using them).

As a last resort, not sure if the Small Claims Court covers things like this? Or the council's Trading Standards department (if it's called that)?

ETA: Or are they a member of a professional body you can report them to? Probably not, by the sound of it.

[bcam]

No need for Citizens Advice.

Send a final demand stating why the invoice is due, then start small claims proceedings immediately.

https://www.gov.uk/make-court-claim-for-money

It won't cost much, formalises the proceedure, and when successful you can either send in claim enforcers or instruct their bank to pay you from their account. Noone likes a knock on the door.

I've used them multiple times and have always been paid. PLUS every penny you spend chasing the debt is payable by the client if they lose.

[wilson]

Thanks to all who gave advice.

Much appreciated.

[wilson]

Looks like it?s small claims court

Don?t want to really name and shame

I feel like that?s a bit petty

Although I am rather annoyed

[Sue]

wilson Wrote:

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> Don?t want to really name and shame

> I feel like that?s a bit petty

> Although I am rather annoyed

Whilst I understand that, you said that they have "a bad relationship with many clients, not completing work etc."

Apart from anything else, it would be doing the rest of us a great favour so we know who to avoid.

Maybe consider naming them after you have succeeded in getting your money?

[ianr]

Above all, make sure you obey the pre-trial protocol, with a clear letter before action and a reasonable deadline. If you rush into action without this, you may not get much sysmpathy from the court, should it get that far.

Some guides:

MCOL User Guide for Claimants, available at https://www.moneyclaim.gov.uk/web/mcol/welcome

Making A Small Claim: https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/law-and-courts/legal-system/taking-legal-action/small-claims/making-a-small-claim/

[japseylarue]

I know how you feel - spending hours working for someone and not getting paid!