How long does a debtor have to respond?
Once the claim is issued at court, the debtor has 14 days to respond by either acknowledging the debt (in which case a further 14 days is allowed, 28 days from issue in total) or by admitting the debt and/or offering a rate of repayment, part admitting the debt and/or offering a rate of repayment or; to defend and/or lodge a counterclaim.
If no response is received after 14 days you are entitled to request judgment often referred to as a CCJ.
Unpaid debts hold up your business, affecting cash flow, creating uncertainty and potentially preventing payment of your staff or creditors, harming your reputation. It’s crucial for any business to ensure that those you trade with do so on your terms. For debt recovery advice that’s tailored to your business, call our team on 01616 966 229.