Cases & recovery
Case statuses
What each RobinReturn case status means and what happens next, from draft through reminders and a Letter Before Action to judgment.
A case status tells you where the debt is in the recovery sequence and what happens next. A case only moves forward when you take the next action, so it never escalates without you.
The statuses
| Status | What it means | What happens next |
|---|---|---|
| Draft | The case is being set up — invoice and debtor details are being confirmed | Start recovery to send the first reminder |
| Reminder sent | A polite reminder has gone to the debtor | Further reminders follow on a set cadence unless the debt is paid |
| Letter Before Action ready | The LBA is drafted and waiting for you to confirm | You approve it, then it is sent with a final deadline |
| Letter Before Action sent | The LBA has been sent, giving a final deadline (usually 14 days) | If unpaid by the deadline, you can prepare a court claim |
| Claim filed | The county court claim has been filed via Money Claim Online | The court process runs; the debtor may pay, defend or ignore it |
| Awaiting judgment | The response period after filing is running | If the debtor does not respond, you can apply for judgment |
| Judgment | A judgment has been recorded on the case | The case closes — RobinReturn's scope ends here |
| Closed — paid | The debt was settled | No further action; the history is kept |
| Closed — lost | The court claim did not succeed | No further action; the history is kept |
| Closed — withdrawn | You chose not to continue | No further action; the history is kept |
The exact wording you see in the app may vary slightly, but the sequence is the same.
Recovery stops at judgment
RobinReturn takes a case as far as judgment. There is no enforcement stage — collecting the money after a judgment (for example, instructing enforcement) is separate and is handled by you.
Moving between statuses
- Forward steps that cost a fee (a reminder, the LBA, court documents) only happen when you choose them.
- If the debtor pays, record it and the case closes as paid — see Payments.
- If the debtor disputes the debt, see Disputes.
- You can close or withdraw a case at any time.