1. Check the debt is eligible
Confirm it is a B2B debt of £10,000 or less, both parties are in England or Wales, the invoice is undisputed, and it is within six years. RobinReturn's free eligibility checker covers this in five questions. Learn more.
Step-by-step
How to claim an
unpaid invoice.
A clear path from an overdue B2B invoice to a County Court judgment in England & Wales — what to do at each step, and where RobinReturn does the paperwork for you.
Direct answer
Check the debt is eligible, add the interest and compensation you are owed, send a reminder, then a Letter Before Action, and — if it is still unpaid — prepare and file a County Court claim through Money Claim Online. You can do all of this as a litigant in person.
TL;DR
- Eligible = B2B, ≤£10,000, England & Wales, undisputed.
- Add statutory interest + the fixed compensation.
- Reminder → Letter Before Action → County Court claim.
- You file via MCOL; RobinReturn prepares the documents.
- The journey ends at judgment.
The steps
Six steps to
get paid.
2. Work out what you are owed
Add statutory interest (Bank of England base rate plus 8%) and the fixed compensation (£40/£70/£100) to the principal so the figure in your letter is complete. Learn more.
3. Send a polite reminder
A clear, professional reminder settles many invoices without going further. State the amount, the interest and the compensation. Learn more.
4. Send a Letter Before Action
A formal demand giving the debtor a deadline to pay before a claim — 14 days for a company, 30 days for a sole trader or individual, per the Pre-Action Protocol for Debt Claims. Learn more.
5. Prepare and file the County Court claim
If it is still unpaid, an N1 claim form and Particulars of Claim are prepared. You file the claim yourself through Money Claim Online (MCOL) and pay the HMCTS court fee. Learn more.
6. Obtain judgment
If the debtor does not respond or defend, you can ask the court for judgment. RobinReturn's role ends at judgment.
FAQs
Common questions,
answered.
Can I claim an unpaid invoice myself without a solicitor?
Yes. The small-claims track is designed for litigants in person. RobinReturn prepares the documents and guides you through each step; it is not a law firm and does not give legal advice.
Do I have to send a Letter Before Action first?
The court expects you to follow the Pre-Action Protocol for Debt Claims, which includes giving the debtor a clear written demand and time to respond before you issue a claim. A Letter Before Action does this.
How do I actually file the claim?
You file it yourself through Money Claim Online (MCOL) on gov.uk. RobinReturn prepares the N1 claim form and Particulars and guides you through the MCOL steps, but does not file on your behalf.
What does it cost to take an unpaid invoice to small claims?
RobinReturn charges a £2.00 reminder, a £9.50 Letter Before Action and a flat £35 for claim preparation. The HMCTS court fee (£35–£455 by claim value) is paid separately to the court.
Start the first step
for £2.
Begin with a reminder and escalate only if you need to. RobinReturn is not a law firm and does not give legal advice.