Debt Collection to Suit Your Needs

1 STOP at Bennetts for both debt collection and the legal work which so often follows

2 SOLICITORS available to answer your queries

3 DAYS (3 working days) - the time it should normally take for a cheque to clear

4 RINGS - what it normally takes at most to answer our phones (but don't hold us to it!)

5 PACKAGES for debt collection available for you to choose from. More details below.

6 METHODS of enforcement:persuasion, arrestment, earnings, arrestment, sequestration, attachment and sale, and Inhibition

7 DAYS - the time our usual warning letter gives before we automatically start a court action

8 DAYS - the maximum time we take to remit funds (over £20) received to you

9A.M. - the time we open for business, and you can often reach us after 5pm

10 COMMANDMENTS. The one we are concentrating on is “Thou shalt not steal” (debtors from our clients).

11th HOUR - the stage which some people reach before our enforcement action leads to them honouring their obligation to pay what they owe you

12 DAYS of Christmas, when we give debtors a break

13£ - our charge plus V A T for an unsuccessful tracing enquiry

14DAYS which pass before certain action following a court decree or a "Charge." We can explain other time constraints on request.

15£ - all it costs for a lawyer's letter threatening court action. No percentage

16 YEARS experience (well, more actually)

BENNETTS offer the following:

• Prompt action
• Low fees
• Tracing services for debtors who cannot be found
• means enquiries
• Flexibility, depending on how you want to treat the case
• Recovery of interest on the debt to the full extent permissible
• Personal calls and visits to debtors if desired
• Advice on what's best in each case

The Courtesy Package

• A friendly telephone call from your solicitors asking for payment
• Two weeks later, a letter threatening court action
• 7 days later, action raised
• Further letter after decree to debtor pointing out the consequences of non-payment
• Charge by sheriff officers
• Further warning letter to debtor
• Arrestment (if not previously arranged) or attachment of debtor's goods (if reports indicate they are available to cover the debt)
• Further warning letter to debtor
• Sale (a rare and ultimate way of enforcing the debt)
• All payments sent to us so that we can monitor collection and warn the debtor if payments fall behind.

The Small Debt Package

• Warning letter
• Debtor advised to make all payments to you
• Small Claim summons raised if required
• With our advance coaching, you conduct any court hearing yourself

The Standard Package

• 7 day letter to debtor
• Action raised if payment not received
• Further enforcement action taken as soon as permissible, unless payment received
• All payments sent to us so that we can monitor collection and warn the debtor if payments fall behind.

The Fast Track Package

• No warning letter to debtor
• Action raised and enforced without prior warning unless required by law
• Debtor instructed to remit all payments direct to you
  No court action should be raised unless you have given the debtor fair warning. Please bear in mind we will have to be kept informed about payments at every stage, as otherwise you may be charged for unnecessary enforcement work.

The No Mercy Package

• No warning letter to debtor
• Action raised and enforced without prior warning unless required by law
• All payments sent to us so that we can monitor

OUR CHARGES

Before and After Court Action
(Excluding Posts at 5% and VAT)
Taking instruction by telephone . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . £12.50
Warning letter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ........£12.50
Other letters to you or the debtor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . £12.50
Instructions to Sheriff Officers etc . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . £12.50
Tracing and means enquiries, from . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .£62.50
Personal calls . . . . . . . . . . 10% of sum collected, min.£24.00


Undefended Court Actions
for up to £49.99. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . £98.61
£50 to £1000 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . £130.61
£1000 to £1500.00. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . £175.94
over £1500 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. £269.85
Petition for sequestration . . . . . . . . according to circumstances
Coaching to take a Small Claim Hearing yourself. . . . . . £75.00

Charges for court action include the court fee and posts. VAT. Travelling outside North East Fife is extra.

If the action is undefended, the debtor should pay these court charges (other than VAT). Sheriff Officers fees e.g. for serving a document where postal service fails, are chargeable to you but mostly recoverable from the debtor. Some debtors have no means to pay, in which case the creditor has to foot the bill. Others will enter into a Debt Arrangement Scheme,which will means payment is spread over a period.