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What's involved in a dispute resolution process, what do you need and how long would it take?
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Instead of going to court, what is the cost to do mediation or an alternative dispute resolution by hiring a lawyer?
377 views
What are the factors you should consider in pursuing a court case?
460 views
Katherine Hawes, Solicitor at Digital Age Lawyers
This is a scenario that I go through with my clients all the time.
it is just as much a commercial decision as a legal one.
There are a number of factors to consider:
1. Your time and money - plus the emotional cost
2. Whether the other party has funds to pay a judgment
3. Strength if your case as opposed to the offer of settlement
What do you do with a client who after 90 days still hasn't settled a $209 invoice they keep saying they will?
1.71K views
Bridget Holland, Director at NoBull Marketing
I assume you have had enough contact with them that there is no doubt this amount is neither overlooked nor disputed. So it depends on the commercial value of the client to you:
1. This is the only invoice. Send a letter advising legal action if not paid within 7 days. They will either pay or not. If they don't, write the debt off and move on. Spending more time and money on a small, slow-paying client is just not worth it.
2. You have ongoing business for a reasonable amount with them. Send a letter / email advising that your policy is to do no further work for clients with bills 90+ days overdue so their account has been suspended. They need to pay within 7 days. All future work will require a deposit in advance / be on a 7 day payment term.
3. You have no business at present but hope for some in the future. Build it into the pricing for the future work and make sure the payment terms on that future work are cast-iron including an advance payment, and that they sign for the work before you start doing anything.
Including a clear statement of payment terms in your T&C is also a good idea.
BTW I once had a client who only ever paid on receipt of a 7 day warning letter. Non-payment was clearly a cashflow management issue for them and the 7 day letter acted as a warning to them that it was time to stop resisting and pay up. Once I knew the pattern I just made sure they got 7 day letters at 60 days when other clients didn't get them till 90 days.
CEO at US DataVault
Solicitor at Digital Age Lawyers