Solicitors are the first port of call when looking for advice to tackle slow payers
A web survey conducted on this website during September showed that solicitors are the most popular source of advice in tackling slow payers.

The poll asked business people who use the site the following question:
“ Other than the Better Payment Practice Group, whom do you turn to for advice on slow payers?”

The top three responses were:
• Solicitors – 40%
• Accountants – 18%
• Debt Collectors – 17%

Slow payers frequently ignore reminders because they are waiting for a significant threat. Using an authoritative third party such as solicitors is a strong motivator. Solicitors can swiftly issue a powerful letter that clearly communicates the consequences for the customer if they do not pay.

It is important that the letter clearly defines what would happen and when. This intended action could take the form of an application to court for the formal Winding-Up of the business if payment is not made within 21 days. Furthermore, the BPPG recommends that businesses state clearly their intention to apply their statutory right to interest.

Peter Rowe, BPPG member representing the Institute of Credit Management, commented:

“The survey enforces an important and long standing recommendation of the BPPG to use third parties sooner rather than later. Third parties demonstrate that you are determined to collect the debt and that you will not tolerate being the unofficial lender to your customers”.

Further advice on using third parties can be found by clicking here to our search page and typing in ‘third parties’ into the site search engine.

You can keep up to date with the Better Payment Practice Campaign by sending us an email