Two ways to send your letter
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Write it yourself (free)
Use our free generator to create your letter in minutes, or download a template below. You print and post it yourself.
Generate my letter freeOr let us send it for you (£15)
Short on time? We draft a solicitor-style letter with your legal rights set out in full, post it first class with proof of posting, and email a copy to the other side. If they do not pay, you can turn it into a court claim in one click.
Get it sent for £15What is a Letter Before Action?
A letter before action is a formal letter sent to someone who owes you money before you start court proceedings. It serves several important purposes:
- Evidence of warning. Shows the court you tried to resolve the dispute before legal action.
- A final opportunity. Gives the other side a last chance to pay before court proceedings.
- A protocol requirement. The Civil Procedure Rules expect you to send one first.
- Cost evidence. May support a claim for your costs if you win in court.
What should be included
A letter before action should be clear, professional, and include:
- Your name and address
- The other side's name and address
- The amount owed and why it is owed
- A clear deadline for payment (usually 14 days)
- A warning that court proceedings will follow if payment is not received
What you get for £15
If you would rather not handle it yourself, our paid service does the work and the chasing for you:
- Drafted for you. We write the letter the way a solicitor would, with your legal rights set out in full.
- Posted first class. We post it by Royal Mail with a certificate of posting, so you have proof it was sent.
- Emailed to the other side. We also send them a copy by email where we have an address.
- 14-day check-in. We check in with you once the deadline passes, so you know your next step.
- One-click court claim. If they still do not pay, you can turn the letter into a county court claim from your dashboard.
Ready to send it?
We will draft your letter and post it for you today, for £15.
Send my letter for £15Prefer to do it yourself? Free templates
These free templates all contain the same content in different file formats. Download one, fill in your details, and post it yourself.
Rich Text Format (recommended)
Compatible with most word processors (.rtf)
Word Document
Modern Word format (.doc)
Plain Text
Universal text format (.txt)
How to use the template
Step 1: Download and customise
Download the template and fill in your specific details, amounts, and dates.
Step 2: Set a reasonable deadline
Give the other side 14 days to respond. This shows the court you acted reasonably.
Step 3: Send by recorded delivery
Use recorded or registered post so you have proof of delivery.
Step 4: Keep copies
Keep copies of the letter and proof of posting for your court case.
What happens after you send it
After sending your letter before action, if the other side does not pay by your deadline, you can start court proceedings.
Letter sent but no response?
File your court claim online with JustClaim. It takes about 5 minutes.
Start my claimCommon questions
How much does a letter before action cost?
You can write your own for free with our template. If you would like us to handle it, the service is £15. That covers drafting the letter, first class postage, proof of posting, emailing a copy to the other side, and a 14-day follow-up.
Do I have to send a letter before action before going to court?
In almost every case, yes. The Civil Procedure Rules expect you to send a letter before action first and give the other side a chance to settle. If you skip this step the court can penalise you on costs even if you win, so you should always send one.
How long should I give them to pay?
Usually 14 days. For a debt between businesses the protocol allows up to 30 days. A clear, reasonable deadline shows the court you acted fairly.
What happens if they ignore the letter?
You can start a county court claim. Their silence actually helps you, because it shows the court you tried to resolve things first. With JustClaim you can turn your letter into a court claim in one click.
Does the letter guarantee I get paid?
No letter can guarantee payment. A letter before action is a formal notice, not a court order. In practice many people pay once they receive one because it shows you are serious. If they still do not pay, the next step is court.