What is a Section 570 demand?
Under section 570 of the Companies Act 2014, a creditor owed €10,000 or more by an Irish limited company can serve a formal statutory demand at the company's registered office. The company then has 21 days to pay, secure, or compound the debt to the creditor's reasonable satisfaction.
If the deadline passes without payment, the company is deemed unable to pay its debts as a matter of law, and the creditor can petition the High Court to have it wound up — with the petition advertised in Iris Oifigiúil.
For solvent companies that are simply stalling, the demand on its own is often enough. Directors don't want a winding-up petition on the public record.
Who is it for?
- Suppliers, contractors, and tradespeople with unpaid invoices from an Irish company.
- Service providers owed money for completed work.
- UK or EU creditors with a counterparty registered in the Republic of Ireland.
- Any creditor where the debt is undisputed and the debtor is an Irish Ltd, DAC, or PLC.
Is it risky to send?
The demand letter alone doesn't start any court process. It's closer to a Letter Before Action than a writ — a piece of paper with statutory force. If you change your mind, just don't follow up. No filing fee, no court date, nothing started.
The only real risk is if the company disputes the debt in writing. In that case they could apply to court to stop you advertising a petition, and you could be ordered to pay their costs. If your debtor has simply ignored your invoices, this risk doesn't apply to you.
How it works
- Tell us the details — your name and address, the company name and registered office, the debt amount, and a brief description of what the debt is for.
- We draft the demand — using the statutory wording required by section 570, with your particulars woven in.
- You review and pick how to send — download and post yourself, or have us post by An Post Registered Post.
- 21-day clock starts on service — we email you when the deadline passes so you can decide on next steps.
Pricing
£149 flat. Includes drafting, registered post (when you choose that option), email tracking, and the 21-day reminder. No solicitor fees.
What if they still don't pay?
After 21 days, the company is deemed unable to pay its debts. You can then petition the High Court for a winding-up order. That's a separate process with separate court fees (currently €350–€500 plus advertising costs in Iris Oifigiúil). We can help with the petition if it gets to that stage, but most demands are resolved before then.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a Section 570 statutory demand?
A Section 570 demand is a formal demand for payment served on a company under the Companies Act 2014 (Republic of Ireland). The company has 21 days from service to pay, secure, or compound for the debt to the creditor's reasonable satisfaction. If they don't, the company is deemed unable to pay its debts and the creditor can petition the High Court to wind it up.
What's the minimum debt for a Section 570 demand?
€10,000. This is the statutory threshold — debts below €10,000 cannot be pursued via the Section 570 route. For smaller debts you'd typically use the District Court (under €15,000) or Circuit Court (€15,000–€75,000).
Does it only work against companies?
Yes. Section 570 only applies to companies (Ltd, DAC, PLC). It does not apply to sole traders, partnerships, or individuals. For individuals, the equivalent is a bankruptcy summons — but the threshold there is €20,000.
Is sending the demand the same as starting court proceedings?
No. The Section 570 demand is a letter — it does not start any court process. If the 21 days pass without payment, you can choose to petition the High Court for a winding-up order, but that's a separate decision and a separate fee. Many demands are paid before court is involved.
What if the debtor disputes the debt?
Section 570 is for undisputed debts. If the company disputes the debt in writing (e.g. claims it isn't owed, or contests the work), they can apply to court to restrain you from advertising a wind-up petition — and you may end up paying their costs. If your debtor has simply ignored you, that risk doesn't apply. Take legal advice if there's a written dispute on file.
How long does it take to get paid?
The clock is 21 days from service of the demand at the registered office. In practice, most companies that are going to pay do so within the deadline — directors don't want a wind-up petition advertised against them. If they don't pay, the next step is a High Court winding-up petition.
What does JustClaim do for £149?
We draft a properly worded Section 570 demand from the details you provide, post it by An Post Registered Post to the company's registered office, email a copy to you for your records, and email you a reminder when the 21-day deadline expires. If the demand goes unpaid we can fast-track you to a winding-up petition flow.