"Embarking on debt recovery is an investment. You don't take investment decisions
without gathering information to help you assess your risk. In debt recovery,
the most important information to you is your debtor's ability to pay."

ASTBURYS will help you to establish whether your debtor is a "can't pay" or a "won't pay". This is often established by examining the correspondence you have had with them. Alternatively, debtors will often respond to our letter before action by declaring that the matter is in dispute or that they cannot afford to pay. This can help to clarify matters and will often point the way to an appropriate recovery technique.

Sometimes however no evidence comes to hand. In these circumstances we can conduct an assessment of your debtor's ability to pay. We can check their credit rating by undertaking a search of the records held by Registry Trust Limited. In addition we can obtain a company search to see if their latest accounts reveal anything of their financial position. We can check to see whether a winding up petition is pending or whether one has recently been made.

In the case of a private individual we can check if they are being made bankrupt. We can check the electoral roll or through directory enquiries to see if the address you have for them is still current. We can search the records held by the Land Registry to see if they own their own property.

Having assembled evidence as to their whereabouts, and other financial records you can decide what level of risk is associated with taking the proposed recovery action, the cost of which you will know in advance. Whether to accept the risk or not is a commercial decision of course but at least by this stage you will be going forward with your eyes open.

In the last resort, if you wish further to protect your position we can obtain a report from an enquiry agent or detective. They have means not at our disposal and their involvement is often invaluable. The sort of information you can get is dependant on how much you wish to spend.

If you wish us to consult us in relation to this service by all means contact us by writing to jastbury@astburys-law.co.uk

Why not call for a quote on 01273 403935 or e-mail details to: jastbury@astburys-law.co.uk