Late payment claims support for small firms
Help sole traders and small firms chase unpaid invoices, from reminder letters to preparing a small claim.
- £300-2k
- Part-time
- From home
Estimates for a small start in the UK, not guarantees.
Official data
9,924 UK companies in this field, 27% registered in the last 2 years
SIC 69109 “Activities of patent and copyright agents; other legal activities n.e.c.”. Source: Companies House, November 2026.
What it is
You support small businesses that are owed money by customers. You check the paperwork, send firm but fair chasing letters, prepare a letter before claim, and help complete the court forms if it goes further. The client stays in charge of the claim and you do not represent them in court.
Your first three steps
- Learn the process for money claims, interest on late commercial payments and the pre-action steps, then build standard letter templates
- Create two or three clear packages, such as a chasing pack, a claim preparation pack and a monthly retainer
- Contact local freelancer groups, business networks and accountants to offer a first case at a reduced price in return for feedback
Who pays
Freelancers, tradespeople, small agencies and shops that have unpaid invoices but no time or confidence to chase them properly.
How it makes money
A flat fee per case or stage, or a monthly retainer for ongoing credit control support. Check carefully before offering fees that depend on recovering the debt.
Skills that help
- Firm, professional writing
- Organising invoices and records
- Negotiating calmly
- Basic understanding of contracts and late payment rules
Watch out for
- Reserved legal activities such as conducting litigation and court representation. Check with the Solicitors Regulation Authority or the Legal Ombudsman where the line sits, and keep your role to guidance and administration
- Debt collection rules: chasing unpaid business-to-business trade invoices is generally not a regulated activity, but collecting debts owed by consumers or under regulated credit agreements can need Financial Conduct Authority permission. Check with the FCA before taking on any such work, and consider limiting yourself to commercial debts
- Professional indemnity and public liability insurance, and whether you need to pay the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) data protection fee
- Make it clear you are not a law firm. Suggest a solicitor for larger or complex disputes
- Clients may not pay you if the debt is never recovered, so agree fees upfront
Deep research report · UK
Everything you need to start: late payment claims support for small firms
Researched with live web search for United Kingdom: real startup prices, the licences and rules, what others charge, a break-even example, how to find your first customers and a 30-day launch plan. With sources.
- Startup costs with real prices
- Licences, registration and rules
- Pricing: what others charge
- Break-even example
- Finding your first customers
- 30-day launch plan
- Risks and how to reduce them
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to start a late payment claims support service?
Startup costs are typically estimated at around £300 to £2,000, depending on how you set up and which insurance and data protection steps you take. Treat this as an estimate rather than a fixed figure.
How much can I earn helping small firms chase unpaid invoices?
Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around £500 to £3,500, depending on how many clients you take on and the fees you agree. The estimate starts from about eight hours a week. Agree fees upfront.
Do I need FCA permission to chase unpaid invoices?
Check before you start. Chasing unpaid business-to-business trade invoices is generally not regulated, but collecting debts owed by consumers or under regulated credit agreements can need FCA permission. Also check where reserved legal activities sit, and keep to guidance and administration.
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