Details.
Includes taking initial instructions, reviewing papers, tracing the debtor, obtaining property title registers, sending an initial payment request, negotiating settlement terms, preparing and sending a Letter Before Action, preparing and issuing court proceedings, serving the claim, obtaining default judgment where applicable, progressing defended claims through the court process, advising on enforcement options, and dealing with enforcement of the judgment. Settlement after an initial letter or Letter Before Action is likely to take 2 to 4 weeks. Disputed claims proceeding to trial are likely to take 9 to 18 months to obtain judgment, with enforcement potentially taking a further 6 months. Fees are calculated by time spent, with hourly rates ranging from £150 for a paralegal to £400 for a partner, excluding VAT and third-party disbursements.