In short
A practical sequence for a finance team dealing with an invoice that has stopped being simply late.
Verify before you chase
Confirm the invoice was correctly addressed to the contracting entity, sent to the right place, matched to a purchase order where required, and supported by evidence of delivery or performance.
Escalate internally, once
Move the conversation from accounts payable to a decision-maker. Repeating the same request to the same person rarely changes the outcome.
Set a decision point
Decide in advance at what age or after which broken promise an account leaves internal credit control. Accounts that drift lose value.
Instruct with the documents
Provide the contract or terms, purchase order, delivery or completion evidence, invoices, statement and correspondence. A well-documented instruction is materially faster to progress.
Frequently asked
- At what point should we instruct a specialist?
- Commonly when promises to pay have been broken, when contact has ceased, or when internal time spent is exceeding the value of continuing.
Sources & references
- Civil Procedure Rules and the Practice Direction on Pre-Action Conduct and Protocols
- Pre-Action Protocol for Debt Claims
- Late Payment of Commercial Debts (Interest) Act 1998
- [INSERT ADDITIONAL VERIFIED SOURCES USED FOR THIS GUIDE]
This guide is general information only and does not constitute legal advice. Procedures described relate principally to England and Wales. Every matter is assessed on its own facts and contractual documentation.