Hassle-free help from the UK's best Commercial solicitors.
Transparent pricing, from start to finishGet the support you need, when you need itTrusted lawyers, clear expectations
Transparent pricing, from start to finishGet the support you need, when you need itTrusted lawyers, clear expectations
Amazing experience
After placing an enquiry, I received a call 20 minutes later, and then 2 hours later, I had a solicitor assigned to me. They were absolutely incredible right from the word go - amazing and very prompt with replies, answering all my questions and keeping the process moving. We finally completed today and I am so unbelievably happy. I wouldn’t hesitate to use Lawhive again in the future if needed.
Lily
First class service
I initially made an online enquiry about a tricky conveyancing matter and received an immediate call back. They understood straight away what was needed and gave me a quote that was very reasonable. It was such a pleasure to find someone who was cheerful, professional and completely reassuring as I’d been getting quite anxious about the sale of my house. The service Lawhive has provided is absolutely first class and I cannot recommend them enough.
Charles
Empathetic, professional and efficient
I am an executor, selling my mother's home. I found the assistance I received from Lawhive first rate - empathetic, professional and efficient.
Mark
Great service from Lawhive
We used Lawhive for our conveyancing needs and our solicitor was very helpful, patient and informative. She helped us with our needs with prompt responses and provided a very efficient service.
Kelvin
Great service when you need clarity and calm
Our solicitor was warm, friendly and provided crystal clear communication. A lot of conveyancers assume customers know everything about the process already, so it was really appreciated to hear each stage included in the price given.
Em
Quick and efficient
We used Lawhive for a transfer of property and conveyancing. Our solicitor was so helpful and thorough with the whole process. He responded quickly and efficiently to any questions or requests that we had and explained some of the more complicated issues regarding the process clearly.
Geri
Fantastic service and experience with Lawhive
I had the pleasure of working with Lawhive doing a transfer of equity on a property. Our solicitor’s service was amazing, she responded quickly to any questions or concerns and kept me updated throughout the process. I can strongly recommend her for any conveyancing work that you may need. Fantastic service all round.
Jane
Amazing experience
After placing an enquiry, I received a call 20 minutes later, and then 2 hours later, I had a solicitor assigned to me. They were absolutely incredible right from the word go - amazing and very prompt with replies, answering all my questions and keeping the process moving. We finally completed today and I am so unbelievably happy. I wouldn’t hesitate to use Lawhive again in the future if needed.
Lily
First class service
I initially made an online enquiry about a tricky conveyancing matter and received an immediate call back. They understood straight away what was needed and gave me a quote that was very reasonable. It was such a pleasure to find someone who was cheerful, professional and completely reassuring as I’d been getting quite anxious about the sale of my house. The service Lawhive has provided is absolutely first class and I cannot recommend them enough.
Charles
Empathetic, professional and efficient
I am an executor, selling my mother's home. I found the assistance I received from Lawhive first rate - empathetic, professional and efficient.
Mark
Great service from Lawhive
We used Lawhive for our conveyancing needs and our solicitor was very helpful, patient and informative. She helped us with our needs with prompt responses and provided a very efficient service.
Kelvin
Great service when you need clarity and calm
Our solicitor was warm, friendly and provided crystal clear communication. A lot of conveyancers assume customers know everything about the process already, so it was really appreciated to hear each stage included in the price given.
Em
Quick and efficient
We used Lawhive for a transfer of property and conveyancing. Our solicitor was so helpful and thorough with the whole process. He responded quickly and efficiently to any questions or requests that we had and explained some of the more complicated issues regarding the process clearly.
Geri
Fantastic service and experience with Lawhive
I had the pleasure of working with Lawhive doing a transfer of equity on a property. Our solicitor’s service was amazing, she responded quickly to any questions or concerns and kept me updated throughout the process. I can strongly recommend her for any conveyancing work that you may need. Fantastic service all round.
Jane
It shouldn’t take a law degree to find the right legal service for you. With Lawhive, you can get legal help in just a couple of steps.
Answer a few questions on our site and instantly speak to a member of our team for a quote or request a callback at a time you choose.
We’re always open about our fees, so you’ll never pay more than you’re expecting.
Our lawyers are carefully selected for their expertise and experience, so you’re always in safe hands.
01 overview
If you’re facing delays in receiving payments from a debtor, a statutory demand could offer a quick, cost-effective method to recover the monies owed.
For debts over a certain amount, serving a statutory demand is a common first step toward initiating a winding-up petition for companies or a bankruptcy petition for individuals.
At Lawhive, we understand the importance of timely debt recovery. Our network of expert commercial solicitors can guide you through the statutory demand process, ensuring compliance with legal requirements and maximising your chances of success.
Contact us today for a free case evaluation and quote.
A statutory demand is a formal request for debt served on a debtor.
You can make a statutory demand to request debt payment from an individual or company.
Typically, creditors must send this demand before pursuing bankruptcy proceedings.
Depending on your course of action, a debtor has either 18 or 21 days to respond to the demand and pay the debt or reach an agreement to pay.
If a statutory demand is not addressed within 21 days this can be interpreted as evidence that the debt can’t be paid, and the creditor may proceed with bankruptcy proceedings or close (wind up) their company.
You don’t need a solicitor to use a statutory demand, however depending on the amount of money owed and the circumstances it might be a good idea to seek legal advice from a solicitor to understand your position and options better, especially if the matter is likely to end up in court.
A statutory demand does not always guarantee the debtor will pay and may be challenged. A solicitor can provide personalised advice to help you make an informed decision.
To serve a statutory demand form, you must deliver it to the individual who owes you money, attempting all known addresses.
If you're serving a statutory demand on a limited company, you should leave it at the registered office of the company or their main place of business if they don’t have a registered office. Alternatively, you may give it to the company’s director, company secretary, manager, or principal officer.
It’s important to note that you can only send a statutory demand by registered post or put it through a letterbox if you can’t deliver it in person.
Before resorting to these methods, exhaust all of your options, including enlisting a process server to serve the statutory demand on your behalf. A solicitor can arrange this for you if needed.
Furthermore, you should keep a copy of the statutory demand and related records to prove it was served such as the date and time you served it and any other evidence that confirms the debtor received it.
To serve a statutory demand on an individual, which form you serve depends on whether the debt is:
If you’re serving a demand on a business partnership, you should complete the appropriate form for each partner.
If a limited company owes you money, you can use Form SD1 to demand payment within 21 days.
If your debtor fails to respond to your statutory demand within 21 days you can either:
You have a window of four months to apply for bankruptcy or wind up your debtor. If you miss this deadline, you’d have to explain the delay to the court specified on the statutory demand and it would be up to them if they let you proceed or not.
To successfully serve a statutory demand abroad you must comply with both local and UK rules. This can be complex, so it’s essential to find a solicitor who can guide you through this process and make sure it’s done correctly.
At Lawhive, our network of lawyers is on hand to advise and support you to serve a statutory demand for fixed fees. Get in touch for more information and a free no-obligation quote today.
If an individual disagrees with a statutory demand, they can apply to challenge it and have it ‘set aside’. They must apply to challenge the statutory demand within a specific timeframe using form IAA.
Following a challenge, a hearing will be scheduled where both sides present their case to a registrar or judge. A decision will be made, either immediately or after further evidence is presented.
A successful challenge of a statutory demand will result in the demand being set aside and the debt repayment deadline suspended. If unsuccessful, the debtor must pay the debt within the specified timeframe.
Companies can’t challenge a statutory demand. Instead, they must apply to prevent creditors from winding up their company.
Serving a statutory demand can be a quicker and more affordable way to prompt debt repayment compared to going to court.
What’s more, once served, the debtor has 21 days, putting an official time limit before proceedings escalate, which can be effective.
A statutory demand also brings with it the threat of bankruptcy for individuals or winding up for companies, which can provide a good incentive for debtors to arrange a repayment plan or engage in settlement negotiations.
Using a statutory demand to recover debts has drawbacks that creditors should consider carefully.
Firstly, statutory demands may not apply to smaller debts and can’t be used for unliquidated debts where the exact amount is unknown or unquantifiable.
Moreover, creditors looking to serve a statutory demand on a company should weigh the potential impact on their business relationships with debts as it may affect ongoing agreements or future business opportunities.
Finally, creditors should be aware that if the debt is not paid then they would need to take further action, such as presenting a bankruptcy petition or wind-up petition, which can substantially increase costs.
So, while statutory demands can be effective in debt recovery, they have limitations and potential risks.
Therefore, seeking legal advice early in the process can help you understand all the options available to you, including serving a statutory demand, and how you might go about mitigating the risks associated with such action.
Using a statutory demand to recover debts after winning a court judgment can be powerful and cost-effective.
By using a court judgment as a basis, disputes over the debt are eliminated, allowing swift enforcement.
A statutory demand should include certain aspects as per the Insolvency Rules 2016 to create a valid demand for debt recovery purposes. It should include:
At Lawhive, our network of lawyers can help you quickly and affordably recover unpaid debts from individuals or companies.
Whether you need help issuing or defending statutory demands, we have legal professionals on standby who can provide comprehensive legal advice, support, and representation throughout the legal process.
Contact us today to explore how we can help quickly and for fixed fees, so you can quickly and effectively secure the resolutions you seek.
With straightforward pricing - so you know exactly what to expect at every step.
