What if client refuses to pay an outstanding debt?

Hello,

I am a 3D artist from Norway and I frequently do work with international clients. I have had all sorts of experiences, but now I am encountering a client that is delaying endlessly and avoiding to pay the debt for services that I have provided and delivered. We have a contract, all communication is in written form and amount billed is mutually agreed months before hand.

Now I am in a situation that they owe me a substantial amount of money (900£) and that bill was sent to them on October 24th and due November 7th. So it's 37 days overdue. I know how to calculate the interest rate and compensation, but I am wondering, what am I to do if they continue just refusing to pay the new invoices?

What are my options?

Thanks in advance,

Best Regards,
Vojislav Dimitrijevic

hi Vojislav

Just to clarify, are you based in Norway chasing a late payment / bill in England / Wales?

Justin

Hi Justin,

That is correct.

My company is VAT registered in Norway, which is a member of ECC, so it is my understanding that both countries are cowered with the Late Payment Legislation.

Best regards,

Vojislav

Hi Vojislav

If communication has broken down between you and your client your only step would appear to be the pursuit of the matter legally.

I am unsure of the procedures for making a claim in Denmark but where one of the parties is in a different EU member state from where the case is to take place you will need to use the European Small Claims Procedure.

You should find these sites useful

europa.eu/legislation_summaries/consumers/protection_of_consumers/l16028_en.htm

www.internationallawoffice.com/newsletters/detail.aspx?g=932c14b2-e8ea-4bfa-9745-2f2dedb85eb1

ec.europa.eu/justice/civil/commercial/judgements/index_en.htm

hope this helps

Justin

Hello Justin,

Thank you very much for your quick reply. Those links and all the information you have provided are very useful. I hope it doesn't come to that, but we'll see. I always try as much as I can to solve things via communication. Situation is very clear cut on my side, so I have no worries, except that it's a hassle and completely unnecessary...

Anyway, thanks again :)

Best Regards and Happy Holidays,

Vojislav Dimitrijevic

I hope it doesn't come to that, but we'll see. I always try as much as I can to solve things via communication.

A good common sense approach, if only more people would keep communication channels open!

I hope you manage to resolve your situation.

Good luck Vojislav