Statutory Demands​

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If you’re a creditor in an ongoing dispute over unpaid monies, you may have considered issuing a statutory demand against your debtor(s). Statutory demands can be a powerful weapon in commercial disputes, but only if used wisely.

Contrary to popular belief, a statutory demand is not intended for use as a debt recovery tool.  If your debtor successfully disputes a statutory demand, you could end up facing legal costs that far exceed any monies you’re owed — even if the debt is held to be legitimate.

Helix Law’s expert litigation team specialises in strategically deploying statutory demands in commercial debt disputes, and in responding to demands that have been served in inappropriate circumstances. 

There are certain circumstances where a statutory demand is the best available option. However, issuing a statutory demand without taking expert legal advice can do far more harm than good. Read on to find out what a statutory demand is and what it’s designed to be used for in commercial disputes.

If you’re a director or decision-maker engaged in a commercial dispute over an unpaid debt — and have received a statutory demand or are considering issuing a statutory demand — our experienced commercial, property, and construction litigation solicitors will be happy to help you explore your options and the best approach. 

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What is a Statutory Demand?

A statutory demand is a written warning issued by a creditor to a debtor. It signals that the creditor will begin taking action to prove the debtor insolvent unless the debt is repaid or an agreed arrangement is made to repay in installments.

Statutory demands are not a debt recovery procedure, but they are often (mis)used as such. Properly used, a statutory demand is a way to prove that an individual or a company cannot pay their liabilities as they fall due and are therefore cashflow insolvent.

Proving insolvency is necessary if the creditor wishes to petition for the individual’s bankruptcy or the company’s winding up. Failing to appreciate that a statutory demand is not supposed to be used as a debt recovery procedure can cause significant loss to a creditor if the demand is disputed.

If the creditor serves a statutory demand for a disputed debt, or refuses to withdraw it if a dispute is raised after it is served, then the creditor may have to pay the debtor’s legal costs for setting aside the statutory demand against an individual or for an injunction preventing the presentation of a winding up petition by the creditor.

The costs payable by the creditor on setting aside or the granting of an injunction can range from £2,000 upwards even if, ultimately, the debt is owed. It is important for a creditor to realise that withdrawing the demand is not an admission that the debtor does not have to pay but is merely a recognition that there is a genuine dispute or triable issue for a court to decide.

There is no point wasting time and money defending an application to set aside or an application for an injunction against presenting and/or advertising a petition if there is a genuine dispute. The creditor is better off applying its time and money to pursuing the relevant pre-action protocol and, if necessary, issuing proceedings.

There is a second problem – what happens if the demand is not challenged and no dispute is raised? The creditor’s next step would be to initiate formal insolvency proceedings by presenting a bankruptcy petition or winding up petition.  That will cost at least £2,000 and then the creditor will have to share any net assets left after secured creditors and the costs of insolvency with the other creditors.

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Excellent support and advice at very reasonable cost. They would definitely be my first port of call if I ever had a similar problem, and I would highly recommend. They saved me thousands and untold stress and worry.
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What is a Statutory Demand Notice?

A Statutory Demand is a warning Notice about an unpaid debt. A Statutory Demand is notice that the creditor will take further legal action quickly if the money is not repaid or an alternative arrangement is made.

A Statutory Demand is a warning, but it is not one you can ignore. The consequences of failing to meet — or dispute — a Statutory Demand can be dire.

How Long Does a Statutory Demand Last?

A Statutory Demand is not a court document. However, it is dated at the time of issue and, theoretically, does not expire. However, you will have to give reasons if you wait more than four months to take further action.

Receipt of a Statutory Demand creates a window of 21 days, during which time the recipient must either pay the debt or agree on a payment plan with the creditor. If an individual disputes the debt, they have 18 days to apply to the court to set aside the demand. If a company disputes the debt, it must apply to the court for an injunction before the 21 day period expires.

In reality, Statutory Demands trigger a rapid chain of events whether the debtor responds or not, irrespective of how the debtor counters the Statutory Demand.

Statutory Demands are often used as evidence to the court that a debtor is unable to pay their debts as part of bankruptcy proceedings. A creditor relies on Statutory Demands when issuing a winding up petition or a bankruptcy petition.

Statutory Demands are very powerful as they have a domino effect that can lead quickly to personal bankruptcy or company liquidation.

Statutory Demands remain in force and valid until events overtake them and make it clear that they have outlived their usefulness — for instance, the winding up of a company.

Can You Serve a Statutory Demand on an Individual?

Creditors can issue a Statutory Demand to request payment of monies owed from either individuals or a company.

If you are issuing a Statutory Demand against a partnership, each individual partner must receive a demand.

The Do’s and Don’ts of Statutory Demands

What Should I Do If I Have Been Served With a Statutory Demand?

Statutory demands are often served by personal service on the debtor as the creditor needs to prove that the demand has come to the debtor’s attention.

If you are served with a demand:

Do Act Quickly and Consult an Experienced Solicitor Immediately

If a valid statutory demand is served on you as an individual and it is not satisfied within 21 days, or if you dispute it and it is not set aside by the court following an application made by you within 18 days, then it could result in your bankruptcy. If you are a limited company and you have not applied for an injunction restraining the creditor from presenting a winding up petition then an unsatisfied demand could result in the winding up of the company. In both cases the creditor needs to demonstrate that an undisputed and unsecured debt of at least £750 for a company and £5,000 for an individual is outstanding 21 days after service of the demand. 

Don’t Ignore It

Particularly if you dispute the debt or you have a counterclaim or setoff to the amount demanded. Contact the creditor and set out why you dispute the demand in writing and ask them to withdraw it. However, if over £750 for companies and £5,000 for individuals of the demand remains undisputed and unpaid then that is still an act of insolvency/evidence of an inability to pay debts as they fall due and the demand could be relied on by the creditor in insolvency proceedings against you. Often creditors use a statutory demand as a debt recovery tool and will not want to incur the cost of actually petitioning for bankruptcy or winding up if the debtor doesn’t pay. Those costs to the creditor can be in the thousands and will not be recovered by the creditor if the debtor really is balance sheet insolvent. If the debtor will not agree to withdraw the demand in writing then

Do Apply To The Court To Set Aside The Demand Within 18 Days

If you are an individual. The statutory demand should specify the correct court for you to make that application to. If you are a company and the demand and/or threat of the presentation of a petition will not be withdrawn, then you must apply for an injunction restraining the creditor from presenting a winding up petition. Please note, a statutory demand is not always required before the creditor can present a winding up petition. For individuals the court has the power to set aside the demand on the following grounds:

  1. the debtor appears to have a counterclaim, set-off or cross-demand which equals, exceeds or reduces the amount of the debt or debts specified in the statutory demand to the threshold of £5,000 or below; or
    the debt is disputed on grounds which appear to the court to be substantial and reduces the amount of the debt or debts specified in the statutory demand to the threshold of £5,000 or below; or
    it appears that the creditor holds some security in respect of the debt claimed by the demand and either the statutory provisions relating to the disclosure of the nature and amount of the debt are not complied with in respect of it, or the court is satisfied that the value of the security equals or exceeds the full amount of the debt;or
  2. the court is satisfied on other grounds that the demand ought to be set aside.
    For companies, and on an application for an injunction, the court will consider, amongst other things, whether there is a genuine dispute about the sum demanded and/or whether there is a cross claim or set off, whether the creditor has another way to recover the money and whether it would be oppressive or unfair for the company to wound up.

If the debtor is successful in its application to set aside a statutory demand or for an injunction to prevent the presentation of winding up petition then it is almost inevitable that the court will order the creditor to pay the debtor’s legal costs. Depending on the circumstances these costs can range from £1,000 to over £10,000. Debtors may find that they’re unable to fund such legal costs even if they are ultimately paid by the creditor. However, it may be possible for the debtor to find a solicitor who will act for them on a no-win no-fee agreement.

Summary:

  • Act fast to avoid missing the deadline
  • Consult a solicitor with experience in dealing with statutory demands
  • Ask for a no win no fee

What Should I Do If I Want To Serve a Statutory Demand?

A creditor who serves a statutory demand for a disputed debt takes a big risk on costs if they do not withdraw it when the debtor has raised a dispute/defence.

Don’t consider using a statutory demand instead of a county court claim unless the debt really is undisputed. Statutory demands are not supposed to be used as a debt collection tool. In reality many creditors use them exactly in this way.

Do remember that if a creditor persists with a statutory demand and the debtor gets the demand set aside or an injunction against the presentation of a winding up petition then the court is likely to hammer the creditor in costs even if the creditor subsequently wins the dispute/counterclaim in normal proceedings.

Do, above all, take some advice from a solicitor at Helix Law before serving a demand.

What Happens After Statutory Demand?

When the statutory demand has been served the creditor will be entitled to petition for a bankruptcy order against an individual, or for a winding up petition against a company after 21 days. Therefore anyone who receives a statutory demand must take steps to address that demand within 18 days or risk a petition being issued. For an individual where the debt is disputed it is usually appropriate to request that the creditor agrees to withdraw or discontinue the statutory demand.

Otherwise, if there is no agreement, the individual debtor should apply to the court for an order (and their costs) seeking the set aside of the statutory demand. In the case of a company initially the company should request undertakings that the creditor will not issue or advertise a petition failing which the company will need to obtain an injunction order from the court preventing the creditor from issuing a petition or advertising a petition.

Key Contacts

Jonathan Waters
Solicitor
0345 314 2044
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Alex Cook
Solicitor
0345 314 2044
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Brendan Rimmer
Solicitor
0345 314 2044
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Outstanding Reviews from Real Business People

Excellent support and advice at very reasonable cost. They would definitely be my first port of call if I ever had a similar problem, and I would highly recommend. They saved me thousands and untold stress and worry.
Google Review
Brendan and the Staff at Helix Law handled a particularly difficult case for us, they provided an excellent service and I can highly recommend using this company
Google Review
Very useful getting counsel from Sam on a tricky matter - he certainly knew his stuff. 🙂 Matter successfully handled, and i would not hesitate to use Helix Law again or indeed recommend.
Google Review
Very swift response and helpful advice by Alex Cook, most importantly this is clearly a business with integrity - would definitely recommend!
Google Review
I spoke at length with their partner Alex Cook about a very complicated litigation case. He was very helpful and quite candid with his advice. I have worked with many lawyers some in the top 500 listings, but found him to be very knowledgable and competent,I personally wouldn’t have any hesitation in recommending him .
Google Review

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