Prompt Law Australia | Contract Review & Commercial Law Firm
- Debt Recovery and Unpaid Invoices
Debt Recovery Lawyers Sydney
Every week an invoice goes unpaid, it gets harder to collect. Our debt recovery lawyers in Sydney help businesses recover unpaid invoices and commercial debts, starting with a fixed-fee letter of demand and moving to statutory demands, NSW court claims and enforcement if the debtor still refuses to pay.
Same-day response, and 100% online service across NSW. No Sydney office visit required.
- Debt Recovery & Collection Services
Debt Recovery Services for Sydney Businesses From Demand to Enforcement
Letters of Demand for Unpaid Invoices
A letter of demand on law firm letterhead tells the debtor you are serious and sets a firm deadline for payment. Our Sydney debt recovery lawyers prepare fixed-fee letters of demand that state the amount owed, interest, and the legal steps that follow if payment is not made. Many debts are paid at this stage.
Creditor's Statutory Demands and Bankruptcy Notices
When a company owes you more than $4,000 and there is no genuine dispute, a creditor’s statutory demand under section 459E of the Corporations Act gives it 21 days to pay or be presumed insolvent. For individuals owing $10,000 or more under a judgment, we prepare and serve bankruptcy notices.
If the debtor ignores a demand, we file a statement of claim in the right NSW court. The Local Court hears claims up to $100,000 (Small Claims up to $20,000) and the District Court hears larger claims. Where no defence is filed within 28 days, we apply for default judgment without a hearing.
Judgment Enforcement and Garnishee Orders
A judgment is only worth what you can collect. Our Sydney debt recovery lawyers enforce NSW judgments through garnishee orders on wages and bank accounts, writs for the levy of property, examination notices that force the debtor to disclose their finances, and winding up or bankruptcy proceedings where needed.
Unpaid rent, outgoings and make-good costs often go unrecovered after a tenant leaves. We act for Sydney landlords recovering commercial and retail lease arrears, calling on bank guarantees and personal guarantees, and enforcing NCAT orders through the Local Court when a former tenant still refuses to pay.
Builders, subcontractors and suppliers can use the Building and Construction Industry Security of Payment Act 1999 (NSW) to make payment claims and get adjudicated amounts they can enforce quickly. We also recover trade credit account balances and pursue directors under personal guarantees in supplier credit applications.
- About Our Practice
Our Approach to Debt Recovery in Sydney - Fast Demand, Clear Costs, Real Recovery
At PromptLaw, our debt recovery lawyers in Sydney start from one question: can this debtor actually pay? Before any money is spent on court fees, we check the debtor’s company status, assets and registered securities so we can advise whether to demand, negotiate a payment plan, issue a statutory demand or sue. That keeps your legal costs in proportion to the debt you are chasing.
Based in Chatswood and serving businesses across Sydney and NSW since 2014, we charge no commission on what we recover. Every matter starts with a fixed-fee letter of demand, and the cost of each later step is confirmed before we take it. Where a debt forms part of a wider contract dispute, our commercial litigation lawyers take the matter through to judgment.
Letting Invoices Age Past 90 Days
The longer a debt sits, the less likely it is to be paid. Debtors pay the creditors who push hardest, and older debts are harder to prove and collect.
Missing the Six-Year Limitation Period
In NSW, most contract debts must be sued on within six years. After that the claim can be statute-barred and the money is usually lost for good.
Serving a Defective Statutory Demand
A statutory demand with errors, or one served where the debt is genuinely disputed, can be set aside by the court, and you may be ordered to pay costs.
Winning Judgment Against a Debtor With No Assets
Suing without checking the debtor's financial position can leave you with a judgment you cannot enforce and legal costs you cannot recover.
- Who We Help
Sydney Creditors We Help Recover Unpaid Debts
Small Businesses and Trades With Unpaid Invoices
We help Sydney small businesses, tradespeople and contractors recover overdue invoices from customers who have stopped responding, protecting cash flow without damaging relationships that are still worth keeping.
Professional Service Firms and Consultants
Accountants, consultants, agencies and other professional firms often carry unpaid fees long after the work is done. We recover outstanding fees, including where a client withholds payment while raising complaints about the work.
Landlords Recovering Rent Arrears
Commercial and residential landlords across Sydney use our lawyers to recover rent arrears, outgoings and repair costs from current and former tenants, and to enforce NCAT orders that remain unpaid. See our tenancy lawyers for residential matters.
Suppliers and Companies Owed by Other Companies
Wholesalers, manufacturers and B2B suppliers owed money by other companies can use statutory demands and personal guarantees to put real pressure on debtor companies and their directors.
- Our Process
How Our Sydney Debt Recovery Lawyers Recover What You Are Owed
Debt Review and Recovery Strategy
Send us your invoices, contract or terms of trade, and correspondence. We confirm the debt is legally recoverable, check the debtor's company and asset position, and recommend the most cost-effective recovery path.
Letter of Demand and Negotiation
We issue a fixed-fee letter of demand setting a clear payment deadline and claiming interest. If the debtor responds, we negotiate full payment or a documented payment plan that is easy to enforce if they default.
Statutory Demand or Court Claim
If the demand is ignored, we serve a creditor's statutory demand on a company debtor or file a statement of claim in the NSW Local Court or District Court, seeking default judgment if no defence is filed.
Judgment and Enforcement
Once judgment is entered, we enforce it through garnishee orders, writs for the levy of property, examination notices, and winding up or bankruptcy proceedings until the debt is recovered.
- Why Choose A Lawyer
Why a Debt Recovery Lawyer Gets Results a Collection Agency Cannot
Collection agencies can send reminders and make phone calls, but they cannot file a statement of claim, obtain judgment, serve a statutory demand or enforce a court order. When a debtor ignores the calls, you end up paying the agency’s commission and then paying a lawyer anyway. A letter of demand from a Sydney debt recovery lawyer carries the real prospect of court action, and debtors know it.
Our debt recovery lawyers in Sydney charge no commission on what we recover. You pay a fixed fee for the letter of demand and an agreed cost for each later step, so you always know what recovery will cost before you commit. With 11+ years of experience recovering unpaid invoices, rent arrears, trade debts and contract debts across NSW courts, we take the shortest path to getting you paid.
- Key advantages of using a debt recovery lawyer:
- Confirm the debt is legally recoverable and check whether the debtor can actually pay before you spend money on court fees
- Issue letters of demand on law firm letterhead that claim interest and set a firm deadline, which often gets the debt paid without court
- Serve creditor's statutory demands on company debtors owing more than $4,000, putting their solvency on the line within 21 days
- File statements of claim in the NSW Local Court or District Court and obtain default judgment when the debtor does not defend
- Enforce judgments through garnishee orders, writs for the levy of property, examination notices, and winding up or bankruptcy proceedings
Start with a confidential
consultation.
Enquire today and receive a same-day response from our Sydney debt recovery lawyers. We recover unpaid invoices, rent arrears, trade debts and judgment debts across NSW with a fixed-fee letter of demand and no commission. Book a Consultation.
- Why Choose Us
Why Sydney Businesses Choose Our Debt Recovery Lawyers
Commercial Debt Recovery Focus
Our Sydney lawyers recover business debts every week, from overdue invoices and trade accounts to rent arrears and unpaid judgments, using the NSW court system and the Corporations Act to put pressure on debtors who refuse to pay.
Fixed-Fee Letter of Demand
Every debt recovery matter starts with a fixed-fee letter of demand. No commission on what we recover, no open-ended hourly retainer, and the cost of each later step is confirmed in writing before we take it.
Responsive Service
Enquire today and receive a response the same business day. Debts get harder to recover the longer they sit, so we move quickly. Our Sydney debt recovery lawyers work 100% online, so you never need to visit our Chatswood office.
11+ Years Experience
Since 2014, PromptLaw powered by CMI Legal has recovered debts for Sydney businesses, landlords and suppliers through letters of demand, statutory demands, Local Court and District Court claims, and judgment enforcement.
- What Our Clients Say
Client Testimonials and Reviews
Read more reviews on Google →
- Our Team
Meet Our Team of Lawyers
Mathew Wu
Director
John Zhang
Principal
Tina Tang
Lawyer
Rita Lam
Lawyer
- FAQs
Debt Recovery FAQs Answered by Our Sydney Lawyers
How much does a debt recovery lawyer cost in Sydney?
PromptLaw starts every matter with a fixed-fee letter of demand and charges no commission on the amount recovered. If further steps are needed, such as a statutory demand, statement of claim or enforcement, we confirm the cost of each step before we take it. Court filing fees are extra and may be recoverable from the debtor.
Should I use a debt recovery lawyer or a debt collection agency?
A collection agency can only send letters and make calls, and usually takes a commission. A debt recovery lawyer can do that and also serve statutory demands, start court proceedings, obtain judgment and enforce it. For commercial debts, or any debtor who has ignored reminders, a lawyer is usually the faster and cheaper route.
What is a letter of demand and does it work?
A letter of demand is a formal written demand for payment by a set date, warning of legal action if the debt is not paid. It creates a record that you asked for payment before suing, which matters for costs. A demand from a Sydney debt recovery lawyer often gets the debt paid without any court proceedings.
What is a creditor's statutory demand and when can I use one?
A creditor’s statutory demand under section 459E of the Corporations Act 2001 can be served on a company that owes you more than $4,000. The company has 21 days to pay or apply to set it aside. If it does neither, it is presumed insolvent and you can apply to wind it up. It should not be used where the debt is genuinely disputed.
How long do I have to recover a debt in NSW?
Under the Limitation Act 1969 (NSW), most contract debts must be sued on within six years from when the debt became payable. Once you have a judgment, it can generally be enforced for up to 12 years. Waiting still weakens your position, because evidence gets harder to find and debtors move or dispose of assets.
Which NSW court will hear my debt claim?
The NSW Local Court hears debt claims up to $100,000, with claims up to $20,000 in its Small Claims Division. The District Court hears claims up to $750,000 and the Supreme Court hears larger claims. Some consumer and residential tenancy debts go to NCAT instead. Our Sydney debt recovery lawyers file in the right forum from the start.
Can I claim interest and legal costs from the debtor?
Yes. You can claim interest under your contract or terms of trade, or court interest under the Civil Procedure Act 2005 (NSW) if the contract is silent. If you win, the court usually orders the debtor to pay part of your legal costs, and some terms of trade allow full recovery of collection costs.
What happens if the debtor still will not pay after judgment?
A judgment can be enforced through a garnishee order on the debtor’s wages or bank account, a writ for the levy of property that lets the Sheriff seize and sell assets, or an examination notice requiring the debtor to disclose their finances. Company debtors can be wound up, and individuals owing $10,000 or more can be made bankrupt.
- Get Expert Advice
Speak to a Debt Recovery Lawyer in Sydney Today
Contact our Sydney debt recovery lawyers today. Book a 15-minute quick advice call or a full 45-minute debt review. Fixed-fee letter of demand, no commission, same-day response, 100% online. No office visit required.
Quick Advice
In-Depth Review
Owed Money by a Customer or Client in Sydney? Start Recovering It This Week.
Talk to our Sydney debt recovery lawyers today. Fixed-fee letter of demand, no commission, same-day response, 100% online. We recover unpaid invoices, rent arrears, trade debts and judgment debts for businesses, landlords and suppliers across NSW.