The latest findings from the Disputes Register indicate the harm that unpaid invoices are causing businesses. Our team is here to help you get paid.
1. Report overview
The Disputes Register publishes data and analysis on unresolved commercial debts and late payments in the UK. Their publicly available statistics offer an insightful – and concerning – look at how deeply embedded the culture of late and unpaid invoices remains across British business. The figures reflect not only the financial impact but also the broader consequences for cash flow and business continuity, especially for SMEs.
🔗 View the full Disputes Register statistics here
2. Key findings from the data
- UK businesses are collectively facing an estimated £350 billion in unpaid invoices annually.
- Around 50,000 commercial payment disputes arise each month, yet most never lead to legal action.
- Many SMEs avoid pursuing unpaid invoices legally due to concerns about cost, process or effectiveness.
- Businesses in construction, B2B services, and wholesale sectors experience the highest incidence of non-payment.
These findings paint a stark picture. Too many SMEs are absorbing losses, extending credit unintentionally, and carrying the burden of poor payment culture without adequate support.
3. What this means for UK businesses
The scale of unpaid invoices represents a critical risk to the financial health of UK businesses. Delayed payment or non-payment often means:
- staff wages and supplier bills are harder to meet
- owners delay investing in growth or innovation
- personal borrowing is used to cover cash flow gaps
- bad debt becomes normalised, damaging long-term stability
Many businesses hesitate to seek help until the situation becomes urgent. But as this data shows, waiting too long can cost more than acting decisively. Having a clear and cost-effective debt recovery strategy, with the right legal partner, is crucial.
4. How Francis Wilks & Jones can help
At Francis Wilks & Jones, we help businesses recover unpaid invoices quickly, professionally, and in line with the latest legal procedures. Whether you are chasing one overdue client or managing dozens of unpaid accounts, our expert team is here to support you.
✅ Letter before action
We issue strong, legally compliant letters before action to debtors. These often result in fast payment without further escalation.
✅ County court claims
Where a claim is necessary, we issue proceedings efficiently and manage the process through to judgment.
✅ High court enforcement
Our enforcement experts ensure court judgments are executed using authorised High Court Enforcement Officers.
✅ Statutory demands
For debts over £750, a statutory demand can be a highly effective pre-insolvency warning — prompting urgent payment.
✅ Winding up petitions
In suitable cases, we issue winding up petitions to apply pressure on corporate debtors and force engagement.
✅ Freezing injunctions and asset recovery
We act fast to protect assets where there’s a risk of transfer or dissipation, preserving your ability to recover what you’re owed.
✅ Director guarantees and personal liability
We enforce director guarantees and personal obligations where available — adding pressure to settle.
✅ Cross-border debt collection
Our team works with overseas partners to collect debts and enforce foreign judgments with precision and speed.
✅ Interest and statutory compensation
We help clients maximise recovery by claiming statutory interest and compensation under the Late Payment of Commercial Debts (Interest) Act 1998.
✅ Volume-based debt recovery
For businesses with multiple or recurring debts, we offer scalable recovery services with reporting and integration options.
Our lawyers are approachable, commercial, and highly experienced. We focus on achieving results quickly while protecting your brand and relationships.
📩 If your business is facing overdue invoices, speak to us today to see how we can help recover what you’re owed — and help prevent repeat issues in the future.
