Letter before action template
Before you start a small claim, the court expects you to have written to the other side setting out the claim and giving them a fair chance to pay or respond. That is a letter before action. This template sets out the amount, how it is made up, and a clear deadline.
The template
Fill it in by answering a few questions, and everything in [square brackets] is replaced with your details. Everything else can be edited too.
[your name]
[Your address]
[Their name or company name]
[Their address]
[Date]
Letter before action
Dear [Their name or company name],
[What happened, with dates, and why you believe they owe you money.]
You owe me £[amount], made up of [how the amount is calculated]. Copies of the relevant documents are enclosed.
Please pay £[amount] by [date]. If you do not, I intend to start court proceedings to recover the amount without further notice, and may also claim interest and court fees.
If you dispute this, please explain why in writing by the same date, and include any documents you rely on.
Yours sincerely,
[your name]
When to use it
Use it when someone owes you money or has not put something right, you have already asked informally, and you are prepared to go to court if they still do not act.
Tips for writing it
- State exactly how much you are owed and how the figure is made up.
- Enclose copies (never originals) of invoices, contracts, receipts and messages.
- Give a reasonable deadline. Court guidance treats 14 days as reasonable in a straightforward case; a business chasing a debt from an individual must follow the Pre-Action Protocol for Debt Claims, which requires 30 days.
- Say that you intend to start court proceedings if they do not respond by the deadline.
- Send it tracked and keep proof of delivery — you may need to show the court that it was received.
Official guidance: Make a court claim for money on GOV.UK (opens in a new tab)
Frequently asked questions
Do I have to send a letter before action?
Courts expect it. Starting a claim without giving the other side a fair chance to respond can count against you when costs are decided.
How long should I give them to pay?
Fourteen days is treated as reasonable in a straightforward case. If you are a business chasing a debt from an individual, the Pre-Action Protocol for Debt Claims requires 30 days and some specific enclosures.
How do I prove I sent it?
Answer a few questions and the template fills itself in. Check it over in the editor, and we print it and post it for you with tracked delivery — sent flat in a hardbacked envelope, never folded, to any UK address.