Debt Recovery Route Selector

How the debt recovery selector works

The selector asks seven questions: who owes you money (a company, an individual or sole trader, a partnership or a trust), roughly how much is owed, whether the debt is disputed, whether it is a construction industry debt, whether you have already sent a letter of demand, whether you already hold a court judgment, and whether the debtor is showing signs of financial difficulty.

Your answers are matched against a set of rules to recommend one primary recovery path, such as a letter of demand, a statutory demand, a security of payment claim, a small claims or tribunal application, court proceedings, mediation, or enforcing a judgment you already hold. It also shows alternative paths, an urgency level and suggested next steps.

What the result cannot tell you

The rules use broad answer bands, not your documents. The tool cannot check whether your contract, invoices or correspondence prove the debt, whether a limitation period has run, or whether the debtor has assets worth pursuing. Where it shows cost ranges and timelines, they are general and your matter may differ.

When to get advice

Get advice before you issue a statutory demand or start proceedings, when the debt is disputed, or when the result shows a high or critical urgency level, because some options depend on acting quickly.