From placement to payment, and everything in between.

No black box. Here is exactly what happens when you place a debt with us, what we need from you, how long each stage takes, and what it costs.

24h from placement to validation and an agreed approach
3–4 weeks is our average time to recovery
£0 upfront: no placement fee, no minimum spend

One escalation path, from first reminder to enforcement.

We start soft and stay commercial — most debts settle early. When they don't, we escalate within the group, so nothing gets dropped in a handover.

1

Placement & validation

Within 24 hours

You send us the debt. We validate the paperwork, confirm what's owed and whether it's enforceable, and agree the approach with you.

Debtor details Invoices & statements Contract or terms Correspondence to date
2

Contact & reminders

Days 1–14

Structured contact by phone, email, SMS and our portal, with letters where required. Firm, professional, and protective of your commercial relationship where it matters. You approve every escalation before it happens.

3

Commercial recovery & negotiation

Most claims resolve here

We negotiate settlement in full, or a payment plan you've approved, and secure the money.

4

Legal escalation

Your decision

If the debtor still won't pay, our solicitors at STA Legal can issue proceedings. The full case history goes with it, and nothing happens without your written instruction. Legal costs are agreed with you first, on STA Legal's published tariff.

5

Enforcement

Once judgment is obtained, STA Legal enforces it through the appropriate route (High Court enforcement, charging orders or winding-up) until the debt is recovered.

Recovered

Recovered funds are paid to you weekly by BACS, with a clear account of what was recovered, what it cost, and what we learned about the debtor.

What we need from you

Five things, and we can start.

  • ◆The debtor's details: name, address and company number if it's a business
  • ◆Copies of the unpaid invoices and statements
  • ◆Your terms of business or signed contract
  • ◆Any correspondence with the debtor so far
  • ◆A note of anything disputed or already part-paid

What it costs

Nothing until we recover.

UK debtor 10%
Non-UK debtor 15%
Placement or upfront fee £0

Commission is charged on what we recover and quoted before you commit. For UK debtors, commission and late payment interest can usually be claimed from the debtor. Discounted rates are available for high-value or bulk placements. Overseas agent referrals, with your consent, carry a higher rate. If a case goes legal, STA Legal's costs are agreed with you first.

Get your exact rate →

Ready to place a debt?

Answer four questions and see what you'd receive, what we'd charge, and what we'd chase on your behalf.