When considering pursuing a debt recovery action it is important to be aware that there are going to be legal costs involved. The fees set out below relate to undefended debt recovery proceedings only and do not include VAT, outlays discharged, and agency or barristers fees (if necessary).
In contentious matters or those requiring the resolution of complex issues, fees are charged on an hourly rate (see below).
For ease of reference, our fee structure is set out under the following headings:
- Letter of Demand
- Substituted Service
- Uncontested Proceedings
- Enforcement
Letter of Demand
Our standard charge for sending an initial letter of demand is €75 plus VAT.
Our fee for sending further letters of demand and final warning letters is €50 plus VAT.
If there are legal issues involved which require a more detailed analysis prior to drafting and sending an initial letter then the fee charged will be based on time spent on the matter and the complexities involved.
Our hourly rate in debt collection matters is as follows:
- Partner: €250 per hour plus VAT
- Solicitor: €150 per hour plus VAT
- Legal Executive: €95 per hour plus VAT
Substituted Service
Debt collection proceedings, with the exception of High Court proceedings (which must be served in person) and proceedings served on a limited liability company (which may be served by ordinary post), are served by registered post on the debtor.
Where the debtor refuses to accept service or fails to collect the registered post it is possible to make a court application for an order allowing substituted service which permits the creditor to serve proceedings by ordinary post on the debtor. The application is grounded by affidavit sworn by the creditor.
Our fees for drafting and making the application including the necessary affidavit are as follows:
- District Court (i.e. debts not exceeding €15,000): €150 plus VAT
- Circuit Court (i.e. debts between €15,000 and €75,000) €250 plus VAT
Uncontested Proceedings
The legal fees charged are in respect of uncontested debt recovery proceedings only and are based on the size of debt and the court in which proceedings are issued. The fees charged do not include outlays such as commissioner for oaths fees, search fees, agency fees, and stamp duty.
Our legal fees structure is set out in the charts below:
District Court
Amount of Debt |
Serve Proceedings |
Obtain Judgment |
| Up to €1,000 €1,001 to €3,000 €3,001 to €6,000 €6,001 to €9,000 €9,001 to €12,000 €12,001 to €15,000 |
€95 plus VAT €150 plus VAT €250 plus VAT €350 plus VAT €450 plus VAT €550 plus VAT |
€95 plus VAT €150 plus VAT €200 plus VAT €300 plus VAT €400 plus VAT €500 plus VAT |
Circuit Court
Amount of Debt |
Serve Proceedings |
Obtain Judgment |
| €15,001 to €20,000 €20,001 to €30,000 €30,001 to €40,000 €40,001 to €50,000 €50,001 to €75,000 |
€600 plus VAT €700 plus VAT €800 plus VAT €900 plus VAT €1,000 plus VAT |
€550 plus VAT €600 plus VAT €700 plus VAT €800 plus VAT €900 plus VAT |
High Court
Amount of Debt |
Serve Proceedings |
Obtain Judgment |
| €75,001 to €100,000 €100,001 to €150,000 €150,001 to €200,000 €200,001 to €300,000 Over €300,000 |
€1,000 plus VAT €1,200 plus VAT €1,500 plus VAT €1,800 plus VAT €2,100 plus VAT |
€900 plus VAT €900 plus VAT €1,000 plus VAT €1,200 plus VAT €1,500 plus VAT |
Enforcement
There are a number of ways in which to enforce a judgment obtained in debt collection proceedings (see: The Legal Process for more details).
In terms of the legal fees involved, the following is a breakdown of the fees based on the remedy used.
Registration of Judgment: €95 plus VAT
Lodgement with Sherriff’s Office: €95 plus VAT
Instalment Order: €250 plus VAT
Committal Summons: €300 plus VAT
Judgment Mortgage:
- District Court: €500 plus VAT
- Circuit Court: €750 plus VAT
- High Court: €950 plus VAT
Winding-Up Notice: €750 plus VAT
If you wish to discuss our fee structure, or any matter, please do not hesitate to Contact Us.
Note: the fees set out are in respect of uncontested debt recovery proceedings only. All matters are subject to our standard terms of engagement including the basis upon which fees are charged in contentious matters. For contested matters, an hourly rate is charged.
Note: the fees as set above are solicitor/client fees and are separate to any additional court scale fees which might be recovered from the other party.
In addition to our professional fees payable there may be costs and outlays discharged necessary to pursue a debt including but not limited to Summons Server costs; Court Stamp Duty; Court Agent fees; CRO and other company searches; property owner searches.
