When should freelancers consider small claims court?

Consider court when the unpaid amount is between £200 and £10,000, you have documentation like contracts, emails, and deliverables, and the client is based in England or Wales.

Can I claim statutory interest on late freelance payments?

Yes, for business-to-business transactions you can claim statutory interest at 8% above the Bank of England base rate, plus fixed compensation of £40-£100 depending on the debt amount.

What if the client says my work was poor quality?

You need evidence of approval or acceptance such as sign-off emails, change request logs, and any positive feedback received during the project. Courts look unfavourably on quality disputes raised only after the invoice is sent.

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Freelancer Disputes: Protect Your Fees When Clients Don't Pay

No solicitors needed. Step-by-step guidance to recover what you're owed through UK small claims court. Built for freelancers and agencies dealing with ghosted invoices, scope creep excuses, and cancelled projects.

Check If Your Dispute Can Become a Claim View Detailed Guides

Claims £200 - £10,000England & WalesNo solicitor required

Common Freelancer Disputes We Help With

From unpaid work to unfair complaints, our guides cover the disputes you face.

Non-Payment

Client Ghosts After Delivery

Work delivered and approved, but client stops responding to invoices and follow-ups.

Scope Creep

"Poor Quality" Excuses

Client claims work was substandard to avoid paying, despite previous approvals.

Scope Creep Defence

Client demanded extra work beyond scope, then disputes final invoice.

Cancellations

Project Killed, Work Done

Client cancelled project mid-way. You have completed work they refuse to pay for.

Advances & Floats

Ad-Spend Floats Not Repaid

You fronted advertising costs or expenses that the client never reimbursed.

Retainer Disputes

Client wants refund on retainer after receiving services.

When to Consider Small Claims Court

Most disputes start as complaints or negotiations. Here's when it makes sense to consider court action.

Consider Court Action When:

The amount is £200 - £10,000 — below the small claims track limit
You have documentation — contracts, proposals, email approvals, work deliverables
The client is in England or Wales — registered business address or personal address

Quick Checklist Before Filing

Client based in England/Wales

Claim value under £10,000

Sent invoice and reminders

Ready to send Letter Before Action

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How CourtPilot Helps You

From documentation to court-ready documents in three steps.

Upload Your Dispute

Order confirmations, tracking data, messages, emails - upload everything and we extract the key facts.

AI Builds Your Case

Automatic Letter Before Action generation, particulars of claim drafting, and deadline tracking.

Court-Ready Documents

CPR-compliant bundles, indexed evidence, and witness statement templates ready for small claims court.

Evidence analysis for freelance disputes

Letters Before Action for unpaid fees

Court bundle with email approvals

AI-powered deadline tracking

Real Disputes, Real Outcomes

Examples of how others have recovered money through small claims court and pre-court negotiation.

£6,500

Web Developer: Site Delivered, Client Vanished

Scenario: Built complete website over 3 months. Client approved staging site, then stopped responding.

Evidence: Signed contract, staged site URL, email approval chain, Slack messages, invoice reminders.

Outcome: Letter Before Action sent to registered office. Full payment received within 21 days.

£2,800

Copywriter: "Not What We Wanted" After 3 Approvals

Scenario: Client approved copy at each stage. After final delivery, claimed it "wasn't suitable".

Evidence: Email approvals at each draft stage, track changes showing minimal revisions, signed brief.

Outcome: Court found approvals demonstrated acceptance. Full amount awarded plus interest.

£3,200

Marketing Agency: Retainer Cancelled Month 2

Scenario: Client signed 6-month retainer. Cancelled after 2 months claiming "no results".

Evidence: Contract with notice period, monthly reports showing deliverables, Google Analytics access.

Outcome: Mediation resulted in 2 months notice payment. 60% of disputed amount recovered.

£1,500

Designer: Logo Used Without Final Payment

Scenario: Client started using logo on website and social media before paying final invoice.

Evidence: Contract retaining IP until payment, screenshots of logo in use, invoice history.

Outcome: Letter citing copyright infringement prompted immediate payment plus late fees.

£2,400

Consultant: Day Rate Disputed After Workshop

Scenario: Delivered 3-day workshop. Client claims it "wasn't worth" the agreed day rate.

Evidence: Signed proposal, workshop materials, attendee feedback forms, expense receipts.

Outcome: Default judgment obtained. Client did not file defence. Enforced via bailiff.

£200

When NOT to Claim: Verbal Agreement, No Contract

Scenario: Quick job agreed over coffee. No written contract, no email confirmation, just verbal.

Evidence: Text message saying "sounds good" only. No scope or price confirmed in writing.

Advice: Advised NOT to pursue. Without written agreement, proving contract terms is very difficult.

These examples illustrate typical dispute scenarios. Every case is different and outcomes depend on evidence and circumstances.

Built for UK Small Claims

England & Wales Specific

Guidance tailored to UK small claims court procedures and rules.

CPR-Aligned Documents

Letters and bundles formatted to Civil Procedure Rules standards.

£97 Lifetime Access

One payment, unlimited cases. No monthly fees or hidden costs.

Information Only - Not Legal Advice

CourtPilot provides tools and guidance to help you prepare your own small claims case. We are not a law firm and cannot give legal advice. For complex matters or if you are uncertain about your rights, please consult a qualified solicitor.

Stop Clients Getting Away With Non-Payment

Whether it's a ghosted invoice, a cancelled project, or a client claiming 'poor quality' after approvals, CourtPilot gives you the tools to recover what you're owed through UK small claims court.

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