Letter Before Action Template | Consumer Claims Handbook

#When to Use This

Your complaint has been rejected
You've exhausted the complaints process (or they haven't responded)
You've tried the ombudsman (if applicable) without success
You're serious about going to court if they don't pay

#Template Letter

[Your Name]
[Your Address]
[City, Postcode]
[Your Email] | [Your Phone Number]
[Date]

LETTER BEFORE ACTION
WITHOUT PREJUDICE SAVE AS TO COSTS

[Company Name]
[Registered Address]
[City, Postcode]

Sent by: [Email with read receipt requested / Recorded delivery]

Dear Sir/Madam,

Re: Letter Before Action – [Your Name] v [Company Name]
Claim Amount: £[Total Amount]

#Notice of Intended Court Proceedings

I am writing to notify you that I intend to issue proceedings against you in the County Court if my claim is not resolved within 14 days of the date of this letter.

This letter is sent in accordance with the Pre-Action Protocol for Debt Claims and constitutes formal notice of my intention to commence legal proceedings.

#Background

[Summarise the key facts:]

On [date], I [entered into an agreement with you / purchased / etc.]
[Brief description of what happened]
I complained on [date] and received your final response on [date]
[If applicable] I escalated to [ombudsman] on [date] and received their decision on [date]

#The Claim

I am claiming the following:

Item	Amount
[Primary claim – e.g., Refund of overcharged interest]	£[X]
[Secondary claim – e.g., Compensation for distress]	£[X]
[8% statutory interest from [date] to today]	£[X]
Total	£[Total]

#Legal Basis

[Briefly state the legal basis for your claim:]

My claim is based on:

[E.g., Breach of contract]
[E.g., Breach of Consumer Rights Act 2015]
[E.g., Breach of FCA regulations]
[E.g., Negligence / misrepresentation]

#What I Require

To avoid court proceedings, I require you to:

Pay the sum of £[Total Amount] within 14 days
[Any other requirements]

Payment should be made to:

Bank: [Bank Name]
Sort Code: [XX-XX-XX]
Account Number: [XXXXXXXX]
Reference: [Your name / claim reference]

Alternatively, please send a cheque payable to [Your Name] to my address above.

#If You Do Not Respond

If I do not receive payment or an acceptable proposal to settle within 14 days of the date of this letter, I will issue a claim in the County Court without further notice.

I will seek to recover:

The full amount claimed
Court fees
Interest at 8% per annum
Any other costs I am entitled to

If proceedings are issued, this letter will be shown to the court. Failure to respond or engage with this pre-action process may be taken into account when the court considers costs.

#Alternative Dispute Resolution

I remain willing to consider mediation or other forms of alternative dispute resolution if you wish to avoid court proceedings. Please let me know within 7 days if you would like to explore this option.

#Response Required

Please respond to this letter within 14 days confirming either:

Payment of the amount claimed, or
Your proposals for settlement, or
Your reasons for disputing the claim (with supporting evidence)

Yours faithfully,

[Your Signature]
[Your Printed Name]

Enclosures:

Copy of original complaint
Copy of company's final response
[Copy of ombudsman decision if applicable]
Evidence bundle [if relevant]

#After Sending

#Court Fees (2024/25)

Claim Amount	Court Fee
Up to £300	£35
£300.01 - £500	£50
£500.01 - £1,000	£70
£1,000.01 - £1,500	£80
£1,500.01 - £3,000	£115
£3,000.01 - £5,000	£205
£5,000.01 - £10,000	£455

You can add the court fee to your claim – the defendant pays if you win.