B2B debt recovery
Unpaid company invoice: what to do when a client does not pay?
An unpaid invoice can affect cash flow, disrupt operations and consume internal time. The issue is not merely to send another reminder: the claim must be qualified, the documents secured, the dispute risk anticipated and the right recovery trajectory selected.
First response within 48 business hours after receipt of useful documents.
Early warning signals
An unpaid invoice is not always a simple delay. It may reveal cash-flow difficulty, a late dispute, delay tactics or a risk of insolvency.
- No response to written reminders
- Payment promises that are not honoured
- Late, vague or changing objections
- Multiplication of contacts and decision-makers
- Repeated postponements without a credible payment plan
Useful documents to prepare
To assess the possible recovery route quickly, the documents must make it possible to understand the origin of the claim, its due date, previous reminders and any debtor objections.
- Unpaid invoice and updated statement of account
- Quotation, contract, purchase order or applicable general terms
- Payment terms, due date and contractual or legal penalties
- Reminders, formal notice or exchanges with the debtor
- Proof of delivery, performance or acceptance of the service
- Elements relating to a dispute, partial payment or payment promise
Recovery stages
Each case must be oriented according to its documents, amount, debtor behaviour and dispute risk.
Amicable recovery
Structured reminders, formal notice, negotiation and controlled communication to seek credible regularisation.
Pre-litigation
Evidence review, file coherence, dispute risk assessment and preparation of the appropriate trajectory.
Judicial coordination and enforcement
Preparation of a payment order or strategic coordination of court action, with anticipation of useful enforcement measures when the file allows it.
When should you act?
The longer a company waits, the harder recovery can become. Documents may become scattered, positions may harden and insolvency risk may increase. Acting methodically helps preserve leverage, structure the evidence and avoid disorganised steps.
Our approach
Legatum & Partners intervenes on high-stakes B2B claims: significant amounts, disputes, complex files, difficult debtors or international dimensions.
Strategic review
- Claim qualification, admissibility and evidence level.
- Identification of dispute risks and action calendar.
Structured file
- Organisation of documents, chronology, statement of account and procedural preparation.
- Clear trajectory for amicable, pre-litigation and judicial phases.
Trajectory management
- Coordination with lawyers, enforcement officers or authorised professionals where their intervention is required.
- Orientation towards enforcement measures where the file allows it.
Frequently asked questions
When should a formal notice be sent?
When simple reminders no longer produce useful progress and it becomes necessary to clearly formalise the due nature of the claim.
Is a payment order always appropriate?
No. It depends on the available documents, foreseeable dispute risk and the most relevant procedural strategy.
Can you act if the debtor is abroad?
Yes, subject to the available documents, country involved, amount, debtor’s apparent solvency and any required partners.
Does submitting an unpaid invoice automatically create fees?
No. Submitting the first elements allows an initial review of the file. Any intervention, mandate, fees or external costs are subject to prior validation under the applicable conditions.
Which documents should be prepared for an unpaid invoice?
Useful documents include the unpaid invoice, quotation or contract, payment terms, reminders, formal notice if any, proof of performance or delivery, any dispute and an updated statement of account.