Unpaid invoice? A five-step recovery sequence for UAE businesses
Most bad debts were recoverable once. The difference is acting early, in the right order, with the right documents.
5 min readServices
Debt Collection & Recovery
An unpaid invoice costs your business twice: the cash, and the time spent chasing it. We take over the recovery process — from the first formal demand to a documented settlement — so you can return to running your business.
What's included
- 01
Debt collection & amicable recovery
A structured, lawful recovery process aimed at payment without litigation.
- 02
Outstanding invoice, retention & final payment recovery
Interim payments, retention releases and final accounts — the sums most often left unpaid at the end of a project.
- 03
Demand letters & legal notices
Precise, bilingual demands and formal notices that set out the debt, its basis and the deadline.
- 04
Debt settlement & payment plan negotiation
Negotiated settlements and instalment plans, recorded in writing and backed by security where possible.
When clients call us
“The client accepted the work but stopped paying.”
We confirm what is due and issue a formal demand that shows the debtor you are ready to act.
“Our retention was never released.”
We check the release conditions in the contract, the completion and defects-period records, and pursue the release.
“They keep promising to pay next month.”
We convert promises into a signed payment plan with dates, amounts and consequences of default.
A disciplined, lawful sequence
- 01
File review
We review the contract, invoices, delivery or completion records and correspondence, confirm the amount due and identify any weak points before the debtor does.
- 02
Formal demand
A precise demand letter or legal notice, in Arabic and English, setting out the debt, its basis and a deadline to pay.
- 03
Negotiation
Direct, documented negotiation with the debtor's decision-makers. We look for payment — not just promises.
- 04
Settlement & security
Agreed terms are recorded in a written settlement or payment plan, with security such as cheques or guarantees where possible.
- 05
Escalation
If the debtor will not pay, we prepare the litigation or arbitration file and coordinate with licensed advocates you appoint.
How strong is your file?
Tick what you have. This indicative check shows how ready your claim is for a formal demand — and what to gather next.
File strength
Strong file
Your documents support a formal demand now. A well-drafted demand backed by this evidence often prompts payment or a serious settlement offer.
Start an enquiryWorkable file
There are gaps worth closing first. We would organise the evidence you hold and look for what is missing — site records, emails, delivery notes — before the demand goes out.
Start an enquiryThin file — act carefully
Before demanding payment, the evidence and any time limits should be reviewed. A premature demand can weaken your position; a short review costs far less.
Start an enquiryIndicative only. It does not assess the debtor's ability to pay or replace legal advice.
How we work
- 01
Enquiry & conflict check
Tell us the matter and the other party's name. We confirm there is no conflict.
- 02
Document review
We review what you have and identify gaps and risks.
- 03
Written proposal
Scope, approach, timeline and fees, agreed in writing.
- 04
Action & reporting
We act, and report at every material step until the matter closes.
What we need from you
- The contract, purchase order or accepted quotation
- Invoices and a statement of account
- Proof of delivery, completion or certification
- Correspondence with the debtor, including any acknowledgement of the debt
- Details of any cheques or securities held
- Debtor's trade licence details, if available
Questions
Do you charge a success fee?
Depending on the file, we work on a fixed fee, a success-based fee or a combination. The basis is agreed in writing before we start, together with any expenses.
Do you handle consumer debts?
Our focus is business-to-business debts: unpaid invoices, retention and final payments between companies.
What if the debtor still refuses to pay?
We prepare the file for litigation or arbitration and coordinate with licensed UAE advocates whom you appoint. Because the evidence is already organised, no time is lost.
Insights
Send us the file. We'll tell you where you stand.
Share a short summary and the other party's name. After a conflict check, we review your documents and set out the route, the timeline and the fee — in writing.