United Kingdom collection profile

Collecting in UK

• An increase in the average DSO to 53 days is perceived as a result of high value unpaid invoices.


• UK courts are efficient in delivering timely decisions, but recent changes in charges mean it can be expensive for large value debts. Timely escalation from credit control to skilled external debt collection agencies remains effective.


• The insolvency framework is oriented towards the protection of creditors’ rights, although an emphasis has been made on the need to rescue viable businesses. Such proceedings would not guarantee that the debt would be recovered as in practice there are no limitations as to how much of the debt may be written off during renegotiations. Furthermore, liquidation proceedings would rarely yield any proceeds to unsecured creditors.