Do not skip the evidence.
Attach or reference the invoice, statement, purchase order, delivery evidence, and prior reminders where relevant.
Letter before action template
A UK unpaid-invoice letter before action template you should review carefully.
Use this as a drafting checklist for business-to-business overdue invoices. It is not legal advice, and it should not be sent without checking the debt, contract, dispute status, and tone.
Template structure.
Re: unpaid invoice [invoice number]
We are writing about invoice [invoice number] for £[amount], issued on [invoice date]
and due on [due date]. Our records show that this remains unpaid.
Please pay the outstanding amount by [response date] or contact us immediately if you believe
the invoice is disputed, has already been paid, or needs corrected documentation.
If we do not receive payment or a substantive response, we may consider further recovery steps.
We may also claim statutory interest and fixed compensation where available for qualifying
commercial debts.
Keep the amount explainable.
If you mention statutory interest or compensation, make sure the calculation can be checked from a clear log.
Use human judgement.
A final notice can damage a relationship if the customer has a genuine query, allocation issue, or agreed extension.
Need final notice drafts for multiple invoices?
SHVL turns an aged-debtors CSV into editable Word letters, openable email drafts, and the calculation workbook your reviewer needs before sending.
Upload CSV and preview