Signposting

The SBC can’t help if you’re currently trying to resolve the problem with legal action, mediation, adjudication or arbitration.

You’ll also need to resolve the problem another way if:

• your customer didn’t pay because they’re unhappy with your price or service
• you’ve already had a legally binding decision about the problem, for example from a court, arbitrator or adjudicator

Public Sector customers

If your customer is in the public sector contact:

• The Public Procurement Review Service if you’re in England
• Supplier Feedback Service in Wales
• Single Point of Enquiry in Scotland
• Information in the Central Procurement Directorate Supplier Charter in Northern Ireland
• If your customer is a supermarket complain to the Groceries Code Adjudicator. To raise an issue with or provide information to the GCA please email enquiries@groceriescode.gov.uk. You should also read GCA Guidance on raising issues, and the disputes and escalation process
• If you’re in the construction industry and not working for a residential occupier, you’re probably covered by the Housing Grants, Construction and Regeneration Act 1996. Check your contract for what to do in the event of a dispute, or get advice from your professional body

If you’re not sure what’s best in your situation, you can get advice about payment problems by calling the government-backed helpline for England, Wales, Scotland or Northern Ireland

Business help

Get free local business help from your nearest:

• Local Enterprise Partnership growth hub in England
• Business Gateway office in Scotland
• Business Wales regional centre
• Local Invest Northern Ireland Regional Office
• call your professional or trade organisation to see what help they offer small businesses

If you are a small business with a complaint about a financial product or service provided in or from the UK, contact the Financial Ombudsman Service for small businesses. 

For information about credit management contact the Chartered Institute of Credit Management (CICM), who also administer the Prompt Payment Code on behalf of the Department for Business Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS).

 

Legal action and advice

The legal action you can take includes sending a solicitor’s letter, making a money claim or getting a binding decision from a judge in court.

There are alternatives to court that can give you a legally binding decision or an expert opinion that will help you resolve your dispute. They can sometimes be quicker than court, but they can also be expensive.

• Solicitor’s letter from around £20
• Start a money claim from £25
• Extra costs for going to court

Talk to a solicitor

Talk to a accountant

Business Readiness for leaving the EU

With the ongoing uncertainty over the way the UK intends on leaving the EU it essential that small businesses have a plan in place to manage the transition. Government has launched the business readiness website which includes a tool to enable you to find out; what your business will need to do to prepare for the UK leaving the EU; what’s changing in your industry; and information on specific rules and regulations.