If an agency breaks the contract by not paying, can I go straight to the client?

[Safe Collections]

As has been stated above one late payment is very unlikely to constitute breach of contract. Your first step should be to call the agency and find out what the issue is, as NLUK said chances are with a first payment its an accounting error or some other issue that will be easily solved.

If it isn't a simple error then you have numerous options to take action but as far as winding up petitions go you need to be aware that the process is expensive (in the region of £2k) and does not guarantee payment. Additionally the process is only to be used in very specific circumstances as it can carry significant financial risks to the creditor (a fact that is largely ignored in the guidance on the .gov site here).

One quick question, did you source a credit check on the agency in question prior to starting with them?

[psychocandy]

OP - As others have said, its only a week so far but have you runf them to find out whats going on?

[SueEllen]

These are the steps to chasing your debt-
1. Ring up the agency and ask them why they haven't paid.

They will then explain why and pay you.

[CloudWalker]

"Who is this despicable Agency that would do such a thing"
I mean 7 days late. How will you survive?