No signed timesheet - no actual contract!

[Bee]

Rubbish. That's the worst thing you can do. It will show you've no idea what's going on and they'll call your bluff. At that point they'll know exactly what type of person they are dealing with and you won't have a hope.

You see a lot of other people suggesting this but it never happens. Doesn't mean it's the right thing to do.

The only person that is talking about bluff is you.

If you prefer to use a lawyer without notice fine, but none in his perfect sanity would do this without consulting a lawyer first.

[northernladuk]

The only person that is talking about bluff is you.

If you prefer to use a lawyer without notice fine, but none in his perfect sanity would do this without consulting a lawyer first.

Unless something is different in Portugal, in which case I'd ask why you are even in a thread about a point of UK law, there are many different options available to the OP well before he starts spending ridiculous amounts of money lawyering up. A vast majority of business disagreements like this are solved through negotiation, communication, dunning and the like and are resolved well before a lawyer gets involved.

Anyone that wades straight in to a dispute threatening to sue or bring their lawyers in clearly has no idea how expensive and onurs that option is. The people you are dealing with probably will and will laugh you out of the building. That option should a be last option, not a first.

Now if you meant get legal advice then we are on a better path.

[SueEllen]

The only person that is talking about bluff is you.

If you prefer to use a lawyer without notice fine, but none in his perfect sanity would do this without consulting a lawyer first.

In the UK medium and large companies can easily afford lawyers who will then strive to bankrupt you by dragging the process out as long as possible.

Therefore it is in your interests to try and settle the dispute yourself without a lawyer.

[Bee]

Unless something is different in Portugal, in which case I'd ask why you are even in a thread about a point of UK law, there are many different options available to the OP well before he starts spending ridiculous amounts of money lawyering up. A vast majority of business disagreements like this are solved through negotiation, communication, dunning and the like and are resolved well before a lawyer gets involved.

Yes, it's different the workers are high protected by the laws because we don't give up things very easy, that's why I asked first.
Business disagreements are solved by negotiations and communication, not only in the UK. You didn't realize yet that the problem of the OP it's the communication and a few emails to use in his favor and obviously a lawyer (like in the UK) will be the last option when everything fails.

Anyone that wades straight in to a dispute threatening to sue or bring their lawyers in clearly has no idea how expensive and onurs that option is. The people you are dealing with probably will and will laugh you out of the building. That option should a be last option, not a first.

You mention the first option, not me.

Now if you meant get legal advice then we are on a better path.

What's the difference between legal advice and find a lawyer for advice? Confused

[Bee]

In the UK medium and large companies can easily afford lawyers who will then strive to bankrupt you by dragging the process out as long as possible.

Therefore it is in your interests to try and settle the dispute yourself without a lawyer.

In Portugal, it's the same.

Thank you for your explanations.

[SueEllen]

Yes, it's different the workers are high protected by the laws because we don't give up things very easy, that's why I asked first.
Business disagreements are solved by negotiations and communication, not only in the UK. You didn't realize yet that the problem of the OP it's the communication and a few emails to use in his favor and obviously a lawyer (like in the UK) will be the last option when everything fails.

Companies and individuals can and do lie about receiving emails. So it is always a good idea in the UK to use some sort of recorded snail mail method as the Post Office and Royal Mail are neutral third parties in your dispute so have no reason (apart from the occasional incompetence) not to delivery your letter.

One time I tried it with some insurance company. They claimed not to have received my letter until I pointed out the Royal Mail tracking service showed "John" had signed it.

[JCinCUK]

In the UK such things don't work.

You need to give the other party "reasonable" notice that they owe a debt which needs to be paid.

In the case of no contract you are probably looking at 28-30 days e.g. a month.

Only after that time can you you start chasing them, but again you must notify the other party when telling them they owe a debt that you will take enforcement action which may include legal action.

Question then is, how long after that month should he proceed to Small Claims, and how many reminders need he send before so doing?

[northernladuk]

Yes, it's different the workers are high protected by the laws because we don't give up things very easy, that's why I asked first.
Business disagreements are solved by negotiations and communication, not only in the UK. You didn't realize yet that the problem of the OP it's the communication and a few emails to use in his favor and obviously a lawyer (like in the UK) will be the last option when everything fails.



You mention the first option, not me.



What's the difference between legal advice and find a lawyer for advice? Confused

Why is it everytime you post in prof the thread always descends in to having to sort your rubbish?

You now say after everything else fails and that I mentioned the first option yet only a few posts earlier your advice is...

PS: Sent an ultimate email or a letter stating that if you not be paid in one week, next time you will be represented by a lawyer.

You also say represented by a lawyer. Nothing about advice.

It's hard enough giving advice on complex situation but when we have to remind you what you clearly ststed three posts earlier it becomes impossible.

[northernladuk]

Question then is, how long after that month should he proceed to Small Claims, and how many reminders need he send before so doing?

Until all other avenues have been exhausted. Letters/mails/calls. Registered letters if they aren't responding, lots of dunning. You need to how you've done as much as possible before taking it any further.

Tell you mate to have a chat with a company called Safe Collections. They post on here regularly and specialise in debt recovery so they'll have come across this before. Maybe mention the CUK forums to see if they will give him some advice rather than sell their services.

[Bee]

Question then is, how long after that month should he proceed to Small Claims, and how many reminders need he send before so doing?

Write a registered letter, referring the name of the company address, start date, end date, daily rate, the total and you expect to receive the payment until a specific date or after x working days, and all that you remember that could be important for the case. Give them a couple of days and If you don't receive the payment, send another registered letter reminding them that you were expected to receive the payments on the date indicated in the previous letter.