Client threatening legal action

[Old Greg]

Would never have agreed to half payment; full payment or court action.

OP, you might want to watch this.

qh

Good video, thanks. This one is NSFW but also relevant.

[SueEllen]

Get the debt collector to do their job and collect the debt.

The client is talking tulip.

Forgot to say if you are unhappy with the work you dispute it long before threatening court action e.g. after first invoice is raised, so no judge will take the client's claims seriously.

[TheCyclingProgrammer]

If you've got emails from the client admitting they owe you the money and agreeing to pay you the money (albeit half now half later) and they've never previously disputed the bill then to me it looks like they've admitted liability to pay the bill. IANAL but IMO they've got no leg to stand on and you should call their bluff (and leave it to the collection agency to deal with).

[northernladuk]

If he's that tight for money the last thing he wants is the cost of a court case so I'd say he's just stalling. It's who blinks first so if I were you I'd keep steaming in to him and ignore his flapping around.

[LondonManc]

Has he paid half of you final invoice, which he is now disputing, some months later? If so, stand your ground, since his email, and subsequent payment towards that invoice indicate the validation of the contract.

IANAL.

This - pretty much validates your claim otherwise he'd have paid you nothing

[silverlight1]

Don't rely on advice from an Internet forum.

You should talk to a legal adviser - this is where IPSE come in useful with their legal helpline

[LondonManc]

Don't rely on advice from an Internet forum.

You should talk to a legal adviser - this is where IPSE come in useful with their legal helpline

I think you'll find we've provided excellent value for money - worth every penny.

[unixman]

You don't mention the amounts involved but I would consult a solicitor. Also contact the client by letter not just email. Carefully record the clients actions in a time line. Your solicitor might write a letter demanding payment, the client will probably cave.

Also, my periodic reminder to tick that box on your house insurance that says "legal cover".