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Cross-border recovery
International debt recovery, led from London.
When the counterparty is in another country, the questions multiply: which law, which forum, which assets. We answer them early, and negotiate from a position of strength.
How cross-border recovery works
Negotiation first, because enforcement abroad is slow.
Court proceedings in a foreign country can take years and require local lawyers. A well-prepared claim, delivered with credible leverage, settles most cross-border debts far sooner.
We start with the contract (governing law and dispute resolution clause), check that the debtor is trading and has assets, and then choose the route: direct negotiation from London, a local-language demand through an independent partner, or escalation to arbitration or local courts with counsel. You approve each step.
Regions
Where we act.
Regional notes are general and simplified. Every matter turns on its contract, its facts and the law that governs it.
United Kingdom & Ireland
Our home market. For UK-law contracts, statutory late-payment interest and fixed compensation often apply, and the courts expect parties to follow pre-action conduct before proceedings. We use both as leverage in negotiation.
- Late Payment Act interest and compensation
- Pre-action letters coordinated with solicitors
- Statutory demand strategy (with solicitors)
Europe
From Rotterdam and Hamburg to Piraeus and Genoa. Many EU states have their own late-payment rules, and recovery is often fastest when a demand is delivered locally, in the debtor’s language, by an independent agent.
- Local-language demands through partner agents
- EU late-payment rules where they apply
- Judgment and award enforcement routes reviewed early
Turkey & the Eastern Mediterranean
A major shipping, shipbuilding and trading hub. We understand the region’s commercial culture and work with independent local counsel where in-country action is needed.
- Shipping and ship-repair disputes
- Trading counterparties and receivables
- Istanbul arbitration and local court routes, with counsel
Middle East & the Gulf
Dubai, Fujairah, Jeddah and Doha are central to bunkering, trading and logistics. Contracts may point to local courts, financial-centre courts or arbitration; the route shapes the strategy from day one.
- Bunker and trading disputes
- Contracts under DIFC, ADGM or onshore law
- Arabic documentation through partners
Asia
Singapore, Hong Kong, Shanghai and Mumbai sit on the world’s busiest trade lanes. Arbitration seats such as SIAC, HKIAC and CIETAC are common, and an award can usually be enforced across borders.
- Charterers and traders in Asian hubs
- SIAC, HKIAC and CIETAC arbitration support
- Chinese-language correspondence through partners
Africa
West African and East African ports and commodity flows bring their own practical challenges. Early counterparty checks and a negotiated settlement with security usually outperform formal action.
- Port, cargo and freight disputes
- Counterparty verification on the ground
- Settlements backed by payment security
The Americas
From Houston and New York to Santos and the Panama Canal. Contracts may be governed by English law, US maritime law or local law; we coordinate local counsel where the law or forum requires.
- Charter party and freight claims
- Exporter receivables
- New York arbitration support, with counsel
Our first questions
Four things decide a cross-border strategy.
- 01
Contract
Governing law, forum, payment terms, interest and notice clauses.
- 02
Counterparty
Is it trading? Solvent? Where are its assets and bank accounts?
- 03
Leverage
Interest, costs, security, trading relationships, reputational and regulatory factors.
- 04
Route
Direct negotiation, local demand, arbitration or court, with costs agreed in advance.
FAQ
International recovery questions.
General information only, not legal advice on any country’s law.
Can you recover a debt from a company in another country?
Yes. Most of our matters are cross-border. We lead the commercial claim and negotiation from London and engage independent local agents or counsel where in-country presence or advice on local law is needed, with your approval.
Is a UK judgment enforceable abroad?
It depends on the country. Some states recognise UK judgments under treaties such as the 2019 Hague Judgments Convention (in force for the UK from 1 July 2025, for proceedings started after that date) or under bilateral arrangements; others require fresh proceedings. Arbitration awards are generally enforceable in the more than 170 states party to the New York Convention.
Which law applies to an international contract?
Usually the law chosen in the contract. Where there is no choice, conflict-of-laws rules decide. The governing law and the dispute resolution clause are among the first things we review, because they define your leverage.
Do you need to travel or appoint lawyers in every case?
No. Many cross-border debts are settled by a well-prepared demand and direct negotiation. Local agents or counsel are engaged only where the matter genuinely calls for it.
Can you deal with counterparties who do not speak English?
Yes. We work with professional translators and local partners for correspondence and documents in other languages, including Arabic, Chinese, Turkish, Spanish and Portuguese.
Free case review
A debtor overseas?
Send us the contract and invoices. We will tell you, free of charge, how we would approach it and what it is realistically worth.