An invoice that is more than 90 days overdue has about a 45% chance of being collected in full. Debt Collection can be a very tedious, time-consuming and frustrating process for most people.
At Burger Huyser Attorneys, we strive to collect debt as fast and cost effective as possible.
The recovery of outstanding debt can be done through the use of various mechanisms. We use a combination of these mechanisms, depending on each case’s unique circumstances. Our general procedure for debt collection is as follows:
4 Steps To The Debt Collection Process That Works
Step 1 Courtesy Call
After receipt of initial instructions, one of our attorneys will contact the debtor and explain that they have been formally handed over to attorneys. We clarify that it is a courtesy call and that, should they pay immediately, they will not be liable for legal costs. However, should they fail to make payment, we will hold them accountable for legal costs.
If the debtor cannot pay the amount in one instalment, we request that they sign an Acknowledgement of Debt. This document sets out exactly when the debtor is to make payment. If the debtor does not make payment in terms of the AOD, we proceed with legal action.
Benefits of an AOD includes:
- The debtor acknowledges to be indebted and confirms that he does not have any valid defence;
- The debtor agrees to be liable for legal costs on an attorney-client scale, which is a higher scale as provided for in the Act;
- The debtor chooses the address on the AOD as his domicilium address. This means that that the sheriff can affix the summons to the door of the residence. This is very helpful when the debtor might have moved or refused to open for the sheriff.
- The debtor agrees to the jurisdiction of the Magistrate’s Court as opposed to the High Court, limiting legal fees;
- The debtor also renounces the benefits of the legal exceptions such as “excussion”, “division”, “cession of action”, “non causa debiti”, “no value received”, “revision of accounts” and “de duobus vel pluribus reis debendi”.
Step 2 Letter of Demand
Should the debtor fail to make payment as verbally agreed, we send a letter of demand. This sets out the amount claimed and how it is calculated and supplies the debtor with another opportunity to resolve the matter amicably.
In terms of the Act, the creditor is allowed to add interest from the date on which the letter of demand is sent.
Step 3 Summons
If the debtor still fails to pay, we proceed with summons against them. The sheriff will serve the summons on the debtor, whereafter they have 10 days to respond on whether they intend to defend the matter. If the debtor fails to serve a notice of intention to defend within 10 days, an application for default judgment will be made.
Step 4 Execution
There are also numerous mechanisms a creditor has in order to recover the debt once judgment has been given:
- Warrant of Execution against movable or corporeal property
Upon receipt of judgement, we will issue a warrant of execution against the debtor’s property. The sheriff will go to the debtor’s premises and attach his movable property.
- Section 65 proceedings
If the movable property is insufficient to cover the debt, we proceed with a Section 65 financial enquiry. The debtor is called to court to give reasons why the debt cannot be paid. The court can make an order that the employer deduct an amount from the debtor’s salary (emoluments attachment order) and pay it towards his debt.
3. Garnishee Order
If the debtor has money in a savings or investment account, an application can be made whereby the bank is order to pay the amount directly over to the creditor.
4. Application to sell immovable property
If the mechanisms above are still not enough to satisfy the debt, an application can be made to sell the debtor’s immovable property.
Time is money. Contact Burger Huyser Attorneys’ debt collection law experts today. We will take over the time-consuming task of the debt collection process in South Africa, so that you can focus on expanding your business.
DISCLAIMER: Information provided in this article does not, and is not intended to constitute legal advice. READ MORE
