Pre-action protocol · UK print and post
Send a letter before action by post
Upload your prepared PDF for printing and postage from £1.79, with no account needed. Check the applicable pre-action procedure, delivery requirements and current collection information before ordering.
What is a letter before action?
A letter before action (also called a letter before claim) is the formal warning you send before starting court proceedings, most often to recover an unpaid invoice, a deposit or compensation. The Practice Direction on Pre-Action Conduct, which governs civil claims in England and Wales, expects you to set out your case in writing and give the other side a fair chance to respond before you issue a claim. Skip this step and a court can penalise you on costs, even if you go on to win.
What it needs to say
- Who you are, what you are claiming, and a clear figure with how it was calculated.
- The documents you rely on. Enclose copies where you can.
- A deadline to respond. Fourteen days is common between businesses; the Pre-Action Protocol for Debt Claims gives individuals and sole traders 30 days.
- What happens next if they do not reply: you will issue a claim without further notice.
Date the letter, keep a copy, and keep evidence of when it was posted.
Why send it by post?
The correct method depends on the applicable protocol, procedure and any relevant agreement. Check these before choosing a postal service. Keep your own document copy and any dispatch or carrier records, but do not treat them as automatic proof of receipt or compliance. Our proof-of-posting guide explains the limits of the records PostOwl supplies.
How PostOwl sends it
Write your letter, export it as a PDF and upload it. Type the recipient’s address, choose first or second class, and pay by card or Apple Pay. No sign-up. Check the current collection information before ordering. Production acceptance and postal handoff are separate stages. Your PDF is deleted from our servers after dispatch.
Key facts
- One page, B&W, 2nd class£1.79
- First class (untracked)£2.69
- Dispatch confirmationBy email, dated
- Your PDF after dispatchDeleted
Letter before action FAQs
How long should I give them to respond?
Fourteen days is typical for straightforward business disputes. If you are claiming a debt from an individual or a sole trader, the Pre-Action Protocol for Debt Claims requires 30 days and a prescribed information sheet. Check which protocol applies to your claim on justice.gov.uk before you set the deadline.
What evidence does PostOwl provide?
Keep your own PDF and any dispatch or tracking records supplied for your order. A PostOwl dispatch email is not a Royal Mail Certificate of Posting or proof of receipt. It does not by itself establish that you complied with a court rule or pre-action protocol.
Can PostOwl write the letter for me?
No. PostOwl prints and posts the PDF you upload. Free letter-before-action templates are available from Citizens Advice and gov.uk if you need a starting point. Once yours is ready, sending it costs from £1.79.
What happens if they ignore the letter before action?
If the deadline passes with no reply, the usual next step is issuing a court claim. For most money claims under £10,000 that means the small claims track, started online through Money Claim Online or on paper with form N1. Keep your correspondence and postal records, and check the applicable protocol or get advice before starting a claim. A dispatch confirmation alone does not establish compliance.
Related letters
- If it goes further: posting documents to a court or tribunal.
- Writing to the taxman instead? How to send a letter to HMRC.
- Landlord–tenant dispute? Section 21 changes and current official guidance.
Prepare your letter for post
Send it now from £1.79This page is general information, not legal advice. For advice on your specific dispute, speak to a solicitor or Citizens Advice.