Kim Gourlie, Senior Solicitor

Debt Recovery

Watson & Watson Debt Recovery & Insolvency Lawyers

Are you owed money that you would like to collect?

If so, you can take legal action to recover it with Watson and Watson’s debt recovery lawyers. In certain situations, you can also recover your legal costs related to recovery proceedings.

Which Court Will Hear the Matter?

Debts of up to $60,000 usually can be recovered in Local Court. Debts over $60,000 (but under $750,000) must be recovered in District Court whilst debts over $750,000 must be recovered in Supreme Court.

How can Watson & Watson help?

Watson and Watson can assist you with:

  • Preparing a Statement of Claim – used to demand either payment or defence of the matter within 28 days (after the Statement of Claim is served); and with
  • Entering Judgement against the debtor (when no action is taken within 28 days).

Once Judgement is entered, a number of procedures are available to enforce it. At Watson and Watson, our debt recovery lawyers can assist you with Writs (seizure of goods to sell in order to repay the debt), Examination Summons(requiring the debtor to attend Court to display how they will satisfy the Judgement), and Garnishees Orders(whereby the Court can order a third party to pay money to a creditor instead of a debtor).

If these procedures fail to produce a result, and the debtor is a company owing more than $2000, then Watson and Watson can assist you with commencing either bankruptcy proceedings (for individuals) or winding up proceedings (for companies).

Bankruptcy for Individuals

If an individual is declared bankrupt by the Courts, a Trustee is appointed to take control of the insolvent person’s estate in order to turn the assets into cash to distribute equally among unsecured creditors (those who do not hold security for payment of the debt). Secured creditors may commence debt recovery by disposing of the asset securing the loan (for example, a bank would do this if mortgage payments are not made on a house).

Bankruptcy proceedings are handled in either the Federal Court or the Federal Magistrates Court, depending on the complexity of the case.

What happens when a company is unable to pay its debts?

It can either enter administration or voluntary administration, and can ultimately enter liquidation. Select from the links above for more information or contact us right away.

“When experience matters... Choose Watson and Watson Solicitors”

 

Please note that our provision of any telephone advice to you is only a general discussion to assist as to whether you wish to instruct us. Telephone discussions should not be construed as legal advice and are not to be relied upon. Legal advice which you can rely on can only be properly provided by us to you at or following an initial conference. We are not responsible for any action you may take or fail to take based upon the provision of our telephone advice to you. If you wish to arrange a conference, please contact us.

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Watson & Watson are always available to provide expert legal advice and answer any questions you may have.

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Insolvency
Bankruptcy
Debt Recovery
Administration
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