Professional Support When Serving a Statutory Demand
Assist Process Serving arranges the service of statutory demands throughout England and Wales. We support solicitors, legal professionals, insolvency practitioners, businesses and individuals who need a demand served promptly and with clear supporting evidence. After service has taken place, Assist provides a statement of service for the instructing party’s records and potential use in any subsequent proceedings.
GOV.UK states that a statutory demand may be served by giving it to an individual debtor, leaving it at a company or partnership’s registered office or main place of business, giving it to an appropriate company officer or using a process server. Registered post or delivery through a letterbox should only be used where personal delivery is not possible.
Understanding Statutory Demands
A statutory demand is a formal written demand for payment of a debt.
It may be served to an individual, company or partnership. For an individual, an unpaid statutory demand can be relied upon in certain circumstances when considering bankruptcy proceedings. For a company, it may be relevant before a creditor considers applying to wind the company up.
The debtor normally has 21 days to pay the debt or reach an agreement to pay it. GOV.UK states that, if an individual does not deal with a demand, bankruptcy proceedings may be considered where they owe £5,000 or more. For a company, winding-up action may be considered where the debt is £750 or more.
A statutory demand is not itself a court document. However, the content of the demand, the method of service and the evidence retained may become important if further insolvency action is considered.
Assist Process Serving does not provide legal, debt or insolvency advice. If you are unsure whether a statutory demand is appropriate, which form should be used or what action to take after receiving one, please speak with a solicitor, licensed insolvency practitioner or suitable debt advice organisation.
Arranging Service of a Statutory Demand
Before arranging service, check the completed statutory demand carefully. It should identify the debtor correctly, include the relevant debt details and contain the information required for the type of demand being served.
The service approach will depend on whether the demand is for an individual, company or partnership.
For an individual debtor, GOV.UK advises that the demand should be given to the person and that all known addresses should be tried. For a company or partnership, it may be left at the registered office or main place of business, or given to a director, company secretary, manager or principal officer.
Where personal service is not practicable, the Insolvency Practice Direction states that the creditor must do all that is reasonable to bring the statutory demand to the debtor’s attention. This can include other physical or electronic communication in suitable circumstances.
Send us the completed demand, the debtor’s details and your preferred service deadline. We will review the instruction and explain the available process serving options.
Practical and Professional Statutory Demand Service
Assist Process Serving coordinates statutory demand service through a nationwide network of more than 90 experienced process servers. Our service includes:
- 01
Instructions across England and Wales
- 02
Standard, priority and same-day first-attempt options
- 03
Service at residential, business and registered office addresses
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A professional approach to potentially sensitive debt and insolvency matters
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Updates for the instructing party where appropriate
- 06
A statement of service once service has taken place
What to Send When Instructing Us
Providing complete and accurate information helps us assess the instruction and make effective service attempts. Please send:
- 01.
The completed statutory demand and any documents that must accompany it
- 02.
The debtor’s full name or company name
- 03.
Any trading name, company number or partnership details, where relevant
- 04.
The debtor’s residential address, registered office or main place of business
- 05.
Any alternative addresses, including trading premises or known contact locations
- 06.
The name and position of a director, company secretary, manager or principal officer, where known
- 07.
The required deadline for service
- 08.
Relevant information about access, opening hours or likely availability
- 09.
Your reference number and preferred contact details
Statement of Service and Relevant Documentation
Once service has taken place, Assist Process Serving provides a statement of service.
This records relevant details such as the date, time, place and method of service. It can help the instructing party maintain a clear record of the steps taken.
GOV.UK advises creditors to keep a copy of the statutory demand and evidence confirming the date and time of service, such as confirmation from a process server. It also advises retaining evidence that the debtor received the demand.
The Insolvency Practice Direction distinguishes between demands served personally and those served by another method. Where a bankruptcy petition follows a statutory demand, the date of service is recorded by reference to the appropriate certificate of service.
Statutory Demand Process Serving Costs
Standard Service
Professional process serving adhering to standard court and statutory schedules.
- Up to three attempts at personal service
- Electronic service where applicable
- Statement of service included
Priority Service
Accelerated instruction handling for time-sensitive filings and legal notices.
- First attempt within 24 hours
- Up to three attempts at personal service
- Electronic service where applicable
- Statement of service included
Same-Day Service
Immediate dispatch for critical court claims, emergency injunctions, and petitions.
- Same-day first attempt
- Up to three attempts at personal service
- Electronic service where applicable
- Statement of service included
The most appropriate option will depend on the service address, the information available, the deadline and the circumstances of the instruction. If the matter is time-sensitive, please tell us the exact date and time by which you require the first attempt.
Serving Statutory Demands Nationwide
Assist Process Serving accepts instructions for serving a statutory demand throughout England and Wales. Our nationwide network supports cases in London, Birmingham, Kent, Essex, Merseyside, South Wales, the West Midlands and selected LL postcode areas, alongside other locations nationwide.
Find out more about local process serving support:
- What is a statutory demand?
A statutory demand is a formal written demand for payment of a debt. A debtor usually has 21 days to pay or agree arrangements for payment.
- Who can serve a statutory demand?
A statutory demand can be served by the creditor or through a process server. GOV.UK specifically identifies process servers as an option for serving statutory demands.
- Does a statutory demand need to be personally served?
For an individual, the usual starting point is to give the demand to the debtor and try all known addresses. For a company or partnership, service may be completed at the registered office or main place of business, or by giving it to an appropriate officer. If personal service is not practicable, reasonable steps should be taken to bring the demand to the debtor’s attention.
- What information do I need to provide?
Please send the completed statutory demand, the debtor’s full name or company details, the service address, alternative addresses where available and the required deadline. For a company, include the registered office and any known director or officer details.
- Can you serve a statutory demand the same day?
Yes. Same-day service includes a same-day first attempt. Availability depends on the time we receive the instruction, the address, the documents supplied and the circumstances of service.
- Will I receive proof that the demand has been served?
Yes. Assist provides a statement of service after service has taken place. This can help you retain the record of service recommended by GOV.UK.
- Can you provide legal advice about a statutory demand?
No. We arrange the service of legal documents and do not provide debt, insolvency or legal advice. If you need advice about issuing, challenging or responding to a statutory demand, please speak with a solicitor, licensed insolvency practitioner or suitable debt advice organisation.
Need Help Serving a Statutory Demand?
If you need support serving a statutory demand, send us the completed demand, the debtor’s details, the service address and the required deadline.
Our team supports clients serving a statutory demand throughout England and Wales. We will review the instruction and explain the next practical steps.
Please include:
- 01The completed statutory demand and related documents
- 02The debtor’s full name, company name or partnership details
- 03The address for service and any alternative addresses
- 04The required date and time for service
- 05The company registered office and officer details, where relevant
- 06Useful access, contact or availability information
