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How to talk to client who refuses to pay for freelance work
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I worked on a project which was advertised by a UK company as an internship after applying online. When I started this project, I quickly requested for a contract but I was given excuses as to why it wasn't ready yet, told not to worry about it by various people in the office and given more work to keep me busy. I got concerned when after making yet another request for the contract, I was told by the manager that I was on a "freelance contract". How this happened I don't know, especially after the advert made it clear it was a 3 month internship. As a matter of fact, the project was ended less than a month after I started and the reasons I was given were not convincing and seemed superficial.
None the less, I accepted it without a fuss. However the process of collecting payment has been arduous. For instance, the manager made several promises that I would not need a tax code or need to fill in any forms and would be paid promptly, but reneged on them and instead requested the following through email:
- A unique tax code different from the one I already had.
- A new supplier form which I filled in as requested
- An invoice with hours worked and amount owed.
I sent all these documents and since the start of may, he has not replied to any of my emails.
I have his personal phone number and the email addresses of other people/managers in the same department, and I am thinking of making use of them but don't know how to go about it effectively.
This has dragged on for too long now. How do I approach this with the most likely chance of receiving the renumeration I am owed? Would calling his personal phone be better than emailing his colleagues in this project who I worked with while I was there, and how direct should I be?
communication salary united-kingdom conflict freelancing
asked 13 hours ago
meta truth
10914
suggest improvements |Â
up vote
21
down vote
favorite
I worked on a project which was advertised by a UK company as an internship after applying online. When I started this project, I quickly requested for a contract but I was given excuses as to why it wasn't ready yet, told not to worry about it by various people in the office and given more work to keep me busy. I got concerned when after making yet another request for the contract, I was told by the manager that I was on a "freelance contract". How this happened I don't know, especially after the advert made it clear it was a 3 month internship. As a matter of fact, the project was ended less than a month after I started and the reasons I was given were not convincing and seemed superficial.
None the less, I accepted it without a fuss. However the process of collecting payment has been arduous. For instance, the manager made several promises that I would not need a tax code or need to fill in any forms and would be paid promptly, but reneged on them and instead requested the following through email:
- A unique tax code different from the one I already had.
- A new supplier form which I filled in as requested
- An invoice with hours worked and amount owed.
I sent all these documents and since the start of may, he has not replied to any of my emails.
I have his personal phone number and the email addresses of other people/managers in the same department, and I am thinking of making use of them but don't know how to go about it effectively.
This has dragged on for too long now. How do I approach this with the most likely chance of receiving the renumeration I am owed? Would calling his personal phone be better than emailing his colleagues in this project who I worked with while I was there, and how direct should I be?
communication salary united-kingdom conflict freelancing
asked 13 hours ago
meta truth
10914
"How to talk to client who refuses to pay for freelance work? Through a lawyer
– Mawg
34 mins ago
Important question: were you working for them from the UK?
– Lilienthal♦
8 mins ago
In the situation like this, a strongly worded paper letter demanding for payment, with a threat to get them into small claims court worked like a charm for me. Got them panicked and got my money within a few days.
– trailmax
8 mins ago
suggest improvements |Â
up vote
21
down vote
favorite
up vote
21
down vote
favorite
I worked on a project which was advertised by a UK company as an internship after applying online. When I started this project, I quickly requested for a contract but I was given excuses as to why it wasn't ready yet, told not to worry about it by various people in the office and given more work to keep me busy. I got concerned when after making yet another request for the contract, I was told by the manager that I was on a "freelance contract". How this happened I don't know, especially after the advert made it clear it was a 3 month internship. As a matter of fact, the project was ended less than a month after I started and the reasons I was given were not convincing and seemed superficial.
None the less, I accepted it without a fuss. However the process of collecting payment has been arduous. For instance, the manager made several promises that I would not need a tax code or need to fill in any forms and would be paid promptly, but reneged on them and instead requested the following through email:
- A unique tax code different from the one I already had.
- A new supplier form which I filled in as requested
- An invoice with hours worked and amount owed.
I sent all these documents and since the start of may, he has not replied to any of my emails.
I have his personal phone number and the email addresses of other people/managers in the same department, and I am thinking of making use of them but don't know how to go about it effectively.
This has dragged on for too long now. How do I approach this with the most likely chance of receiving the renumeration I am owed? Would calling his personal phone be better than emailing his colleagues in this project who I worked with while I was there, and how direct should I be?
communication salary united-kingdom conflict freelancing
asked 13 hours ago
meta truth
10914
I worked on a project which was advertised by a UK company as an internship after applying online. When I started this project, I quickly requested for a contract but I was given excuses as to why it wasn't ready yet, told not to worry about it by various people in the office and given more work to keep me busy. I got concerned when after making yet another request for the contract, I was told by the manager that I was on a "freelance contract". How this happened I don't know, especially after the advert made it clear it was a 3 month internship. As a matter of fact, the project was ended less than a month after I started and the reasons I was given were not convincing and seemed superficial.
None the less, I accepted it without a fuss. However the process of collecting payment has been arduous. For instance, the manager made several promises that I would not need a tax code or need to fill in any forms and would be paid promptly, but reneged on them and instead requested the following through email:
- A unique tax code different from the one I already had.
- A new supplier form which I filled in as requested
- An invoice with hours worked and amount owed.
I sent all these documents and since the start of may, he has not replied to any of my emails.
I have his personal phone number and the email addresses of other people/managers in the same department, and I am thinking of making use of them but don't know how to go about it effectively.
This has dragged on for too long now. How do I approach this with the most likely chance of receiving the renumeration I am owed? Would calling his personal phone be better than emailing his colleagues in this project who I worked with while I was there, and how direct should I be?
communication salary united-kingdom conflict freelancing
asked 13 hours ago
meta truth
10914
asked 13 hours ago
meta truth
10914
asked 13 hours ago
meta truth
10914
asked 13 hours ago
meta truth
10914
10914
"How to talk to client who refuses to pay for freelance work? Through a lawyer
– Mawg
34 mins ago
Important question: were you working for them from the UK?
– Lilienthal♦
8 mins ago
In the situation like this, a strongly worded paper letter demanding for payment, with a threat to get them into small claims court worked like a charm for me. Got them panicked and got my money within a few days.
– trailmax
8 mins ago
suggest improvements |Â
"How to talk to client who refuses to pay for freelance work? Through a lawyer
– Mawg
34 mins ago
Important question: were you working for them from the UK?
– Lilienthal♦
8 mins ago
In the situation like this, a strongly worded paper letter demanding for payment, with a threat to get them into small claims court worked like a charm for me. Got them panicked and got my money within a few days.
– trailmax
8 mins ago
"How to talk to client who refuses to pay for freelance work? Through a lawyer
– Mawg
34 mins ago
"How to talk to client who refuses to pay for freelance work? Through a lawyer
– Mawg
34 mins ago
Important question: were you working for them from the UK?
– Lilienthal♦
8 mins ago
Important question: were you working for them from the UK?
– Lilienthal♦
8 mins ago
In the situation like this, a strongly worded paper letter demanding for payment, with a threat to get them into small claims court worked like a charm for me. Got them panicked and got my money within a few days.
– trailmax
8 mins ago
In the situation like this, a strongly worded paper letter demanding for payment, with a threat to get them into small claims court worked like a charm for me. Got them panicked and got my money within a few days.
– trailmax
8 mins ago
suggest improvements |Â
4 Answers
4
active
oldest
votes
up vote
21
down vote
Assuming you are not in a Union (if you are, call them first).
The Blunt Approach
Send one final letter (by recorded delivery) saying that unless payment is received you will be instructing lawyers to begin recovery procedures. This is via the industrial tribunal system.
A Softer Approach
You could try your local Citizens Advice first for advice.
Be very clear in all communications that you are a “Worker†and not self employed — I suspect your employer will try to claim you are self employed to make it harder to recover the money. By the way, you are entitled to notice and also to any unused holiday pay.
If they persist in claiming you’re self employed, you can always suggest that you will have to get HMRC involved in this case of disguised employment (IR35).
edited 18 mins ago
TRiG
155214
answered 12 hours ago
Neuromancer
1,0261512
7
The point about HMRC can be made more "indirect/unavoidable" by stating that they are being involved to avoid OP getting in trouble. This way, it is clear that they are involved to protect OP (and therefore, this involvement is not negotiable).
– Captain Emacs
12 hours ago
10
Also, just because it wasn't explicitly mentioned - stop doing any work for this company until this is resolved. The nice thing about not having a contract is you aren't actually obligated to do anything for them.
– Steve-O
11 hours ago
@CaptainEmacs Not sure what you mean? it would be an implied threat as a negotiating strategy
– Neuromancer
9 hours ago
@Neuromancer A slight but important difference. A threat is a choice that I make to threaten them. I can also decide to not take that route. But if I have to contact HMRC to avoid trouble for myself, trouble that their action has been causing me, it has a different flavour. They cannot cajole OP to stop it, because OP has no choice.
– Captain Emacs
1 hour ago
suggest improvements |Â
up vote
13
down vote
Hopefully this won't come as a shock to you, but... you've been screwed. They've had a month's worth of work out of you and most likely you're never going to see any money. You should have:
- Made sure you got a contract as soon as you started
- Made a big fuss when it became clear that the job was not as advertised
- Made a big fuss when they cancelled the work early
Your best chance of getting any money is to send a strongly worded letter (recorded delivery) to the registered address of the company, attaching your invoice and demanding payment within 7 days. However, I suspect they'll then just ignore that as well. You then have to decide if it's actually worth getting lawyers involved - and the answer is probably not, but that's up to you.
answered 12 hours ago
Philip Kendall
39k25100133
2
I'd recommend contacting an employment lawyer - just contacting - and then add to the letter that if they are not going to pay, then that employment lawyer will be taking your case. Small claims court is another way. There, if they don't turn up they will lose their case and then it is very hard to avoid payment.
– gnasher729
11 hours ago
6
Unless OP is exceptionally well paid, the claim he'll be making isn't likely to involve lawyers at all, just an online claim and a judgement by a magistrate based on written statements and documents.
– Richard
10 hours ago
suggest improvements |Â
up vote
2
down vote
FIRST OF ALL:
Your question contradicts your statement about the work.
"How to talk to client who refuses to pay for freelance work"
"...advertised by a UK company as an internship..."
So, which one is it?
Internship OR Freelance?
Probably should adjust your question accordingly.
Either way, collect all your communications you had with the company stating your position, type of work, duration etc.
Most importantly the ones before you started as well as all follow ups until now.
Don't let them push you into the self employed / freelancer category, it will weaken your position in terms of laws regarding employment and will most likely end in you never getting any compensation.
Contact lawyers and official advice as was mentioned in other answers and see what they suggest.
Don't sign anything until you obtained legal counsel.
EDIT:
After re-reading it seems you already went down the route of freelance and sent invoices?
Assuming you can't paddle back with a lawyers help and maintain that you thought you were an intern you might indeed not get any payment if they decide not to react to "stern" letters from you or your lawyer.
They very well may be betting on the hassle and cost for you being too high for further steps, given that you have no written contract and your payment may be much lower than your legal fees would be.
answered 5 hours ago
DigitalBlade969
6005
Note that this is tagged "UK". There won't be any legal fees because the employer will end up paying them (both Scotland and England & Wales have a "loser pays fees" system). He can almost certainly find a no-win, no-fee lawyer to take the case.
– Martin Bonner
1 hour ago
suggest improvements |Â
up vote
1
down vote
It sounds like there are several departments in this company. One of them should be the Accounts department; direct all your communications to them. Don't talk to this manager directly again, and if the accounts department deny your existence (which is likely), then you'll have to decide whether to involve HMRC and/or an employment attorney.
If you do decide to go to court, remember that you're suing the company, not the individual manager. If you use the small-claims court, you cannot add your attorneys costs onto your claim; if they owe you enough money that you cannot use small-claims, then all expenses for fighting your case can become part of the claim.
answered 5 hours ago
PeteCon
12.4k43550
There is no such thing as a "small-claims court" in the UK. There is the "Small Claims Track of the the County Court", and note that the OP does not get get to choose which track a claim is allocated to.
– Martin Bonner
1 hour ago
One other comment: it may not be worth going to court if the company has no money.
– Martin Bonner
1 hour ago
suggest improvements |Â
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4 Answers
4
active
oldest
votes
4 Answers
4
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
up vote
21
down vote
Assuming you are not in a Union (if you are, call them first).
The Blunt Approach
Send one final letter (by recorded delivery) saying that unless payment is received you will be instructing lawyers to begin recovery procedures. This is via the industrial tribunal system.
A Softer Approach
You could try your local Citizens Advice first for advice.
Be very clear in all communications that you are a “Worker†and not self employed — I suspect your employer will try to claim you are self employed to make it harder to recover the money. By the way, you are entitled to notice and also to any unused holiday pay.
If they persist in claiming you’re self employed, you can always suggest that you will have to get HMRC involved in this case of disguised employment (IR35).
edited 18 mins ago
TRiG
155214
answered 12 hours ago
Neuromancer
1,0261512
7
The point about HMRC can be made more "indirect/unavoidable" by stating that they are being involved to avoid OP getting in trouble. This way, it is clear that they are involved to protect OP (and therefore, this involvement is not negotiable).
– Captain Emacs
12 hours ago
10
Also, just because it wasn't explicitly mentioned - stop doing any work for this company until this is resolved. The nice thing about not having a contract is you aren't actually obligated to do anything for them.
– Steve-O
11 hours ago
@CaptainEmacs Not sure what you mean? it would be an implied threat as a negotiating strategy
– Neuromancer
9 hours ago
@Neuromancer A slight but important difference. A threat is a choice that I make to threaten them. I can also decide to not take that route. But if I have to contact HMRC to avoid trouble for myself, trouble that their action has been causing me, it has a different flavour. They cannot cajole OP to stop it, because OP has no choice.
– Captain Emacs
1 hour ago
suggest improvements |Â
up vote
21
down vote
Assuming you are not in a Union (if you are, call them first).
The Blunt Approach
Send one final letter (by recorded delivery) saying that unless payment is received you will be instructing lawyers to begin recovery procedures. This is via the industrial tribunal system.
A Softer Approach
You could try your local Citizens Advice first for advice.
Be very clear in all communications that you are a “Worker†and not self employed — I suspect your employer will try to claim you are self employed to make it harder to recover the money. By the way, you are entitled to notice and also to any unused holiday pay.
If they persist in claiming you’re self employed, you can always suggest that you will have to get HMRC involved in this case of disguised employment (IR35).
edited 18 mins ago
TRiG
155214
answered 12 hours ago
Neuromancer
1,0261512
7
The point about HMRC can be made more "indirect/unavoidable" by stating that they are being involved to avoid OP getting in trouble. This way, it is clear that they are involved to protect OP (and therefore, this involvement is not negotiable).
– Captain Emacs
12 hours ago
10
Also, just because it wasn't explicitly mentioned - stop doing any work for this company until this is resolved. The nice thing about not having a contract is you aren't actually obligated to do anything for them.
– Steve-O
11 hours ago
@CaptainEmacs Not sure what you mean? it would be an implied threat as a negotiating strategy
– Neuromancer
9 hours ago
@Neuromancer A slight but important difference. A threat is a choice that I make to threaten them. I can also decide to not take that route. But if I have to contact HMRC to avoid trouble for myself, trouble that their action has been causing me, it has a different flavour. They cannot cajole OP to stop it, because OP has no choice.
– Captain Emacs
1 hour ago
suggest improvements |Â
up vote
21
down vote
up vote
21
down vote
Assuming you are not in a Union (if you are, call them first).
The Blunt Approach
Send one final letter (by recorded delivery) saying that unless payment is received you will be instructing lawyers to begin recovery procedures. This is via the industrial tribunal system.
A Softer Approach
You could try your local Citizens Advice first for advice.
Be very clear in all communications that you are a “Worker†and not self employed — I suspect your employer will try to claim you are self employed to make it harder to recover the money. By the way, you are entitled to notice and also to any unused holiday pay.
If they persist in claiming you’re self employed, you can always suggest that you will have to get HMRC involved in this case of disguised employment (IR35).
edited 18 mins ago
TRiG
155214
answered 12 hours ago
Neuromancer
1,0261512
Assuming you are not in a Union (if you are, call them first).
The Blunt Approach
Send one final letter (by recorded delivery) saying that unless payment is received you will be instructing lawyers to begin recovery procedures. This is via the industrial tribunal system.
A Softer Approach
You could try your local Citizens Advice first for advice.
Be very clear in all communications that you are a “Worker†and not self employed — I suspect your employer will try to claim you are self employed to make it harder to recover the money. By the way, you are entitled to notice and also to any unused holiday pay.
If they persist in claiming you’re self employed, you can always suggest that you will have to get HMRC involved in this case of disguised employment (IR35).
edited 18 mins ago
TRiG
155214
answered 12 hours ago
Neuromancer
1,0261512
edited 18 mins ago
TRiG
155214
edited 18 mins ago
TRiG
155214
edited 18 mins ago
TRiG
155214
155214
answered 12 hours ago
Neuromancer
1,0261512
answered 12 hours ago
Neuromancer
1,0261512
answered 12 hours ago
Neuromancer
1,0261512
1,0261512
7
The point about HMRC can be made more "indirect/unavoidable" by stating that they are being involved to avoid OP getting in trouble. This way, it is clear that they are involved to protect OP (and therefore, this involvement is not negotiable).
– Captain Emacs
12 hours ago
10
Also, just because it wasn't explicitly mentioned - stop doing any work for this company until this is resolved. The nice thing about not having a contract is you aren't actually obligated to do anything for them.
– Steve-O
11 hours ago
@CaptainEmacs Not sure what you mean? it would be an implied threat as a negotiating strategy
– Neuromancer
9 hours ago
@Neuromancer A slight but important difference. A threat is a choice that I make to threaten them. I can also decide to not take that route. But if I have to contact HMRC to avoid trouble for myself, trouble that their action has been causing me, it has a different flavour. They cannot cajole OP to stop it, because OP has no choice.
– Captain Emacs
1 hour ago
suggest improvements |Â
7
The point about HMRC can be made more "indirect/unavoidable" by stating that they are being involved to avoid OP getting in trouble. This way, it is clear that they are involved to protect OP (and therefore, this involvement is not negotiable).
– Captain Emacs
12 hours ago
10
Also, just because it wasn't explicitly mentioned - stop doing any work for this company until this is resolved. The nice thing about not having a contract is you aren't actually obligated to do anything for them.
– Steve-O
11 hours ago
@CaptainEmacs Not sure what you mean? it would be an implied threat as a negotiating strategy
– Neuromancer
9 hours ago
@Neuromancer A slight but important difference. A threat is a choice that I make to threaten them. I can also decide to not take that route. But if I have to contact HMRC to avoid trouble for myself, trouble that their action has been causing me, it has a different flavour. They cannot cajole OP to stop it, because OP has no choice.
– Captain Emacs
1 hour ago
7
7
The point about HMRC can be made more "indirect/unavoidable" by stating that they are being involved to avoid OP getting in trouble. This way, it is clear that they are involved to protect OP (and therefore, this involvement is not negotiable).
– Captain Emacs
12 hours ago
The point about HMRC can be made more "indirect/unavoidable" by stating that they are being involved to avoid OP getting in trouble. This way, it is clear that they are involved to protect OP (and therefore, this involvement is not negotiable).
– Captain Emacs
12 hours ago
10
10
Also, just because it wasn't explicitly mentioned - stop doing any work for this company until this is resolved. The nice thing about not having a contract is you aren't actually obligated to do anything for them.
– Steve-O
11 hours ago
Also, just because it wasn't explicitly mentioned - stop doing any work for this company until this is resolved. The nice thing about not having a contract is you aren't actually obligated to do anything for them.
– Steve-O
11 hours ago
@CaptainEmacs Not sure what you mean? it would be an implied threat as a negotiating strategy
– Neuromancer
9 hours ago
@CaptainEmacs Not sure what you mean? it would be an implied threat as a negotiating strategy
– Neuromancer
9 hours ago
@Neuromancer A slight but important difference. A threat is a choice that I make to threaten them. I can also decide to not take that route. But if I have to contact HMRC to avoid trouble for myself, trouble that their action has been causing me, it has a different flavour. They cannot cajole OP to stop it, because OP has no choice.
– Captain Emacs
1 hour ago
@Neuromancer A slight but important difference. A threat is a choice that I make to threaten them. I can also decide to not take that route. But if I have to contact HMRC to avoid trouble for myself, trouble that their action has been causing me, it has a different flavour. They cannot cajole OP to stop it, because OP has no choice.
– Captain Emacs
1 hour ago
suggest improvements |Â
up vote
13
down vote
Hopefully this won't come as a shock to you, but... you've been screwed. They've had a month's worth of work out of you and most likely you're never going to see any money. You should have:
- Made sure you got a contract as soon as you started
- Made a big fuss when it became clear that the job was not as advertised
- Made a big fuss when they cancelled the work early
Your best chance of getting any money is to send a strongly worded letter (recorded delivery) to the registered address of the company, attaching your invoice and demanding payment within 7 days. However, I suspect they'll then just ignore that as well. You then have to decide if it's actually worth getting lawyers involved - and the answer is probably not, but that's up to you.
answered 12 hours ago
Philip Kendall
39k25100133
2
I'd recommend contacting an employment lawyer - just contacting - and then add to the letter that if they are not going to pay, then that employment lawyer will be taking your case. Small claims court is another way. There, if they don't turn up they will lose their case and then it is very hard to avoid payment.
– gnasher729
11 hours ago
6
Unless OP is exceptionally well paid, the claim he'll be making isn't likely to involve lawyers at all, just an online claim and a judgement by a magistrate based on written statements and documents.
– Richard
10 hours ago
suggest improvements |Â
up vote
13
down vote
Hopefully this won't come as a shock to you, but... you've been screwed. They've had a month's worth of work out of you and most likely you're never going to see any money. You should have:
- Made sure you got a contract as soon as you started
- Made a big fuss when it became clear that the job was not as advertised
- Made a big fuss when they cancelled the work early
Your best chance of getting any money is to send a strongly worded letter (recorded delivery) to the registered address of the company, attaching your invoice and demanding payment within 7 days. However, I suspect they'll then just ignore that as well. You then have to decide if it's actually worth getting lawyers involved - and the answer is probably not, but that's up to you.
answered 12 hours ago
Philip Kendall
39k25100133
2
I'd recommend contacting an employment lawyer - just contacting - and then add to the letter that if they are not going to pay, then that employment lawyer will be taking your case. Small claims court is another way. There, if they don't turn up they will lose their case and then it is very hard to avoid payment.
– gnasher729
11 hours ago
6
Unless OP is exceptionally well paid, the claim he'll be making isn't likely to involve lawyers at all, just an online claim and a judgement by a magistrate based on written statements and documents.
– Richard
10 hours ago
suggest improvements |Â
up vote
13
down vote
up vote
13
down vote
Hopefully this won't come as a shock to you, but... you've been screwed. They've had a month's worth of work out of you and most likely you're never going to see any money. You should have:
- Made sure you got a contract as soon as you started
- Made a big fuss when it became clear that the job was not as advertised
- Made a big fuss when they cancelled the work early
Your best chance of getting any money is to send a strongly worded letter (recorded delivery) to the registered address of the company, attaching your invoice and demanding payment within 7 days. However, I suspect they'll then just ignore that as well. You then have to decide if it's actually worth getting lawyers involved - and the answer is probably not, but that's up to you.
answered 12 hours ago
Philip Kendall
39k25100133
Hopefully this won't come as a shock to you, but... you've been screwed. They've had a month's worth of work out of you and most likely you're never going to see any money. You should have:
- Made sure you got a contract as soon as you started
- Made a big fuss when it became clear that the job was not as advertised
- Made a big fuss when they cancelled the work early
Your best chance of getting any money is to send a strongly worded letter (recorded delivery) to the registered address of the company, attaching your invoice and demanding payment within 7 days. However, I suspect they'll then just ignore that as well. You then have to decide if it's actually worth getting lawyers involved - and the answer is probably not, but that's up to you.
answered 12 hours ago
Philip Kendall
39k25100133
answered 12 hours ago
Philip Kendall
39k25100133
answered 12 hours ago
Philip Kendall
39k25100133
answered 12 hours ago
Philip Kendall
39k25100133
39k25100133
2
I'd recommend contacting an employment lawyer - just contacting - and then add to the letter that if they are not going to pay, then that employment lawyer will be taking your case. Small claims court is another way. There, if they don't turn up they will lose their case and then it is very hard to avoid payment.
– gnasher729
11 hours ago
6
Unless OP is exceptionally well paid, the claim he'll be making isn't likely to involve lawyers at all, just an online claim and a judgement by a magistrate based on written statements and documents.
– Richard
10 hours ago
suggest improvements |Â
2
I'd recommend contacting an employment lawyer - just contacting - and then add to the letter that if they are not going to pay, then that employment lawyer will be taking your case. Small claims court is another way. There, if they don't turn up they will lose their case and then it is very hard to avoid payment.
– gnasher729
11 hours ago
6
Unless OP is exceptionally well paid, the claim he'll be making isn't likely to involve lawyers at all, just an online claim and a judgement by a magistrate based on written statements and documents.
– Richard
10 hours ago
2
2
I'd recommend contacting an employment lawyer - just contacting - and then add to the letter that if they are not going to pay, then that employment lawyer will be taking your case. Small claims court is another way. There, if they don't turn up they will lose their case and then it is very hard to avoid payment.
– gnasher729
11 hours ago
I'd recommend contacting an employment lawyer - just contacting - and then add to the letter that if they are not going to pay, then that employment lawyer will be taking your case. Small claims court is another way. There, if they don't turn up they will lose their case and then it is very hard to avoid payment.
– gnasher729
11 hours ago
6
6
Unless OP is exceptionally well paid, the claim he'll be making isn't likely to involve lawyers at all, just an online claim and a judgement by a magistrate based on written statements and documents.
– Richard
10 hours ago
Unless OP is exceptionally well paid, the claim he'll be making isn't likely to involve lawyers at all, just an online claim and a judgement by a magistrate based on written statements and documents.
– Richard
10 hours ago
suggest improvements |Â
up vote
2
down vote
FIRST OF ALL:
Your question contradicts your statement about the work.
"How to talk to client who refuses to pay for freelance work"
"...advertised by a UK company as an internship..."
So, which one is it?
Internship OR Freelance?
Probably should adjust your question accordingly.
Either way, collect all your communications you had with the company stating your position, type of work, duration etc.
Most importantly the ones before you started as well as all follow ups until now.
Don't let them push you into the self employed / freelancer category, it will weaken your position in terms of laws regarding employment and will most likely end in you never getting any compensation.
Contact lawyers and official advice as was mentioned in other answers and see what they suggest.
Don't sign anything until you obtained legal counsel.
EDIT:
After re-reading it seems you already went down the route of freelance and sent invoices?
Assuming you can't paddle back with a lawyers help and maintain that you thought you were an intern you might indeed not get any payment if they decide not to react to "stern" letters from you or your lawyer.
They very well may be betting on the hassle and cost for you being too high for further steps, given that you have no written contract and your payment may be much lower than your legal fees would be.
answered 5 hours ago
DigitalBlade969
6005
Note that this is tagged "UK". There won't be any legal fees because the employer will end up paying them (both Scotland and England & Wales have a "loser pays fees" system). He can almost certainly find a no-win, no-fee lawyer to take the case.
– Martin Bonner
1 hour ago
suggest improvements |Â
up vote
2
down vote
FIRST OF ALL:
Your question contradicts your statement about the work.
"How to talk to client who refuses to pay for freelance work"
"...advertised by a UK company as an internship..."
So, which one is it?
Internship OR Freelance?
Probably should adjust your question accordingly.
Either way, collect all your communications you had with the company stating your position, type of work, duration etc.
Most importantly the ones before you started as well as all follow ups until now.
Don't let them push you into the self employed / freelancer category, it will weaken your position in terms of laws regarding employment and will most likely end in you never getting any compensation.
Contact lawyers and official advice as was mentioned in other answers and see what they suggest.
Don't sign anything until you obtained legal counsel.
EDIT:
After re-reading it seems you already went down the route of freelance and sent invoices?
Assuming you can't paddle back with a lawyers help and maintain that you thought you were an intern you might indeed not get any payment if they decide not to react to "stern" letters from you or your lawyer.
They very well may be betting on the hassle and cost for you being too high for further steps, given that you have no written contract and your payment may be much lower than your legal fees would be.
answered 5 hours ago
DigitalBlade969
6005
Note that this is tagged "UK". There won't be any legal fees because the employer will end up paying them (both Scotland and England & Wales have a "loser pays fees" system). He can almost certainly find a no-win, no-fee lawyer to take the case.
– Martin Bonner
1 hour ago
suggest improvements |Â
up vote
2
down vote
up vote
2
down vote
FIRST OF ALL:
Your question contradicts your statement about the work.
"How to talk to client who refuses to pay for freelance work"
"...advertised by a UK company as an internship..."
So, which one is it?
Internship OR Freelance?
Probably should adjust your question accordingly.
Either way, collect all your communications you had with the company stating your position, type of work, duration etc.
Most importantly the ones before you started as well as all follow ups until now.
Don't let them push you into the self employed / freelancer category, it will weaken your position in terms of laws regarding employment and will most likely end in you never getting any compensation.
Contact lawyers and official advice as was mentioned in other answers and see what they suggest.
Don't sign anything until you obtained legal counsel.
EDIT:
After re-reading it seems you already went down the route of freelance and sent invoices?
Assuming you can't paddle back with a lawyers help and maintain that you thought you were an intern you might indeed not get any payment if they decide not to react to "stern" letters from you or your lawyer.
They very well may be betting on the hassle and cost for you being too high for further steps, given that you have no written contract and your payment may be much lower than your legal fees would be.
answered 5 hours ago
DigitalBlade969
6005
FIRST OF ALL:
Your question contradicts your statement about the work.
"How to talk to client who refuses to pay for freelance work"
"...advertised by a UK company as an internship..."
So, which one is it?
Internship OR Freelance?
Probably should adjust your question accordingly.
Either way, collect all your communications you had with the company stating your position, type of work, duration etc.
Most importantly the ones before you started as well as all follow ups until now.
Don't let them push you into the self employed / freelancer category, it will weaken your position in terms of laws regarding employment and will most likely end in you never getting any compensation.
Contact lawyers and official advice as was mentioned in other answers and see what they suggest.
Don't sign anything until you obtained legal counsel.
EDIT:
After re-reading it seems you already went down the route of freelance and sent invoices?
Assuming you can't paddle back with a lawyers help and maintain that you thought you were an intern you might indeed not get any payment if they decide not to react to "stern" letters from you or your lawyer.
They very well may be betting on the hassle and cost for you being too high for further steps, given that you have no written contract and your payment may be much lower than your legal fees would be.
answered 5 hours ago
DigitalBlade969
6005
edited 5 hours ago
answered 5 hours ago
DigitalBlade969
6005
answered 5 hours ago
DigitalBlade969
6005
answered 5 hours ago
DigitalBlade969
6005
6005
Note that this is tagged "UK". There won't be any legal fees because the employer will end up paying them (both Scotland and England & Wales have a "loser pays fees" system). He can almost certainly find a no-win, no-fee lawyer to take the case.
– Martin Bonner
1 hour ago
suggest improvements |Â
Note that this is tagged "UK". There won't be any legal fees because the employer will end up paying them (both Scotland and England & Wales have a "loser pays fees" system). He can almost certainly find a no-win, no-fee lawyer to take the case.
– Martin Bonner
1 hour ago
Note that this is tagged "UK". There won't be any legal fees because the employer will end up paying them (both Scotland and England & Wales have a "loser pays fees" system). He can almost certainly find a no-win, no-fee lawyer to take the case.
– Martin Bonner
1 hour ago
Note that this is tagged "UK". There won't be any legal fees because the employer will end up paying them (both Scotland and England & Wales have a "loser pays fees" system). He can almost certainly find a no-win, no-fee lawyer to take the case.
– Martin Bonner
1 hour ago
suggest improvements |Â
up vote
1
down vote
It sounds like there are several departments in this company. One of them should be the Accounts department; direct all your communications to them. Don't talk to this manager directly again, and if the accounts department deny your existence (which is likely), then you'll have to decide whether to involve HMRC and/or an employment attorney.
If you do decide to go to court, remember that you're suing the company, not the individual manager. If you use the small-claims court, you cannot add your attorneys costs onto your claim; if they owe you enough money that you cannot use small-claims, then all expenses for fighting your case can become part of the claim.
answered 5 hours ago
PeteCon
12.4k43550
There is no such thing as a "small-claims court" in the UK. There is the "Small Claims Track of the the County Court", and note that the OP does not get get to choose which track a claim is allocated to.
– Martin Bonner
1 hour ago
One other comment: it may not be worth going to court if the company has no money.
– Martin Bonner
1 hour ago
suggest improvements |Â
up vote
1
down vote
It sounds like there are several departments in this company. One of them should be the Accounts department; direct all your communications to them. Don't talk to this manager directly again, and if the accounts department deny your existence (which is likely), then you'll have to decide whether to involve HMRC and/or an employment attorney.
If you do decide to go to court, remember that you're suing the company, not the individual manager. If you use the small-claims court, you cannot add your attorneys costs onto your claim; if they owe you enough money that you cannot use small-claims, then all expenses for fighting your case can become part of the claim.
answered 5 hours ago
PeteCon
12.4k43550
There is no such thing as a "small-claims court" in the UK. There is the "Small Claims Track of the the County Court", and note that the OP does not get get to choose which track a claim is allocated to.
– Martin Bonner
1 hour ago
One other comment: it may not be worth going to court if the company has no money.
– Martin Bonner
1 hour ago
suggest improvements |Â
up vote
1
down vote
up vote
1
down vote
It sounds like there are several departments in this company. One of them should be the Accounts department; direct all your communications to them. Don't talk to this manager directly again, and if the accounts department deny your existence (which is likely), then you'll have to decide whether to involve HMRC and/or an employment attorney.
If you do decide to go to court, remember that you're suing the company, not the individual manager. If you use the small-claims court, you cannot add your attorneys costs onto your claim; if they owe you enough money that you cannot use small-claims, then all expenses for fighting your case can become part of the claim.
answered 5 hours ago
PeteCon
12.4k43550
It sounds like there are several departments in this company. One of them should be the Accounts department; direct all your communications to them. Don't talk to this manager directly again, and if the accounts department deny your existence (which is likely), then you'll have to decide whether to involve HMRC and/or an employment attorney.
If you do decide to go to court, remember that you're suing the company, not the individual manager. If you use the small-claims court, you cannot add your attorneys costs onto your claim; if they owe you enough money that you cannot use small-claims, then all expenses for fighting your case can become part of the claim.
answered 5 hours ago
PeteCon
12.4k43550
answered 5 hours ago
PeteCon
12.4k43550
answered 5 hours ago
PeteCon
12.4k43550
answered 5 hours ago
PeteCon
12.4k43550
12.4k43550
There is no such thing as a "small-claims court" in the UK. There is the "Small Claims Track of the the County Court", and note that the OP does not get get to choose which track a claim is allocated to.
– Martin Bonner
1 hour ago
One other comment: it may not be worth going to court if the company has no money.
– Martin Bonner
1 hour ago
suggest improvements |Â
There is no such thing as a "small-claims court" in the UK. There is the "Small Claims Track of the the County Court", and note that the OP does not get get to choose which track a claim is allocated to.
– Martin Bonner
1 hour ago
One other comment: it may not be worth going to court if the company has no money.
– Martin Bonner
1 hour ago
There is no such thing as a "small-claims court" in the UK. There is the "Small Claims Track of the the County Court", and note that the OP does not get get to choose which track a claim is allocated to.
– Martin Bonner
1 hour ago
There is no such thing as a "small-claims court" in the UK. There is the "Small Claims Track of the the County Court", and note that the OP does not get get to choose which track a claim is allocated to.
– Martin Bonner
1 hour ago
One other comment: it may not be worth going to court if the company has no money.
– Martin Bonner
1 hour ago
One other comment: it may not be worth going to court if the company has no money.
– Martin Bonner
1 hour ago
suggest improvements |Â
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"How to talk to client who refuses to pay for freelance work? Through a lawyer
– Mawg
34 mins ago
Important question: were you working for them from the UK?
– Lilienthal♦
8 mins ago
In the situation like this, a strongly worded paper letter demanding for payment, with a threat to get them into small claims court worked like a charm for me. Got them panicked and got my money within a few days.
– trailmax
8 mins ago