Organise customer non-payment (SME)

Facts & timeline checklist

• Customer / trading name, contact, and any purchase order or job reference.
• What you supplied (goods or services) and when work was completed or goods delivered.
• Invoice number(s), issue date, due date, and amount outstanding.
• Any credit terms, deposits, or staged payment schedule you actually used.
• Partial payments and remaining balance, matching bank records.
• Each reminder or chase: date, channel, who you spoke to, and any promise to pay.
• Any customer complaint or dispute raised, and when it appeared relative to the due date.

Evidence to label

• Invoices and statements of account.
• Contract, quote acceptance, or purchase order.
• Proof of delivery, timesheets, job sheets, or completion emails.
• Chase emails, letters, and call notes with dates.
• Bank exports showing non-payment or partial payment.

What your Case Pack contains

Business and customer parties, work/invoice chronology, labelled evidence, amounts, and your stated desired outcome — organised for your records or an adviser. Not debt-recovery advice or a promise of payment.

FAQ

How is this different from the unpaid invoice page?

This page focuses on the small-business angle: customer accounts, work completion proof, and chase history when a client stops paying. The unpaid invoice page is a general invoice checklist.

Will CaseFirst chase my customer for me?

No. CaseFirst helps you organise the file. You decide whether and how to contact the customer or seek advice.

What should my chronology emphasise?

Invoice issue and due dates, proof of delivery or work completion, each chase, any dispute raised by the customer, and partial payments — all as dated facts.

Can I share the Case Pack with an adviser?

Yes. Export a free Case Pack and choose what you send. Organisation does not replace legal advice.