Letter Before ActionThe formal first step that settles most UK disputes — without court

Before you can take someone to court in England and Wales, you are expected to send a formal Letter Before Action. Ours are AI-drafted to follow the CPR Pre-Action Protocol, printed on official letterhead, and ready in minutes — for £5.

£5 per letter
Ready in minutes
England & Wales law
Draft My Letter — £5

When You Need a Letter Before Action

Courts expect you to try resolving a dispute in writing first. A well-drafted letter shows you are serious — and in most cases, that is all it takes.

Unpaid invoices or money owed to you or your business

Tenancy deposit unfairly withheld by a landlord or agent

Faulty goods or poor-quality services under the Consumer Rights Act 2015

Breach of contract by a supplier, client or business partner

Unpaid wages or unlawful deductions by an employer

Money lent to an individual that has not been repaid

What Your £5 Letter Includes

  • A clear summary of the facts and the legal basis of your claim
  • The exact amount claimed and how it is calculated, including statutory interest where it applies
  • A firm response deadline (14 days by default, or your choice)
  • The consequences of not responding — court proceedings, interest and costs
  • Official JustiScript letterhead with signature, downloadable as PDF instantly
  • Drafted to follow the Civil Procedure Rules Practice Direction on Pre-Action Conduct

How It Works

1

Answer Guided Questions

Tell us who owes you, what happened and what outcome you want — a few minutes in plain language, no legal knowledge needed.

2

Pay £5 & AI Drafts Your Letter

Our AI drafts a formal, firm and professional Letter Before Action under England & Wales law, tailored to your dispute.

3

Download, Print & Send

Download the finished letter on official letterhead as a PDF. Send it by post and email, keep proof, and wait for the deadline.

Start My Letter Now

What Happens After You Send It?

Most recipients respond before the deadline — often with payment or a settlement offer, because they know the next step is court and that ignoring a compliant letter counts against them on costs.

If the deadline passes with no satisfactory response, you can issue a court claim — for most money claims up to £10,000 this is the small claims track, which is designed for people without lawyers.

Not sure about your next step?

Book a £5 consultation and a qualified UK lawyer will review your situation and reply within 24 hours.

Ask a Lawyer — £5

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a Letter Before Action?

A Letter Before Action (also called a Letter Before Claim) is a formal letter you must normally send before starting court proceedings in England and Wales. It sets out who you are, what you claim, why, and the deadline for the other side to respond — and it is the step that resolves most disputes without ever going to court.

Is a Letter Before Action legally required?

The Civil Procedure Rules Practice Direction on Pre-Action Conduct expects parties to exchange sufficient information before issuing proceedings. Courts can penalise a claimant in costs for skipping this step, so a compliant Letter Before Action is strongly advised in almost every civil dispute.

What deadline should I give the other side?

A reasonable deadline is normally 14 days for a straightforward debt or consumer dispute, and up to 30 days for more complex matters. Our service defaults to 14 days but lets you set your own.

What happens if the letter is ignored?

If there is no satisfactory response by the deadline, you can start a court claim — for money claims up to £10,000 this is usually the small claims track via Money Claims Online. Having sent a compliant letter first strengthens your position on costs and interest. Our £5 legal consultation can help you plan the next step.

Can I claim interest on the money I am owed?

Often yes. Businesses can claim statutory interest and compensation under the Late Payment of Commercial Debts (Interest) Act 1998, and individuals can usually claim 8% per year under section 69 of the County Courts Act 1984 once proceedings are issued. Our letters set out interest where it applies.

What does the £5 include?

You answer a short set of guided questions, and our AI drafts a formal Letter Before Action tailored to your dispute under England & Wales law — on official JustiScript letterhead with a signature, a clear statement of claim, deadline, and consequences of non-response. You download it instantly as a PDF, ready to print and send.

How should I send my Letter Before Action?

Send it by first-class post (keep proof of postage) and by email if you have an address for the recipient. Keep a copy of the letter and a note of the date sent — you will need these if the matter goes to court.

Is this the same as hiring a solicitor?

No — JustiScript is not a law firm and this service does not constitute legal advice. The letter is generated by AI to a professional standard and many disputes settle at this stage. For complex or high-value matters we recommend having the letter reviewed by a qualified solicitor, and our £5 consultation service can connect you with one.

Ready to Be Taken Seriously?

Draft your Letter Before Action now — a few questions, £5, and a formal letter on letterhead in minutes.

Draft My Letter — £5

JustiScript is not a law firm and this service does not constitute legal advice. Documents are AI-generated to UK legal standards and should be reviewed by a qualified solicitor for complex or high-value matters.