Demand for payment of an overdue invoice

Published byDocMuse

A reminder by email is a courtesy; a demand is a document. It lists the invoices separately by number, date and amount, shows the total owed and sets a final deadline. Send it before too long has passed — the older the invoice, the more often the other side claims the work was disputed at the time.

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Common questions

Can I stop work until I am paid?

If the contract provides for it, yes, and the demand is where that is stated. But stopping without warning can put you in breach — so it is communicated in writing and with a period given.

Can I claim interest for late payment?

Yes, statutory interest is due from the moment of default, and the contract may provide for a penalty as well. That is why the demand separates the principal from the interest — a lump sum does not show what is owed on what basis.

What if the client says they never received the invoice?

That is why the demand lists them separately by number, date and amount, and is sent in a way that leaves a trace. The argument then moves from whether the invoice exists to whether it has been paid.

When is it too early to send a demand?

Straight after the due date, if an email reminder has gone unanswered. Waiting months makes the debt harder to collect and gives ground for the claim that the work was disputed at the time.