Letter Before Action template

A Letter Before Action is the formal pre-issue notice required by the Civil Procedure Rules' Pre-Action Protocols. For consumer debt claims, the Pre-Action Protocol for Debt Claims (effective 1 October 2017) sets out specific content and timing requirements. For other disputes, the General Practice Direction on Pre-Action Conduct applies — less prescriptive but still expected.

Letter Before Action template

A protocol-compliant LBA does three things. It gives the defendant a clear, last opportunity to settle without court costs being added. It creates a written record showing the court that you tried to resolve the matter before issuing. And it tightens the legal position by clearly identifying the claim, the amount, the legal basis, and the response deadline.

Skipping the LBA — or sending one that does not contain the required elements — can result in the court reducing or refusing recovery of court fees and interest. Many otherwise winnable claims are penalised at the costs stage because the claimant rushed to issue.

Copy the text below into a new document, fill in the bracketed fields with your details, print, sign, and send. For consumer debt claims, also enclose the Information Sheet, Reply Form, and Standard Financial Statement (free from the Civil Justice Council).

Sending it correctly

Use Royal Mail Signed For (£2.65) so you have a delivery record. Keep the postage receipt. If you also send by email, save the sent message and any read receipt. Store everything in a single matter folder for production at the directions stage if requested.

Address the letter to the correct legal entity. For a sole trader, use their personal name (with their trading name in parentheses). For a partnership, use either the partnership name or all the partners. For a limited company, use the registered company name and the registered office address (check Companies House). Sending the LBA to the wrong entity is a common reason for set-aside applications later.

After 30 days (consumer debt) or 14 days (general), if there has been no payment or meaningful engagement, you can issue. Save a copy of the LBA on your file — you will exhibit it to your particulars of claim.

Want it filled in for you?

Start My Claim asks eight short questions and produces a protocol-compliant LBA tailored to your facts — plus the Information Sheet, Reply Form, and particulars of claim ready for filing. £29 fixed.

Start your claim — £29 fixed →

Particulars: unpaid invoice

Settlement offer letter