Mortimer Clarke Solicitors may write for a creditor or debt owner about collection or proposed court action. Identify the client, legal owner, original account, balance, document type and deadline before deciding how to respond.
Companies House lists Mortimer Clarke Solicitors Limited under number 06211733. Verify the current firm record through the Solicitors Regulation Authority and use independently obtained contact details if the letter or payment instructions are unexpected.
Identify the document #
Collection demand #
A demand asks for payment but is not a judgment. If details are missing, ask for the legal owner, original creditor, agreement or account number, balance and basis on which the firm is instructed.
Letter of Claim #
Where the Pre-Action Protocol for Debt Claims applies, a Letter of Claim is a formal pre-court step. It should contain prescribed information and normally includes an information sheet, reply form and financial statement. An individual generally has 30 days to reply.
Use the reply form to identify a dispute, request documents or propose an affordable payment where liability is accepted. A complaint or debt-solution enquiry does not automatically extend the deadline.
County Court claim #
A sealed claim form has its own service and response rules. Follow the dates and instructions on the form. Depending on the facts, you may admit the claim, offer payment, defend it or acknowledge service to obtain the applicable defence period.
Only the court can decide liability and enter judgment. If a valid claim is not answered, the claimant may request judgment in default without the court testing a defence.
Checking the account #
If you do not recognise the debt, do not make a token payment merely to end a call. Ask in writing for enough information to identify:
- the original creditor and account;
- the current legal owner;
- the agreement or basis of liability;
- the assignment or authority relied on;
- an itemised balance and payment history; and
- any prior judgment.
For some regulated credit agreements, a request under sections 77–79 of the Consumer Credit Act may be available. The required wording, fee, agreement type and legal effect matter. Non-compliance can restrict enforcement while it continues, but it does not erase the debt and a compliant copy may later be supplied.
Old or statute-barred debt #
Many simple-contract claims in England and Wales use a six-year limitation period, but it is not calculated simply from the age of the letter. The cause of action, due date, payments, qualifying written acknowledgements, debt type and any judgment can change the result. Scotland has different prescription law.
FCA rules restrict misleading or unfair pursuit of known statute-barred consumer credit debts. Limitation is normally a defence to a claim, however, so never ignore court papers. Obtain advice before paying or writing anything that could acknowledge liability.
Contact and vulnerability #
FCA rules require firms within scope to have regard to reasonable requests about the time, location and medium of contact. Ask for post or email and explain any vulnerability or accessibility need. Necessary and proportionate legal contact may continue, including service of documents.
Keep a call log and copies. If evidence is requested, ask why it is needed and what alternatives are accepted; evidence should be proportionate to the adjustment sought.
Affordable payment or settlement #
Protect rent, council tax, energy, food and other priority needs. If the debt is correct, use a realistic income and expenditure statement and make only a sustainable offer. Ask the client to confirm whether it accepts the plan and whether legal action will pause.
A lump-sum settlement is discretionary. There is no dependable percentage. Before paying, obtain written confirmation that:
- the amount is accepted as full and final settlement;
- no remainder will be pursued or assigned; and
- the credit-file treatment is explained.
CCJs and enforcement #
If judgment is entered, the order says what must be paid. A CCJ paid in full within one month can be removed from the register if the court receives proof; after that it normally remains for six years but can be marked satisfied.
Enforcement needs a separate lawful step. Mortimer Clarke itself cannot seize goods. If a warrant or Notice of Enforcement arrives, check the authority, fees and deadline and obtain urgent advice.
Formal debt options #
If this account is one of several unaffordable debts, compare every suitable route. A DMP is informal and does not force creditors to freeze interest or action. A DRO, IVA or bankruptcy has eligibility, asset, public-record and completion consequences.
An approved IVA should normally bind the legal owner for a qualifying included debt, but it does not cover every liability or automatically undo a judgment or completed enforcement. Only remaining included qualifying debt is normally released if the arrangement completes.
Complaints #
Complain to Mortimer Clarke in writing with the matter reference, dates, evidence, issue and remedy sought. The final response should explain any next route, which can differ for legal service, regulated collection and solicitor conduct.
A complaint does not suspend a Letter of Claim, claim-form or enforcement deadline.
Use the debt-options calculator for an initial comparison only. It cannot decide a legal defence, verify the debt or guarantee an IVA outcome.