Johnson May Solicitors

Johnson May Solicitors Debt recovery, landlord and tenant and dispute resolution.

How it feels to take a break from work lol! Anyone else getting some time away this summer? 🌞😊😅
13/08/2025

How it feels to take a break from work lol! Anyone else getting some time away this summer? 🌞😊😅

7 smart ways to manage unpaid invoices!Scrap feeling unsupported and alone when it comes to unpaid invoices! Unpaid inv...
29/07/2025

7 smart ways to manage unpaid invoices!

Scrap feeling unsupported and alone when it comes to unpaid invoices!

Unpaid invoices can cause anxiety, sleepless nights, and stress, especially when, as a business owner, you still have to pay members of staff and third-party suppliers regardless of whether you have steady cash flowing into your business or not. Your business expenses will not go on hold because your customer has not yet paid either.

You may feel incredibly upset at the prospect of either spending lots of money to recover the debt or losing lots of money by writing it off. These two options are not your only ones! There are others. Below are 5 tips to help you move forward and get paid.

Tip 1 - How much are you owed?

First, take time to properly understand the amount of money that your business is owed. Find out how many invoices are overdue and how much the debt totals.

Tip 2 - How has the debt arisen?

Do you have a contract with your customer that specifies when you should be paid?

Are there any grey areas? For example, did you provide additional goods or services without first properly setting out in writing what you agreed to and your fee?

Tip 3 - Gather your evidence.

Pull together all documents relating to your unpaid invoice. This will help you to prove that you should be paid for the goods or services that you have provided.

An example of the types of evidence that you can pull together are: -

– the contract that you signed with your customer.

– your business terms if they are separate to your contract.

– all letters, emails, text messages, WhatsApp messages and any other form of written communication between you and your client.

Tip 4 – Do not let numerous unpaid invoices accumulate.

If your customer has fallen into arrears with your invoice, this may be a red flag that they are not running their business as they should. Speak to your customer. Find out what is going on. Have they not seen your invoice, or are they deciding not to pay you?

Tip 5 – should you suspend your service?

Decide whether to suspend your services. This action may encourage your customer to find the money to pay you swiftly especially if your service is crucial.

Tip 6 – Speak to your customer.

Call your client to try and find out why they have not paid.
Can they pay? Have they missed your invoice or forgotten to pay? Or are they genuinely experiencing financial difficulties?

Tip 7 – Take legal advice

If you have completed stages 1 to 6 above and your client still has not paid, take legal advice as soon as possible. Many lawyers offer low fixed fees to support businesses with debt recovery leaving you to do what you do best, run your business!

You can do this! You do not have to roll over and accept that you have not been paid. Follow the above stages and get paid.

Time to feel supported!

SATs week! Anyone else with a year 6 kid doing SATs this week? If so, how’s it going for them?My boy seems to be doing O...
16/05/2025

SATs week!

Anyone else with a year 6 kid doing SATs this week? If so, how’s it going for them?

My boy seems to be doing OK.

I’m a planner and some might say organisation is my middle name lol! You’ve got to be organised to run a law firm.

They say the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree! Check out my son’s pre-planned “winners SATs breakfast” menu! I was so impressed with his planning that I’m trying my best to be his chef this week 😆 Slight adjustment for today. No fresh apple juice I’m afraid ahem! Fresh fruit instead â˜ș What do you think of his menu?

This week Johnson May Solicitors moved into a new administrative office! You can find us at Unit 4, 2 Thayers Farm Road, Beckenham, BR3 4LZ.

So as you can see it’s been a rather busy week both at home and at work but I’m still smiling!

Onwards and upwards as they say!

Oh yes and if you need help with a tricky tenant, getting an invoice paid or with resolving a dispute let me know. I’m always happy to have a friendly chat!

Get to know your customer and get your invoices paid!Whether you’re a start-up or a long-established business, get to kn...
06/05/2025

Get to know your customer and get your invoices paid!
Whether you’re a start-up or a long-established business, get to know your customers before and during your business relationship with them.
Why wait until there is a problem and you have several thousand pounds of unpaid invoices before you find out that your customer has no means of paying you?
In this 5 part series we provide some tips and tricks to help you.
Part 1
Is your customer a limited company, sole trader or a charity? What type of business are they?
If your customer is a limited company check Companies House. Have a look at its financial history. Are their accounts up to date or late? How long have they been established? Have they had many directors? Have they filed their accounts on time, or are they late? Are there any red flags in relation to your customer’s solvency?
If your customer is a sole trader, where are they trading from? Do they own any property?
If your customer is a charity, confirm that they are genuine by checking the charity’s name and registration number on the government’s Charity Register.
If you’d like a chat to help you get an outstanding invoice paid, contact us.

Invoice unpaid? Invoicing properly?Certain information must be contained in every invoice for it to be legally valid. Di...
01/04/2025

Invoice unpaid? Invoicing properly?

Certain information must be contained in every invoice for it to be legally valid. Did you know this?

In this 4 part series we look at the information that must be included.

Part 4

Below are some bonus tips of additional information that you may wish to add to your invoices to make paying you easier: -

1. Due date

Let your customer know the latest date that you expect to be paid.

2. Customer’s contact information

Add your customer’s contact information to each invoice so that you can easily follow up with them regarding payment.

3. Business terms and conditions

Specifically, refer to your business terms and conditions along with your payment terms, if possible. Send a copy with your invoice as well if you can or print them on the back of every invoice if they fit.

4. Online payments

Make it easy for your customer to pay your invoice by including your bank details and, if possible, a link to an online payment provider for swifter payments.

If you’d like a free no obligation chat, get in touch.

Invoice unpaid? Invoicing properly?Certain information must be contained in every invoice for it to be legally valid. Di...
04/03/2025

Invoice unpaid? Invoicing properly?

Certain information must be contained in every invoice for it to be legally valid. Did you know this?

In this 4 part series we look at the information that must be included.

Part 3

1. the date of the invoice.

Add the date you raise your invoice. This is important because the payment date will be calculated using this date.

2. the amount(s) being charged.

Clearly detail the amount that is being charged for each item.

3. The VAT amount, if applicable.

If your business is VAT registered, you should include your VAT number on every invoice.

4. the total amount owed.

You should accurately add up the total amount due and detail this on your invoice.

If you’d like a free no obligation chat, get in touch.

Invoice unpaid? Invoicing properly?Certain information must be contained in every invoice for it to be legally valid. Di...
04/02/2025

Invoice unpaid? Invoicing properly?
Certain information must be contained in every invoice for it to be legally valid. Did you know this?
In this 4 part series we look at the information that must be included.
Part 2

1. the company name and address of the customer you’re invoicing.

Add your customer’s company name and address of your customer to your invoice. Do not do business until you have this information.

2. a clear description of what you are charging for.

Describe as best you can the goods or services that you are charging for. There should be no ambiguity on your invoice.

3. the date the goods or service were provided (supply date).

You may provide one or more than one item or service. You should add the date of each item so that it is clear what you are charging for. Adding the quantity is useful when you are for example selling multiple goods.

If you’d like a free no obligation chat, get in touch.

Invoice unpaid? Invoicing properly?Certain information must be contained in every invoice for it to be legally valid. Di...
07/01/2025

Invoice unpaid? Invoicing properly?

Certain information must be contained in every invoice for it to be legally valid. Did you know this?

In this 4 part series, we look at the information that must be included.

Part 1

1. a unique identification number (UIN)

A UIN is a unique number. No two invoices should have the same number. The numbers should also run sequentially (in order). For example INV000001, INV000002 and INV000003 and so on.

2. your company name, address and contact information.

Add your company name as it appears on the certificate of incorporation if a limited company. Include the registered address of the business and contact information for example email address and telephone number.

If you have a logo pop it on your invoice too but this is not a legal requirement. You may also wish to add your company number.

If you are a sole trader you should include your personal name and the business name that you are using for example: -

Mrs Abigal Star trading as Star I am. You should also include an address where you can receive legal documents.

If you’d like a free no obligation chat, get in touch.

Address

London
BR31AG

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm

Telephone

+442081507173

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