21 minutes | Wednesday, 21 October 2026
What happens when a customer refuses to pay, a supplier breaks their agreement, or a business relationship turns sour? And how can you protect yourself before a commercial dispute becomes a costly legal battle?
In this episode of **Law for Life**, Chris Gregg is joined by **George Smith from the Litigation Team at Franklins Solicitors** to explore some of the most common legal problems facing businesses, including unpaid invoices, late payments, broken contracts and difficult customers.
From chasing outstanding debts and issuing formal letters of claim to understanding your rights when a contract is breached, George explains the practical steps businesses can take to resolve disputes and recover money they're owed.
The discussion covers:
- **Unpaid invoices and debt recovery:** What to do when customers ignore payment reminders, and when to involve a solicitor.
- **Letters of claim:** How formal legal correspondence can help recover outstanding debts before court proceedings become necessary.
- **Verbal agreements:** Whether you can enforce a contract that was never formally written down.
- **Late-paying customers:** How to deal with customers who consistently fall behind with payments.
- **Breach of contract:** What constitutes a breach, and when you might be entitled to terminate an agreement.
- **Court proceedings and enforcement:** What happens when a debtor refuses to pay, even after a court judgment.
- **Mediation and negotiation:** How alternative dispute resolution can help both parties reach an agreement without expensive litigation.
- **AI-generated contracts:** The potential dangers of relying on automatically generated legal documents, including inappropriate clauses and overseas legal jurisdictions.
- **Interest and legal costs:** When businesses may be able to claim interest or recover additional costs on unpaid debts.
- **Protecting your business:** Why clear terms and conditions, accurate records and properly drafted contracts are essential.
Chris also shares his own experiences of chasing unpaid invoices, while George offers practical guidance on how businesses can avoid common mistakes and deal with disputes effectively.
Whether you're a business owner struggling with unpaid bills, concerned about a contractual disagreement, or simply want to protect your business from future problems, this episode offers valuable insights into your legal options.
**Law for Life** is brought to you by **Franklins Solicitors**, helping individuals and businesses understand the legal issues that affect everyday life.
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