Apply to bankrupt someone who owes you money
Overview
You have to present a bankruptcy petition to a court if you want to bankrupt someone because they owe you money.
There are also other ways to recover money you鈥檙e owed.
A bankruptcy petition is an application to the court for someone鈥檚 assets to be taken and sold to pay their debts.
Presenting a petition can be complicated. Most people use a solicitor or other professional to help them.
Using a mediation service could be quicker and cheaper. Mediation is when an impartial person helps 2 sides work out an agreement.
You can contact the Insolvency Service if you have questions about making someone bankrupt.
You cannot petition to bankrupt someone if you鈥檙e told that they are temporarily protected from creditors through the 鈥楤reathing Space鈥� scheme. Find out what to do when someone is using the 鈥楤reathing Space鈥� scheme.
How to present a petition
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Prove you鈥檙e owed at least 拢5,000 or a share of debts totalling at least 拢5,000.
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Check for other bankruptcy petitions against the person who owes you money (the 鈥榙ebtor鈥�).
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Fill in the forms and deliver them to the court.
Fees
The court fees to make someone bankrupt are:
- 拢1,500 petition deposit (for managing the bankruptcy)
- 拢332 for court costs
Pay the fees using cash, postal order or a cheque made payable to 鈥楬M Courts and Tribunals Service鈥�. You can pay by credit or debit card if you apply online.