Pre-action protocol · posted same day
Send a letter before action by post, today
A letter before action carries more weight when it lands on a doormat. Upload your PDF and we print it, envelope it and hand it to Royal Mail the same working day — from £1.79, no account needed.
What is a letter before action?
A letter before action (also called a letter before claim) is the formal warning you send before starting court proceedings — most often to recover an unpaid invoice, a deposit or compensation. The Practice Direction on Pre-Action Conduct, which governs civil claims in England and Wales, expects you to set out your case in writing and give the other side a fair chance to respond before you issue a claim. Skip this step and a court can penalise you on costs, even if you go on to win.
What it needs to say
- Who you are, what you are claiming, and a clear figure with how it was calculated.
- The documents you rely on — enclose copies where you can.
- A deadline to respond. Fourteen days is common between businesses; the Pre-Action Protocol for Debt Claims gives individuals and sole traders 30 days.
- What happens next if they do not reply: you will issue a claim without further notice.
Date the letter, keep a copy, and keep evidence of when it was posted.
Why send it by post?
Email is easy to dispute — spam folders, changed addresses, “never saw it”. A printed letter posted to the recipient’s last known address is the standard courts have relied on for decades, and many contracts specify service by post. When you send with PostOwl you get an email confirming the date your letter was dispatched, which slots straight into your evidence bundle alongside your copy of the letter.
How PostOwl sends it
Write your letter, export it as a PDF and upload it. Type the recipient’s address, choose first or second class, and pay by card or Apple Pay — no sign-up. Order before the 3pm weekday cutoff and it is printed and handed to Royal Mail the same day. Your PDF is deleted from our servers after dispatch.
Key facts
- One page, B&W, 2nd class£1.79
- First class (deadline pressure)£2.69
- Dispatch confirmationBy email, dated
- Your PDF after dispatchDeleted
Letter before action FAQs
How long should I give them to respond?+
Fourteen days is typical for straightforward business disputes. If you are claiming a debt from an individual or a sole trader, the Pre-Action Protocol for Debt Claims requires 30 days and a prescribed information sheet. Check which protocol applies to your claim on justice.gov.uk before you set the deadline.
Do I get proof of postage?+
Yes. You receive an email confirming the date your letter was handed to Royal Mail, and you keep the PDF you uploaded. Together they show what was sent, to whom, and when — which is exactly what a court wants to see.
Can PostOwl write the letter for me?+
No — PostOwl prints and posts the PDF you upload. Free letter-before-action templates are available from Citizens Advice and gov.uk if you need a starting point. Once yours is ready, sending it costs from £1.79.
Your letter, in the post today
Send it now → from £1.79This page is general information, not legal advice. For advice on your specific dispute, speak to a solicitor or Citizens Advice.