You have a court judgement, a solicitor's letter, or a confirmed debt -- but the person who owes you money appears to have nothing. This is one of the most frustrating situations in commercial life. The good news is that in most cases, the situation is not as hopeless as it appears. Here is a practical guide to what to do next.

Step 1: Do Not Take 'No Assets' at Face Value

The most important thing to understand is that 'I have no assets' is one of the most commonly used and most easily disproved claims in debt recovery. People who claim to have nothing often have: undisclosed property or land interests; vehicles registered in a partner or family member's name; income from employment or self-employment that is not immediately visible; cash or cryptocurrency that has not been declared; and business interests or directorships that generate income.

Step 2: Commission a Forensic Asset Investigation

Before committing to further legal action, commission a Pre-Litigation Asset Report. Towerhall Solutions produces a comprehensive Forensic Asset Map that covers: Land Registry and property searches; DVLA and vehicle ownership checks; Companies House directorships and shareholdings; OSINT analysis for digital lifestyle indicators; and CRA data cross-referencing. This report tells you whether it is worth spending money on enforcement, and if so, which enforcement route is most likely to succeed.

Step 3: Understand Your Enforcement Options

If assets are identified, your solicitor can pursue several enforcement routes depending on what has been found. A Charging Order secures a debt against property owned by the debtor. A Third Party Debt Order (formerly a garnishee order) freezes and transfers funds held by a third party (such as a bank) on behalf of the debtor. An Attachment of Earnings Order requires the debtor's employer to deduct payments from their salary. Bailiff enforcement through a High Court Enforcement Officer (HCEO) can be used to seize and sell goods.

Step 4: Consider Insolvency Proceedings

For debts over 5,000 owed by an individual, a Statutory Demand followed by bankruptcy proceedings may be the most effective route. For company debts over 750, a winding-up petition can be a powerful enforcement tool. The threat of insolvency proceedings alone is often sufficient to prompt payment from a debtor who has been claiming poverty. Towerhall Solutions can serve the Statutory Demand as part of the process serving service.

Step 5: Re-Engage Before You Litigate

Before escalating to any of the above, consider whether a structured re-engagement approach might achieve a faster and cheaper resolution. Towerhall's Re-Engage system has successfully resolved many cases that appeared to be write-offs, through a combination of low-pressure digital contact and a human conversation that addresses the root cause of the non-payment. It is often cheaper, faster, and better for your relationship with the customer.

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