What Is a Letter Before Action?
A Letter Before Action (LBA) — also called a Letter Before Claim — is a formal written notice you send to the person or business you intend to sue. It is required under the UK Pre-Action Protocols before you can file a court claim.
The letter puts the other party on notice that legal proceedings will follow if they do not pay or resolve the dispute within the deadline you set.
What Must a Letter Before Action Include?
- Your full name and address — as claimant
- Defendant's full name and address — use the registered address for companies
- Clear description of the dispute — what happened, when, and what was agreed
- The amount claimed — principal debt plus any interest and fees
- Supporting documents referenced — invoices, contracts, emails
- A payment deadline — typically 14 days for businesses, 30 days for individuals
- What happens if no response — court proceedings will be issued
How ClaimsPilot Generates Your LBA
Open a case
Enter the dispute details, defendant information, and claim amount.
AI drafts your letter
Claude generates a CPR-compliant Letter Before Action tailored to your specific dispute type — unpaid invoice, faulty goods, rent arrears, and more.
Review and edit
Read through the draft, make any adjustments, and download it as a PDF.
Send and track
Send by recorded post. ClaimsPilot starts your 14-day response countdown automatically.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, in most cases. The Pre-Action Protocol requires you to give the other party a reasonable opportunity to respond before issuing a claim. Skipping this step can result in cost penalties.
14 days is the standard for business-to-business disputes. For individuals or complex disputes, 30 days is more appropriate. Courts consider whether you allowed reasonable time.
If the deadline passes with no response or payment, you can file your court claim immediately. The LBA is your evidence that you followed the Pre-Action Protocol.
Yes. ClaimsPilot generates Letters Before Action for unpaid invoices, faulty goods, services not provided, rent arrears, builder disputes, tenancy deposit disputes, and more.
Generate your Letter Before Action now
Free to start. ClaimsPilot drafts a CPR-compliant LBA for your dispute in under 2 minutes.
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