Advice on filing a CCJ against a client

[daffodill77]

Hi there,

 

I work as a self employed graphic designer and have done for 5 years now.

 

I did some website designer for a website developer and this was completed to his brief 2 months ago. When I sent him the files (screen visuals) to look at he acknowledged receipt of them and also acknowledged that he was really pleased with the work and that all his fellow band members (it was a website for a band he's in) also liked the website design and that he would get back to me over the next couple of days with a "few amends".

 

I waited and waited and then 2 weeks later chased him on the amends. He apologised he was taking so long and would get back to me over the next couple of days. He never did. So i chased a week later etc etc and this has now gone on for nearly 3 months. I then invoiced 2 weeks ago and emailed him and said that he's left me with no choice but to invoice for the entire job as the work was completed to spec. He promised to make payment within a few days and, of course, he didn't.

 

My invoices always have a 2 week payment term on them. When this was reached I chased him again and told him he leaves me no option to take further action to recover the debt. He replied saying that I can't invoice him for work that is incomplete upon which i pointed out that it is only incomplete due to him not returning to me with the"simple amends" and that it is his actions (or lack of actions) that is obstructing the job completion.

 

Even though this is only for a few hundred pounds, to me, it is the principle of it all. As a self employed person some companies try to pull the wool over your eyes and try, at times, to skip payment. On principle I'm willing to drag him through the courts. I'm a stubborn arse.

 

My question is really to ask for your advice. We had no contract, but there must be a level of fairness that comes into play in the courts. All the work, briefing, and quotes and communication is by email so I have that as evidence against him. Even the emails that acknowledge he's happy with the work done and also the email that acknowledges he owes money and has made promise to pay it (even though he didn't). Do you feel that nearly 3 months of waiting on him and chasing him is fair to say "enough is enough" and file a CCJ with him? (I try to justify it by saying to myself that if it was a decorator that was hired and painted a full house and has so far waited 3 months for the homeowner's feedback and payment, they would surely have sued by now!).

 

I do feel this guy has no intention to pay or just play games.

 

Many thanks!

Katy