Birketts LLP has one of the region’s largest debt recovery practices, which has a rapidly growing client base across the region and beyond. It counts among its clients local and national private companies, professional partnerships, and major PLCs across various industries, notably the utilities, logistics, food and beverages and agricultural sectors. Head of commercial litigation Josh Ripman in Ipswich is the contact partner for the team, which is ‘a cut above the rest‘. Norwich-based Adam Blenkinsop also provides in-depth knowledge of contentious private client matters. Their work includes issuing claims against foreign debtors.

Howes Percival LLP has the region’s largest debt recovery team and frequently handles high-value and complex matters, not least through its position on the Crown Commercial Services Panel, which generates significant work for The Insolvency Service. Insolvency partner Morris Peacock and contentious debt recovery specialist Gordon Simpson in Norwich, and Cambridge-based litigator Michael Green are the lead partners. Simpson frequently handles the enforcement of hire agreements for car dealer Bussey & Sabberton Bros. Ltd. William Shirley in Norwich is the client partner for the work carried out on behalf of the Official Receivers across England and Wales.

Norwich firm Fosters handles debt collection as part of its litigation and insolvency work, which encompasses recovery in the pre-action phase, issuing claims, claim management to trial, and the enforcement of judgments. Litigation partner and practice head Chris Fielding is frequently instructed to represent clients in the County Court and High Court. Associate Charlotte Darkins, from the commercial practice group, assists with advice to claimants, and the arrival of insolvency specialist Simon Loome from an in-house role boosts the debt collection element of the litigation group's enforcement work.

Hunt & Coombs LLP in Peterborough joins the ranking this year having expanded its litigation group and grown its debt collection work. Practice head Helen Townsend has extensive experience in debt recovery and enforcement. The ‘friendly, professional and efficient‘ team handles debts arising from contractual disputes, insolvencies and the enforcement of court judgments, which recently included obtaining of a creditor’s grant of probate in relation to a debt owed by a deceased debtor. Senior associates Norman Hunter-Goulder and Rebecca Beynon-Phillips are also heavily involved in the practice.

In the Norwich office of Mills & Reeve LLP, legal executive and debt collection specialist Lynne Lawn, is highly regarded by peers and clients alike. Clients note that the ‘professional but friendly‘ Lawn ‘is always quick to respond, happy to help and gets a resolution from even the trickiest of customers‘. The firm’s fixed-fee collection service is popular with corporate clients in the region, and the practice is also highly experienced in the drafting and issuing of court proceedings.

The Alconbury and Peterborough offices of Roythornes Solicitors now play a significant role in the firm's debt recovery work, which provides a fixed-fee service for much of its work, though it also handles high-value claims for companies across the region. Associate and debt recovery manager Catherine Rickett, who works in both Spalding and Peterborough, 'always puts her client's interest first, going the extra mile to ensure that the right outcome is reached'. She leads the team alongside head of commercial litigation Alex Forster, who works in both the Spalding and Alconbury offices.