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Client in Belgium not paying - where can I sue?
Thread poster: LegalTrans D
Déesse
Déesse
Local time: 10:59
French to Dutch
+ ...
Couldn't agree more with Williamson Mar 31, 2010

Being myself an interpreter and translator in Belgium, I've had the same problem a couple of times already. I suggest you call upon a lawyer to collect your money. Lawyers usually charge 15 % of the invoices they collect, but you can always negotiate. If you want to, I can recommend you a good lawyer, who has always helped me out very well. Just send me an e-mail: [email protected].
 
LegalTrans D
LegalTrans D  Identity Verified
Türkiye
Member (2003)
English to German
+ ...
TOPIC STARTER
Thank you... Mar 31, 2010

Thanks to everybody for all the good advice. I will certainly work my way through it and, if needs be, ask Sébastien for the contact details of his lawyer.

And--surpise, surprise! After more than one month of silence, the client just sent an e-mail this morning, promising to pay within the next few days and assuring me that his company was not insolvent. Appears that someone at the agency has been reading along. We'll see what happens; he's promised to pay once before but didn't.
 
Alp Berker
Alp Berker  Identity Verified
United States
Local time: 04:59
Turkish to English
+ ...
In memoriam
We should probably repost this as a separate thread Mar 31, 2010

Hi Erik,
I think it might be better to repost what we have for our Spanish outsourcer in a separate thread. I'll see about starting a thread for it.
thanks,
Alp


NetLynx wrote:

Hello Alp,

I strongly suspect that I know the company - by the same reason as you.

And hi to all bright and trustworthy translators,

As Denmark is only partly a member state of the EU, and is not in the particular case of Small Claims Procedure, I would like to know whether I (and Alp and Volkmar) can use the Procecedure within "member states" = EU except DK.

Specifically, does anyone know if I am excluded from using the Procedure in other EU member states?


Best regards - and Happy Easter

Erik
 
Piotr Nikitin
Piotr Nikitin  Identity Verified
Serbia
Local time: 10:59
Russian to English
+ ...
Factor/sell the debt Apr 18, 2010

I think Williamson proposed the most practical solution.

If you try to sue someone in Belgium, you might soon find that it is not worth it in terms of nerves and lawyers' fees you will have to spend. In the end, it may be that the client is broke, or does not want to pay despite court order, in which case you will have to go through the whole procedure again to enforce the judgment.

You are the best off selling the debt to a collection agency at a discount and making i... See more
I think Williamson proposed the most practical solution.

If you try to sue someone in Belgium, you might soon find that it is not worth it in terms of nerves and lawyers' fees you will have to spend. In the end, it may be that the client is broke, or does not want to pay despite court order, in which case you will have to go through the whole procedure again to enforce the judgment.

You are the best off selling the debt to a collection agency at a discount and making it their problem. ▲ Collapse
 
Rubita Englo
Rubita Englo
Local time: 11:59
Arabic to English
Hi Apr 19, 2010

I had the same probem and I don't know how to chase after such people. It was a small amount of money so I just let it go. But, when it comes to real money, you have to make something
 
XXXphxxx (X)
XXXphxxx (X)  Identity Verified
United Kingdom
Local time: 09:59
Portuguese to English
+ ...
Cross-border small claims Apr 19, 2010

I am in this situation myself but with an agency in Denmark, which is the only country excluded from EU cross-border small claims. This link may be helpful to others though: http://europa.eu/legislation_summaries/consumers/protection_of_consumers/l16028_en.htm

There is a small claims procedure in Denmark but in Danish only, if anyone know... See more
I am in this situation myself but with an agency in Denmark, which is the only country excluded from EU cross-border small claims. This link may be helpful to others though: http://europa.eu/legislation_summaries/consumers/protection_of_consumers/l16028_en.htm

There is a small claims procedure in Denmark but in Danish only, if anyone knows of any other ways of pursuing a debt in Denmark then please do let me know! ▲ Collapse
 
FinnTrans
FinnTrans
United States
Local time: 04:59
Finnish to English
+ ...
Same problem with a Swiss agent Apr 24, 2010

I spend some 20 hours on a translation that the agent still has not paid for. Now they said that they will not pay! How do I sue them in Switzerland when I am in the US?
 
LegalTrans D
LegalTrans D  Identity Verified
Türkiye
Member (2003)
English to German
+ ...
TOPIC STARTER
Client paid Apr 25, 2010

Fortunately, my client paid this time as he had promised. I'm glad I didn't have to go through the motions of suing him etc.

But it was a wake-up call--you can only be sure a client will pay you the moment the money is in your account. Even clients you've been working with for years may trip up.

I wish everyone good luck with their receivables!
 
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Client in Belgium not paying - where can I sue?







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