Debt Recovery Lawyers Sydney

Whether you are chasing an unpaid invoice, a defaulting client, or a contractual debt, CMI Legal’s experienced debt recovery lawyers in Sydney take swift and strategic action to recover what you are owed. We assist businesses and individuals across NSW with the full debt recovery process, from issuing a letter of demand to court enforcement.

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Our Comprehensive Debt Recovery Services in Sydney

Businesses across Sydney regularly deal with unpaid invoices, overdue accounts, and clients who fail to meet their contractual payment obligations. Our debt recovery lawyers assist companies and individuals in recovering outstanding debts through structured legal action. From issuing formal letters of demand to commencing court proceedings and enforcing judgments, we help clients take practical steps to recover what they are owed while protecting their commercial interests.

Letter of Demand & Pre-Litigation Recovery

A formally drafted Letter of Demand from a law firm carries far more weight than a creditor’s own request. Demand letters are prepared and dispatched within 24–48 hours, clearly outlining the legal basis for the debt and the consequences of non-payment. Many commercial debts are resolved at this stage without the need for court proceedings.

Court Proceedings & Statement of Claim

When a debtor fails to respond to a Letter of Demand, a Statement of Claim is prepared and filed in the appropriate NSW court. This may be the Local Court for debts up to $100,000, the District Court for claims up to $750,000, or the Supreme Court for larger disputes. The process is managed through judgment.

Judgment Enforcement & Asset Recovery

Obtaining judgment is only part of the process. Enforcement is pursued through garnishee orders over bank accounts or wages, writs of execution over property, and examination of judgment debtors. The most effective enforcement mechanism is identified based on the debtor’s known financial position and acted upon without delay.

Statutory Demands & Winding Up Applications

Where the debtor is a company owing $4,000 or more, a statutory demand can be issued under section 459E of the Corporations Act 2001 (Cth). Failure to comply within 21 days creates a presumption of insolvency. This can support a winding-up application and often prompts payment from the debtor.

Negotiated Settlements & Payment Arrangements

Litigation is not always the fastest path to recovery. Experienced debt recovery lawyers negotiate lump-sum settlements or structured payment plans on a creditor’s behalf. Where agreement is reached, it is documented in a binding Deed of Settlement with clear consequences for non-compliance, protecting the creditor’s position throughout.

Business-to-Business (B2B) Debt Recovery

Creditors in commercial debt matters across a wide range of industries are represented in B2B recovery. This includes unpaid supplier invoices, outstanding professional fees, defaulting distributors, and failed joint venture payments. Recovery is approached firmly and effectively while preserving ongoing business relationships where that is the creditor’s preference.

Individual & Consumer Debt Recovery

Debts owed by individual borrowers may involve unpaid loans, rental obligations, and called-upon personal guarantees. Consumer debt recovery in NSW requires compliance with the National Credit Code and Australian Consumer Law. All recovery actions are conducted within these frameworks while pursuing the outstanding debt as efficiently as possible.

Cross-Border & Interstate Debt Recovery

Debts are not always between parties located in the same state. Interstate recovery advice is provided across all Australian jurisdictions. NSW judgments can generally be enforced in other states under the Service and Execution of Process Act 1992 (Cth). For international debts, available options are assessed, and overseas practitioners are engaged where required.

Debt Stress? Here’s How We Simplify Every Step

Transparent Fee Structure

We provide fixed-fee quotes for letters of demand and early-stage recovery work. There are no hidden costs. You will know exactly what your debt recovery legal services will cost before committing.

Direct Lawyer Access

Speak directly with a senior commercial lawyer whenever you need advice. You will not be passed to a junior or paralegal. This ensures strategic decisions and clear guidance at every stage of your matter.

Fast, Decisive Action

Unpaid debts become harder to recover over time. We act quickly. Letters of demand are dispatched within 24–48 hours, court documents are prepared, and enforcement is pursued.

Solving Your Debt Recovery Problems

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Our commercial lawyers offer consultations suited to your needs. This may be a quick call for general advice or a detailed discussion for complex debt recovery matters.

Address

Suite 904/10 Help St, Chatswood, NSW 2067, Australia

How Our Sydney Debt Recovery Lawyers Handle Your Matter

Consultation & Assessment

We discuss the debt, the debtor’s circumstances, and the most effective recovery strategy under NSW and Australian law. We confirm the legal basis for the claim and advise on realistic prospects before any action is taken.

Letter of Demand

We draft and dispatch a firm Letter of Demand on CMI Legal letterhead. The letter sets a clear payment deadline and outlines the legal consequences of non-payment, including court proceedings and potential cost recovery.

Negotiation & Settlement

Where appropriate, we negotiate payment plans or lump-sum settlements on your behalf. This can save time and litigation costs while recovering maximum value. All agreements are documented in a binding Deed of Settlement.

Negotiation & Settlement

Where appropriate, we negotiate payment plans or lump-sum settlements on your behalf. This can save time and litigation costs while recovering maximum value. All agreements are documented in a binding Deed of Settlement.

Judgment & Enforcement

Once judgment is entered, we pursue enforcement through garnishee orders over bank accounts or wages, writs of execution over property, or examination hearings. We select the mechanism that best suits the debtor’s circumstances.

Post-Recovery Support

We advise on improving contracts, payment terms, and credit management strategies. This helps protect your business from future unpaid debts and commercial disputes.

Why Choose CMI Legal for Your Debt Recovery Matter?

Proven Commercial Recovery Experience

Since 2014, we have assisted Sydney businesses in recovering debts ranging from smaller unpaid invoices to large commercial disputes across the NSW Local Court, District Court, and Supreme Court.

11+ Years of Commercial Law Expertise

Our commercial lawyers have extensive experience handling business debt recovery, enforcement proceedings, and statutory demands under the Corporations Act 2001 (Cth).

Experience with WA tribunals and courts

We dispatch professionally drafted Letters of Demand within 24–48 hours of instruction. This is critical when time matters, and there is a risk that assets may be dissipated.

Sydney-Based, NSW-Wide Service

Located in Chatswood, we assist clients across Greater Sydney, including the CBD, Parramatta, North Sydney, and Western Sydney, as well as throughout NSW and Australia.

Our Debt Recovery Lawyers Reviews

Client Testimonials and Reviews

Joe Shi profile picture
Joe Shi
10:53 10 Mar 26
Tina Tang is doing excellent service job as a profesional lawer and provide valued information about property purchase issue.Thank you so much,we are appreciated to your skilled help and hope to cooperate with your esteemed company,current residential living apartment 506/2-4 Culworth Ave Killara should be put in market,we hope Tina Tang will provide support as well.thank you so much.
Joe Shi
Sydney Translation profile picture
Sydney Translation
22:10 18 Feb 26
Ying Wan profile picture
Ying Wan
08:39 10 Feb 26
We had an excellent experience with CMI Legal during our property purchase. The team was highly professional, detail-oriented, and extremely knowledgeable throughout the entire process. They carefully reviewed all contracts, clearly explained potential risks, and provided practical advice at every stage, which gave us great peace of mind. Communication was prompt and clear, and they were always patient in answering our questions. Their efficiency and attention to detail made what could have been a stressful process smooth and well-managed. We would confidently recommend CMI Legal to anyone looking for reliable and trustworthy conveyancing and legal services, with special thanks to Tina for her professionalism, patience, and exceptional support throughout the process.
郭小姐 profile picture
郭小姐
23:49 27 Jan 26
Attorney Tina was professional and patient; I am very grateful for her legal assistance during my home sale process.
Solutions NovaBuild profile picture
Solutions NovaBuild
19:57 22 Jan 26
John and Tina are the best! I just had another settlement through them. Everything was so smooth and they are reminding you every step for the key points.
P W profile picture
P W
12:00 28 Nov 25
I recently used CMI and worked with Tina for my property settlement. Tina was extremely helpful, patient and very professional throughout the entire process. She explained everything clearly, kept me updated at every step and made the whole experience smooth and stress-free. I couldn’t have asked for a better lawyer. Highly recommend Tina and the CMI team!
Andy Hsieh profile picture
Andy Hsieh
00:31 27 Nov 25
I’ve been incredibly lucky to have Tina as my solicitor. She has been outstanding throughout the entire contract exchange and settlement process. She is always the first to respond, timely, and extremely efficient. Her attention to detail is exceptional, and she consistently makes sure everything is in the buyer’s best interest. Super attentive, helpful, and genuinely caring. I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend Tina to anyone looking for reliable and professional legal services.
David Lin profile picture
David Lin
11:41 23 Nov 25
Many thanks to Senior Lawyer Tina Tang for helping me handle the sale of my property in Sydney. She liaised with the real estate, banks and buyers broker and explained everything well and handled the sale meticulously.Her professional ability, experience and sense of responsibility are trustworthy. I recommend Tina and CMI for anyone looking for support in real estate sales.
David Lin
Denis Lebrun profile picture
Denis Lebrun
00:14 21 Nov 25
John Zhang has been absolutely great in helping me with my EOI and application for a skilled visa in Australia. On both calls I've had with John, I have had a multitude of questions for him which he answered in depth and gave me all the information I required. He really has a great amount of knowledge and I would highly recommend him and the CMI legal team for their efficiency and professionalism.
Jing LI profile picture
Jing LI
03:22 30 Sep 25
I was very fortunate to have Tina TANG from CMI as my conveyancing solicitor for the recent sale of my property. She demonstrated exceptional professionalism and dedication throughout the entire process — from preparing the contract, exchanging contracts, right through to settlement. What impressed me the most is that even after settlement, she continued to go above and beyond to assist me as the vendor, making sure everything was properly taken care of.

Her diligence, patience, and attention to detail gave me great peace of mind and took away a lot of the stress of selling a property. I would highly recommend her to anyone looking for a reliable, professional, and truly supportive conveyancing solicitor. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Sabrina Ng profile picture
Sabrina Ng
06:57 12 Aug 25
Outstanding service from start to finish. Tina Tang handled my unit's sales contract with exceptional professionalism. Communication was always clear and prompt, making the whole process smooth and stree free. I highly recommand Tina to anyone seeking a reliable and knowledgeable solicitor.
Max Swan profile picture
Max Swan
22:16 01 Jul 25
I’ve had an incredibly positive experience working with John & Winnie on my matter. From start to finish, they have been professional, knowledgeable, and genuinely supportive throughout what’s been a stressful time for me.

They explained every step of the process clearly, responded promptly to any questions I had, and made complicated situations feel a lot more manageable. I felt like I was in good hands the entire time, and their calm, confident approach really helped me stay grounded.

Highly recommend CMI services to anyone needing immigration or legal assistance — couldn’t be more grateful.

Thanks again!
danny profile picture
danny
11:57 26 Jun 25
As an old customer of CMI, this year is already the 8th year. Special thanks to attorney John and attorney Tina for carefully answering our various questions, providing a lot of professional advice and help, allowing us to easily complete each transaction.
Vivien Lu profile picture
Vivien Lu
01:39 23 May 25
Tina was a great lawyer - she was always incredibly knowledgeable, answered all questions promptly, and very friendly. Would recommend Tina!
Zhiyi LI profile picture
Zhiyi LI
04:58 14 Mar 25
Jeremy Tong profile picture
Jeremy Tong
22:32 20 Sep 24
Tina was a great help in guiding us through our first home buying experience. She gave us a lot of great explanations and advice from initial discussion of the process through every step until successful settlement. Communication and resolution of issues was prompt and professional.
Yun Jung Hsieh profile picture
Yun Jung Hsieh
05:56 12 Aug 24
Tina is a fantastic lawyer. her responses to my queries were thorough and timely, and impeccable organizational skills! Truly appreciated her clear and consistent communcation througout the entire property-purchasing process. she handled everything with profressionalism and expertise, making what could have been a stressful experience much smoother. Highly recommend!
Jeena Jung profile picture
Jeena Jung
05:04 06 Aug 24
We had the pleasure of working with Tina as our solicitor for our first home purchase, and we couldn’t have been in better hands. She carefully explained every step of the process, guiding us through what initially felt overwhelming and unfamiliar. Buying off the plan made us particularly cautious, especially when it came to reviewing legal documents. Tina’s meticulous approach put us at ease—she ensured we both clearly understood each aspect, taking the time to highlight and reorganise information to make it more accessible. Her dedication and professionalism made the entire experience far less daunting, and we’re truly grateful for her support.
Keyu Jiang profile picture
Keyu Jiang
10:03 05 Aug 24
John and Tina have provided great professional legal service since 2017 for me.
Ian Pereira profile picture
Ian Pereira
09:18 04 Jul 24
I realised that I hadn’t left a review for my dealings with CMI legal. I had dealt with them a few months ago, but an epiphany made me come and leave a review.

5 stars is insufficient to express their work. We were working Dee and she is an amazing and thorough professional. She goes above and beyond and explains matters that makes you understand things really well. Thank you Dee for your amazing work.

FAQs About Debt Recovery Legal Services

A Letter of Demand is a formal written notice requiring a debtor to pay an outstanding debt by a specified date. Send one after standard payment reminders have failed. A demand from a law firm carries significantly more weight than a creditor's own communication and often resolves the debt without court proceedings.

CMI Legal provides fixed-fee pricing for letters of demand so you know the cost upfront. For court matters, we provide clear estimates before commencing proceedings. The cost should always be weighed against the amount owed and realistic prospects of recovery. We advise you on this in the initial consultation.

An undefended matter can result in a default judgment within four to eight weeks of filing. Pre-litigation recovery through a letter of demand is often resolved within two to four weeks. Defended matters can take several months to over a year, depending on complexity and the court's list.

We escalate to court proceedings by filing and serving a Statement of Claim. If the debtor does not file a defence within the required period, we apply for default judgment, a final court order enforceable immediately through garnishee orders or writs of execution.

Yes, in most cases the court awards a costs order against the losing party. However, recoverable costs are typically assessed at party-party rates, which recover approximately 50 to 70 per cent of actual legal costs. We advise you on the likely cost outcome before commencing proceedings.

A statutory demand is issued to a debtor company under section 459E of the Corporations Act 2001 (Cth) for debts of $4,000 or more. The company has 21 days to pay or apply to set the demand aside. Failure to comply creates a presumption of insolvency that can support a winding-up application.

Options include garnishee orders over bank accounts or wages, writs of execution over personal property, examination orders requiring the debtor to disclose assets, and charging orders over real property. We advise on which mechanism suits the debtor's circumstances and pursue it without delay.

We assess whether the claim is genuine or a delay tactic. Where a company is formally insolvent, we advise on creditor rights in administration or liquidation and assist with lodging proofs of debt. For individual debtors, we advise on bankruptcy notices and priority claims.

You are not legally required to use a lawyer, but a letter of demand from a law firm is taken far more seriously by debtors. A lawyer also ensures court documents are procedurally sound, advises on the most effective enforcement approach, and assesses whether pursuing the debt is commercially worthwhile.

Yes. For interstate matters, judgments obtained in NSW can generally be registered and enforced in other states under the Service and Execution of Process Act 1992 (Cth). For international recovery, we advise on available options and work with overseas practitioners where required.

Far far away, behind the word mountains, far from the countries Vokalia and Consonantia, there live the blind texts. Separated they live in Bookmarksgrove right at the coast

Meet Our Experienced Legal Team of Debt Recovery Lawyers