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Free Statutory Demand Template
A UK statutory demand is a formal written demand for payment of a debt under English insolvency law, served as a precursor to bankruptcy (for individuals) or winding-up (for companies) proceedings. If the debtor fails to pay or reach an agreement within 21 days, the British creditor may petition for insolvency.
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Harris and Co Solicitors LLP
5 Lincoln's Inn Fields, London WC2A 3BP
020 7242 0000 · sd@harrisco.co.uk
Ref: REF/SD/2026/AT-001
12 April 2026
John Robert Mitchell
14 Maple Road, Bristol BS1 5QT
RE: STATUTORY DEMAND — £13,062.50
Form SD1 (Individual) · 21 days to comply
TO: John Robert Mitchell
This document is a Statutory Demand served pursuant to section 268(1)(a) of the Insolvency Act 1986 and Part 10 of the Insolvency (England and Wales) Rules 2016. The prescribed form is Form SD1 (Individual).
IMPORTANT — READ THIS DEMAND CAREFULLY. If you do not pay, secure or compound the amount claimed, or apply to the court to set aside this demand, within 21 days of the date on which this demand is served on you, the Creditor may present a bankruptcy petition against you under section 267 of the Insolvency Act 1986. You are strongly advised to take independent legal advice immediately.
This document is a Statutory Demand served pursuant to section 268(1)(a) of the Insolvency Act 1986 and Part 10 of the Insolvency (England and Wales) Rules 2016. The prescribed form is Form SD1 (Individual).
IMPORTANT — READ THIS DEMAND CAREFULLY. If you do not pay, secure or compound the amount claimed, or apply to the court to set aside this demand, within 21 days of the date on which this demand is served on you, the Creditor may present a bankruptcy petition against you under section 267 of the Insolvency Act 1986. You are strongly advised to take independent legal advice immediately.
1.
PARTICULARS OF DEBT
The Creditor claims that you are indebted to the Creditor in the following sums:
(a) Principal debt: £12,500.00 — arising on or about 31 March 2026.
(b) Interest: £412.50 — accrued at the contractual rate.
(c) Costs: £150.00 — costs of preparing and serving this demand, recoverable as a liquidated sum or pursuant to the order of a court.
Total amount claimed: £13,062.50.
Basis of the debt. unpaid invoices for goods supplied between January and March 2026, being invoices INV-2026-001, INV-2026-002, INV-2026-003, INV-2026-004 and INV-2026-005, all payable on 30-day terms and now overdue.
Contract particulars: supply agreement dated 1 December 2025 between Atlas Trading Ltd and John Robert Mitchell (trading as Mitchell Retail).
The Creditor confirms that the total amount claimed is a liquidated sum which is unpaid and presently due, and that the aggregate sum equals or exceeds the statutory threshold of £5,000 required by section 268(1)(a) of the Insolvency Act 1986.
(a) Principal debt: £12,500.00 — arising on or about 31 March 2026.
(b) Interest: £412.50 — accrued at the contractual rate.
(c) Costs: £150.00 — costs of preparing and serving this demand, recoverable as a liquidated sum or pursuant to the order of a court.
Total amount claimed: £13,062.50.
Basis of the debt. unpaid invoices for goods supplied between January and March 2026, being invoices INV-2026-001, INV-2026-002, INV-2026-003, INV-2026-004 and INV-2026-005, all payable on 30-day terms and now overdue.
Contract particulars: supply agreement dated 1 December 2025 between Atlas Trading Ltd and John Robert Mitchell (trading as Mitchell Retail).
The Creditor confirms that the total amount claimed is a liquidated sum which is unpaid and presently due, and that the aggregate sum equals or exceeds the statutory threshold of £5,000 required by section 268(1)(a) of the Insolvency Act 1986.
2.
HOW TO COMPLY WITH THIS DEMAND
You may comply with this demand by, within 21 days of service:
(a) paying the total amount of £13,062.50 in full to the Creditor;
(b) securing or compounding the debt to the reasonable satisfaction of the Creditor (for example, by offering acceptable security or entering into a binding payment arrangement); or
(c) applying to the court under rule 10.5 of the Insolvency (England and Wales) Rules 2016 to set aside this demand. The application must be made within 18 days after service of the demand (on Form IAA) supported by a witness statement.
Contact for payment, security or any query: Harris and Co Solicitors LLP, 5 Lincoln's Inn Fields, London WC2A 3BP (Ref: REF/SD/2026/AT-001).
(a) paying the total amount of £13,062.50 in full to the Creditor;
(b) securing or compounding the debt to the reasonable satisfaction of the Creditor (for example, by offering acceptable security or entering into a binding payment arrangement); or
(c) applying to the court under rule 10.5 of the Insolvency (England and Wales) Rules 2016 to set aside this demand. The application must be made within 18 days after service of the demand (on Form IAA) supported by a witness statement.
Contact for payment, security or any query: Harris and Co Solicitors LLP, 5 Lincoln's Inn Fields, London WC2A 3BP (Ref: REF/SD/2026/AT-001).
3.
GROUNDS TO APPLY TO SET ASIDE (INDIVIDUAL)
Under rule 10.5(5) of the Insolvency (England and Wales) Rules 2016, the court may grant an application to set aside a statutory demand if satisfied that: (a) the debtor appears to have a counterclaim, set-off or cross-demand which equals or exceeds the amount of the debt; (b) the debt is disputed on grounds which appear to the court to be substantial; (c) it appears that the creditor holds some security in respect of the debt and either Rule 10.1(9) has not been complied with or the court is satisfied that the value of the security equals or exceeds the full amount of the debt; or (d) the court is satisfied, on other grounds, that the demand ought to be set aside. Applications are made on Form IAA to the relevant County Court hearing centre within 18 days after service, supported by a witness statement.
4.
CONSEQUENCES OF NON-COMPLIANCE
If this demand is not complied with within 21 days, the Creditor may present a bankruptcy petition against you under sections 267 and 268 of the Insolvency Act 1986. A bankruptcy order may result in the automatic vesting of your property (including your home in certain circumstances) in a trustee in bankruptcy, significant restrictions on your financial activities, disqualification from certain offices, and serious damage to your credit standing. You are strongly advised to seek independent legal advice without delay. Free advice is available from Citizens Advice, StepChange, National Debtline and similar organisations.
5.
SERVICE OF THIS DEMAND
This demand must be served on the debtor personally wherever reasonably practicable. Where personal service is not reasonably practicable, service may be effected by such other means as may be directed by the court or as permitted by rule 10.2 of the Insolvency (England and Wales) Rules 2016. The Creditor shall retain evidence of service (by certificate of service on Form IAA-S or equivalent).
SERVED BY,
Sarah Elizabeth Harris
Partner, Harris and Co Solicitors LLP — Date of Demand: 12 April 2026
Date: ____________________
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What Is a Statutory Demand?
A statutory demand is a formal notice requiring a debtor to pay a sum owed, or to secure or compound the debt, within 21 days. In England and Wales, it is a critical step in the insolvency process — it establishes the debtor's inability to pay and can lead to bankruptcy or winding-up proceedings.
For debts owed by individuals, a statutory demand is served under the Insolvency Act 1986 (sections 267–268) using prescribed Form 6.1, 6.2, or 6.3. For debts owed by companies, the demand is served under section 123(1)(a) of the same Act. The minimum debt threshold for a statutory demand against an individual is currently £5,000, and for a company it is £750.
A UK statutory demand is not a court document — it does not require a court order or fee to issue under British law. However, it carries serious consequences. If the debtor does not comply, the creditor can present a bankruptcy petition (individuals) or winding-up petition (companies) in England and Wales, which can result in the debtor being declared bankrupt or the company being wound up.
What's Covered in This Template
Our statutory demand template follows the prescribed forms under the Insolvency Rules 2016:
Creditor Details
Full name and address of the creditor serving the demand.
Debtor Details
Full name and address of the individual or company the demand is served on.
Debt Amount
The specific sum claimed as owing, with a breakdown if applicable.
Basis of Debt
How the debt arose — unpaid invoice, loan, judgment, etc.
Interest
Any interest claimed and how it has been calculated.
Demand for Payment
The formal demand that the debtor pay, secure, or compound the debt within 21 days.
Consequences Warning
A statement that failure to comply may result in bankruptcy or winding-up proceedings.
Supporting Documents
References to invoices, contracts, or judgments supporting the debt.
Date of Service
When the statutory demand is served on the debtor.
Creditor Signature
Signature of the creditor or their authorised representative.
How to Create a Statutory Demand
Follow these steps to issue a valid statutory demand:
- 1
Confirm the Debt
Ensure the debt is undisputed, due and payable, and above the minimum threshold (£5,000 for individuals, £750 for companies). The debt must not be subject to a genuine dispute.
- 2
Use the Correct Form
Use the prescribed form from the Insolvency Rules 2016. The form differs depending on whether the debt is a judgment debt, a liquidated sum, or an unliquidated amount.
- 3
Complete All Required Fields
Fill in the creditor and debtor details, the exact amount owed, how the debt arose, and any interest claimed. Attach supporting documentation.
- 4
Serve the Demand
Serve the statutory demand on the debtor personally (for individuals) or at the company's registered office (for companies). Keep proof of service.
- 5
Wait 21 Days
The debtor has 21 days to pay the debt, reach an agreement, or apply to the court to set the demand aside. If none of these happen, you can proceed with insolvency proceedings.
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Legal Considerations
Statutory demands in England and Wales are governed by the Insolvency Act 1986 and the Insolvency Rules 2016.
This template is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Consult a qualified solicitor for advice specific to your situation.
Reviewed for England & Wales law
Minimum Debt Thresholds
A UK statutory demand against an individual requires a debt of at least £5,000 (increased from £750 in 2024 by the British government). For companies in England and Wales, the threshold is £750. The debt must be a liquidated sum (a specific, ascertainable amount) that is due and payable under English law.
Disputed Debts
A UK statutory demand should not be used for debts that are genuinely disputed. If the debtor has a substantial defence to the claim, they can apply to the British court to set the demand aside within 18 days of service. Serving a statutory demand for a disputed debt in England and Wales can be considered an abuse of process.
Setting Aside
An individual debtor can apply to set aside a UK statutory demand within 18 days of service under rule 10.4 of the Insolvency Rules 2016 in England and Wales. Grounds include that the debt is disputed on substantial grounds, the British debtor has a counterclaim or set-off, or the court is satisfied the demand should be set aside.
Consequences of Non-Compliance
If the debtor fails to pay, secure, or compound the debt within 21 days, the UK creditor can present a bankruptcy petition (for individuals) or a winding-up petition (for companies) under the British Insolvency Act 1986. This is a serious step that can result in the debtor losing control of their assets or the British company being liquidated.
Frequently Asked Questions
Issue a Formal Statutory Demand
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