What is a letter before action?

A final written warning, sent before starting a claim, that sets out what you want, why you are entitled to it and the deadline before you issue proceedings. Courts expect you to send one.

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Free final complaint letter template — company not responding

When emails and calls go nowhere, a dated final notice that names your next step is what changes behaviour. This is written as a letter before action.

Who this letter is for

A firm final-notice letter for a company that is ignoring you. It is written in the formal register companies, landlords and card issuers expect, and it records the facts, the remedy sought and the deadline in a way that supports any later escalation to an ombudsman or the courts.

How to use this template

1List every previous contact with dates, reference numbers and channels used.
2Download the template and summarise the history in a short numbered chronology.
3State precisely what you require and by what date.
4Name the ombudsman or court route you will use if the deadline passes.
5Send by email and recorded delivery, and keep the proof.

What to include before you send it

List the dates you contacted them — silence looks much worse in evidence.
State the exact sum claimed and the deadline.
Say precisely where you will escalate: ombudsman, regulator, small claims.

The rights you are relying on

Small claims / county court procedure (UK), state small-claims courts (US), and state tribunals such as VCAT or NCAT (AU), plus the relevant industry ombudsman.

The letter template

[Your name]
[Your address]
[Email address] · [Phone number]
[Date]

[Company name]
[Company address]

Re: Letter before action — [brief description], reference [REF]

Dear Sir or Madam,

I have contacted you on the following dates about this matter and have received no adequate response:

- [DATE] — [email / phone / web form]
- [DATE] — [email / phone / web form]
- [DATE] — [email / phone / web form]

The issue is: [two or three plain sentences setting out what went wrong and when].

I am claiming [AMOUNT], made up of [breakdown: refund, expenses, loss].

This letter is a formal letter before action. Please respond in writing within 14 days of the date of this letter, either paying [AMOUNT] to [bank details] or setting out your position in full.

If I do not receive a satisfactory response by [DATE], I will without further notice:

1. Refer the complaint to [the relevant ombudsman or regulator];
2. Issue a claim in the small claims court for [AMOUNT] plus interest, court fees and costs;
3. Publish a factual account of my experience in a review.

I would prefer to resolve this without escalation.

Yours faithfully,

[Your name]

Enclosures: correspondence log, receipts, supporting evidence.

Frequently asked questions

What is a letter before action?: A final written warning, sent before starting a claim, that sets out what you want, why you are entitled to it and the deadline before you issue proceedings. Courts expect you to send one.

Have it drafted around your case

Keep the free template, or for £0.59 our drafting desk prepares it with your names, dates, sums and evidence — with an email version, a follow-up notice and a step-by-step plan.

Commission my letter — £0.59

Or read more about our personalised final notice letter.

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