IT or software contract unpaid?
For managed service providers, software and SaaS businesses, developers and IT consultancies selling to businesses.
How can an IT or software company recover unpaid fees or termination charges from a business customer?
Refer the contract dispute to Dispute Neutral. An independent lawyer decides on the contract, order forms and service records, with a binding decision within 10 business days of the matter being ready and a fixed fee.
Disputes we decide
Common reasons payment stops in your sector.
Early termination fees
A customer leaves a fixed-term contract and refuses the termination charges.
Subscription arrears
Licence or subscription fees left unpaid.
Project milestones
Payment withheld because the customer says a milestone was not met.
Service level disputes
Service credits or deductions claimed for alleged outages or poor support.
Why use Dispute Neutral
- Contracts, order forms, service levels and support tickets give a clear written record.
- Fixed fee from £650 + VAT.
- Private, which protects your reputation with other customers.
- Disputes needing detailed technical expert evidence are not suitable; most payment disputes do not.
Both businesses must agree to use Dispute Neutral, either through a clause in your terms or once the dispute has arisen. How to ask them.
- Example
- A managed IT provider is owed £27,000 in early termination charges. The Dispute Neutral fee is £1,500 + VAT, fixed.
- Amount in dispute
- £27,000
- Dispute Neutral fee
- £1,500 + VATfixed; can be split 50:50
- Decision
- 10 business daysfrom when both sides’ documents are in
Settle future disputes before they start
Add our clause to your master services agreement, order forms or online business terms.
Questions
How much does it cost?
One fixed fee set by the amount in dispute: £650 + VAT up to £4,000, £900 up to £10,000, £1,200 up to £25,000 and £1,500 up to £150,000. For example, a £27,000 dispute costs £1,500 + VAT. The fee can be split 50:50.
Does the other business have to agree?
Yes. Both businesses must agree, either through a Dispute Neutral clause in your terms or once the dispute has arisen. We provide a ready-made invitation you can send, and free clauses you can add to your terms so future disputes come to us automatically.
Is the decision binding?
Yes. Both businesses sign an agreement to accept the decision before the case starts. It is final and binding except for fraud or manifest error. If it is not followed, it can be enforced; depending on the matter, by applying straight for summary judgment or serving a statutory demand.
How long does it take?
The decision is issued within 10 business days of the matter being ready, meaning both businesses have signed and uploaded their documents. There is no hearing.
Useful guides
- Add Dispute Neutral to your contractsFree clauses for your business terms, so any dispute comes straight to an independent decision.Clauses
- Statutory interest and compensation on unpaid invoicesWhat you can add to an overdue invoice automatically, with no court order.Article
- Recover unpaid invoices without going to courtA plain-English comparison of the alternatives to court for business debts.Article
Get a binding decision in 10 business days
Fixed fees from £650 + VAT. Both businesses agree, send their documents, and an independent lawyer decides.
Prevent the next one: add our free clause to your terms of business.