Freight charges unpaid? Damage claim disputed?
For hauliers, couriers, freight forwarders, pallet networks and warehousing businesses.
How can a haulier recover unpaid freight charges or a disputed damage deduction?
Refer the dispute to Dispute Neutral. Your conditions of carriage, booking confirmations and proof of delivery are the evidence, and an independent lawyer issues a binding decision within 10 business days of the matter being ready.
Disputes we decide
Common reasons payment stops in your sector.
Unpaid freight invoices
Charges left unpaid or disputed after delivery.
Waiting time and extras
Waiting time, failed collections and extra drops.
Damage and shortage claims
Customers deducting claims for damaged or missing goods.
Storage charges
Warehousing and storage fees that build up.
Why use Dispute Neutral
- Your conditions of carriage, booking confirmations and proof of delivery usually decide the case.
- Fixed fee from £650 + VAT, so smaller claims are worth resolving.
- A binding written decision within 10 business days of the matter being ready.
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.
Time limits
Conditions of carriage often set strict time limits for notifying and bringing claims. Check yours and act quickly.
- Example
- A haulier is owed £7,500 after a customer deducted a damage claim. The Dispute Neutral fee is £900 + VAT, fixed.
- Amount in dispute
- £7,500
- Dispute Neutral fee
- £900 + 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 conditions of carriage or storage 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 £7,500 dispute costs £900 + 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
- Recover unpaid trade invoicesFor trades and suppliers, including quality disputes and work with no written contract.Article
- Letter before action for unpaid invoicesWhat to include, how to send it and what to do if it is ignored.Guide
- Add Dispute Neutral to your contractsFree clauses for your business terms, so any dispute comes straight to an independent decision.Clauses
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.