Statutory Demand — Guided Letter and Checklist — 2026 template

Before you use this document: a statutory demand is a formal step that can lead to bankruptcy or winding up. The government publishes official forms for statutory demands (individual — debt payable immediately, debt payable in future, or debt under a judgment; and company); using the official form is strongly recommended, and this guided text follows the content required by the Insolvency (England and Wales) Rules 2016. Do not use a statutory demand for a genuinely disputed debt, and normally not for a debt more than six years old. Send a letter before action first.

1. Heading (choose one)

• [Individual] Statutory demand under section 268(1) (debt payable immediately) of the Insolvency Act 1986 / Statutory demand under section 268(2) (debt not immediately payable) of the Insolvency Act 1986.
• [Company] Statutory demand under section 123(1)(a) of the Insolvency Act 1986.

2. Debtor and Creditor

Debtor: [Debtor full name or company name, company number, registered office or address].

Creditor: [Creditor name and address].

3. The Debt

Amount of the debt: £[Debt amount], being (The consideration for the debt, or how it arose, e.g. unpaid invoices nos. [Numbers] for services supplied between [Dates]).

(If based on a judgment or order: the debt is due under the judgment/order of [Court] dated [Date], claim number [Claim number].)

(If interest or other charges are claimed: interest of £[Interest amount] at [Rate] under [Contract clause / statute] accrued to the date of this demand, shown separately.)