What to do when someone owes you money and refuses to pay in South Africa?

Asked by: Miss Justina Dietrich  |  Last update: January 7, 2026
Score: 4.5/5 (46 votes)

Legal Options for Recovering Unpaid Invoices In South Africa, one of the most effective legal tools available is a Letter of Demand. This formal document serves as a precursor to legal action and acts as a final warning to the debtor before initiating a lawsuit.

What to do if someone doesn't want to pay you back in South Africa?

Contact the person with whom you have a dispute in person, in writing or telephonically and ask them to settle your claim. If the person owing your money has not paid the claim in 14 days, go to the small claims court with: a copy of the letter of demand.

Can I sue someone who owes me money in South Africa?

You are entitled to sue the person for the return of the money. You can demand them to repay it to you. If they do not, then you are entitled to go to the small claims court or the magistrate court and sue them from that court.

How do I get money back from someone who refuses to pay?

Take legal action: If the individual refuses to pay or respond to your demands, you may need to take legal action. You can consult a lawyer and file a lawsuit in a small claims court, or consider alternative dispute resolution methods such as mediation or arbitration.

What is the minimum amount for small claims court in South Africa?

It is a court that allows a person (“plaintiff”) to institute a claim of R20 000 or less. No legal representation by an attorney or advocate is allowed in the SCC. If a plaintiff's claim exceeds R20 000, part of the claim may be abandoned.

When and how to approach the small claims court when owed money/South African YouTuber.

21 related questions found

How to collect money from someone who owes you?

Explore these tips:
  1. Use a Promissory Note.
  2. Be respectful and polite.
  3. Put your requests for payment in writing.
  4. Think about a Debt Settlement Agreement.
  5. Call in the big guns.

How to enforce a court order in South Africa?

The execution of judgments is the process of enforcing a court order in South Africa. This means that the party who has obtained the court order can take steps to ensure that the other party complies with its terms, such as paying a debt, returning property or fulfilling an obligation.

Is it illegal to not pay someone back money?

Yes, you can sue someone who owes you money. When someone keeps "forgetting" to pay you or flat out refuses to pay up, the situation can quickly become frustrating. You can take the issue to small claims court and pursue legal action if it falls between the minimum and maximum money thresholds under court rules.

Can you go to the police if someone owes you money?

Can I call the police if someone owes me money? You can, but they won't do anything about it. Debt collection is a civil matter. You'd need to sue in small claims court.

When you lend someone money and they don't pay back?

It is legal to lend money, and when you do, the debt becomes the borrower's legal obligation to repay. For smaller loans, you can take legal action against your borrower if they do not pay by taking them to small claims court. This may seem harsh, but it's important to understand up front.

What to do when someone owes you money and ignores you?

  1. Send a Demand Letter.
  2. Can You Go to The Police If Someone Owes You Money?
  3. Using Empathy As a Way of Getting Paid Back.
  4. Ask For Repayment Directly.
  5. Offer a Payment Plan.
  6. Brainstorm Together Other Creative Ways to Get Paid Back.
  7. Think About Going to Mediation.
  8. When All Else Fails, Consider Going to Small Claims Court.

Can you go to jail for owing someone money?

It's possible to serve jail time if you've failed to pay your federal taxes or make child support payments. You can't go to jail merely for owing credit card, student loan, personal loan or other types of debt, which we'll explain below.

What happens if you sue someone and they can't pay?

The California statute of limitations for filing a judgment is ten years. If the debtor cannot pay or complete payment within this time, you must renew the judgment. The judgment must continue to be renewed to ensure the debtor pays the full amount.

How do you deal with someone who never pays you back?

You can say you don't have it, or a simple no will suffice. If she pushes you and wants to know why, tell her the truth -- she never pays you back, and you can no longer be her bank.

What to do if someone has your belongings and won't give them back?

Generally, to obtain a replevin order, you will need to provide evidence that you are the rightful owner of the property and that the other person has no legal right to possess it. If you are able to prove this, the judge will grant the order, and with that order, you can retrieve the property.

What to do if someone refuses to pay?

What to do if a customer doesn't pay
  1. Follow up immediately. ...
  2. Call them or schedule a meeting. ...
  3. Send a debt collection letter. ...
  4. Hire a collection agency. ...
  5. Consider letting it go. ...
  6. Research your new prospects. ...
  7. Be clear with your payment policies. ...
  8. Send invoices immediately and schedule reminders.

Is it worth suing someone with no money?

Essentially, you might think suing someone with no money is futile, but that's not the case. The law protects your rights and allows you to seek compensation if someone causes you harm or loss, regardless of their financial status.

What to do when someone owes you money and refuses to pay in Singapore?

If things don't work out even after serving the Letter of Demand, one is advised to file a suit. A creditor can commence civil proceedings against the debtor for recovery of debt. This approach is financially viable when the owed amount is substantial and the debtor possesses the means to repay but refuses to do so.

What happens if you win in small claims court and they don't pay in the UK?

If the defendant won't pay

You can ask the judge to make the defendant pay. This is called 'enforcing the court order'. You'll have to pay another fee to do this, but if you're on a low income, you might get this reduced or not have to pay at all. Check if you can get help with court fees.

What to do when someone refuses to pay back your money?

Send a Demand Letter

A demand letter often signals to the debtor that you are serious about pursuing the matter legally. "Discover your rights and legal steps for recovering unpaid debts. Explore further in our detailed blog: Money Not Returned Take charge of your financial situation now!"

Is it theft if someone doesn't pay you back?

Legally speaking, in order to be found guilty of theft, you must have had the specific intention to never return what you borrowed to the owner when you initially borrowed the item in question.

How often do debt collectors take you to court?

More frequently than most consumers probably realize. While precise statistics are difficult to come by, legal experts estimate that several million debt collection lawsuits get filed across the United States every single year.

What happens if a defendant does not pay a judgment in South Africa?

If the judgment debtor doesn't pay and you want to enforce, the Magistrate's Court procedure will apply. The clerk may issue a warrant and the sheriff of the court may execute. Consult your attorney on enforcing the judgment in the Magistrate's Court.

How long does it take to get a court order in South Africa?

Court orders will usually be received in person on the day of the judgement in court. In some cases the court may require more time and you will be advised to return to collect the judgement and the court order at a later date.

How much does it cost to get a court order in Nigeria?

Thus getting a court order would take time and cost money. Please note that the minimum cost of obtaining a court order is 50,000.00 (Fifty Thousand Naira) for sums 100,000.00 and below. From 101,000.00 - 500,000.00 cost is 50,000.00 minus any court costs and logistics.