A Letter Before Claim is a mandatory first step before issuing most civil court claims in England & Wales. The Pre-Action Protocol for Debt Claims requires creditors to send an LBC and wait 30 days for a response before starting proceedings.

• Must be sent before issuing county court proceedings
• 30-day response period required for consumer debts
• Failure to send may result in cost penalties even if you win
• Must include a reply form and statement of account (debt claims)
• Sets out the claim, amount owed, and proposed resolution

Legal reference: Civil Procedure Rules Pre-Action Protocols; Practice Direction — Pre-Action Conduct