The demand letter that works
State the exact amount, itemize the invoices, attach them, reference the agreement or purchase order, set a specific deadline, and describe the next step plainly. Avoid threats you will not carry out. A demand that reads like the first page of a complaint gets paid far more often than one that reads like a reminder.
Pick the forum by the number
Small balances belong in the Commercial Claims part. Mid-range receivables belong in Civil Court where the case can be resolved in months. Large or complex claims — especially those bundled with fraud, guarantee enforcement or injunctive needs — belong in Supreme Court. Spending Supreme Court money to collect a Civil Court balance destroys the economics of the claim.
Proving the account
Account stated is powerful: invoices sent in the ordinary course, received and retained without timely objection, plus a running balance. Pair it with breach of contract. Bring the signed agreement or accepted proposal, delivery or completion records, the invoices, the ledger, and the communications where the customer acknowledged the balance or promised payment.
Collect, then fix the front end
Plan enforcement from day one: know the customer's bank, their other business locations, and whether a principal signed a personal guarantee. Then close the gap that created the loss — written terms, deposits, progress billing, late-fee and fee-shifting clauses, and a guarantee for new accounts. The cheapest collection case is the one the contract prevents.