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Lender Details›Shoosmiths LLP
Debt Collector

Shoosmiths LLP

Also known as: Shoosmiths; Swiitch (conveyancing brand)

Shoosmiths LLP is a large UK law firm with a significant debt recovery practice alongside its broader commercial legal services. Its debt recovery division acts on behalf of major lenders, financial institutions, and other creditors to recover unpaid debts through legal proceedings.

If you receive correspondence from Shoosmiths about a debt, the creditor has instructed a solicitors firm to pursue the matter legally. This is a serious stage of the debt collection process. Shoosmiths can issue County Court claims, apply for enforcement action, and pursue other legal remedies on behalf of their clients.

A letter before action from Shoosmiths should give you at least 30 days to respond before court action begins. Do not ignore this letter. Either dispute the debt in writing if you believe it is incorrect, or engage with the process. Agreeing an arrangement before court proceedings begin is usually better than waiting for a judgment.

If a court claim is issued, you must respond within the stated deadline or a judgment may be entered against you by default. Citizens Advice and National Debtline can help you respond to a court claim correctly.

Free debt advice is available from StepChange on 0800 138 1111, National Debtline on 0808 808 4000, or Citizens Advice. These services can help you deal with solicitor correspondence and court proceedings at no cost.

Quick summary

Company typeDebt Collector
Trading namesShoosmiths; Swiitch (conveyancing brand)
FCA Firm Ref (FRN)707461
FCA statusAuthorised and regulated by the FCA (FRN 707461)
Companies House no.OC374987
Company statusActive — Limited Liability Partnership, incorporated 4 May 2012
Parent companyIndependent LLP — no parent company
Official websitehttps://www.shoosmiths.com ↗
Date last checked2026-06-05

Always verify this information directly with the company, the FCA Register and Companies House before relying on it.

General guidance only. Information on this page is for general reference. Ask Fin does not provide regulated financial, debt, legal or tax advice. Fields marked “Not verified” have not been independently confirmed.

Free regulated debt advice — start here

If you are struggling with debt, arrears, or feel under pressure to pay, contact a free regulated debt advice service before taking any action. These services are confidential and free to use.

StepChange Debt Charity0800 138 1111National Debtline0808 808 4000Citizens Advice0800 144 8848MoneyHelper0800 138 7777

Why someone might search for Shoosmiths LLP

Received a letter, call or text
Asking for proof of debt
Who is the original creditor
Setting up a payment plan
Disputed debt
Statute-barred debt question
County court claim received
Doorstep visit concern
Getting free debt help

Before you contact Shoosmiths LLP

  • 1Check the company name and any trading names carefully.
  • 2Verify the company on the FCA Register at register.fca.org.uk before sharing personal or financial details.
  • 3Check the Companies House record if relevant.
  • 4Do not share payment card or bank details unless you are certain you are dealing with the real company.
  • 5Keep copies of all letters, emails, screenshots and payment records.
  • 6If you are unsure or under financial pressure, get free debt advice before taking action.
  • 7Ask the company to confirm the original creditor and the amount owed in writing.
  • 8Ask whether they own the debt or are collecting on behalf of someone else.
  • 9Do not make any payment if you dispute the debt without first taking free advice.

Questions worth asking

These are general questions that may be relevant to your situation. They are not personalised advice.

  • ?Who was the original creditor?
  • ?Do you own the debt or are you collecting on behalf of someone else?
  • ?Can you send a full statement of account in writing?
  • ?Can you send proof of the assignment or purchase of this debt?
  • ?Can you send a copy of the original credit agreement where applicable?
  • ?Is collection activity on hold while I seek advice?
  • ?What is your formal complaints process?

Contact details

Websitehttps://www.shoosmiths.com ↗
Phone+44 (0)3700 863 000
Emailpaymybill@shoosmiths.com
Registered address1 Bow Churchyard, London, EC4M 9DQ
Customer contact address1 Bow Churchyard, London, EC4M 9DQ (multiple UK offices including Northampton, Manchester, Birmingham, Edinburgh)

Always use contact details from Shoosmiths LLP’s official website ↗ or the FCA Register — not from unexpected letters or messages.

Regulatory and company information

FCA Firm Reference Number707461
FCA statusAuthorised and regulated by the FCA (FRN 707461). Also regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA No. 569065).
Companies House numberOC374987
Company statusActive — Limited Liability Partnership, incorporated 4 May 2012
Parent companyIndependent LLP — no parent company
Check FCA Register ↗Check Companies House ↗

Useful official links

↗FCA Register — verify any firm↗Companies House — company records↗Financial Ombudsman Service — complaints↗MoneyHelper — free money guidance↗StepChange — free debt advice↗National Debtline — free debt advice↗Citizens Advice — free advice

What they do

Main products and services

Debt recovery litigation; Consumer lending recoveries (secured and unsecured); Mortgage and shortfall recovery; Pre-legal collections; Debtor tracing and asset search; Commercial dispute resolution; Conveyancing

Trading names and group notes

Independent LLP. Shoosmiths (Northern Ireland) LLP is an appointed representative (FRN 785673). Consistently ranked by Legal 500 and Chambers for debt recovery.

Reviews and public sentiment

Review scores are third-party public indicators only. They are not proof of FCA compliance, product quality, or suitability for your circumstances.

Trustpilot

5 out of 5 (Swiitch / conveyancing domain shoosmiths.com on Trustpilot)

Approximately 4,537 reviews (Swiitch conveyancing brand) reviews

Other review sources

ReviewSolicitors: 1.9/5 based on 10 reviews (London office, debt-related). Legal 500 and Chambers UK ranked for debt recovery.

Overall public sentiment

Mixed. Conveyancing services receive very high ratings (5 stars Trustpilot). Debt recovery clients generally leave negative reviews citing aggressive practices and poor communication. Legal 500 and Chambers rankings remain strong.

Review sources

https://uk.trustpilot.com/review/shoosmiths.com ↗https://www.reviewsolicitors.co.uk/london/london/shoosmiths-llp ↗

Get free qualified debt advice first

Before making any payment decision or agreeing to a plan, speak to a free regulated debt adviser who can review your full situation.

StepChange — free debt advice ↗National Debtline ↗

Organise your budget before making any decisions

Before making any payment decisions about a debt, get free qualified debt advice from StepChange, National Debtline or Citizens Advice. Ask Fin can also help you understand your monthly income and outgoings more clearly — but is not a substitute for regulated debt advice. General guidance only.

Explore Ask Fin — £4.99/month

Related Ask Fin tools

My Monthly BudgetExplore →Financial Leak DetectorExplore →UK Benefits CheckerExplore →Money FinderExplore →

General guidance tools only. Not regulated advice.

Common questions about Shoosmiths LLP

Why has Shoosmiths LLP contacted me?+
Shoosmiths LLP may have contacted you about a debt that is owed to them or to a company they represent. Always check the company is FCA-registered at register.fca.org.uk before taking any action. If you are struggling with payments or under financial pressure, free regulated debt advice is available from StepChange (0800 138 1111), National Debtline (0808 808 4000) and Citizens Advice (0800 144 8848).
Does Shoosmiths LLP own the debt or collect it on behalf of someone else?+
Some companies own debts outright (debt purchasers) while others collect on behalf of the original creditor (debt collectors). You are entitled to ask Shoosmiths LLP to confirm this in writing, along with the name of the original creditor.
Can I ask Shoosmiths LLP for proof of the debt?+
You may ask Shoosmiths LLP to provide a written statement of account showing the amount owed, the original creditor, and any charges or interest added. It is generally advisable to seek free debt advice before making any payment on a debt you do not recognise.
Should I ignore letters or calls from Shoosmiths LLP?+
It is generally not advisable to ignore contact from a debt collection company. Ignoring the contact does not make the debt go away and may result in further action being taken. However, do seek free advice before responding or making any payment.
Can Shoosmiths LLP take me to court?+
If a debt is owed and unpaid, a creditor or debt purchaser may apply to court for a County Court Judgement (CCJ) in England, Wales or Northern Ireland. Getting free regulated debt advice early gives you more options. If you are struggling with payments or under financial pressure, free regulated debt advice is available from StepChange (0800 138 1111), National Debtline (0808 808 4000) and Citizens Advice (0800 144 8848).
Can Shoosmiths LLP visit my home?+
Debt collectors can visit your home but cannot enter without your permission and do not have the legal powers of a bailiff. If you are concerned about a doorstep visit, contact Citizens Advice or National Debtline for guidance before the visit.
Where can I get free debt help?+
If you are struggling with payments or under financial pressure, free regulated debt advice is available from StepChange (0800 138 1111), National Debtline (0808 808 4000) and Citizens Advice (0800 144 8848).

Answers are general guidance only. Rules and procedures may change. Always verify with the company or a qualified adviser.

Related guides and resources

GuideWhat to do if a debt collector contacts youRead →GuideDebt collector vs debt purchaser — what is the difference?Read →GuideHow to ask for proof of a debtRead →GuideHow to complain about a debt collectorRead →GuideFree debt help in the UKRead →GuideWhat is a debt collector?Read →GuideHow to deal with a debt collector letterRead →

Sources and date checks

Source URLs used in preparing this record

https://find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk/company/OC374987 ↗https://www.sra.org.uk/consumers/register/organisation/?sraNumber=569065 ↗https://register.fca.org.uk/s/firm?id=001b000000rHVqVAAW ↗https://www.shoosmiths.com/contact-us ↗

Date checked

2026-06-05

Next review due

Periodic review

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