Why translators get paid late
- Agencies batch-pay freelancers monthly and your invoice misses the run.
- Overseas agencies and international transfers add delays.
How to get paid: advice for translators
- Check the agency's payment practice before accepting work — translator communities often share it.
- For private clients, take payment before delivering certified translations.
- For overseas agencies, give an easy international payment method in every reminder.
A chasing timeline that works
- 3 days before due: a friendly heads-up.
- 1 day overdue: a polite reminder.
- 7–14 days overdue: a firm reminder and a phone call.
- 30 days overdue: a final notice with a deadline.
- Still unpaid: a letter before action, then a small claim if needed.
Your legal options
Your clients are businesses, so the Late Payment of Commercial Debts (Interest) Act 1998 applies to every late invoice: you can add statutory interest (8% + base rate) and £40–£100 fixed compensation per invoice, even if your contract doesn't mention it. Calculate what you can claim.