Is there any way to pursue someone for a small debt that won't end up costing me three times what I would get?

[SolidGoldBrass]

Poxy client has not paid. It's only £45 but to someone as poor as me that's a noticeable dent in the month's budget. Is there anything I can threaten him with to make him pay? I don't want him just to get away with ignoring me, I want to annoy and worry him a bit so it's got to be a threat I can back up.

(NO, I am absolutely not talking about doing anything illegal).

You can threaten to put it in the hands of your 'solicitor' even if you haven't got one or can't afford one. Sometimes that's enough to put feet to the fire.... Good luck

Take the Siegfried Farnon approach - (did you ever watch All Creatures Great and Small)? he had a PNS system of letters, Polite, Nasty, Solicitors. Your client doesn't know that you can't afford the S, if you send the N stating that if it isn't paid within 14 days you will take legal action and the debt will start to accrue interest it might have an effect.

LOL! I thought I was the only one who remembered (and still uses) Siegfried Farnon's PNS system!

Small claims court? Or at least a letter threatening the same. I have successfully re-claimed money three times this way.

Definately write and threaten small claims court. I also state that if nog paid in 7 days then costs and interest will start to accrue.

Really annoying when people have a service/ buy goods and try not to pay for them!

Not hard to pursue either. Only suggest it if you're going to do it!

Fill in the small claims court form online, print it off (don't submit it).
Send the completed form to your client together with a letter saying... If I don't receive the £45 by 7 days from the date of this letter, I will submit this form to Small Claims and you will be legally liable for not only the £45, but the £x it costs to lodge the debt, plus interest of £x from the date of the invoice.
Send it first class signed for.

I use this method at work - has not yet failed!