What is debt collection through Debitura?
Debt collection is the process of pursuing payment for overdue debts. Debitura operates as a technology platform that matches each debt recovery case with a local specialist in the debtor's country. The Client retains ownership of the claim while the Collection Partner handles day-to-day recovery activities. Debitura maintains the software, manages case communication, and ensures data privacy and compliance.
Debitura operates on a "No Cure, No Pay" model for standard pre-legal cases. Clients pay zero upfront costs; a success fee applies only when money is recovered. The exception is withdrawal: if a Client withdraws a case during an active collection period, the Withdrawal Fee applies, equal to the full success fee calculated as if the claim had been paid in full, regardless of the amount recovered (SDCA §06.5). After the collection period ends, including any extensions, withdrawal is free. The only exception to the Withdrawal Fee is the Severe Breach Carve-Out (SDCA §06.4). See Clients: How to close or withdraw a case. All Clients sign the Standard Debt Collection Agreement before submitting cases.
The two main collection phases
Cases progress through two main phases, depending on circumstances:
Pre-legal (amicable) collection: The default approach for undisputed claims. The Collection Partner contacts the Debtor through letters, emails, phone calls, and other permitted channels to negotiate payment. Most cases are resolved during this phase without court involvement.
Legal escalation: If amicable collection is unsuccessful or the debt is disputed, Debitura can facilitate legal escalation by sourcing competitive quotes from vetted local law firms. The Client decides whether to proceed with legal action, which is governed by separate arrangements with the selected firm.
For detailed comparison, see pre-legal (amicable) vs. legal (escalation).
The case journey: step by step
Every case follows a defined path through the platform. The exact route depends on partner availability, case characteristics, and actions taken by each party.
1. Case submission
The Client submits a claim through the Debitura platform, providing debtor details, claim amount, and supporting documentation. Cases can be created manually via a web form, uploaded in bulk via CSV, or submitted through API integrations.
Before submitting the first case, the Client signs the Standard Debt Collection Agreement. This contract defines standard success fees and responsibilities for pre-legal work.
2. Internal verification
Every new case enters an internal verification state. The Debitura team checks that the debtor and Client details are correct, the claim amount and supporting documentation appear genuine, and that a valid signature is on file. Most cases pass verification within one hour through an automated validation system.
3. Partner assignment
Debitura assigns the case to a local Collection Partner based on the debtor's jurisdiction. If the case meets standard criteria (undisputed monetary claim such as an unpaid invoice or loan repayment), the partner receives the case under the standard "No Cure, No Pay" terms.
If no exclusive partner is available for the jurisdiction, the case is distributed to the partner network, and multiple partners submit competitive quotes for the Client to review. A case that falls outside standard pricing for another reason - a disputed claim or an unusual claim type - does not automatically go to the network: where a partner is assigned, that partner sends a single custom quote, which the Client must accept before work starts (SDCA §04.2).
4. Partner review and acceptance
The assigned Collection Partner reviews the case and can: accept it and begin collection work, request additional information from the Client, or decline the case if it falls outside their capability.
Acceptance starts active collection. A standard case has a 6-month collection period that runs from its Collection Period Start Date: the earlier of the date the partner accepts or begins work on the case and the date the case was submitted with all required information. Where required information was provided later, the start date is the date the last required item was recorded. The period may therefore already have begun before acceptance. During this time, the partner has exclusive rights to work on the case and contact the Debtor.
5. Active collection
The Collection Partner contacts the Debtor using appropriate methods based on local regulations, best practices, and case characteristics. Common collection activities include:
Demand letters and formal notices
Phone calls and follow-up conversations
Email and SMS reminders (where lawful)
Negotiation of payment plans or settlements
The Client tracks progress through real-time dashboards as the partner updates case status. All communication between Client and Collection Partner happens through the built-in chat on the platform.
6. Resolution
Cases end in one of several outcomes, each recorded with a specific case close code:
Full payment: The Debtor pays the complete outstanding amount
Partial payment: The Debtor pays some amount but not the full debt
Payment plan: The Debtor agrees to installments (case remains active until fully paid)
Pre-legal exhausted: All reasonable collection attempts have been made without payment
Debtor insolvent or untraceable: The Debtor cannot be located or has filed for bankruptcy
Client withdrawal: The Client requests to stop collection (during an active collection period this triggers the Withdrawal Fee; after the period ends, withdrawal is free)
Legal escalation: The case is transferred to legal proceedings under separate terms
How payments are handled
When money is recovered, the payment flow depends on local regulations:
Default flow: The Debtor pays the Collection Partner directly. The partner deducts any agreed success fee plus applicable late payment fees or interest, then transfers the remaining balance to the Client.
Alternative flow: In jurisdictions where partners cannot receive payments, or when the Debtor pays the Client directly, the Collection Partner invoices the Client for their success fee. Debitura can send that invoice to the Client on the partner's behalf and remind the Client if it is not paid, but the Client still pays the Collection Partner.
Debitura never receives funds from Debtors or Clients. The platform invoices Collection Partners for revenue share after successful collections. For more detail, see payments, payouts and invoicing.
Timeline expectations
The standard pre-legal collection period is 6 months of exclusive partner engagement, counted from the Collection Period Start Date. This period can extend automatically by 12 months when the Debtor makes a payment, provides a written promise to pay, or signs a payment agreement. This applies to cases on standard terms. A case accepted on a custom quote has no collection period unless the parties expressly agree one in writing.
Actual resolution time varies widely based on claim characteristics, debtor responsiveness, jurisdiction, and documentation quality. There is no guaranteed timeline for collection outcomes.
Impact by actor
Client
Submits cases through the platform and provides required documentation
Signs the Standard Debt Collection Agreement before submitting claims
Receives real-time updates on case progress
Pays success fees only when money is recovered, except that withdrawing a case during an active collection period triggers the Withdrawal Fee
Decides whether to pursue legal escalation if recommended
Collection Partner
Reviews and accepts cases based on jurisdiction and capability
Conducts collection activities according to local regulations and best practices
Updates case status and communicates with Client through the platform
Earns success fees on recovered amounts
May recommend legal escalation when amicable collection is unsuccessful
Debtor
Receives contact from the Collection Partner regarding the outstanding debt
Can negotiate payment terms, installment plans, or settlements
Pays either the Collection Partner or the Client directly, depending on jurisdiction
Debitura
Operates the technology platform connecting Clients and Collection Partners
Manages case communication, data privacy, and compliance
Verifies cases and matches them with appropriate local partners
Facilitates legal quote collection when escalation is needed
Invoices Collection Partners for platform revenue share