What Information Merion Needs
A clean referral starts with a clear picture of the debt — the better the detail you provide, the faster Merion can act on your client's behalf.
In this guide
- The essential information Merion needs to start a recovery
- Why supporting documents speed the process up
- How to handle gaps when records are incomplete
- Where to send a referral once details are gathered
5 min read
The essentials
To act on a referral, Merion needs a clear picture of who owes what, and on what basis. At a general level, that means:
- the debtor's business name and contact details;
- the amount outstanding and how it arose;
- the relevant invoice and account references;
- a short history of what has already been done to chase it.
You do not need a perfect file. The aim is enough information for Merion to identify the debtor, understand the debt, and pick up the conversation where your client left off.
Why supporting documents help
Supporting paperwork — invoices, statements, signed terms, purchase orders or delivery records — strengthens a matter and tends to speed it up. When the debt is clearly evidenced, there is less room for a debtor to manufacture a dispute, and the recovery conversation can move straight to payment.
If your client has correspondence showing the debtor acknowledged the debt or promised to pay, that is particularly useful. It demonstrates the amount was not in genuine dispute at the time. Gathering these documents up front saves a round of back-and-forth later.
When records are incomplete
In practice, records are rarely pristine — especially for smaller businesses. A missing purchase order or an informal arrangement does not automatically rule out recovery. Provide what your client has, and note clearly where there are gaps so Merion can assess the matter realistically.
Being upfront about weak spots is better than papering over them. Merion would rather know early that, say, terms were never put in writing, so the approach can be tailored accordingly. An honest, complete-as-possible handover serves your client far better than an optimistic one.
Sending the referral
Once you have gathered the details, you can pass them to Merion to begin a recovery — start by referring the debt with the information you have to hand. If you would like Merion to sense-check whether the matter is worth pursuing first, the free debt appraisal is a sensible first step.
This is general information about preparing a referral, not legal advice. Merion will confirm exactly what is required for your client's specific matter before work begins.
Key takeaways
- Provide the debtor's details, the amount owed, invoice references and chase history.
- Supporting documents strengthen a matter and speed recovery up.
- Incomplete records rarely rule out recovery — note the gaps honestly.
- Refer the debt once details are gathered, or appraise it first if unsure.
Frequently asked questions
What is the minimum I need to refer a debt?
Enough to identify the debtor, the amount owed and how it arose. Merion will tell you if anything further is needed for the specific matter.
What if my client never put terms in writing?
It does not automatically prevent recovery. Provide what exists and flag the gap so Merion can tailor the approach.
Do supporting documents really matter?
Yes. Clear evidence reduces the room for disputes and tends to move the recovery conversation straight to payment.
Add real value for your clients
Refer your clients' overdue debts and we recover them commission-only — you stay the trusted adviser.