Just (Just Collect): what a letter means and what to do

Just’s letters can come at different stages. Some are requests to pay a bill with no court order behind them; others are notices of enforcement under a High Court writ. The first thing to check is which one you have. This guide covers England and Wales.

Who are Just?

Just’s website says it is operated by the company now registered at Companies House as JUST COLLECT LIMITED, company number 12146925. It is an active private limited company, incorporated on 8 August 2019 and called Just Digital Marketplace Limited until 20 March 2026. Its registered office is in Bristol. More than 50% of its shares are held by Arum Global Limited, which was called Justnet Group Ltd until March 2026. Just describes itself as part of the Arum Group of companies.

A separate company called Just Debt Limited, registered in Frodsham, has a different owner on Companies House and files dormant accounts.

The Enforcement Conduct Board (ECB) lists “Just”, with a Nottingham address, as accredited since October 2023. Just Collect Ltd is a corporate member of CIVEA, the Civil Enforcement Association, and the High Court Enforcement Officers Association (HCEOA) lists two authorised High Court enforcement officers working through it. None of these is a statutory regulator. In August 2026 the government announced plans to make ECB oversight compulsory for private bailiffs.

Why might Just be contacting you?

Just says it works for utilities, financial services firms, law firms and government organisations, on consumer, residential, business and commercial debts. It uses data tools to decide how each debt is handled, and offers a managed service that connects clients to a network of debt recovery, litigation and enforcement partners. One of those partners, Whipps Enforcement Agents, says it carries out High Court writs for Just.

In practice a letter from Just usually means one of these:

• A request to pay an unpaid bill, such as energy or water. With no court order, Just is acting as a collector and cannot take anything. You can ask for evidence of what is owed: see how to ask a creditor to prove a debt.
• A High Court writ of control. A County Court Judgment of £600 or more has been transferred to the High Court for enforcement. See what High Court enforcement officers can do.
• Enforcement for a public body. If the letter mentions a liability order, it is about council tax or business rates: see council tax bailiffs.

What can Just do, and what can it not do?

Once there is an order, the same rules apply as to every bailiff in England and Wales:

• You must get a notice of enforcement at least 14 clear days before an agent can take control of your goods, or at least 28 clear days if a debt adviser asks on your behalf.
• Fees are fixed by law. For council tax and similar debts they start at £79, with £247 more if an agent visits; High Court fees are higher. Our guide to what bailiffs can and cannot do has the full table.
• They cannot force their way into your home to take goods for these debts, and cannot take essentials, work tools together worth less than £1,350 or other people’s belongings.
• A judgment on a regulated consumer credit agreement, such as a loan or credit card, can only be enforced in the County Court.

What should you do now?

1. Check whether your letter mentions a court, claim number, liability order or writ. If it does not, it is a request to pay.
2. Check the creditor, reference and amount. If anything is wrong, tell Just in writing and contact the creditor directly.
3. Offer a payment you can keep up, before any notice period ends, and get the agreement in writing.
4. If you are ill, disabled, bereaved or struggling for another reason, tell Just and the creditor. Just’s customer page lists organisations that can help.
5. Get free, impartial debt advice from MoneyHelper, StepChange, Citizens Advice or National Debtline. See where to get free debt advice, and debt solutions compared if you have several debts.

How do you complain about Just?

1. Use the complaints form on Just’s customer page. It says its standards follow the HCEOA’s best practice, the CIVEA code of conduct and the national standards for enforcement agents.
2. Complain to the creditor too. If a council is the creditor and you are unhappy with its response, you can go to the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman.
3. Because Just is ECB accredited, you can complain to the ECB within 3 months of becoming aware of the problem, or within 1 month of the firm’s final response.
4. For High Court enforcement, you can use the HCEOA’s complaint form. For serious misconduct by a certificated agent, you can complain to the court on form EAC2.

Is the letter genuine?

Just warns that fraudsters sometimes pose as enforcement officers, and advises checking an agent’s ID badge or certificate, the company that sent them and the amount owed. Use the contact details on your own paperwork or the creditor’s official website, and check certificated agents on the official register. Our guide to dealing with debt collectors covers your rights when there is no court order.