Amicable debt collection: The human-centric solution for businesses and debtors
As a leading debt collection agency in the Netherlands, Ultimoo Incasso wishes to respond to the recent publication by mr. dr. Leonie Siemerink in the Nederlands Juristenblad (Netherlands Law Journal). The article provides a thorough and current analysis of the extrajudicial collection of private law debts and the associated legal frameworks. We endorse the vision of the Ministry of Justice and Security and, based on our practical experience, wish to underline and supplement several key points.
The Importance of Amicable Debt Collection
Siemerink rightly points to the crucial objective of extrajudicial collection: persuading debtors to pay their outstanding invoices without the intervention of a judge. This aligns perfectly with Ultimoo Incasso’s philosophy. We believe in a human-centric approach where dialogue and mutual understanding are central. As Arjan Stigter, our Managing Director, puts it: "Amicable collection is the most effective way to support both the creditor and the debtor in resolving payment issues without the time and costs associated with judicial proceedings."
By opting for an amicable solution first, creditors retain the opportunity to restore the relationship with their customers. This is of paramount importance to entrepreneurs. After all, a judicial procedure can lead to the loss of that customer, whereas an extrajudicial solution often leads to a resolution that works for both parties.
Legal Frameworks and the Debt Collection Quality Act
We are pleased to see that the Debt Collection Quality Act (Wki), as Siemerink indicates, further safeguards the quality of collection services in the Netherlands. Ultimoo Incasso has always maintained a strong focus on diligence and transparency. For us, complying with the high standards set by the Wki regarding professional competence, case file management, and customer-friendliness is second nature. We therefore welcome stricter regulation to combat malpractices within the industry while ensuring the trust of both creditors and debtors.
In line with the article, we believe the Wki serves not only to protect debtors from unreasonable pressure but also to help creditors collect their claims in a legally correct manner. This aligns with our goal of balancing the interests of both parties. "A creditor must be able to trust that their claim is handled with care, while the debtor has the right to a fair and respectful approach," says Arjan Stigter.
The Power of Communication and Flexibility
A key aspect highlighted in the publication is that creditors often cannot accurately assess whether a customer cannot pay or will not pay. This is a challenge we face daily at Ultimoo Incasso. We believe that clear and respectful communication is the key to success in the extrajudicial collection process. Often, payment arrears are due to temporary circumstances, and a payment arrangement can be a suitable solution. As Siemerink correctly notes: "Creditors are usually willing to reach a payment arrangement if it appears someone cannot pay all at once."
At Ultimoo Incasso, we offer flexible solutions that always take the debtor's specific situation into account. This approach ensures that we remain effective as a collection agency without unnecessary escalations. In this way, arrears can be resolved while preserving the business relationship.
The Future of Extrajudicial Collection
The publication also provides insight into broader European developments regarding consumer credit and payment arrears. This is an important topic, given the increasing attention on debt issues, particularly among consumers. Ultimoo Incasso views these developments as an opportunity to further improve our services and strengthen our role in debt prevention and resolution.
We fully agree with the article’s conclusion that prevention must remain a primary focus. Preventing problematic debt is not just a task for governments, but also for agencies like Ultimoo. By intervening early and collaborating with both creditors and debtors, we can often prevent escalation to judicial procedures. This benefits not only the debtor but also the creditor, who sees their outstanding claim collected more quickly and efficiently.
In Conclusion
The publication by mr. dr. Leonie Siemerink provides a valuable legal foundation for the importance of amicable collection and the role agencies can play in resolving payment arrears. At Ultimoo Incasso, we are convinced that the combination of legal frameworks and a careful, human approach is the key to success in debt collection trajectories.
We would like to thank the Ministry of Justice and Security for this clear exposition and remain committed to the fair, effective, and respectful handling of debt collection cases.
