help its complicated - invoices/small claims?

jam14

This forum was agreat help to me last year and Im hoping it will be able to advise as well this time.

I have worked freelance for a company for the last 18 months, not one of my bigger clients but I was always paid in full and ontime.

Heres where it gets complicated!

I am owed for 2 outstanding invoices now overdue (600.00 in total) My partner recently left the company following months of bullying abuse & technically should have taken them for constructive dismissal but as family is involved just wanted to get out and move on.

I have contacted the accounts department asking for confirmation why these have been held up but have been told they will look into it, subsiquent emails have received no response.

The previous assistant sent me the proposed bacs run on my account so I have proof its on their system and has gone through to this stage incident free (ie. no issues with my work)

My question is how do I proceed and not let them get away without paying? is small claims court the way to go if so what needs to be done and how do I prove things?

This company has over the last 6 months been using several freelancers in different fields of expertee's and by the looks of it they are withholding payment on some and trying to wriggle out of others 100%, its a complete discrace, the company have a several million pound turnover and blue chip clients. Half the staff have left due to the sickening behaviour of the bosses bullying and other antics, also several sub contractors are owed larger amounts and are already going to court.

I have contact details for some of the clients on whose projects I have worked and would be interested to know if there would be benefit in contacting them directly personally or anonymously to enlighten them on the situation, not so much as I feel they will apply pressure for payment but just because these high street names should surely not be trading with roguees like this, any suggestions?

Finally would it be legal to protest outside there premises with banners, maybe involve the local papers, Im sure there big high street clients wouldnt like the publicity?

These people believe they can ride rough shot without anything touching them and dont care who they hurt.

All suggestions greatly received (legal of course)

paddyrg

Your relationship with the company is no business of their clients, and vice versa. Neither is their relationship with other freelancers. Don't mix it up, it'll make things complicated at best.

They owe you money, you can prove it, threaten court if no payment by x date, then follow through.