I Chased an Unpaid Invoice Around the World… He Was Next Door!
“I Chased an Unpaid Invoice Around the World… He Was Next Door!” is a legal-explainer video about collecting an unpaid invoice from a foreign customer. A lawyer’s journey by private jet, Paris scooter and camel frames lessons on contracts, local rules and cross-border enforcement—before the debtor turns out to be next door.
This video is general information, not legal advice. Cross-border collection rules depend on the countries involved and your contract — speak to a qualified professional about your situation.
Key takeaways
- Check your contract for governing law and jurisdiction.
- Deadlines, language, procedures and limitation periods vary by country.
- EU shortcuts include the European order for payment for uncontested cross-border claims.
- Outside the EU, a home-country judgment may need local recognition before enforcement.
- A local partner can help with the rules on the ground.
What this video covers
The video explains how collecting an unpaid invoice from a foreign customer differs from collecting at home. Its story follows a lawyer travelling by private jet, Paris scooter and camel, only to discover that the debtor was next door all along. The first lesson is to check the contract. Governing law identifies which country’s law applies, while jurisdiction identifies which courts decide. The video then highlights differences in local rules: deadlines, language, procedures and limitation periods change from country to country. Next, it introduces shortcuts available inside the EU, including the European order for payment for uncontested cross-border claims. For collection outside the EU, it explains that a judgment from your home country may need to be recognised locally before it can be enforced. After the next-door plot twist, the final lesson is the value of a local partner who knows the rules on the ground. The description presents Collecty as one partner for cross-border B2B debt collection with local expertise in 190 countries. The video provides general information, not legal advice. Cross-border collection rules depend on the countries involved and the contract, so it recommends speaking to a qualified professional about your situation.
