[marc]

There is a guy call Paul who runs platnuim window cleaners and he needed some wfp work done as he is only ladders now I didn't need to do this work I've got enough to do in my life but he was desperate so I thought I'd help him out the long and short is he has not payed me what I'm owed and I will be taking court proceedings out against him I won't go into figures but lucky for me I've recorded some of our conversations so I have proof of what was said or it would be his word against mine so you have been warned I had all the promises your money is safe I will be payed once I've done the work   

[DaveG]

And breathe!

Hope you get what is owed.

[Pete Thompson]

I know we're only hearing one side of the story, but assuming you're accurate I genuinely hope you get paid.  You didn't say how much you were owed, but I am guessing it's a few hundred quid.

However, just a couple of things I would consider;

Firstly, HASSLE.
Do you need it? Do you really want to spend your time, energy and of course money chasing someone through a legal process for this money?  Very infuriating to not be paid, but it's good to take a step back and take a dispassionate view of whether it's worth your time and money.  Time you could be spending furthering your own business.  Sometimes it's a matter of putting it down to experience, and moving on.

I once heard some great advice from a Barrister on TV a few years ago, he said "If you find yourself saying 'it's the principle of the thing!' that is the time to stop your legal action".

Secondly, CAN HE PAY?
We don't know the circumstances, but could it be that he had every intention of paying you, but then things happened that meant he simply couldn't.  You said he was desperate, maybe he is in the midst of some unfolding crisis?
Is taking him to court (or threatening it) going to enable him to pay?  If he simply has no money, no court can help.

Whatever happens, I hope you get it resolved!