Drydens Limited
Drydens Limited (trading as Drydensfairfax) is an SRA-regulated solicitor firm based in Leeds. Solicitor firms conducting debt-recovery litigation are regulated under the Solicitors Regulation Authority’s professional framework, not under the FCA’s consumer-credit framework.
Who they are
Drydens Limited is registered in England and Wales (Companies House number 06765260) with its registered office at 10th Floor, West One, 114 Wellington Street, Leeds, LS1 1BA. Companies House records its incorporation date as 3 December 2008 and its SIC code as 69102 (Solicitors). Per the SRA register, the firm has two offices and 17 SRA-regulated people, and trades under the names Drydensfairfax, Drydens Solicitors, and APS Legal in addition to its registered company name.
Regulatory status
Drydens Limited is regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA number 511996) and has been a Licensed body authorised for all legal services since 16 October 2015 per its SRA register entry. As an SRA-regulated firm it is bound by the SRA Standards and Regulations (including the SRA Code of Conduct for Firms and the SRA Code of Conduct for Solicitors). The firm is not FCA-authorised, which is consistent with its activity as a solicitor firm: solicitor litigation for debt recovery sits under the SRA’s professional framework rather than under the FCA’s consumer-credit framework, although the underlying creditor whose debt is being pursued may itself be FCA-regulated. The SRA register records “No decisions published” against the firm under its Regulatory record at the time of last verification.
How they may contact you
A solicitor firm acting in debt-recovery litigation typically contacts you by letter on firm letterhead, with the firm’s name, SRA number, and address shown on the letter (this is required by the SRA’s transparency rules). The letter will usually identify the original creditor (or the debt-purchaser client acting as creditor) and either invite you to make payment, propose a payment arrangement, or warn that court proceedings will be issued if you do not respond. A Claim Form issued in the County Court will arrive by post in a specific official format with the court’s seal; you have 14 days from the date of service to file an Acknowledgment of Service or a Defence, or 28 days if you file an Acknowledgment first.
Your rights if they contact you
If you receive a letter or claim from a solicitor firm acting for a creditor, you have the right to ask for the original credit agreement and a full statement of account; under the Consumer Credit Act 1974 (sections 77, 78, and 79, depending on the agreement type) the creditor must produce a copy of the executed agreement when properly requested, and an unenforceable debt cannot be enforced through the court if the agreement cannot be produced. You can ask the firm to apply forbearance if you are in vulnerable circumstances; the SRA Code of Conduct for Solicitors requires solicitors to treat consumers fairly. If a Claim Form has been issued, responding within the deadline matters; ignoring a Claim Form usually results in a default judgment being entered against you. Complaints about the firm’s conduct go first to the firm itself, then to the Legal Ombudsman (for service complaints) or to the SRA itself (for conduct complaints). Complaints about the original creditor’s conduct (rather than the firm’s) can also be referred to the Financial Ombudsman Service where the creditor is FCA-regulated. In England, Wales, and Northern Ireland the Limitation Act 1980 provides that most unsecured consumer debts generally become unenforceable in court after six years if no payment has been made and the debt has not been acknowledged in writing during that period; in Scotland the Prescription and Limitation (Scotland) Act 1973 generally provides a five-year period.
Where to get free help
You do not need to deal with solicitor letters or court claims alone. Free, confidential debt help is available from regulated UK debt charities and from Citizens Advice, and many advisers can help you understand a Claim Form and prepare an Acknowledgment of Service or a Defence. Speaking to a debt adviser is free and will not affect your credit file.
Last verified 26 May 2026 by the Compliance Reviewer.