Legal Definitions - dun

The term "dun" refers to the act of persistently demanding payment from someone who owes money and is late in paying it. It describes the repeated efforts made by a creditor to collect an overdue debt from a debtor.

Here are some examples to illustrate this concept:

• Example 1: A small business owner, after completing a project for a client, sends multiple emails and makes several phone calls over a period of weeks to remind the client about an overdue invoice for services rendered.

  Explanation: In this scenario, the business owner is "dunning" the client by repeatedly contacting them to demand payment for the outstanding bill, as the client is a delinquent debtor.

• Example 2: A property management company sends a series of formal letters and makes follow-up calls to a tenant who has not paid their rent for two consecutive months, urging them to settle the outstanding balance.

  Explanation: The property management company is "dunning" the tenant by persistently demanding the overdue rent, which represents a financial obligation that has not been met.

• Example 3: A local utility provider sends several automated reminders, followed by a final written notice, to a customer whose electricity bill has been unpaid for over 90 days, indicating that service will be disconnected if payment is not received.

  Explanation: The utility provider is "dunning" the customer through these escalating demands for payment, as the customer is a delinquent debtor for the unpaid utility services.