I'm sure this has happened to most people at some point or another but I want to know what I can do about it.

I did a small piece of work for a client and a figure of 500 pounds sterling was agreed for the cost. I did the work on time and to the satisfaction of the client however he has yet to pay. Perhaps I was naive but the client in this instance was someone I new so nothing formal was ever drawn up (although I do have email correspondence between the two of us, including the one which agreed the cost). He initially came up with excuses such as cash flow problems etc and promised the cheque would be on its way the next month etc but it is now clear he is not going to pay up.

So, what can I do? Small claims court? Anyone know how this system works? What if I threaten him with some sort of action and he turns around and says that he won't use this piece of work on his site anymore, can I still force him to pay up?

It's not a huge sum of money so I don't want to have to do anything which is going to cost me big time.

Any advice from anyone who has been through this gratefully received!

Perhaps I'll just have to go pay him a visit with the boys...