Can I recover money I lent to a friend who is now refusing to repay?

Yes, you can still pursue legal action even without a formal written loan agreement, though having documentary evidence — bank transfer records, messages or emails discussing the loan and repayment, any partial repayments made — significantly strengthens your case and makes it easier to prove.

You can start by sending a formal legal notice demanding repayment within a specified time, which sometimes prompts payment on its own. If that doesn't work, you can file a civil recovery suit to claim the amount owed, along with applicable interest.

Going forward, and for any future loans, it's strongly advisable to document the loan clearly in writing (even a simple signed acknowledgment or promissory note helps considerably) precisely to avoid this kind of situation. For this specific matter, gather whatever evidence of the transaction and communications you have, and consult a lawyer about drafting a notice and, if needed, filing a recovery suit.