High Court Enforcement

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If a County Court Judgment of £600 or more is unpaid, we can transfer it to the High Court for enforcement and instruct High Court Enforcement Officers (HCEOs). We manage the process from the writ to the result and keep you updated throughout.

When High Court enforcement is the right route

• The judgment is £600 or more
• The debtor has goods, stock, vehicles or equipment at a known business or home address
• The debtor has ignored the judgment or broken a payment arrangement

For judgments over £5,000, enforcement by taking control of goods goes through the High Court rather than the County Court.

How it works

1. Transfer and writ. The judgment is transferred to the High Court and a writ of control is issued. It authorises an HCEO to enforce the full judgment debt.
2. Notice of enforcement. The debtor must get at least seven clear days' notice before goods are taken. Sundays and bank holidays don't count. This is a final chance to pay or agree terms.
3. Attendance. If the debtor doesn't pay, the HCEO attends the premises. They can take control of goods up to the value of the debt and costs.
4. Payment or sale. Goods can be left on site under a controlled goods agreement while the debtor pays. If the debt stays unpaid, they can be removed and sold at auction.

Costs

Enforcement fees are set by regulation and are generally added to the debt and recovered from the debtor. You approve the transfer and any upfront court fee in writing before anything is spent.

Enforcement-only instructions

Already have a judgment from your own solicitor or a previous agency? Send it to us. We'll check the debtor's current position and address, then recommend whether High Court enforcement or another method is most likely to work.

Frequently asked questions

Is High Court enforcement faster than County Court bailiffs? HCEOs are actively instructed and managed on your case, and they can enforce judgments above the £5,000 County Court limit.

Can HCEOs enforce against a limited company? Yes. They can take control of goods belonging to the debtor company at its premises.

Does this apply in Scotland? No. Scotland uses sheriff officers and its own diligence. See Debt Recovery in Scotland.

Related: CCJ Enforcement · Due Diligence · Debtor Tracing · Our Services

Unpaid judgment? Send it to us or call 01527 369593.