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Enforcing a Money Judgment in England & Wales

Enforcing a money judgment is the process of recovering the funds awarded by a court. After winning a case, it becomes the claimant's responsibility to pursue enforcement if the debtor does not pay voluntarily.

Step 1: Check If You’re Ready to Enforce

Winning a court case doesn’t always mean getting paid. Enforcement is the process of making sure the person or business who owes you money (the “judgment debtor”) pays up after a court judgment if they do not pay you after receiving the court order.

Note: The court won’t automatically enforce your judgment — you need to take action, and you’ll need to pay a court fee when you do.

Before you begin trying to recover your money through enforcement, it’s crucial to confirm that the legal conditions are right. Jumping in too early or missing a required step can result in wasted time or rejected applications. This step helps you make sure that your judgment is enforceable and that enforcement is allowed right now. Before enforcing, check whether you meet all the basic requirements.

Here's a quick quiz to guide you:

Question /

Great! You're ready to enforce.

Has it been at least 14 days since the court made the decision?

Oops, not yet?

What it means?

There’s a standard 14-day grace period after a court judgment — this gives the debtor a chance to pay voluntarily. You’ll usually need to wait before taking any enforcement steps

What you should do?

Wait until day 15 before taking enforcement action.
In the meantime, you can send a polite reminder or payment request.

Has the debtor failed to pay you?

Unfortunately, they’re still paying or have promised to pay soon?

What it means?

If the debtor is keeping up with instalments, or the court has allowed time to pay, you might not be able to enforce — unless they miss a payment.

What you should do?
  • Keep an eye on their payments.
  • If they miss an instalment, you can apply to enforce the full balance immediately.
  • You can still consider a Charging Order to secure the debt if they own property — even while they’re paying.

Is the debtor not
appealing the decision?

Unfortunately, they are appealing the judgment or applying to have it set aside.

What it means?

If an appeal or “set aside” application has been submitted, the court might place a Stay of Execution on enforcement while it reviews the case.

What you should do?
  • Check with the court if enforcement is paused.
  • If there’s no stay, you may still enforce — but be cautious.
  • If there is a stay, you’ll need to wait until it’s lifted.

Is the debtor not under Breathing Space?

The debtor is currently under Breathing Space protection.

What it means?

If the debtor has entered the Debt Respite Scheme, they are temporarily protected from most enforcement actions — typically for 60 days. This includes a freeze on contact, court enforcement, and debt recovery efforts.

What you should do?
  • You must pause all enforcement actions during this period.
  • Do not contact the debtor about the debt.
  • Once the Breathing Space period ends, you may resume enforcement if payment hasn’t been made.

Has the judgment been properly
served to the debtor?

Hmm… not sure they received it?

What it means?

Before you can enforce a judgment, the court must have properly served it — meaning the debtor officially received it via post, in person, or through other legal methods.

What you should do?
  • Check how the court served the judgment (ask the court office if unsure).
  • If service failed or was sent to an old address, apply to re-serve the documents.
  • You can’t enforce a judgment they’ve never seen.

Enforcement Readiness Summary:

You can start enforcement if 14 days have passed since judgment, the debtor hasn’t paid, isn’t appealing or in Breathing Space, and the judgment was properly served. If any of these aren’t true, hold off or get legal advice.

Step 2: Choose the Best Way to Enforce the Judgment

They Won’t Pay? Here’s How to Make a Court Judgment Work for You

Once you’ve confirmed you’re ready to enforce, your next task is to choose the right method. There’s no “one-size-fits-all” answer — the best enforcement option depends on what you know about the person or company who owes you money. This section walks you through each enforcement method with detailed scenarios and explanations, so you can decide which route gives you the best chance of success.

Option 1

Send Bailiffs to Collect the Money (Warrant of Control)

Option 2

Use High Court Enforcement Officers (HCEOs)

Tip: Use this if you want the most effective enforcement option.

Option 3

Freeze Their Bank Account

Tip: Works best if you know they just got paid or received a big deposit.

Option 4

Secure the Debt Against Their Property

Tip: This won’t get you money immediately, but it’s good long-term security.

Option 5

Take Money from Their Wages

Tip: Very useful if they’re working and ignoring you

Option 6

Make Them Bankrupt or Shut the Company Down

Warning: This is expensive and can take time. Use only if nothing else works.

Not Sure Which Method to Use?

Here’s a simple matching tool to help you decide:

You don’t know much, but they owe money
Bailiffs (N323)
You want the fastest & strongest approach
High Court Enforcement (N293A)
You know they have a bank account
Third Party Debt Order (N349)
They own a house or flat
Charging Order (N379)
They have a steady job
Attachment of Earnings (N337)
They ignore everything and owe £5,000+
Bankruptcy / Winding-Up

Step 5: What if Enforcement Fails?

Try a different method - you can use more than one.

Apply for an Order to Attend Court to question the debtor (N316/N316A)

Tools & Resources

To make things easier, here’s a list of all the forms and official links you’ll need throughout the process. This section also highlights the most important tools you can use to get help or automate your enforcement process.

Every time you apply to enforce a judgment, you will need to pay a court fee. The amount depends on the enforcement method you choose. These fees are usually added to the total amount the debtor owes you, so you may recover them later if enforcement is successful.

Check the current fee schedule (Form EX50)

Warrant of Control N323 View Form
High Court Enforcement N293A View Form
Attachment of Earnings N337 View Form
Charging Order N379 View Form
Third Party Debt Order N349 View Form
Questioning Order N316 View Form
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Send Bailiffs to Collect the Money

(Warrant of Control)

What is it?

You ask the court to send bailiffs to the debtor’s home or business. The bailiffs will try to collect the money or take valuable items (like a car or equipment) to sell and pay you back.

When should you use it?

  • The debt is £5,000 or less
  • You believe they have things worth money
  • You don’t know their bank details or job

What happens?

  • You apply using Form N323
  • Bailiffs write to the debtor — they have 7 days to pay
  • If they don’t, bailiffs visit to collect money or seize goods
  • The items are sold and you get paid from the sale

Use High Court Enforcement Officers

(HCEOs)

What is it?

Similar to bailiffs, but faster and more powerful. These officers are part of the High Court. They work more quickly and are usually better at getting results.

When should you use it?

  • The debt is more than £600
  • It’s not a regulated consumer credit debt
  • You want faster and stronger enforcement

What happens?

  • You apply using Form N293A
  • HCEOs will contact the debtor
  • If they don’t pay, officers visit and can seize goods
  • They sell the items and give you the money

Freeze Their Bank Account

(also called a Third Party Debt Order)

What is it?

You ask the court to take money directly from the debtor’s bank account — like freezing it and removing what you’re owed.

When should you use it?

  • You know their bank name
  • You believe they have money in the account

What happens?

  • You apply using Form N349
  • The court temporarily freezes their bank account
  • A judge decides at a hearing how much can be taken
  • If approved, the bank sends the money to you

Secure the Debt Against Their Property

(also called a Charging Order)

What is it?

You get a legal hold on something they own — usually a house or land. When they sell or remortgage it, they have to pay you first.

When should you use it?

  • You know they own property
  • You want to make sure you eventually get paid

What happens?

  • Apply using Form N379
  • You get an Interim Charging Order
  • The court may hold a hearing
  • If successful, it becomes a Final Charging Order
  • When they sell the property, your money is paid out of the proceeds

Take Money from Their Wages

(also called an Attachment of Earnings Order)

What is it?

The court contacts the debtor’s employer and automatically takes money from their salary each month — sent directly to you.

When should you use it?

  • The debtor is employed (not self-employed)
  • You know they’re earning regularly

What happens?

  • Apply using Form N337
  • Court writes to the employer
  • Employer deducts money monthly
  • You receive payments until the debt is cleared

Make Them Bankrupt or Shut the Company Down

What is it?

This is a serious step. You ask the court to declare them bankrupt (if it’s a person) or wind them up (if it’s a company).

When should you use it

  • Debt is over £5,000 (person) or £750 (company)
  • They’re ignoring everything
  • You’ve tried other methods

What happens?

  • You serve a formal demand
  • Apply to court for a bankruptcy or winding-up petition
  • The court may freeze their assets and appoint an official
  • Their assets are sold and the money is shared among creditors