High Court enforcement and writs
This topic hub brings together National Bailiff Advice guidance on high court enforcement and writs in England and Wales. It is designed to help you reach the most specific legally checked guide for your situation without replacing the detailed guidance on those pages.
Guides in this topic
When an enforcement agent calls themselves an officerHigh Court Enforcement Officer is a recognised legal office and is not, by itself, a fraudulent description.The Bailiff Is Charging Interest On The Judgment DebtBailiffs may charge interest on a county court judgment or a High Court Writ unless the court has ordered interest to be payable by the judgment debtor on the judgment.High Court writ enforcement: key factsAn authorised High Court Enforcement Officer may enforce specified High Court writs, commonly through enforcement agents acting under authority.Judgments Under £600 Cannot Be Transferred To The High CourtIf the original judgment is under £600, you can apply for the transfer of the judgment to the High Court to stay (stop) the enforcement because it is in breach of regulations.Bailiff Charged InterestYou can download a copy of the judgment by searching on Registry Trust Online to check if the court awarded interest on the original judgment.Moved home: notices and bailiff enforcementMoving home does not extinguish the debt or automatically invalidate a warrant, writ or liability order.Paying a judgment creditor during High Court enforcementDirect payment to the creditor does not automatically remove the HCEO's entitlement to fees or end enforcement.Bailiffs Wearing Police-like Body ArmourHowever, it is illegal for anyone to wear a uniform that closely resembles that of the police.Sale Stage Fee - High Court Writs.The Sale Stage fee becomes applicable when a bailiff or enforcement agent visits the debtor’s property and initiates the removal of controlled goods.Applying to set aside a judgment and stay a High Court writAn application to set aside a judgment does not itself stop High Court enforcement.Stay The Writ And Vary The JudgmentYou may request a variation of a judgment within 21 days of becoming aware of it by filing an application at the High Court District Registry that issued the Writ of Control.Stop Enforcement Of A High Court Writ (HCEO)Guidance for England and Wales on Stop Enforcement Of A High Court Writ (HCEO), covering the relevant bailiff or enforcement-agent procedure and practical next steps.