How to Enforce a County Court Judgment Through the High Court

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If you’re a creditor holding a County Court Judgment (CCJ) and struggling to get paid, you’re not alone. Many individuals and businesses in the UK face frustrating delays when trying to collect what’s rightfully owed. The good news? You’re not without powerful tools. One of the most effective ways to collect on a CCJ is to transfer it to the High Court for enforcement.

At Shergroup, we’ve spent decades helping people enforce County Court Judgments swiftly and professionally. Whether you’re dealing with a difficult debtor, a large outstanding amount, or a commercial debt that’s been dragging on, our High Court enforcement team is ready to help.

In this in-depth guide, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know to enforce a County Court Judgment, transfer it to the High Court, and get back on track financially.

What Is a County Court Judgment?

A County Court Judgment is a court order that formally confirms a debtor owes you money. While it’s an official ruling, it doesn’t mean the debtor automatically pays. Enforcement action is often needed—especially when the debtor ignores the judgment.

That’s where enforcement powers come in. When the debtor refuses to pay voluntarily, it’s time to take further steps—and the most effective route could be to enforce your County Court Judgment through the High Court.

Why Consider High Court Enforcement?

County Court Bailiffs have limited powers and often face delays. High Court Enforcement Officers (HCEOs), on the other hand, have stronger authority and act more swiftly. If you’ve been granted a CCJ for £600 or more (excluding judgments related to regulated consumer credit agreements), you can transfer it to the High Court and instruct an HCEO to collect what you’re owed.

Enforcing County Court Judgments through the High Court is:

Faster – HCEOs act promptly and often succeed where others fail.
More effective – They can seize assets and recover debts directly.
Wider-reaching – HCEOs can enforce judgments across England and Wales.

When Should You Transfer a CCJ to the High Court?

1. The Judgment Is Worth £600 or More

This is the minimum threshold for using High Court enforcement. If your County Court Judgment debt is over £600 (excluding regulated consumer credit judgments), you’re eligible to escalate the matter.

This includes:

The original amount owed
Interest
Court fees

At Shergroup, we handle the paperwork and process the transfer quickly, so you don’t lose any more time.

2. The Debtor Is Ignoring the Judgment

One of the most common frustrations creditors face is being ignored. If a debtor is not responding or actively evading communication, it’s time to take decisive action.

HCEOs have the legal authority to visit a debtor’s home or business, take control of goods, and enforce compliance. This is often more persuasive than letters or court notices alone.

3. County Court Enforcement Has Failed

If County Court Bailiffs have been unable to recover the debt, it’s wise to consider transferring the CCJ to the High Court. HCEOs can move faster and act with greater authority, including:

Entering commercial premises without notice
Taking control of high-value assets
Using vehicle ANPR systems to track and seize vehicles

At Shergroup, we’ve seen many cases where HCEOs succeed in days, after months of failure with the County Court route.

4. You’re Dealing with a Business Debtor

If the debtor is a limited company or business entity, HCEOs are often the more effective solution. Businesses typically have assets that can be seized and sold to satisfy the County Court Judgment debt.

Enforcing a County Court Judgment against a company through the High Court also sends a strong message that non-payment will not be tolerated.

5. You Need Swift Enforcement

In many cases, time is money. Delays in recovering County Court Judgments can impact your cash flow and business operations. High Court enforcement is designed to be quicker and more efficient.

When instructed, Shergroup’s enforcement agents act without delay to pursue the debt and report back on progress.

How to Enforce a County Court Judgment in the High Court

Ready to act? Here’s how to take your CCJ to the next level.

Step 1: Complete the N293A Form

To begin enforcement through the High Court, you’ll need to apply for a “writ of control.” This requires completing the N293A form—an official document requesting that the County Court judgment be transferred for enforcement.

Don’t worry if the process seems daunting. Our team at Shergroup will fill in and file the paperwork on your behalf as part of our service.

Step 2: Pay the Transfer Fee

There is a court fee of £66 to transfer the CCJ. Once this is paid, the application can be processed. It’s a small cost in comparison to the speed and results High Court enforcement can deliver.

Shergroup ensures all fees are clearly communicated upfront—no hidden surprises.

Step 3: Writ of Control Is Issued

Once the transfer is accepted, the High Court issues a “writ of control.” This empowers a High Court Enforcement Officer to attend the debtor’s premises and take control of goods to satisfy the debt.

The writ remains valid for 12 months and can be renewed if needed.

Step 4: Enforcement Action Begins

Our enforcement officers act quickly to visit the debtor, whether at home or at business premises. At this stage, they’ll attempt to recover payment or, if necessary, take control of goods.

HCEOs can seize:

Vehicles
Machinery
Office equipment
Stock or inventory

We provide regular updates and transparent reporting, so you stay informed every step of the way.

Step 5: Further Enforcement If Needed

In some cases, additional enforcement action is necessary. Shergroup can assist with:

Third-Party Debt Orders – Freezing debtor’s bank accounts.
Charging Orders – Securing the debt against the debtor’s property.
Orders for Sale – Forcing the sale of property to pay off the County Court Judgment debt.
Order to Attend Court – Requiring the debtor to disclose their financial circumstances.

We’re with you every step of the way until the matter is resolved.

Why Choose Shergroup for CCJ Enforcement?

Shergroup is one of the UK’s most experienced enforcement agencies. With over 100 years of heritage in the enforcement space, we are trusted by individuals, businesses, law firms, landlords, and financial institutions across the country.

When you instruct Shergroup to enforce a County Court Judgment, you benefit from:

A dedicated account manager
Transparent pricing
Nationwide reach
Detailed reporting
Online tracking and client portal access

Whether you’re recovering a small business debt or a high-value commercial judgment, we provide practical solutions that deliver results.

What Happens If the Debtor Can’t Pay?

Not every enforcement is successful on the first attempt—but that doesn’t mean it’s the end of the road.

Shergroup offers a full suite of debt recovery services beyond High Court enforcement, including:

Pre-enforcement debtor tracing
Insolvency proceedings
Legal escalation through our litigation partners

Our approach is tailored to your situation, so you always know the best next step.

County Court Judgment FAQs

Q: Can I transfer a CCJ for less than £600 to the High Court?
A: No, only County Court Judgments over £600 (excluding regulated consumer credit debts) are eligible for High Court enforcement.

Q: What’s the difference between a County Court Bailiff and an HCEO?
A: County Court Bailiffs are court employees with limited powers and coverage. HCEOs are authorised officers who act more swiftly and have greater powers of enforcement.

Q: How long does it take to enforce a CCJ through the High Court?
A: Once the writ of control is issued, HCEOs typically act within 7 working days. Shergroup aims to move even faster.

Q: Will the debtor know I’m using High Court enforcement?
A: Not until enforcement officers arrive at the premises. This element of surprise can significantly improve success rates.

Final Thoughts – Enforce Your County Court Judgment with Confidence

Don’t let unpaid County Court Judgments slow you down or threaten your financial stability. If a debtor isn’t paying voluntarily, transferring your CCJ to the High Court could be your smartest move. With Shergroup on your side, you can expect decisive action, strong communication, and professional support from start to finish.

We understand the stress and strain of chasing unpaid debts. That’s why we make the enforcement process as easy and effective as possible for you.

Need Help Enforcing a Judgment?

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