Can I enforce a judgment after six years in England and Wales?

Yes, enforcement of judgments after six years in England and Wales is possible, but you need court permission. Under the Limitation Act 1980, creditors have six years from the judgment date to start enforcement proceedings without permission. After six years, you must apply to the court using Form N244 with a detailed witness statement explaining the delay.

What is the six-year rule for enforcement of judgments in England?

The six-year rule under the Limitation Act 1980 allows creditors six years from the judgment date to begin enforcement proceedings without court permission. After this period, enforcement of judgments requires the court's permission, and creditors must demonstrate that enforcement would be 'clearly equitable'.

How do I apply for permission for enforcement of judgments after six years?

To apply for enforcement of judgments after six years, you must file Form N244 with the court, accompanied by a witness statement. The statement must explain: reasons for the enforcement delay, why enforcement would be just and equitable, and evidence that the debtor won't be unreasonably disadvantaged by the delay.

What makes enforcement of judgments 'clearly equitable' after six years?

For enforcement of judgments in Wales and England to be considered 'clearly equitable' after six years, you need exceptional circumstances such as: court or authority errors causing enforcement delays, circumstances beyond the creditor's control, or evidence that the debtor won't suffer loss if enforcement is granted. Common excuses like forgetting the debt rarely succeed.

What enforcement options are available after six years in England and Wales?

Once permission is granted for enforcement of judgments after six years, all standard enforcement methods become available in England and Wales: Control warrant (bailiff action), Control writ (High Court enforcement officer), Income attachment order, Attachment order, and Third-party debt order. Some methods like attachment orders don't require permission but delays will still be considered.

Do judgments expire after six years in England and Wales?

No, judgments don't expire after six years in England and Wales - they remain legally valid. The six-year rule only affects when you can start enforcement proceedings without court permission. Enforcement of judgments after six years is still possible with proper court permission and justification.

What evidence is needed for late enforcement of judgments?

For enforcement of judgments after six years, you need exceptional circumstances with strong evidence. This includes documentation of court errors, proof of circumstances beyond your control, or evidence the debtor won't be prejudiced. The longer the delay, the stronger your justification must be for enforcement of judgments in England and Wales.

What are the key considerations for enforcement of judgments after six years?

Key considerations for enforcement of judgments after six years include: judgments remain valid indefinitely but require court permission after six years, filing Form N244 with detailed witness statement, proving exceptional circumstances for 'clearly equitable' enforcement, stronger justification needed for longer delays, and all enforcement options becoming available once permission is granted in England and Wales.

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Welfare-led Trespasser Removal Services

Welfare-led trespasser removal is a compassionate, legally robust approach that balances the rights of property owners with the immediate needs of vulnerable occupiers. At Shergroup our welfare-led trespasser removal specialists combine trauma-informed engagement, safeguarding triage and meticulous legal checks to secure vacant possession where possible through voluntary move-on and pursue defensible enforcement only when necessary. This welfare-led trespasser removal model recognises the complex causes of unauthorised occupation — from homelessness and mental health crises to family breakdown and social exclusion — and reduces harm, reputational risk and legal exposure for landlords, local authorities and commercial owners. Early welfare engagement increases the chances of peaceful resolution, creates a clear court-admissible record and helps secure long-term prevention measures for your asset.

What is welfare-led trespasser removal and why it matters for property owners?

Welfare-led trespasser removal moves beyond immediate forcible eviction to a structured, best-practice process focused on safety, legal compliance and long-term prevention. For property owners and managers this model lowers the risk of unlawful eviction claims, negative media attention and costly litigation by embedding safeguarding, multi-agency coordination and evidence-led practice at every stage. Shergroup’s teams are trained in de-escalation, trauma-informed communication and safeguarding referrals so occupiers receive practical help where required while your rights are robustly defended.

Key benefits include:

Reduced confrontation through skilled welfare engagement and voluntary move-on options.
Stronger legal defensibility via contemporaneous, court-admissible evidence captured during the process.
Better outcomes by linking individuals to homelessness outreach, support services and local agencies to prevent repeat occupation.

Adopting a welfare-first model demonstrates compliance with best practice and a clear duty of care while preserving your right to recover possession. Shergroup tailors this service for private landlords, social housing providers, estate managers and local authorities dealing with unauthorised occupation, encampments and squatting. By prioritising welfare, owners benefit from lower operational disruption and a defensible, ethical pathway to reclaim property.

How Shergroup verifies legal authority and prepares a defensible action

How do we confirm you have the right to act and avoid unlawful eviction?

Before any on-site attendance we undertake a thorough pre-action legal audit to confirm title, tenancy status and any third-party rights that could complicate removal. This step prevents allegations of unlawful eviction and determines whether negotiation, notice-based removal or court-led enforcement is the correct route. We check ownership documentation, review tenancy agreements, search for existing injunctions and, where necessary, advise on remedial documentary steps so a court-admissible file is assembled.

Our preparatory actions typically include a combination of practical checks and legal measures designed to create a robust evidential trail. These include:

Title and entitlement verification: validating ownership and identifying the correct legal remedy.
Notice drafting and service: preparing provable notices that meet pre-action standards and statutory requirements.
Tracing and identity checks: using specialist tracing to identify occupiers and relevant third parties.
Process serving: ensuring all legal paperwork is provably delivered via professional process serving.

We compile an evidence bundle from the earliest contact so that any escalation — whether seeking County Court Judgments, pursuing a writ of control or referring to insolvency procedures — rests on a defensible, chronological record. This legal-first posture protects owners and gives occupiers clarity about next steps, helping landlords make informed decisions about mediation, litigation or enforcement.

On-site welfare checks, de-escalation and evidence gathering

What happens when a Shergroup team attends the site?

When Shergroup attends a property our priority is safety, dignity and lawful conduct. An attendance is led by a welfare specialist who conducts immediate safeguarding and risk assessment, supported by an evidence officer and an operational coordinator. Initial contact is calm and transparent: officers identify themselves, explain the purpose of the visit and present voluntary options including referral to homelessness outreach and support services. This trauma-informed method builds trust, improves voluntary move-on rates and reduces confrontational outcomes.

Concurrently we gather court-admissible evidence using body-worn cameras, time-stamped photography and contemporaneous logs. All interactions are recorded in a secure, auditable file so that if enforcement becomes necessary there is solid documentation of welfare attempts and lawful process. We often coordinate with statutory agencies, charities and local outreach teams to offer on-the-day support, such as emergency housing referrals, welfare checks or mental health signposting. Multi-agency engagement not only helps the occupier but reduces repeat incidents and strengthens your ongoing prevention strategy.

Assess, Engage, Resolve — Shergroup’s three-stage framework

How does this framework protect property owners and vulnerable occupiers?

Our Assess, Engage, Resolve framework is a repeatable model ensuring every instruction receives a proportionate and lawful response. Assess: we validate legal entitlement, identify safeguarding needs and map risks to staff, occupiers and the public. Engage: we prioritise negotiated solutions, undertake welfare-led engagement and coordinate with outreach and statutory services to secure voluntary move-on. Resolve: where voluntary options fail, we implement a measured enforcement plan supported by the evidential bundle created during Assess and Engage.

Practical benefits for clients include fewer confrontations, stronger recovery options and practical prevention measures. The framework supports a range of outcomes from voluntary move-on and mediation to formal enforcement. If escalation is necessary we can advise on appropriate enforcement pathways including civil remedies and, where applicable, High Court Enforcement. Throughout, we focus on minimising legal risk and reputational damage while ensuring a clear record is available for any future proceedings.

Securing property after vacant possession and pursuing cost recovery

What immediate steps protect your asset following removal and how do we recover costs?

Once vacant possession is achieved Shergroup acts quickly to secure the property and prevent re-occupation. Immediate measures include boarding up vulnerable access points, changing locks and arranging short-term patrols. For higher-risk sites we can coordinate trusted security services and advise on CCTV and alarm upgrades. Tackling physical security quickly reduces the likelihood of repeat trespass and limits insurance exposure.

Our cost recovery process is transparent and evidence-based. We compile a detailed bundle — time-stamped photos, witness statements and operation logs — to support invoicing, insurance claims or formal recovery through specialist debt recovery and debt collection services. Recovery options commonly include negotiation, County Court Judgments, statutory demands and, in specific circumstances, insolvency referrals. We advise on the quickest, most cost-effective route and can manage the entire recovery process for you, keeping costs and disruption to a minimum.

Who Shergroup supports, how to instruct us and what to expect next

Which clients do we help and how do you start the process?

Shergroup works with private landlords, housing associations, local authorities, commercial property owners and estate managers dealing with unauthorised occupation, encampments and squatting. Each instruction is bespoke: we combine tracing, welfare audits, process serving and proportionate enforcement tailored to the property type, risk profile and statutory context. For commercial landlords concerned about rent arrears related to unauthorised occupation we also provide specialist support through our commercial rent arrears service.

To begin, request a confidential assessment via our contact page and we will perform a no-obligation legal and welfare audit before recommending a practical plan. If you need immediate assistance, our teams can mobilise a welfare-led response and quickly deploy tracing resources to identify occupiers. For sector guidance visit our about page or read practical articles on our blog. From your initial instruction through to resolution, Shergroup provides clear, timely advice and a step-by-step plan designed to protect both people and property.

Ready to resolve unauthorised occupation with dignity and legal certainty? Contact Shergroup today for a confidential assessment and a practical, humane plan tailored to your circumstances. Our welfare-led experts will guide you through legal checks, welfare engagement and recovery options to achieve defensible outcomes that protect both people and property. Visit our enforcement pages to learn more about enforcement pathways and reach out to begin the process.

Suresh Jassal