20: Enforcement Flashcards
When does a judgment take effect?
A judgment takes effect from the day it is given or from a later date specified by the court.
What can a judgment debtor apply for if they want to stop the enforcement of a judgment?
A judgment debtor can apply for a stay of execution.
What must the judgment debtor provide to apply for a stay of execution?
The judgment debtor must provide evidence of means (financial circumstances) and show they are unable to pay or it is not expedient to enforce the order.
What happens if a stay of execution is granted?
The judgment debtor will need to still to pay the debt in instalments.
Under which acts can claimants claim interest up to the date of judgment?
Interest can be claimed under s69 County Courts Act 1984 (County Court) or s35A Senior Courts Act 1981 (High Court).
Under which act does it state that there is no interest due on County Court judgments for less than £5,000? (Apart from 2 exception)
County Courts (Interest on Judgment Debts) Order 1991.
What are the exceptions for interest on County Court judgments less than £5,000?
- Debt arising under a contract with provided interest terms.
- Debt with statutory interest under the Late Payment of Commercial Debts (Interest) Act 1998.
What is the interest rate for County Court judgments of £5,000 or more?
Same rate as a High Court judgment (8%) if payment has not been postponed.
What happens to interest if a judgment creditor recovers any payment during enforcement?
No interest runs during that period of partial enforcement.
All method enforcements, even if partially effective, postpone interest on the judgment debt from running except one. Which is it?
A charging order.
At what rate do High Court judgments carry interest from the date of the judgment?
8% per annum
Can a County Court judgment be transferred to the High Court for interest purposes?
Yes, if it is for £600 or more, it can be transferred and will carry High Court interest rates (8%).
What is the interest for County Court judgments for less than £5,000?
None, unless provided for in a contract or from Late Payment of Commercial Debts (Interest) Act 1998.
What is the interest for County Court judgments for £5,000 or more?
At the same rate as a High Court (8%), unless postponed by a method of enforcement.
What sources of information might be used to investigate a judgment debtor’s circumstances?
Public registers, social media, local news media, and public records at Companies House.
What can an enquiry agent be used for?
To ascertain what assets the judgment debtor has.
What might a judgment creditor use in appropriate cases to find out the debtor’s assets?
A freezing injunction and/or a search order.
What is the purpose of applying for an order to obtain information?
To determine the best method of enforcement by discovering the judgment debtor’s assets.
What form is used for an application notice to obtain information from a judgment debtor?
Form N316 Application for order that debtor attend court for questioning.
What is the process of applying for an order to obtain information?
- Judgment creditor files Form N316
- Court issues order requiring judgment debtor to attend court and produce documents
- Order is served personally on debtor no less than 14 days before hearing
- Debtor may, within 7 days of service, ask the credior to pay their travel expenses to court
- Creditor files an affidavit no less than 2 days before hearing, or produce it at hearing
- Hearing (before judge or court officer)
What must the application to obtain information contain according to PD 71?
- Judgment debtor’s name and address
- identifying the judgment debt
- request questioning before a judge (if needed)
- documents the debtor should bring to court.
Who will take the hearing after an order to obtain information is issued?
Either a court officer or a judge.
If the hearing to obtain information is attended by a court officer, what are the creditor’s responsibilities?
The creditor MAY attend and ask questions. The court officer will ask a standard set of questions set out in PD 71.
If the hearing to obtain information is attended by a judge, what are the creditor’s responsibilities?
The creditor MUST attend and conduct questioning. The standard set of questions are not used.
What if the judgment debtor doesn’t turn up to the hearing?
They may be issued with a committal order (send someone to prison for contempt of court).
What parts of the rules govern enforcement of judgments?
Part 71: Order to obtain information
Part 72: Third party debt order
Part 73: Charging order (using a Part 8 claim form)
Parts 83-85 : Taking control of goods
Part 89: Attachment of earnings order (AEA 1971)
What does taking control of goods involve?
Recovering the judgment debt by seizing personal possessions of the debtor of equivalent value.
Can taking control of goods be combined with other enforcement methods?
Yes, it can be combined with other methods.
When is the court’s permission required for taking control of goods?
The court’s permission is required if the judgment is more than six years old.
How is taking control of goods done in the County Court and High Court?
In the County Court, it is done by a warrant of control;
in the High Court, it is done by a writ of control.
Who carries out the enforcement in the County Court and High Court?
County Court certificated enforcement agent (bailiff/CCCEA) in the County Court;
High Court enforcement officer (HCEO) in the High Court.
What are the monetary thresholds for taking control of goods in the County Court and High Court?
Less than £600 must be enforced in a County Court;
£600 to £5,000 can be enforced in either court;
£5,000 or more must be enforced in the High Court.
What are the key steps in taking control of goods?
- Judgment creditor files a request for a warrant (or writ) of control and pays the fee.
- Court prepares the warrant (or writ) of control.
- Court passes the warrant (or writ) to the enforcement agent/officer.
- Enforcement agent/officer visits the judgment debtor’s premises.
- Enforcement agent/officer takes control of goods.
- If unpaid, goods sold at public auction.
- Enforcement costs deducted from sale proceeds.
- Balance paid to judgment debtor.
Where must the judgment creditor file documents for taking control of goods? Give answers for both High Court and County Court.
High Court: Relevant District Registry or Central Office of the Senior Courts.
County Court: County Court hearing centre or Money Claims Centre.
What form is used for a writ of control in the High Court?
Form No. 53: Writ of Control.
What form is used for a warrant of control in the County Court?
Form N323: Request for Warrant of Control.