Enforcement Flashcards
how can a judgment debtor’s means be investigated?
Can you one or both methods:
o Instruct an inquiry agent - useful if JD might be untruthful about assets
o Obtain an order for information
give a summary of an order for information
JD takes an oath and is question about their / the company’s finances in court
what is the procedure to obtain an order for information?
- Judgment creditor (JC) files an N244 setting out: JD’s name and address, details of the judgment to be enforced (inc. monies owed) and any documents they want JD to produce
- Normally personally served on JD who can then request payment of reasonable travel expenses within 7 days
- Hearing usually takes place in CC where JD lives or carries on business.
* Examination conducted by an officer of the court or a judge if requested by JC
* Standard questions for individuals i.e. what is your take home pay? employer details? Do they own a home and ownership details? and businesses i.e. current contracts? Any cash? Debts due? Ownership?
* JC can ask additional questions
* If JD is a company a director must attend - Court records responses and JD is asked to read and sign them
- If JD does not attend, the court can make a committal order (i.e. an order for contempt of court). This will be suspended if the JD complies with the order.
re: order for information
what must be filed?
Judgment creditor (JC) files an N244 setting out: JD’s name and address, details of the judgment to be enforced (inc. monies owed) and any documents they want JD to produce
re: order for information
who conducts the hearing?
- Examination conducted by an officer of the court or a judge if requested by JC
re: order for information
what can JD request?
payment of reasonable travel expenses within 7 days
re: order for information
what questions are asked?
- Standard questions for individuals i.e. what is your take home pay? employer details? Do they own a home and ownership details? and businesses i.e. current contracts? Any cash? Debts due? Ownership?
- JC can ask additional questions
re: order for information
who attends if D is a company?
- If JD is a company a director must attend
re: order for information
what happens if JD does not attend?
- If JD does not attend, the court can make a committal order (i.e. an order for contempt of court). This will be suspended if the JD complies with the order.
what are the enforcement methods?
- taking control of goods
- charging orders
- third party debt orders
- attachment of earnings
give a summary of taking control of goods
seizure and sale of JDs goods which are then sold at public auction. The debt and costs are deducted and surplus is given back to JD.
re: taking control of goods
when is the court’s permission required?
- If there is an attachment of earnings order in place, JC will need permission from the court to use this method at the same time
re: taking control of goods
what is needed to enforce the judgment?
- Warrant (CC) / writ (HC) of control needed to enforce judgment
re: taking control of goods
when will a matter need to be transferred?
- If the case started in the CC and is to be enforced by the HC, the matter will need to be transferred to the HC
re: taking control of goods
explain the jurisdiction of each court
Judgment court l value l enforcing court
1. CC > less than £600 > CC
2. CC > £600 - £5k > CC or HC
3. CC > over £5k > HC
4. HC > any > HC