CCJ enforcement – the County Court and bailiffs
When the bailiff contacts you, which may be on the phone or by visiting your home, they should give you another opportunity to pay what’s owed. Many bailiffs will also agree to affordable payment plans.
You don’t have to let them into your home and they can’t take goods from you without a court order (a controlled goods agreement) being issued – and this would not happen on their first visit to you.
Find out how to deal with bailiffs and their rights and powers.
If your CCJ has been raised to recover council tax arrears or child maintenance, a liability order can be granted. This means court-appointed debt collection agents can visit you. You’ll also be ordered by the court to make payments or have money taken directly from your wages.
Attachment of earnings orders and County Court judgments
An attachment of earnings order is another way the court can recover money owed. This kind of order allows them to take money from your wages.
The court will write to you about this, sending you a ‘statement of means’, N56 form, which you should use to respond.
This order will allow the court to take a fixed amount from your income.
Find out how attachment of earnings orders work.
Charging orders and CCJs
Creditors can also apply for a charging order, which secures the debt against your home or any property you own.
You should never ignore a charging order as this puts you at risk of losing your home.
If you’re worried about not being able to pay a CCJ, or other debts, contact us for free and impartial debt advice.
Find out more about charging orders.