Writ of Control: What It Means and How to Stop Enforcement

A writ of control is a High Court enforcement document authorising an authorised High Court Enforcement Officer to enforce an unpaid money judgment by requesting payment and, where lawful, taking control of non-exempt goods.

No. A writ of control is issued through the High Court and is enforced under the responsibility of a High Court Enforcement Officer. A warrant of control is normally issued through the County Court and enforced by County Court bailiffs. The fee structures and administration differ.

An eligible County Court money judgment can generally be transferred for High Court enforcement where the amount to be enforced is more than £600. A County Court judgment regulated by the Consumer Credit Act cannot normally use this transfer route.

For a relevant writ received under the current rules, the enforcement company must normally give at least 14 clear days' Notice of Enforcement before an attendance to take control of goods. Certain excluded days do not count.

For an eligible non-business debt, an authorised debt adviser may request an extension so the notice period becomes 28 clear days. The request must be made before the original compliance period expires.

Depending on the facts, a writ may be resolved or paused by payment, an accepted arrangement, a court stay, setting aside or varying the judgment, proving third-party ownership, Breathing Space or a suitable formal debt solution. Enforcement continues until the relevant hold, moratorium or court order is confirmed.

Not automatically. A set-aside application challenges the judgment, but a separate application for a stay of execution may be needed to stop enforcement while the court considers the case.

A stay of execution is a court order temporarily suspending enforcement. It may be sought while another application is decided or where the debtor asks the court to consider payment terms. The writ remains enforceable until the stay is granted.

You can propose affordable instalments supported by a budget, but the High Court Enforcement Officer or judgment creditor does not have to accept every offer. Obtain written confirmation of the plan and whether attendance, stage two, removal and sale are suspended.

For writs lodged with an HCEO from 1 May 2026, the High Court fee scale is £79 plus VAT at compliance, £200 plus VAT and 7.5% above £1,200 at enforcement stage one, £520 plus VAT at stage two, and £550 plus VAT and 7.5% above £1,200 at sale or disposal.

Stage two is not simply charged because an agent makes a second visit. It normally begins where the debtor refuses both payment and an acceptable instalment agreement, or enters into and then breaks a controlled-goods or repayment agreement.

For an ordinary writ of control at a residential home, an agent does not normally have a general power to force entry on a first visit. Different rules can apply to commercial premises and lawful re-entry after goods have been controlled. A writ of possession is a separate process.

Yes. An agent may attend business premises and the entry rules can be broader than at a residential home. The legal debtor, ownership of stock and equipment, finance agreements and any third-party assets should be checked carefully.

A vehicle owned by the judgment debtor can potentially be clamped or removed if it is not exempt. Provide evidence quickly if it belongs to someone else, is subject to finance, is used for qualifying disability needs or is essential for work within the statutory exemption.

Essential household items, basic clothing, disability equipment, domestic pets, goods wholly owned by another person and qualifying work tools within the statutory £1,350 limit are commonly protected. Ownership and exemption evidence may be required.

Tell the enforcement company immediately and provide reasonable proof of identity, address and ownership of valuable goods. Do not pay another person's judgment merely because the notice reaches your address.

Breathing Space can pause enforcement of a qualifying notified judgment debt once an authorised debt adviser starts the moratorium and the creditor or HCEO is notified. It does not cover every debt or necessarily release goods already controlled.

An approved IVA can bind creditors for qualifying included judgment debts and restrict further enforcement. Whether it protects against a particular writ depends on the debt, timing, creditor and whether goods have already been controlled.