High Court Enforcement Group: How to Deal With HCE Group

High Court Enforcement Group Limited, commonly shortened to HCE Group or HCEG, is an active private enforcement company under company number 04527630. Its registered office is Marine House, 2 Marine Road, Colwyn Bay, Conwy, LL29 8PH. It enforces High Court writs and provides related judgment, property and commercial enforcement services.

Yes, but High Court enforcement has a specific structure. An authorised High Court Enforcement Officer accepts responsibility for a writ and can direct certificated enforcement agents who carry out visits. The person attending is therefore often an enforcement agent acting for the named HCEO rather than the authorised officer personally.

HCE Group may be enforcing a High Court judgment, a County Court judgment transferred to the High Court, an employment tribunal award, a writ of possession, a writ of delivery, commercial rent or another enforceable liability. Check the claimant, court, writ, reference, balance and address.

A writ of control authorises an HCEO to enforce an unpaid judgment by requesting payment and, where lawful, taking control of non-exempt goods. It is the High Court equivalent of a County Court warrant of control.

An eligible County Court money judgment can generally be transferred for High Court enforcement where the amount to be enforced exceeds £600. Judgments regulated by the Consumer Credit Act cannot normally use this route. The creditor must obtain the appropriate High Court writ.

Depending on the case, enforcement may be resolved or paused by paying, securing an accepted arrangement, obtaining a court stay, setting aside or varying the judgment, proving goods belong to someone else, starting Breathing Space or using a suitable formal debt solution. Nothing is stopped until the relevant hold or protection is confirmed.

You can propose affordable instalments supported by a budget, but the HCEO or creditor does not have to accept every offer. Obtain written confirmation of the instalments and whether attendance, controlled-goods action, removal or sale is suspended.

HCE Group currently lists 01492 539039 as its debtor line and enforcement@hcegroup.co.uk for debtor enquiries. It also says to use the telephone number printed on the letter because cases can be handled by different offices.

For a writ of control under the current rules, the debtor normally receives at least 14 clear days' Notice of Enforcement before an attendance to take control of goods. A qualifying debt adviser may request an extension to 28 clear days for an eligible non-business debt before the original period expires.

For writs lodged with an HCEO from 1 May 2026, the High Court scale is £79 at compliance, £200 plus 7.5% above £1,200 at enforcement stage one, £520 at enforcement stage two and £550 plus 7.5% above £1,200 at sale or disposal. VAT or a VAT-equivalent amount can apply to enforcement fees depending on the creditor's VAT position.

Stage two is not simply a fee for 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 money judgment under a writ of control, an agent does not normally have a general power to force entry into a residential home on the first visit. Different rules can apply to commercial premises, lawful re-entry after goods have been controlled and enforcement of a writ of possession.

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

Contact the court and obtain urgent advice about setting aside the judgment and applying for a stay of execution. A set-aside application does not automatically stop the writ, so a separate stay may be needed. Tell HCE Group and the claimant when an application is filed.

HCE Group enforces writs of possession and provides eviction services. Possession enforcement is different from money enforcement and can authorise entry and removal from land or premises. Check the possession order, writ, notice and exact eviction authority immediately.

Tell HCE Group and the judgment creditor promptly, explain the circumstances and foreseeable harm, and request the practical adjustment needed. Supporting evidence can help, but urgent vulnerability should be reported without waiting for every document.

HCE Group currently accepts complaints at complaints@hcegroup.co.uk, by telephone on 01492 539039 or by post to its Complaints Officer in Swansea. Its current process normally acknowledges within two working days, seeks informal resolution within five working days and completes a formal investigation within 20 working days. Eligible unresolved complaints can then go to the Enforcement Conduct Board.

Breathing Space can pause enforcement of a qualifying notified writ debt once the moratorium is active and the creditor or HCEO is notified. An approved IVA can bind creditors for qualifying civil judgment debts. Goods already controlled, secured rights, possession cases and excluded debts need separate review.