Service Charge Guide
Stage5of 5

Judgment, payment and enforcement

Check what the County Court ordered and whether payment has cleared. If money remains unpaid, compare enforcement options.

Start with these three checks

  1. Record the main sum owed (principal), interest, costs and payment deadline separately.
  2. Check that funds have cleared before recording payment.
  3. Compare enforcement methods using current forms, fees and asset information.

Guidance for this stage

Start with the first topic for an introduction, or choose the guidance for the task you are returning to.

Check payment and consider enforcementCheck the amount and deadline in the judgment, record cleared payments and consider enforcement only if money remains unpaid.9 min

Examples to help you prepare

These fictional examples show how to organise the work. Use them to start a document or check one you already have. Replace the example facts and figures before using any wording in your case.

A judgment record with an outstanding balance

One small record prevents principal, interest, costs and later payments from being mixed together.

Read: Check payment and consider enforcement

Principal£140.00

Interest awarded£9.20

Court costs awarded£185.00

Total judgment£334.20

Payment due14 days after the judgment date

Cleared payments£0.00

Outstanding balance£334.20, subject to the exact judgment terms and any further interest lawfully due

Check your own document

  • Include an outstanding-balance row in your judgment record.
  • Use the sealed judgment's figures and payment terms, not a hearing note or draft order.
  • Record the cleared date and amount of every payment or shortfall.

A concise request for payment of the judgment

The request identifies the order, total and deadline without reopening the decided dispute.

Read: Check payment and consider enforcement

The judgment dated [date] requires payment of £334.20 by [date]. No payment has cleared as at [date].

Please pay by the method set out below and send remittance confirmation. If payment has already been made, please identify the date, amount and reference so it can be checked.

Check your own document

  • Quote the exact total and deadline from the sealed order in your payment request.
  • Do not add an unverified sum for interest or enforcement fees.
  • Send payment details securely and preserve proof of delivery.

An enforcement choice recorded from evidence

This note shows why one method is being investigated using the information available about the debtor.

Read: Check payment and consider enforcement

Judgment debtorAn individual; exact name and address checked against the judgment

Information knownCurrent employer confirmed. No reliable bank-account or property information.

Method to investigate firstAttachment of earnings, subject to eligibility, the current form and fee.

Why not another method yetThere is no present evidence identifying money held by a bank or an interest in property.

Next checkConfirm the judgment remains unpaid and review current GOV.UK enforcement guidance (opens in a new tab) before applying.

Check your own document

  • Add the evidence supporting each asset or employment assumption.
  • Check that the method is available against this kind of debtor and judgment.
  • Record the current fee, recoverability, likely delay and risk before filing.

Templates and checklists

Choose a download, then adapt it