I have a judgment but the defendant hasn't paid

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This guidance is also available in pdf format.

How can I get my money after judgment?

If a court has decided that someone must pay you an amount of money (you have 'obtained judgment against the defendant'), and you have not received a payment, this guidance may help you decide what to do next.

The court will not enforce the judgment unless you ask it to.

You can try and get your money (called 'enforcing your judgment') by asking the court for any of the following:

• a warrant of execution;
• an attachment of earnings order;
• a third party debt order; or
• a charging order.

This guidance provides short descriptions of each of these methods of enforcement.

If the amount you are owed is more than £750, you can also apply to make the defendant bankrupt. However, this can be expensive. You can get information about bankruptcy procedures from staff at a county court which deals with bankruptcy.

Remember, the court cannot guarantee you will get your money back and you will have to pay a fee for any action you take. Although the court will add the fee to the money the defendant already owes, the court cannot return what you have paid if you do not get your money from the defendant, or the court refuses your application.

However, your financial situation may mean you do not have to pay a fee. The guidance Court Fees - do I have to pay them? provides further information on this. Court staff can also provide you with a copy of this guidance and the application form. You will have to make a separate application for each fee that you would otherwise have to pay.

Before you decide how to continue you should consider whether:

• you are likely to get your money and court fee from the defendant;
• the defendant owes other people money or has other county court judgments;
• the defendant owns any goods or assets which can be taken and sold at auction;
• the defendant is working;
• the defendant has other earnings, such as income from investments;
• the defendant has a bank, building society or other account;
• the defendant owns property (a house); or
• anyone else owes the defendant money.