Can I stop a High Court Writ once enforcement begins?

Yes. You may apply to stay the writ and vary the judgment under CPR 83.7(3) and 23.10. This pauses enforcement and suspends further fees while the court considers your application.html

What if I never received notice before a bailiff attended?

If a valid Notice of Enforcement was not served, the enforcement is invalid. You may challenge the fees, apply to stay the writ, and seek a refund of money taken.html

Can bailiffs enforce a High Court writ at the wrong address?

No. If the writ contains an incorrect or outdated address, any enforcement based on it is unlawful. You may apply for redress under paragraph 66 of Schedule 12.html

Are bailiffs allowed to add fees after I pay the debt?

No. Once the judgment debt is paid, the enforcement power ends. Any demand for post-payment fees is unlawful unless goods were lawfully taken into control before payment.html

How can I verify a bailiff’s authority to enforce a High Court writ?

Ask for a copy of the Writ of Control and the bailiff’s court-issued enforcement certificate. If either is missing or defective, the enforcement may be invalid.html

Bailiff enforcement of High Court writs: your legal rights

If a bailiff has turned up with a High Court writ, you still have rights—and the enforcement may be unlawful if key legal rules were breached. Whether the writ is defective, the fees are excessive, or you never received notice, this page explains how to challenge the enforcement, stay the writ, and recover money taken. Don’t be intimidated—stand your ground and assert your rights under UK law.

Remedies

• The bailiff attended about a judgment debt you knew nothing about

• You do not accept that the debt being enforced is owed

• You need more time to pay the original debt

• Bailiffs attended after you applied to stay the writ of control

• The bailiff refused to show you the Writ of Control

• The bailiff refused to show evidence of his identity or flashed a police-like ID badge

• Your name or company name is spelled wrong on the Writ of Control

• The address on the Writ of Control is incorrect or outdated

• The bailiff did not give you a Notice of Enforcement

• The bailiff forced you to pay someone else's debt

• The bailiff attended your private address to enforce a company debt

• You recently moved. Bailiffs turned up

• You are a vulnerable person

• You are going bankrupt but bailiffs are pestering you

• The bailiff wrote on a document that you paid a sum of money "voluntarily"

• The debt has been paid, but the bailiff is still pressuring you to pay his fees

• The bailiff's fees are too high

• The bailiff charged high "storage fees" for keeping your vehicle

• The bailiff charged you VAT on his fees and charges

• The bailiff is recovering a judgment over six years old

• The bailiff is enforcing a judgment debt that is over 12 months old

• The bailiff has wheel-clamped your vehicle

• The bailiff has towed away your vehicle

The bailiff sold your vehicle (goods), but he did not give you a written valuation
The bailiff removed your vehicle from a private car park or a neighbour’s allocated parking space
The bailiff does not have a valid enforcement certificate
The bailiff threatened you with a locksmith
A bailiff left a document hanging out of your letter-box or communal doorway
The bailiff said he is an "officer"
Bailiffs are sending you unwanted text messages that are causing you alarm or distress
The bailiff jammed his boot into your door to stop you from closing it
The bailiff was wearing a body worn video camera
The bailiff ambushed you with a TV film crew
The bailiff said he called the police
The police arrested you or threatened to arrest you
The bailiff damaged your property or vehicle
You want to make a formal complaint about the bailiff

Nope! None fit - The Nuclear Option!

If you believe the enforcement was improper or the bailiff has acted unlawfully, you may be entitled to recover money taken or have the enforcement set aside. Start by applying to stay the writ and vary the judgment under Civil Procedure Rules 83.7(3) and 23.10. This will suspend enforcement and stop further fees. You can also ask the court to assess the bailiff’s charges under Regulation 16 of the Taking Control of Goods (Fees) Regulations 2014. If the Writ of Control is defective, or the bailiff breached any part of Schedule 12 of the Tribunals, Courts and Enforcement Act 2007, then the enforcement fees are not recoverable, and the bailiff must return the money taken. Always request a copy of the Writ of Control and the bailiff’s enforcement certificate. If either is missing, defective or misused, you may bring proceedings for recovery, damages, or seek an injunction. Bailiffs rely on intimidation, so a confident and informed challenge often brings results.