Stopping Enforcement under a
High Court Writ

Stay a High Court writ and set aside the judgment by applying to the High Court. It is the practice of High Court Enforcement Agents to trace debtors to a new address after finding the judgment address is not current, then without giving the required Notice of Enforcement, ambush the debtor to enforce payment. Since 1 May 2026, a Notice of Enforcement must usually give at least 14 clear days before an enforcement agent can move to the enforcement stage. In some cases, a debt advice provider can request an extension so that the compliance period runs to at least 28 clear days. Staying a writ stops the bailiffs and can also deal with disputed enforcement fees and charges. If you are on a low income, apply for court fee remission, the application might cost you nothing!

If bailiffs enforced or turned up about a writ you didn't know about, apply to stay the writ and set aside the judgment. If you want more time to pay the debt, apply to stay the writ and vary the judgment. It doesn't matter if bailiffs have already taken money or goods.

Stay the Writ, Set aside the Judgment

You must show that you:

• Acted promptly after learning about the judgment
• Have a reasonable prospect of defending the judgment
• The address on the default judgment is not your current address

Apply to the High Court to stay the writ of control and set aside the judgment.

Stay the writ, Vary the Judgment

If you want more time to pay the judgment debt, complete a means-enquiry form and apply to stay the writ and vary the judgment.

Since 1 May 2026, High Court Enforcement Officers can consider or agree payment by instalments at the compliance stage, before a visit and before higher enforcement fees are incurred. Do not assume a doorstep payment plan solves the problem once enforcement has moved on. If the writ is already live, the safer route is usually to apply to the High Court for a stay and variation rather than rely on an enforcement company's payment plan.

When the court stays a writ, the order can stop further enforcement and deal with disputed enforcement fees. The order needs to be worded properly.

Always apply for your summary costs. If costs are awarded, the court may order the creditor to pay you or may set them off against the judgment. The creditor may recover your costs from the bailiff company.