A writ of control is a High Court order that authorises a High Court enforcement officer (HCEO) to seize and sell your company's goods to recover an unpaid court judgment debt. It is used once a County Court judgment (CCJ) of £600 or more has been transferred to the High Court for enforcement, and it generally moves faster and has wider powers than a county court warrant. If your company has been served with a notice of enforcement, understanding the process now will help you decide what to do next.
This article explains where a writ of control comes from, how it differs from county court bailiff action, what can be seized, how fees build up, and the realistic options open to a director facing High Court enforcement.
What a writ of control is and where it comes from
A writ of control begins with a judgment debt — usually a CCJ your company has not paid. Once the debt reaches £600, the creditor can apply to transfer it from the county court to the High Court using form N293A. The court then issues the writ, which is passed to an HCEO authorised under the Tribunals, Courts and Enforcement Act 2007 and the Taking Control of Goods Regulations 2013.
Unlike a county court bailiff, an HCEO is a private individual authorised by the Lord Chancellor to enforce High Court writs. HCEOs work for enforcement companies but operate under strict statutory rules governing notice, conduct and fees.
How High Court enforcement differs from county court
High Court enforcement is generally quicker and firmer than county court bailiff action. HCEOs can enforce across England and Wales without waiting for a separate warrant in each area, and they typically have stronger commercial incentive to recover the debt, since fees are linked to the stages they complete.
- Speed: transfer to the High Court can happen within days of judgment, with enforcement following soon after the notice period.
- Reach: a single writ covers the whole of England and Wales, unlike a county court warrant tied to a local court.
- Conduct: HCEOs must still follow the same Taking Control of Goods framework as county court bailiffs, including notice requirements.
The notice of enforcement and the seven-day window
Before an HCEO can attend your premises, the law requires at least seven clear days' notice — a notice of enforcement — sent to the company, excluding weekends and bank holidays. This gives your company a short but genuine window to pay the debt in full, agree a controlled goods arrangement, or seek advice before any visit takes place.
The notice will set out the debt, the creditor, the enforcement company's details and the earliest date enforcement can begin. Ignoring it does not make the process go away — it simply moves the case towards the next, more costly stage.
What High Court enforcement officers can seize
Once the notice period has passed, an HCEO can attend to take control of goods belonging to the company. This can include:
- Business equipment, machinery, stock and vehicles owned outright by the company.
- Office furniture, computers and other saleable assets not essential to safety.
- Cash found on the premises, in some circumstances.
Certain items are protected, including tools, equipment and vehicles genuinely necessary for the company to keep trading, up to a set value, and goods that belong to a third party rather than the company. If you are unsure what agents can take, our guide to what can bailiffs take from a business sets out the exempt categories in more detail.
Fees and how the debt grows
High Court enforcement fees are fixed by the Taking Control of Goods (Fees) Regulations 2014 and are added to the debt as the case progresses through defined stages:
- Compliance stage: a fixed fee once the case is passed to the HCEO.
- Enforcement stage: a further fixed fee, plus a percentage of any amount recovered above £1,000, charged when the HCEO attends to take control of goods.
- Sale or disposal stage: an additional fee, again with a percentage above £1,000, if goods are removed and sold.
Each stage adds cost on top of the original judgment debt, so the total owed can rise significantly the longer enforcement continues without payment or agreement.
Options to pause or resolve enforcement
Directors facing a writ of control usually have more room to manoeuvre than they expect, particularly within the notice window. Common routes include:
- Paying the judgment debt and fees in full to stop enforcement immediately.
- Negotiating a controlled goods agreement or payment plan directly with the HCEO.
- Applying to the court to suspend or set aside the writ, where there are valid grounds.
- Exploring a formal insolvency process, which can affect or halt enforcement depending on timing.
If cashflow pressure from this debt is part of a wider pattern, it is worth reading how to manage a business cashflow crisis before deciding which route fits your company. Where the debt sits alongside other creditor action, our overview of a CCJ against a limited company explains how these processes connect.
Frequently asked questions
Can I stop a writ of control once it has been issued?
Paying the debt in full, including fees, stops enforcement at any stage. Before or during the notice period you may also be able to agree a payment arrangement with the HCEO, or apply to the court to suspend the writ if you have valid grounds.
Can my company agree a payment plan with the enforcement officer?
HCEOs can agree a controlled goods agreement, which allows the company to keep using listed goods while making payments. There is no automatic right to a plan, so any arrangement is at the HCEO's discretion and should be confirmed in writing.
Does entering insolvency stop High Court enforcement?
Certain formal insolvency processes, such as administration, bring a moratorium that generally prevents new or continuing enforcement action, subject to the rules in the Insolvency Act 1986. The effect depends on timing and the exact stage enforcement has reached, so this needs checking against your specific circumstances.
What happens if High Court enforcement agents can't gain entry?
HCEOs generally cannot force entry to business premises to take control of goods on a first visit for most debts. They may return, seek entry another way permitted by law, or the creditor may consider other enforcement routes instead.
Is a writ of control the same as bailiffs visiting my premises?
They are related but not identical. "Bailiffs" is often used loosely for any enforcement visit, while a writ of control is specifically the High Court instrument that authorises an HCEO to act. Our guide to bailiffs at your business premises covers visit rights and conduct rules in more depth.
This article is general information, not legal, financial or insolvency advice. Every company's situation is different, and directors should speak to a regulated specialist about their own circumstances before deciding how to respond.
If you would like to talk through the options for your company, Harbourfirst can introduce you to a regulated insolvency practitioner or solicitor who can advise on your specific position — start an enquiry.