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Warrant of Control

Send bailiffs to
recover your judgment

A Warrant of Control authorises County Court enforcement agents to visit the debtor's address, seize goods, and recover what you are owed. For judgments up to £5,000.

What It Is

What is a Warrant of Control?

A Warrant of Control is the standard County Court enforcement mechanism. You apply to the court using Form N323, and the court issues a warrant authorising enforcement agents to attend the debtor's address.

The process is straightforward: the bailiff sends a 7-day notice letter, then visits the premises. They can seize goods, clamp vehicles, and ultimately sell seized items at auction to recover your money.

Best for:

  • Judgments up to £5,000
  • Debtors with visible assets or business premises
  • Cases where lower cost is a priority
  • Situations where you know the debtor has goods worth seizing

Key Facts

FormN323
Court fee£77
Maximum debt£5,000 (County Court)
Notice period7 days before attendance
Typical timeline4–8 weeks total
Fee recoverableYes — added to debt
The Process

How bailiff enforcement works

Complete Form N323

Apply for a Warrant of Control at the County Court that issued your judgment. Include judgment details and the debtor's address.

Court processing

The court processes your application (typically 2–3 weeks) and issues the warrant to the enforcement agent.

7-day notice

The bailiff sends a Notice of Enforcement giving the debtor 7 days to pay before they attend. Many debtors pay at this stage.

Bailiff attendance

The bailiff visits the debtor's address, identifies goods for seizure, and either recovers payment or removes goods for auction.

Bailiff Powers

What bailiffs can and cannot take

Bailiffs CAN take:

  • Vehicles (can be clamped on private land)
  • Business equipment and stock
  • Furniture and electronics
  • Jewellery and valuables
  • Goods belonging to the debtor only

Bailiffs CANNOT take:

  • Essential clothing and bedding
  • Basic kitchen equipment
  • Tools of trade below £1,350 value
  • Goods belonging to third parties
  • Items on hire purchase or finance
Get Help

Need specialist help with a Warrant of Control?

A specialist can assess whether a Warrant of Control is the right enforcement method for your case, complete the N323 form, and manage the bailiff process for you.

Free initial case review — no obligation
Assessment of whether bailiff enforcement is right
Form N323 completed and submitted
Bailiff process managed on your behalf
Alternative enforcement methods advised if bailiffs fail

Get help with this

Submit your enquiry and a specialist will review your case. No obligation.

Important: Claim Builder is not a law firm. We do not provide legal advice directly. We collect your enquiry details and aim to refer suitable enquiries to an independent qualified solicitor who can advise on your case.

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FAQ

Warrant of Control — your questions answered

Ready to send bailiffs to recover your judgment?

Our specialist network provides Form N323, step-by-step bailiff guidance, and alternative enforcement methods if bailiffs are not the right choice. No solicitor required.