# Enforcement of money judgments

> **Key takeaway:** Match method to assets: goods (TCE), bank debts (CPR 72 TPDO), land/securities (CPR 73 charging order), wages (attachment). CPR 71 for means info. Consider insolvency. Check stays and priorities.

- **Jurisdiction:** England & Wales
- **Practice area:** Civil Procedure
- **Last reviewed:** 2026-08-04
- **Interactive page:** https://kttclegal.info/library/notes/CivilProcedure/enforcement-of-judgments
- **Keywords:** enforcement, charging order, third party debt order, taking control of goods, attachment of earnings, CPR 72, CPR 73, judgment debt

## What is this about?

Winning a money judgment is not the same as recovery. CPR Parts 70–73 (and related schedules/practice directions) provide methods to enforce, including writs/warrants of control, charging orders, third-party debt orders, attachment of earnings, and insolvency routes. Method selection turns on the debtor's assets and income.

## What is the core rule?

A judgment creditor may use one or more enforcement methods authorised by the CPR and related statutes. Common tools: taking control of goods (TCE Act 2007 / CPR 83–84 machinery as applicable), charging orders over land or securities (CPR 73), third-party debt orders against debts due to the judgment debtor (CPR 72), and attachment of earnings in the County Court. Information hearings (CPR 71) can compel disclosure of means. Insolvency petitions are an alternative pressure/recovery route where thresholds are met.

## What are the elements or test?

1. Is there a judgment or order for payment of money, and has time for payment expired?
2. What assets/income does the debtor have (bank, wages, land, goods)?
3. Choose method: control of goods, TPDO, charging order, attachment of earnings, stop order, insolvency
4. Any stay of execution, set-aside application, or instalment order?
5. Priority against other creditors and insolvency implications

## Which authorities matter?

- **Civil Procedure Rules, Parts 70–73 (and related enforcement Parts/PDs)** — Core procedural framework for general enforcement, information, third-party debt, and charging orders.
- **Tribunals, Courts and Enforcement Act 2007 (taking control of goods)** — Modern statutory scheme for enforcement against goods.
- **Charging Orders Act 1979** — Substantive power to impose charging orders on beneficial interests.

## How does this apply in practice?

High Court vs County Court enforcement pathways and transfers matter for writs vs warrants. Foreign judgments need recognition/registration first. This note does not cover possession warrant procedure in depth. Always check current forms and fee scales.

## What are common pitfalls?

- Issuing enforcement before the judgment sum is due or while a stay is in force
- Choosing goods enforcement against a debtor with no seizable assets
- Ignoring joint account / beneficial ownership issues on charging orders
- Pushing enforcement that triggers bankruptcy with poor recovery prospects without strategy

## When would a practitioner use this?

Post-judgment recovery strategy, interim charging orders, and advice on which button to press first.

## Quick reference

Match method to assets: goods (TCE), bank debts (CPR 72 TPDO), land/securities (CPR 73 charging order), wages (attachment). CPR 71 for means info. Consider insolvency. Check stays and priorities.

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*Reference material from [KTTC Legal](https://kttclegal.info/), not legal advice. Work product supports instructing solicitors and barristers under their supervision. England & Wales.*