Court action and CCJs · 5 min read
High Court Enforcement Officer letter: what it means and how to respond
A letter from a High Court Enforcement Officer means a CCJ has been transferred to the High Court for a writ of control. HCEO fees, what they can and can't do, and how to stop enforcement or apply for a stay.
- Fact-checked
- Against official sources
- Last updated
- Next review due
- April 2027
- Applies to
- England and Wales
- Sources
- 4 listed on this page
Independent guidance, not a government service. This page is general information about the law in England and Wales, not financial or legal advice. Debt solutions have fees, risks and consequences. For free, impartial advice, contact MoneyHelper or a debt charity.
The short answer
A High Court Enforcement Officer (HCEO) letter means a county court judgment of £600 or more has been transferred to the High Court, and a writ of control has been issued. HCEOs follow the same core rules as other bailiffs – including no forced entry to your home for a normal civil debt – but charge higher fees. You can pay, agree a plan, or apply to the court to stay (pause) the writ. Debts regulated by the Consumer Credit Act can’t be enforced this way.
Why your debt is with an HCEO
A creditor with a county court judgment of £600 or more can ask for it to be transferred to the High Court for enforcement by an HCEO. Judgments of £5,000 or more must usually be enforced in the High Court.
The important exception: debts regulated by the Consumer Credit Act 1974, such as most credit cards, store cards and personal loans, must be enforced in the county court. If an HCEO is chasing you for one of these, get advice.
HCEO fees from 1 May 2026
| Stage | Writs from 1 May 2026 | Before 1 May 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| Compliance | £79 | £75 |
| First enforcement (visit) | £200 + 7.5% of the debt over £1,200 | £190 + 7.5% over £1,000 |
| Second enforcement | £520 | £495 |
| Sale or disposal | £550 + 7.5% over £1,200 | £525 + 7.5% over £1,000 |
Under the 2026 changes, the second enforcement fee can’t be charged if you pay in full or agree a payment arrangement during or after the first contact at your address. And if nobody was home at the first visit, the HCEO must give you another chance to pay or agree terms before moving on. VAT may be added to HCEO fees in some cases.
Check the figures with our bailiff fees calculator.
What HCEOs can and can’t do
- They must send a Notice of Enforcement first, then wait at least 14 clear days (for writs from 1 May 2026).
- They can’t force entry to your home for a normal civil judgment debt.
- They can only take control of goods between 6am and 9pm.
- They can’t take essential items, work tools up to £1,350 or other people’s goods.
- Business premises can have different rules.
Read your rights when bailiffs visit.
How to stop HCEO enforcement
- Contact the HCEO firm and offer an affordable payment arrangement in writing. Agreeing a plan at the first contact can stop the £520 second enforcement fee.
- Apply to the High Court for a stay of execution if you can’t afford the payments demanded. You’ll normally use form N244, explain your finances and propose instalments. There’s a court fee, and you may qualify for Help with Fees.
- Apply to set aside the original judgment if you didn’t know about the claim. See how to set aside a CCJ.
- Check whether the debt is regulated by the Consumer Credit Act. If it is, it shouldn’t be enforced in the High Court.
- Get advice about Breathing Space, a DRO or an IVA if you have other debts. See debt solutions compared.
Complaining about an HCEO
Complain to the HCEO firm first. You can then go to the High Court Enforcement Officers Association (if the firm is a member), the Enforcement Conduct Board if the firm is accredited, or the court. See how to complain about a bailiff.
Frequently asked questions
Are High Court Enforcement Officers more powerful than bailiffs?
They follow the same core rules on entry, timing and exempt goods. The main differences are the type of debt and the higher fees.
Can an HCEO enforce my credit card debt?
Not if the credit card agreement is regulated by the Consumer Credit Act, which most are. Those debts must be enforced in the county court.
Can I pay the creditor directly instead of the HCEO?
Once a writ is with an HCEO, payments usually go through the HCEO so that their fees are dealt with. Ask both the HCEO and the creditor if you want to negotiate.
Sources
How we wrote this article
- Research: written from primary sources such as legislation.gov.uk, GOV.UK and the Insolvency Service, then fact-checked by a second member of our team. The sources are listed above.
- Checked: last checked on . Next review due April 2027, or sooner if the rules change.
- Scope: applies to England and Wales. If you live in Scotland or Northern Ireland, read our Scotland and Northern Ireland guide. It is general information, not personal advice.
- Independence: we are not a government website or service, and we are not connected to any council, court or enforcement company.
- Money: we may receive a fee if we introduce you to a debt advice firm. This doesn't change what we write. How we're paid.
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