Question to the Ministry of Justice:

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, whether he is taking steps to help ensure that county court judgments (CCJs) against rogue traders are enforced; and what enforcement steps can be taken if such a CCJ cannot be delivered.

This government recognises the importance of having effective routes available to enforce judgment debts. The civil courts offer different enforcement methods that a judgment creditor may apply for to recover money that a court has ordered is owed. These include warrants or writs of control, attachment of earnings, third party debt orders, and charging orders. These processes are individually designed to address different financial circumstances, and collectively aim to make it as difficult as possible for judgment debtors to avoid their responsibility.

Despite the many methods of enforcement available, the courts cannot guarantee to obtain the payment of civil debt, particularly where a debtor goes to great lengths to evade payment or simply does not have the means to pay.