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Written by Brad Askew
Legal Tech Founder
Civil & Commercial Law background · Founder of LegalDocuments.co.uk
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Updated April 2026 · England & Wales
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Court & Tribunal Forms
BA
Written by Brad Askew Legal Tech Founder
Civil & Commercial Law background · Founder of LegalDocuments.co.uk
Updated May 2026
·
England & Wales
When a court has ordered you to pay a sum and you cannot keep up, or bailiffs have already been instructed because payments have stopped, there is a route back to the court to ask for breathing space. Form N245 is the application you use to request either a suspension of the warrant that has been issued against you, or a change to the instalments you were originally told to pay.
The idea behind the form is simple: the court wants to understand what you can genuinely afford before deciding whether enforcement should continue. Getting the figures right matters, because the offer you put forward becomes the basis of any new arrangement.
This guide walks through who the form is for, what information you need to gather, and the practical points worth thinking about before you send it in.
What this document is
Form N245 is the court application used in England and Wales when someone who owes money under a County Court judgment wants to ask the court for more time or lower payments. It does two jobs in one document. First, if a warrant of control has already been issued to enforcement agents, the form asks the court to suspend that warrant so the goods in your home are not removed while the court considers your offer.
Second, it asks the judge to vary the original instalment order to an amount that actually fits your budget. To decide, the court needs a full picture of your household finances, which is why most of the form is taken up with questions about income, outgoings, dependants, and other debts.
The form is signed with a statement of truth, so the figures you give must be accurate. Once filed, the creditor is given a chance to respond to the offer, and the court then makes a decision, often on paper without a hearing.
How to use this document
01
Gather your financial paperwork first. Before you open the form, pull together recent payslips or self-employment accounts, bank statements, benefit award letters, your tenancy or mortgage statement, utility bills, and any letters about other debts. The form asks for a detailed breakdown, and having the numbers in front of you means your offer will stand up to scrutiny from the court and the creditor.
02
Complete your personal and household details. Fill in your name, address, and details of anyone who depends on you financially, including children and other adults in the household. You will also need to say whether you own or rent your home. Be accurate about your living situation because it affects how the court assesses reasonable outgoings against your income.
03
Set out every source of income and all your regular expenses. List wages, benefits, pensions, and contributions from others living with you, then list every regular outgoing such as rent, council tax, food, travel, and insurance. The court looks at the gap between income and essential spending to judge what is realistic. Missing items here can lead to an offer being rejected.
04
Declare priority debts, other court orders and credit commitments. The form has separate sections for priority arrears like rent or mortgage, any other County Court orders you are paying, and general credit such as cards, loans and catalogues. Filling these in properly shows the court the full pressure on your budget and explains why the existing instalment is unaffordable.
05
Make a realistic offer and file the form. Work out the monthly amount you can genuinely sustain after essential spending, and enter that as your proposed payment. Sign the statement of truth, keep a copy, and send the form to the court dealing with the claim. There is usually a court fee, though a fee remission may be available if you are on a low income or certain benefits, so check gov.uk for current amounts.
Common questions
QWill filing Form N245 stop bailiffs coming to my home?
Filing the form does not automatically stop enforcement, but it triggers the court to consider suspending the warrant. In practice, many enforcement agents hold off once they are aware an N245 has been lodged, though this is not guaranteed. It is sensible to tell the enforcement company in writing that the application has been made and to keep proof of postage or online submission.
QWhat happens if the creditor rejects my offer?
If the creditor disagrees with the amount you propose, the court will usually decide the matter on paper based on the income and expenditure you have provided. A court officer often sets a figure they consider reasonable, and either side can ask a district judge to reconsider if they are unhappy with the outcome. A short hearing may be listed in some cases.
QIs there a fee to submit Form N245?
Yes, a court fee normally applies when you submit the form. The amount changes from time to time, so check the current fee on gov.uk before you send it in. If you are on a low income, receive certain benefits, or have limited savings, you may qualify for help with fees, which can reduce or remove the charge entirely when you apply using the separate fee remission process.
QCan I use Form N245 for a High Court judgment?
Form N245 is designed for County Court judgments in England and Wales. If the debt has been transferred to the High Court for enforcement by a High Court Enforcement Officer, a different procedure usually applies, and you may need to make a separate application to the court that has conduct of the enforcement. The rules around High Court writs of control are not the same as County Court warrants.
QHow long does the court take to decide?
Timescales vary between court offices, but many applications are considered within a few weeks of filing, especially if the paperwork is complete and the creditor responds promptly. During busy periods it can take longer. Submitting a fully completed form with clear figures tends to speed things up, because the court does not need to come back to you for missing information.
QWhat if my circumstances change after the new order?
If the instalment becomes unaffordable again later on, you can submit a further N245 to ask for another variation. The court expects your financial position to shift over time. The key point is to act before you fall behind on the varied order, because missed payments can lead to a fresh warrant being issued and weaken any future application you make.
QDo I need a solicitor to complete Form N245?
No, the form is designed to be completed by the person who owes the money, without legal representation. That said, the financial sections can feel daunting if you have not dealt with the court before, and the offer you make has real consequences for what you pay each month. Speaking to someone experienced before you file can help you feel more confident about the figures.
BA
Brad Askew Legal Tech Founder
Brad has a background in civil and commercial law and founded LegalDocuments.co.uk to make clear, reliable legal information accessible to everyone. This site is not a law firm and does not provide regulated legal advice.
Legal disclaimer
This article is for general information only and does not constitute legal advice. We are not solicitors. For advice on your specific situation, please consult a qualified solicitor.
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