Form N322A UK: Enforce Tribunal Award or COT3

What this document is

Form N322A is a County Court application used to register an award so that it can be enforced as if it were a County Court judgment. It's most commonly used for employment tribunal awards that haven't been paid, ACAS conciliated settlements recorded on a COT3, and certain other tribunal or statutory decisions where legislation allows the sum to be treated as recoverable through the County Court.

The form itself doesn't force anyone to pay. What it does is give you the legal foothold in the County Court that you need before you can instruct bailiffs, apply for a charging order, ask for an attachment of earnings, or use any of the other enforcement methods available once a judgment debt is registered.

Without that step, the County Court has no record of the debt and no authority to enforce it on your behalf. A court fee applies when you submit the application. Fees change, so check gov.uk for the current amount before you file, and bear in mind that you may be able to claim the fee back from the debtor as part of the enforcement costs.

How to use this document

1. Confirm N322A is the right form for your award. Not every tribunal or statutory decision is enforced this way. Check the wording of your decision or COT3 and the underlying legislation to confirm that registration with the County Court under Form N322A is the correct route. If this isn't clear from the paperwork, take advice before filing. 2. Gather your supporting documents. You'll need a copy of the tribunal decision or the signed COT3 settlement, and the original case reference from the tribunal or ACAS. Make sure the names and addresses on your supporting documents match what you plan to enter on the form, because inconsistencies can cause the court to reject the application. 3. Complete each section carefully. Work through the form marking whether you're enforcing a decision or a settlement, naming the tribunal or body that made the decision, citing the statutory provision that allows registration, entering your contact details as applicant, and entering the respondent's details exactly as they appear on the original award. Accuracy matters here because enforcement against the wrong legal entity can fail later on. 4. Calculate the amount outstanding. Enter the sum still owed at the date of application. Don't add the court fee at this stage, as that's handled separately. If the award or settlement entitles you to interest, set out how you've calculated it so the court can see the figure is justified rather than simply asserted. 5. File the form and pay the fee. Send the completed N322A with your supporting documents to the County Court, along with the applicable fee or a fee remission application if you qualify. Once registered, you can then choose which enforcement method to pursue, whether that's a warrant of control, attachment of earnings, charging order, or third party debt order.

Common questions