Form N323 UK: Warrant of Control Guide (2025)

What this document is

A warrant of control is a county court enforcement order that gives authorised bailiffs the power to attend the debtor's address, demand payment of the judgment sum, and take control of goods belonging to the debtor up to the value of the debt plus costs and interest. It is the county court equivalent of the writ of control used in the High Court, and it is typically the first enforcement step people consider for smaller judgment debts.

Form N323 is the application form you complete to ask the court to issue that warrant. You can only apply once judgment has been entered and the time the debtor was given to pay has passed without full payment. The court will check the application, charge a fee, and if everything is in order, issue the warrant so that bailiffs can act on it.

The warrant does not create any new finding of debt. It is purely a tool for enforcing a judgment that already exists.

How to use this document

1. Check the judgment is enforceable. Before filing Form N323, confirm that a County Court Judgment has been entered against the debtor and that the deadline for payment has passed. If the judgment is less than a certain value, county court bailiffs handle it. Larger judgments are often better transferred to the High Court for enforcement by High Court Enforcement Officers.
2. Gather the details you will need. You will need the original claim number, the court where judgment was entered, the full name and current address of the debtor, the outstanding balance, and any interest or costs you are adding. A working daytime phone number helps the bailiff contact you if they run into a question on the day of a visit.
3. Complete Form N323 accurately. Fill in the form with the creditor and debtor details, the amount you want the warrant to cover, and any additional information that could help the bailiff, such as whether goods are kept at a different address or whether the debtor is known to operate a business from the premises.
4. Pay the court fee and submit. Send or file the completed form with the issuing court along with the applicable fee. Check gov.uk for the current amount, as court fees change from time to time. Some applicants are eligible for help with fees if they are on a low income.
5. Wait for the warrant and bailiff action. Once issued, the warrant is passed to the county court bailiffs, who will attempt to contact the debtor and arrange payment or attend in person. You will be updated on progress, and any money recovered is paid through the court to you, less deductions where relevant.