Form N325A UK: Warrant of Possession Guide (2026)
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If a court has granted a suspended possession order and the occupier has failed to comply with its terms, the next step for many landlords and mortgagees is to ask the court to issue a warrant of possession. Form N325A is the request document used to trigger that next stage, allowing a county court bailiff to be instructed to recover the property.
It sounds administrative, but the detail matters: missing information, inaccurate payment records, or failing to notify the defendant properly can delay enforcement or cause the request to be rejected. This page walks through what the form covers, what you need to gather before filling it in, and the common points where applicants get tripped up.
Whether you are acting as a landlord chasing arrears or a lender enforcing against a mortgaged property, understanding the process helps you move forward with fewer surprises.
What this document is
Form N325A is a county court request form used to ask the court to issue a warrant of possession of land after a suspended possession order has already been made. A suspended order is a judgment that gives the occupier a chance to stay in the property provided they meet certain conditions, typically paying off arrears at an agreed rate or keeping up with ongoing rent or mortgage instalments.
If those conditions are broken, the claimant can apply for the warrant to be issued without going back for a fresh hearing in most cases. Once a warrant is issued, a county court bailiff is authorised to carry out eviction and hand possession back to the claimant.
The N325A is specifically for cases involving land and dwellings, and it is distinct from the form used where no suspension applies. It captures the details the court needs to verify that the conditions have indeed been breached and that enforcement is appropriate.
How to use this document
- Check the terms of the suspended order. Before anything else, read the original order carefully. It will set out what the occupier had to do to keep possession, such as paying a set weekly or monthly amount on top of current liability. You need to be sure the conditions have actually been breached before asking the court to issue the warrant. 2. Reconcile the payment history. List every payment the defendant has made from the date of the order to the date you are making the request. The court relies on these figures to confirm that arrears remain outstanding. Inaccurate or incomplete records are one of the most common reasons warrant requests are challenged or delayed. 3. Complete the N325A with the required details. Fill in the claimant and defendant information, the address of the property, the date of the original judgment or order, and the financial breakdown including any fees and costs you are entitled to add. Double check the claim number matches the original proceedings so the court can locate the file quickly. 4. Serve notice on the defendant where required. For dwelling houses enforced by mortgagees, you must give the occupier notice of your intention to apply for the warrant in line with the Dwelling Houses (Execution of Possession Orders by Mortgagees) Regulations 2010. Keep evidence of service, as the court will want confirmation that this step has been handled correctly. 5. File the form and pay the fee. Submit the completed N325A to the county court hearing centre dealing with the claim, along with the court fee. Check gov.uk for the current fee amount, as these are periodically updated. Once accepted, the court will process the request and arrange for a bailiff appointment to be scheduled.
Common questions
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Common questions
Q What is the difference between a suspended order and an outright possession order?
An outright possession order requires the occupier to leave by a fixed date with no conditions attached. A suspended order, by contrast, gives the occupier a chance to remain in the property as long as they comply with specified terms, usually paying off arrears in instalments. If those terms are broken, the claimant can apply for a warrant using Form N325A rather than starting fresh proceedings.
Q Do I need a fresh court hearing before the warrant is issued?
In most cases involving a suspended order, a further hearing is not required. The court can issue the warrant on the papers once you have submitted Form N325A and the supporting information about breached conditions. However, the defendant may apply to suspend or set aside the warrant, which could lead to a hearing. Mortgage possession cases also carry specific notice requirements you must satisfy first.
Q How long does it take for a bailiff appointment to be arranged?
Timescales vary significantly between county court hearing centres, depending on local bailiff workloads and backlogs. Some areas issue an appointment within a few weeks, while others take considerably longer. If speed matters, you can consider transferring enforcement to the High Court using a separate process, though this is not always available for possession claims and has its own eligibility rules.
Q Can the defendant stop the warrant being carried out?
Yes. The defendant can apply to suspend or stay the warrant, typically by making a payment proposal or arguing that enforcement would cause hardship. The court will consider whether allowing more time is reasonable given the circumstances. If this applies, the eviction appointment may be postponed pending a hearing, so you should be prepared for potential delays even after the warrant has been issued.
Q What fees and costs can I include in the warrant request?
You can generally include the issue fee for the warrant itself, any legal representative's costs that have been allowed, and, for mortgage cases, the land registry fee where applicable. Check gov.uk for the current court fee amount, as these change from time to time. Only costs that are permitted under the rules or the original order should be listed, so check the order carefully.
Q Does Form N325A apply to all types of possession claims?
No. Form N325A is specifically for requesting a warrant after a suspended order for possession of land. Different forms apply where no suspension was ordered, or where you are dealing with trespassers or certain commercial property scenarios. Using the wrong form will cause the request to be rejected, so it is worth confirming the form number matches your exact situation before submitting.
Q What happens on the day of eviction?
The county court bailiff attends the property at the scheduled appointment and formally takes possession, usually in the presence of the claimant or their representative. The bailiff will ask occupiers to leave and can remove them if necessary. The claimant is typically responsible for arranging to secure the property immediately afterwards, for example by changing locks, so it helps to have a locksmith arranged in advance.
If you're dealing with this kind of situation, speak to an experienced legal adviser who can walk you through it — from £89.
Sources
This guide is based on primary UK law and official guidance.
- Guidance · UK GovForm N325A on gov.ukgov.uk
- LegislationDwelling Houses (Execution of Possession Orders by Mortgagees) Regulations 2010legislation.gov.uk
- Guidance · HMCTSCivil Procedure Rules – Part 83 (Writs and Warrants)gov.uk
- Guidance · HMCTSCourt and tribunal fees (gov.uk)gov.uk
Legal helpline
Not sure if you can apply for the warrant yet?
Requesting a warrant after a suspended order depends on whether the conditions in the original order have actually been breached, and the paperwork needs to reflect that clearly. An experienced legal adviser can help you think through where you stand based on what you describe on the call, so you know what to focus on before you file.
- A plain-English explanation of how the warrant process works for what you describe
- Practical perspective on whether the suspended order conditions have been breached
- What to watch out for when preparing the N325A in your circumstances
- Clarity on next steps and timing based on your specific situation
Legal disclaimer
This article is for general information only. It is a tool to help you find your way — not legal advice, and not a substitute for speaking to a qualified adviser about your situation.