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Form N336 UK: Attachment of Earnings Search Guide

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Part ofCounty Court Forms UK

Written by Brad Askew Solicitor (non-practising)
Brad is on the roll of solicitors of England & Wales but does not hold a practising certificate and does not provide legal advice.
Updated June 2026 · England & Wales
If you are chasing payment of a county court judgment and suspect the debtor already has deductions being taken from their wages by another creditor, Form N336 is the tool that lets you check. It is a straightforward request and result sheet used to search the centralised attachment of earnings index held by the county court. The result tells you whether an existing order is in place, the rate at which deductions are being made, and how much is still outstanding under it. Knowing this matters, because it shapes the kind of enforcement step that is worth pursuing next. In this guide I will walk through what the form does, who typically uses it, how it fits into the wider enforcement process, and the practical points worth thinking about before you complete one.

What this document is

Form N336 is a county court form with two jobs rolled into one document. The first half is the request, where the person chasing a judgment debt asks the court to carry out a search of the attachment of earnings index.

The second half is the result, completed by court staff, confirming what the search revealed. The attachment of earnings index is a central record of orders made by county courts that require an employer to deduct sums from a judgment debtor's wages and pay them over to the court.

If an order is already running against the debtor, any fresh application for an attachment of earnings will usually be consolidated with the existing one rather than sitting alongside it. That is why checking the index first can save time, court fees, and wasted effort.

The form is most often used by judgment creditors, or those acting on their behalf, who are weighing up whether an attachment of earnings application is the right enforcement route, or whether a different method would be more effective.

How to use this document

  1. Confirm you have a county court judgment. Before you can apply to search the index or pursue any attachment of earnings route, you need a judgment debt that remains unpaid. The search is an enforcement step, not a pre-judgment tool, so make sure the court has already entered judgment in your favour and the debtor has failed to pay in line with the order.
  2. Fill in the request section of Form N336. Complete your details, the debtor's full name and last known address, the claim number, and any reference you use. Accuracy matters here, because the search is carried out against the name and address held on the index. A typo or missing middle name can mean a genuine match is missed, so double check against the judgment.
  3. Send the form to the appropriate court office. The completed request is submitted to the court that handles attachment of earnings searches. A fee usually applies, so check gov.uk for the current amount before sending. Some applicants include the search as part of a wider attachment of earnings application rather than as a standalone step.
  4. Wait for the court to complete the search. Court staff will look at the index and record the outcome in the results section of the form. If an order is in force, they will note the normal deduction rate set by that order and the balance still owed under it. If there is no matching entry, the form will confirm that too.
  5. Decide on your next enforcement step. The result shapes what you do next. If an order is already running, you may choose to apply for a consolidated attachment of earnings order. If no order exists, you can weigh up whether to apply for one yourself or whether another method, such as a charging order or a writ, would suit your circumstances better.

Common questions

If you're dealing with this kind of situation, speak to an experienced legal adviser who can walk you through it — from £89.

Common questions

Q Who can ask the court to carry out an N336 search?
The search is aimed at judgment creditors who already have an unpaid county court judgment against the debtor. In practice, that usually means the claimant named on the judgment, someone acting on their behalf such as a debt recovery firm, or a solicitor. You cannot use the form to investigate someone's finances without an existing judgment, because the search is an enforcement tool rather than an information-gathering exercise.
Q What information does the search result actually tell me?
If an attachment of earnings order is in force against the debtor, the result will confirm that and record the normal deduction rate set by the order along with the balance still owed under it. If there is no matching order on the index, the result will simply state that no order was found. It does not tell you the debtor's total debts, employer details, or income.
Q Is there a fee to submit Form N336?
Yes, a court fee usually applies for this type of search. Fees change from time to time, so it is worth checking the current figure on gov.uk before you send the form in. If you are on a low income or receive certain benefits, you may qualify for help with fees. The court office can point you to the relevant application if this applies.
Q What happens if the search shows an order is already in force?
If another creditor has already secured an attachment of earnings order against the same debtor, the court will generally consolidate any new order with the existing one rather than running two separate deductions. This means the employer deducts a single combined amount and the court distributes it between the creditors. It can slow recoveries, but it keeps the process manageable for the debtor and their employer.
Q Can I use Form N336 if the debtor is self-employed?
Attachment of earnings only works where the debtor is employed and receiving wages through PAYE, because it relies on an employer making deductions. If the debtor is genuinely self-employed, an attachment of earnings order is unlikely to be available, so a search of the index may not help. In those situations, other enforcement methods such as charging orders or third party debt orders are usually worth considering.
Q How long does the search usually take?
Turnaround times vary depending on how busy the court is and how the form is submitted. Some applicants receive the completed form back within a couple of weeks, while others wait longer. If you are working to a deadline, it is sensible to contact the court office to ask about current timescales before you rely on the result for any subsequent enforcement steps.
Q Do I still need to apply separately for an attachment of earnings order?
Yes. Form N336 is only a search of the existing index, not an application for an order. If you want deductions to start coming out of the debtor's wages for your judgment, you will need to make a separate application using the correct attachment of earnings application form. The search simply helps you decide whether that route is likely to be worth pursuing.
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.

Brad Askew, Solicitor (non-practising)

Written & reviewed by

Brad Askew Solicitor (non-practising)

Brad is on the roll of solicitors of England & Wales but does not hold a practising certificate and does not provide legal advice. LegalDocuments.co.uk is not a law firm and does not provide regulated legal advice.

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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.