Form N344 UK: Judgment Summons Warrant Guide

What this document is

Form N344 is the court form used by a claimant who already holds a judgment summons order and wants the court to issue a warrant of committal against a defendant who has not paid. A judgment summons is itself a specific enforcement process, most commonly used for certain categories of debt such as maintenance orders or debts owed to HMRC, rather than ordinary commercial debts.

Once a judge has made a committal order on the back of a judgment summons, the order is typically suspended on terms that the debtor pays by instalments. If the debtor breaches those terms, the claimant can then use Form N344 to bring the suspended order into effect by asking for the warrant to be issued.

The form captures the identities of both parties, details of the committal order, the outstanding balance, any interest and fees, and any payments made since the order was issued. It also invites the claimant to flag practical information that may help the bailiff, such as additional addresses or potential safety concerns.

How to use this document

1. Check that a judgment summons route applies. Warrants of committal are only available in limited circumstances. Confirm that the underlying judgment falls within a category where a judgment summons can be issued, and that a suspended committal order is already in place. If none of these conditions are met, a different enforcement method will usually be needed instead.
2. Gather the case details. Before filling in Form N344, locate your original claim number, the date of the committal order, the terms of any suspended order, and an up-to-date record of payments received. Accurate figures are important because the court will rely on what you certify when deciding whether to issue the warrant.
3. Complete Form N344 carefully. Enter the claimant's full name and address, a separate service or payment address if different, and the defendant's full name and last known address. Fill in the balance due, any interest accruing, fees, and costs. Include any amounts paid since the order was made so the figure the warrant is issued for is correct.
4. Add information to assist the bailiff. The form includes space to share anything that might help the bailiff locate or safely approach the defendant. This could be alternative addresses, working patterns, or warnings about the possibility of aggressive behaviour, weapons, or dangerous dogs. The more practical detail you provide, the more realistic the chance of execution.
5. File the form and pay the fee. Submit the completed form to the court that issued the committal order, along with the applicable court fee. Check gov.uk for the current amount. Keep a copy for your records and wait for the court to confirm whether the warrant has been issued and passed to a bailiff for action.

Common questions