Skip to main content
Book a call — £89
Menu

Form EX550 UK: Affidavit of Service Guide (2026)

We're not a law firm — we help you find the right legal support. For advice on your situation, speak to a legal adviser or find a solicitor.

Part ofUK Court & Tribunal Forms

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
When a judgment creditor needs to prove that a debtor has been properly served with either an order to attend court for questioning or a suspended committal order, Form EX550 is the document the court expects to see. It is a sworn statement that confirms the order reached the right person, at a known address, and that any travel expenses question was dealt with correctly. Getting this form right matters because enforcement steps further down the line, including possible committal, can hinge on whether service was properly evidenced. This guide walks through what the form does, how its three parts fit together, who typically completes it, and the practical points to keep in mind before signing in front of an authorised officer. If you are new to post-judgment enforcement, the terminology can feel heavy, so I will keep it plain.

What this document is

Form EX550 is a court form used in England and Wales to evidence service of two specific orders: an order to attend court for questioning (sometimes called an order to obtain information from a judgment debtor) and a suspended committal order. Both orders carry real consequences if ignored, so the court needs firm proof that the person named was actually given the document and understood what it required of them.

The affidavit is sworn evidence, meaning the person who carried out the service signs a statement of truth in front of a solicitor, commissioner for oaths, or other authorised officer, and affirms that the details recorded are accurate. It is split into three parts covering who was served and how they were identified, whether travel expenses were offered or requested, and the formal swearing or affirmation.

Without a properly completed EX550 on the court file, enforcement based on non-compliance with the underlying order can run into difficulty.

How to use this document

  1. Confirm which order you are serving. Before touching the form, be clear whether you are evidencing service of an order to attend questioning or a suspended committal order. The wording you complete needs to match the actual order issued, and the court file should reflect this consistently across all enforcement paperwork you submit.
  2. Complete Part A with recipient details. Record the full name, address, and occupation or description of the person served. Part A also asks how you identified the individual as the person named in the order, so delete or fill in the options accurately. This matters most where service was in person and identification was based on appearance, admission, or another method.
  3. Address travel expenses in Part B. The judgment creditor states in Part B whether travelling expenses were requested by the debtor and, if so, whether they were paid. If no request was made, that should be recorded clearly. Courts take this seriously because a debtor cannot be punished for non-attendance if reasonable travel costs were refused.
  4. Swear or affirm Part C before an authorised officer. Part C turns the document into sworn evidence. The person who served the order, known as the deponent, must sign the affidavit in the presence of a solicitor, commissioner for oaths, or court officer, confirming the contents are true. Swearing falsely can amount to a criminal offence, so review everything before signing.
  5. File the completed affidavit with the court. Once signed and witnessed, the affidavit is submitted to the court dealing with the enforcement, usually alongside any further application or in preparation for a hearing. Keep a copy for your own records and make sure it reaches the correct court office well before any listed hearing date.

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 complete Form EX550?
The form is completed by the person who actually served the order, which might be the judgment creditor, a process server, a solicitor acting for the creditor, or in some cases a court bailiff. The key point is that the deponent must have first-hand knowledge of how service was carried out, because they are swearing to the facts set out in the affidavit.
Q Where do I swear the affidavit?
Part C must be sworn or affirmed in front of someone authorised to take oaths. That typically means a solicitor who is not involved in the case, a commissioner for oaths, a notary public, or a court officer. A fee may apply for external swearing, so it can be worth checking whether the court office where you are filing can handle this at the same time.
Q What happens if travel expenses were not offered?
A debtor cannot generally be held in contempt for failing to attend questioning if they asked for reasonable travel expenses and these were refused or not provided. If expenses were requested and paid, say so in Part B. If they were never requested, record that too. Accuracy here can determine whether the court is willing to enforce the order.
Q Does service have to be personal?
Orders to attend court for questioning and suspended committal orders usually require personal service on the individual named, rather than service by post or at a business address. This is because the consequences of non-compliance are serious. Part A of the affidavit is designed to evidence exactly how the person was identified at the point of service.
Q What if I make a mistake on the form?
If you spot an error before swearing, redo the form cleanly. Do not alter a sworn affidavit after signing without following the proper procedure, because amendments to sworn evidence can undermine its reliability. If a mistake is discovered after filing, you may need to swear a supplementary affidavit correcting the position, and the court can direct how this should be handled.
Q Is there a fee to file Form EX550?
The affidavit itself is filed as part of an enforcement process, and court fees can apply depending on the stage of proceedings and any accompanying application. Fees change from time to time, so check gov.uk for current amounts or ask the court office before submitting. Fee remission may be available for those on a low income or certain benefits.
Q What happens after the affidavit is filed?
Once the court has proof of service on file, it can proceed with the next step in enforcement. For an order to attend questioning, that usually means the debtor is expected at the listed hearing, and if they fail to attend, the creditor can ask the court to consider committal. For a suspended committal order, the affidavit supports any later application to activate it.
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.

Full profile →SRA register ↗
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.