County Court bailiff fees: court charges and enforcement costs

County Court bailiffs are court employees. Their court fee rules differ from the staged fees charged by private certificated enforcement agents and High Court enforcement agents.

This guide concerns England and Wales. It explains the main distinction and how to check the charges on your case:

•  Learn what a County Court Judgement (CCJ) is and how it works.
•  Find out about the role of a bailiff in enforcing a CCJ.
• How court fees differ from private enforcement fees.
•  Explore ways to potentially write off some of your debt.
•  Understand your rights and options if you’re struggling with unaffordable debt.

Our team knows the worry that comes with dealing with bailiff companies. We’ve been there, and we understand your situation. We’re ready to provide the information and support you need to navigate this.

Let’s start this journey together and find the best way forward for you.

How much do they charge?

Court-employed County Court bailiffs do not recover the private enforcement £79/£247/£116 stage fees when enforcing warrants of control. The Ministry of Justice confirms this distinction in the explanatory memorandum to the 2026 fee changes.

A creditor normally pays a court fee when requesting a warrant of control, and recoverable fees may be added to the amount owed. Further lawful costs can arise if goods are removed or sold.

Check the court’s itemised statement and the current HMCTS fee schedule. The main steps are:

1. Application for a warrant of control

£96 court issue fee, checked 4 October 2026

If a judgment is not paid as required, the creditor may request a County Court warrant of control. The court process then seeks payment and may lead to lawful action against non-exempt goods.

For enforcement action under the rules in force from 1 May 2026, the usual minimum notice before taking control of goods is 14 clear days. A qualifying debt advice provider can request an extension to at least 28 clear days before the original deadline, except for excluded business debt. A court can shorten notice in specified circumstances; earlier enforcement action is protected by transitional rules.

The current court fee for issuing a warrant of control is £96. This is different from a private enforcement agent’s compliance fee; the court-employed bailiff does not add the private £79 compliance-stage charge.

2. Further court enforcement

Check the itemised court charges

Contact the court promptly if you cannot pay. You may be able to apply to suspend a warrant and offer affordable instalments, but an application or offer does not automatically stop enforcement.

Do not treat a private enforcement fee table as the bill for a County Court bailiff. Ask the court to identify the legal basis for each charge, including any additional application or execution cost.

For example, a £2,000 judgment with a £96 warrant issue fee has £2,096 due before any other recoverable interest or costs. It does not automatically attract the private enforcement-stage fee and percentage charge.

A further visit does not by itself justify repeatedly adding a private enforcement-stage fee. The charge must be authorised by the fee rules that apply to the actual officer and action.

If you are vulnerable, tell the court and bailiff what support you need and request appropriate adjustments. Vulnerability does not automatically remove all court fees.

3. Removing and selling goods

Only costs authorised by the applicable court fee rules

If eligible goods are removed or sold, further permitted costs can be added. Request an itemised statement showing the fee or expense, the action taken and the legal basis; do not substitute the private agent’s sale-stage fee.

Contact the court and a free debt adviser early. Ask about affordable payments, an application to suspend the warrant and any help with court application fees for which you may qualify.

Miscellaneous costs

Additional expenses are recoverable only where the applicable rules authorise them. A locksmith charge cannot turn an otherwise unlawful forced entry into a lawful one.

High Court enforcement uses a different fee schedule. Transfer is not available for every judgment, including judgments on Consumer Credit Act regulated agreements.

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Do I have to pay it?

You must pay only fees and expenses lawfully recoverable in your case. Request a breakdown of any claimed costs, for example:

1. Storing your belongings after they have been seized.
2. A locksmith where both the entry and charge are legally authorised.
3. Selling your belongings, including advertisement and auctioneer fees.

Tell HMCTS about vulnerability and seek support. Do not assume the private enforcement regulation on vulnerable-debtor fees applies to court-employed County Court bailiffs in the same way.

If you dispute a charge, challenge it promptly and ask an adviser about the appropriate complaint or court application. Do not assume a complaint suspends the warrant or that every amount demanded must be accepted as correct.

A warrant of control for an ordinary civil debt does not authorise arrest merely because you cannot pay. Separate court orders and other enforcement powers have different rules.

Can I claim back the charges?

For a County Court bailiff, raise the disputed charge with the court and request a written breakdown or correction. Use HMCTS’s complaints process for service or conduct, and seek advice if a court determination is needed.

Are their fees regulated?

Different fee rules apply to court-employed bailiffs, private non-High Court enforcement and High Court enforcement. The private stage-fee schedule changed on 1 May 2026; court application fees must be checked separately.

The current warrant-of-control issue fee is listed in HMCTS EX50. Check the type of officer and each charge against the applicable schedule rather than assuming all bailiffs have the same fees. See related guidance.

It is rare, but sometimes bailiffs can charge the wrong amount. This is why it is essential that you check your bill and collect receipts for anything that you pay.

Are there ways to avoid them?

Free debt advice can help you assess repayment options and formal protections. An informal plan or enquiry about a debt solution does not itself stop an existing warrant.

There are several different debt solutions available in the UK, so I recommend speaking to a debt charity as soon as possible. Their advisors will be able to look at your finances in detail and help you work out which debt solution will work best for you.

I have linked a few charities that offer these advisory services for free below.

Debt Management Plan (DMP)

A DMP is an informal arrangement for eligible non-priority debts. Creditors do not have to accept it, freeze interest or stop enforcement; a County Court warrant needs specific attention.

Because it is informal, it is not legally binding so you are not tied into a DMP for a minimum number of payments.

Individual Voluntary Arrangement (IVA)

An IVA is a formal insolvency arrangement with creditors. It can include agreed payments or other contributions and binds creditors covered by the arrangement once approved. Fees, effects on assets and credit, and the risk of failure need to be considered with an authorised insolvency practitioner.

An IVA can write off the unpaid balance of included debts on successful completion, subject to its terms. Excluded debts remain payable, and failure can leave you liable for remaining debt and further action.

There is no universal statutory requirement to owe several thousand pounds or have more than one creditor. Suitability depends on the debts, available income or assets, alternatives and the provider’s criteria.

Trust Deed

Scotland has different debt remedies, including protected trust deeds, the Debt Arrangement Scheme and bankruptcy. A trust deed is one option, not a compulsory replacement for an IVA; ask a Scottish debt adviser which options fit your situation. See related guidance.

A protected trust deed is a formal Scottish insolvency arrangement with conditions, costs and risks to assets and credit. Protection and discharge depend on its status and successful completion; it does not automatically cover every debt or prevent every type of contact.

Debt Relief Order (DRO)

In England and Wales, a Debt Relief Order may be available if qualifying debts are no more than £50,000, spare monthly income is no more than £75, assets are no more than £2,000 and any qualifying vehicle is worth no more than £4,000. Other conditions apply, including not owning your home. An approved adviser must assess eligibility. See related guidance.

A DRO normally gives 12 months of protection for the debts included in it. Ongoing bills and excluded debts still need to be paid. Follow your adviser’s guidance, especially where rent arrears or eviction are involved.

Included debts are normally discharged at the end of the DRO period if the order remains in force. Changes in circumstances must be reported and can affect the order; excluded debts are not written off.

Bankruptcy

If you have debts but no realistic possibility of ever paying them off, you may need to declare bankruptcy.

Bankruptcy has an unfair stigma attached to it as it may be your only way of getting a financial fresh start. That said, it is a serious financial situation that should not be taken lightly.

Sequestration

Sequestration is the Scottish version of bankruptcy.

Scotland has its own bankruptcy and Minimal Asset Process eligibility rules. Ask a Scottish debt adviser about the available options rather than assuming England and Wales bailiff rules apply. See related guidance.

What do I do if the bill is wrong?

For a County Court bailiff, contact the court promptly about an incorrect bill. If a private firm is actually involved, contact that firm and the creditor and check the separate fee regime. See related guidance.

You can use my free letter template to help you write the letter. I recommend writing rather than phoning because there will be physical evidence for you to rely on if you need to take the dispute further.

Ask the body responsible for the charge to correct it and refund any overpayment where appropriate. Keep receipts and copies of the response.

Possible reasons for complaint include:

• The wrong fee regime or percentage calculation has been used.
• A court or enforcement fee has been charged at the wrong amount.
• You have been charged for something that the bailiffs didn’t do
• The bailiffs haven’t given you receipts for their disbursement costs, and you think they’re wrong
• A charge is claimed for action that was not legally authorised.

If the issue is not resolved, obtain advice on the appropriate court application or complaints escalation route and its costs.

If you are considering any type of court action, you need to seek legal advice immediately. The debt charities that I have linked below will be able to guide you on your best next steps.

• StepChange
• National Debtline
• Citizens Advice
• Debt Advice Foundation.

Does the bailiff’s salary affect the fees?

No. The amount an individual bailiff is paid does not determine what can lawfully be added to your debt. The applicable court fee or enforcement fee rules control recoverable charges.