The enforcement landscape in England and Wales changed significantly in 2026. Creditors now face longer notice periods before enforcement agents can act, higher statutory enforcement fees and increased court fees for several post-judgment applications.

At the same time, the government has announced plans for mandatory accreditation of private enforcement firms through the Enforcement Conduct Board (ECB). These developments make it more important than ever to choose the right enforcement route after obtaining judgment.

This guide explains what changed, what enforcement now costs and how creditors should adapt their post-judgment debt recovery strategy.

What changed from 1 May 2026?

The most important reform is the extension of the mandatory Notice of Enforcement period.

Before 1 May 2026, an enforcement agent generally had to give at least seven days’ notice before taking control of goods. Under the 2026 reforms, the minimum period increased to 14 clear days.

This means an enforcement agent should not normally visit to take control of goods until the statutory notice period has expired. The changes apply across England and Wales to most civil enforcement carried out under the Taking Control of Goods regime.

The reforms are contained in the Taking Control of Goods (Miscellaneous Amendments) Regulations 2026.

“Clear days” is a technical term. The date on which notice is given and the date on which enforcement may begin are not counted in the same way as ordinary calendar days. Service method, weekends and bank holidays can affect the practical timetable.

Creditors should therefore avoid assuming that a notice sent on one date will allow a visit exactly 14 calendar days later.

When can the notice period extend to 28 days?

In qualifying consumer cases, a recognised debt adviser can request that the notice period is extended to 28 clear days.

The extension is generally available where:

• The debtor is an individual;
• The debt is a qualifying non-business debt;
• A recognised debt advice provider makes the request; and
• The request is made before the original 14-day period expires.

The extension is not a general right for every debtor or every type of debt. Business debts and other non-eligible debts may remain subject to the 14-day period without the additional extension.

The purpose of the longer period is to give a debtor time to obtain debt advice, assess their position and consider options such as payment arrangements or other formal solutions. Notices should also provide information about free debt advice and explain how the extension can be requested.

For creditors, the practical point is that enforcement may take longer where a qualifying request is made. A creditor should factor this into cash-flow forecasting and avoid instructing an enforcement agent on the assumption that recovery will happen immediately after the notice is served.

Statutory enforcement fees increased by 5%

The reforms also increased statutory enforcement fees by 5% from 1 May 2026. This is the first general increase in the statutory fee structure for many years.

The increase affects the cost of progressing enforcement through different stages. Although some enforcement costs may ultimately be recoverable from the debtor, recovery is not guaranteed. A creditor may still bear costs where:

• The debtor has no available assets;
• Goods cannot lawfully be taken;
• The debtor has moved;
• Another creditor has priority;
• The enforcement process is withdrawn; or
• The amount recovered is insufficient to cover the expense.

This makes early assessment particularly important. Before instructing enforcement agents, creditors should consider the likely value of recoverable goods, the debtor’s current address, the size of the judgment and whether another enforcement method may be more effective.

Higher fees do not automatically make enforcement unattractive. They do, however, increase the cost of choosing the wrong method.

Court enforcement applications now cost £139

Separate from enforcement-agent fees, several civil court application fees increased on 13 July 2026.

Applications for the following orders are now generally £139 each in the County Court and High Court:

• Charging orders;
• Third-party debt orders; and
• Attachment of earnings orders.

The revised fees are set out in the updated HMCTS civil court fees guidance and the Court and Tribunal Fees (Miscellaneous Amendments) Order 2026.

The fee is only one part of the cost. Creditors should also consider solicitor’s fees, evidence requirements, service, hearings and the time required to obtain payment.

For example, a charging order may secure a debt against a property but may not produce immediate funds. A third-party debt order may be effective if there is money in the debtor’s bank account, but it can fail if the account is overdrawn or the funds have already been withdrawn. An attachment of earnings order may be unsuitable if the debtor is self-employed or has irregular income.

The right question is not simply “Which order is available?” It is “Which order is most likely to produce a proportionate recovery in this case?”

Enforcement applications and orders have fallen

The latest Civil Justice Statistics Quarterly figures, published on 3 September 2026, show a reduction in enforcement activity.

Compared with April to June 2025:

• Enforcement-related applications fell by 7%; and
• Enforcement orders fell by 17%.

The figures do not mean that creditors should stop enforcing judgments. They do, however, underline the importance of realistic case selection and better information before an application is made.

A judgment is not the same as payment. A creditor may have a strong legal claim but still face practical difficulties if the debtor has limited income, no equity, no identifiable bank funds or no goods of sufficient value.

The right enforcement route matters more than ever

A creditor’s post-judgment strategy should begin with an asset and evidence review.

High Court or County Court enforcement

High Court enforcement may be appropriate for qualifying judgments where there is a reasonable prospect of prompt recovery and the debtor has identifiable assets. However, eligibility requirements and financial thresholds must be checked carefully.

County Court enforcement may be more suitable for smaller judgments or cases where the debtor’s circumstances do not justify the additional steps involved in High Court enforcement.

Attachment of earnings

An attachment of earnings order may be effective where the debtor is an employed individual with a stable PAYE income. It is usually less useful against a company, a self-employed person or someone with irregular or low income.

Even where an order is made, deductions may be modest and recovery may take a considerable time.

Third-party debt orders

A third-party debt order can target money held by a bank or owed to the debtor by another person or business. Reliable information is essential. Without knowing where funds are likely to be held, paying the application fee may not be commercially sensible.

Charging orders

A charging order can protect a creditor’s position by securing the judgment against property or certain other assets. It is not, however, an automatic route to immediate payment.

The value of the property, existing mortgages, other charges, ownership arrangements and available equity all need to be considered. In some cases, further steps may be needed before money is realised.

How creditors can keep pressure on lawfully

The reforms do not prevent creditors from pursuing a judgment. They require enforcement to be carried out within the rules.

Creditors should:

1. Keep the judgment amount and payment history up to date.
2. Check whether the debtor has paid anything since judgment.
3. Use accurate addresses and debtor details.
4. Communicate clearly and professionally.
5. Consider a realistic payment proposal where appropriate.
6. Avoid repeated or disproportionate contact.
7. Never misrepresent the powers of an enforcement agent.
8. Keep money recovery separate from possession or eviction proceedings.
9. Obtain advice before escalating where vulnerability or a disputed debt is involved.

A creditor should not use enforcement as a substitute for lawful possession proceedings. A warrant or writ for money recovery does not, by itself, authorise eviction or permit unlawful entry.

Our related guide explains the distinction between money recovery and possession when enforcing a money judgment against a tenant.

Mandatory Enforcement Conduct Board accreditation plans

The government has announced plans to require private enforcement firms to hold accreditation from the Enforcement Conduct Board.

The proposed change would move the sector away from a predominantly voluntary model and create more consistent independent standards for private enforcement firms. The plans are intended to improve professional conduct, complaints handling and accountability.

The precise implementation arrangements and commencement timetable should be monitored. Creditors using enforcement agents should check that the firm is properly authorised and able to operate under the applicable rules when the new requirements take effect.

This may also become a factor when selecting an enforcement provider. A creditor should look beyond headline recovery rates and ask about compliance systems, complaints procedures, transparency and the firm’s approach to vulnerable debtors.

What should someone do after receiving a Notice of Enforcement?

Anyone receiving a Notice of Enforcement should not ignore it.

The 2026 reforms mean there should generally be at least 14 clear days before an enforcement agent can take control of goods. In an eligible consumer debt case, a recognised debt adviser may be able to request an extension to 28 clear days.

A debtor should:

• Check the name, address and amount stated on the notice;
• Seek advice promptly;
• Contact a recognised debt advice provider before the 14-day period expires;
• Raise any relevant vulnerability or dispute issues; and
• Avoid moving, hiding or disposing of goods to defeat enforcement.

The extension is not automatic simply because a debtor contacts the enforcement company. The request must come from a qualifying debt advice provider and must be made in time.

Frequently asked questions

Do bailiffs now have to give 14 days’ notice?

From 1 May 2026, the minimum Notice of Enforcement period increased from seven days to 14 clear days for most relevant civil enforcement in England and Wales.

Can every debtor obtain 28 days?

No. The 28-day extension is generally limited to individuals with qualifying non-business debts where a recognised debt adviser makes a request before the original notice period expires.

Are court enforcement applications still recoverable from the debtor?

The court fee may be added to the amount claimed in appropriate cases, but actual recovery is not guaranteed. The debtor may have no funds or assets, or other creditors may have priority.

Which enforcement method is best?

That depends on the debtor’s circumstances. Information about employment, bank accounts, property, goods, insolvency and payment history should be assessed before choosing a route.

How Tyndel Solicitors can help

Post-judgment recovery requires more than simply issuing instructions to an enforcement agent. The most cost-effective method depends on the judgment, the debtor’s assets and the likely timing of recovery.

Our debt recovery solicitors can advise on enforcement options, while our civil litigation solicitors can assist with judgment enforcement and related court applications across England and Wales.

Contact Tyndel Solicitors on 0208 154 3131 or email [email protected].

This article provides general information about enforcement law in England and Wales as at September 2026. It is not a substitute for advice on your specific judgment or debtor.