What Is a Warrant of Execution?

Purpose

• If a person has a court-ordered judgment to pay a sum of money and fails to pay it, a warrant of execution is issued by the court. It is used to recover money through the sale of a debtor's property. It can only be used if the debtor defaults on paying the debt.
  
  

Process

• When a warrant is issued, a sheriff must remove as much of the debtor's movable property as necessary. The sheriff then sells it at a public auction. If the debtor does not have a sufficient amount of movable property, his immovable property (such as real estate) is sold.
  
  

Details

• For a warrant of execution to be issued by a county court, the amount must be between UK£600 and UK£5,000. If the amount is higher, a person can ask for the judgment in the High Court. These warrants are only effective if the debtor has property to seize.