Enforcement of European Enforcement Order
in England & Wales

I have a European Monetary Court Order against a debtor

You have been to court in a country within the European Union and obtained a monetary Court Order.

The debtor is residing in England or Wales and has not paid.

How do I enforce the European Enforcement Order?

Prior to Brexit a European Enforcement Order (EEO) was able to be enforced in the UK very easily usually without the assistance of a lawyer via the Lugano Convention.

Since the end of the Withdrawal Agreement this is now much more complex.

Since Brexit Great Britain is no longer a party to the Lugano Convention. An application to join the Lugano Convention is being progressed but has yet to be agreed by the EU. Until the Lugano Convention is ratified there is an earlier procedure that can be used to get the judgment enforced in England and Wales by a High Court Enforcement Officer.

This procedure requires the engaging of an English lawyer to transfer the Order to the English High Court. Frank G Whitworth has teamed up with an English law firm to provide a complete service.

Foreign Judgements being enforced in England and Wales fall within 2 categories.

• Default judgments that have been found in the absence of the defendant.
• Defended judgments where the defendant has participated in the proceedings.

Where the judgment is a default judgement the process does not require registration but the European Enforcement Order still must undergo a court procedure. Where the judgment is a defended judgement then it must be registered with the High Court.

How much does it cost?

Costs will vary dependant on the type of judgment, the country of origin and the date of judgment.

• The average cost for a default judgment is of the order of £671.
• A defended judgment requiring registration involves additional legal fees. Until we have more details about the judgment we are unable to provide guidance on the cost.

When enforcement is successful some of the costs to you (the claimant) are able to be recovered from the debtor, but not all of the costs.

Contact us to discuss the collection of your European Judgment.