Transferring County Court Possession Orders to the High Court

This page explains, step-by-step, how to move a County Court possession order to the High Court for a writ of possession, with links to the official forms and the current Civil Procedure Rules. It covers tenants/occupiers and trespassers, notice requirements, and what UK Bailiff Services needs to proceed.

CPR Part 83 & PD 83 (2025) N244 · PF92 · PF88/PF89 No.66/66A writ N293A (trespassers) N54/N54A eviction notice

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England & Wales only. This is general guidance for professionals, not legal advice.

At a glance

Tenants / Occupiers

No pre-application notice is required by the CPR for N244 (optional best practice unless the court directs). Usual sequence: N244(s.42 CCA 1984) → PF92(apply in High Court) → PF88(possession) or PF89(combined) → writ sealed on No.66/66A. Then serve N54 at least 14 days before eviction (CPR 83.8A).

Trespassers

Use N293A to certify & transfer. If more than 3 months since the order, obtain permission to issue (CPR 83.13(3)–(4)). No N54 is required for trespassers (CPR 83.8A(6)).

HCEOA guidance aligns with CPR: 14-day N54 for tenants/occupiers; exemption for trespasser writs.

Process flow (side-by-side)

High Court Possession (Tenants/Occupiers)

Step 1 County Court possession order (CPR Part 55).

Step 2 N244 —ask to transfer enforcement (s.42 CCA 1984). Notice optional unless directed.

Step 3 High Court: file PF92 with order + permission; then request issue using PF88 or PF89. Writ on No.66/66A.

Step 4 Serve N54/N54A(14/7 days) unless varied/dispensed (CPR 83.8A).

Step 5 Enforcement attendance, locksmith, inventory, welfare & hand-back.

Trespassers (“persons unknown”)

Step 1 Possession order against trespassers (keep plan/land description if relevant).

Step 2 Use N293A to certify & transfer for writ of possession (CPR 83.19).

Step 3 If order is 3+ months old, obtain permission to issue (CPR 83.13(3)–(4)).

Step 4 No N54 required for trespassers (CPR 83.8A(6)).

Step 5 Enforcement with proportionate on-site communication.

Detailed process – tenant/occupier cases

Obtain a County Court possession order. Most claims start in the County Court (CPR Part 55).

Apply to transfer enforcement to the High Court (s.42 CCA 1984). File Form N244. Provide reasons (delay, risk, proportionality). The decision is discretionary.

Apply in the High Court for a writ of possession. Use PF92 with: (i) sealed possession order; (ii) County Court transfer order/certificate; (iii) draft writ (PD 83). Then request issue using PF88 (possession) or PF89 (combined).

Writ sealing (Form No.66 / 66A). Issued by the High Court (CPR 83.9; PD 83).

Serve Notice of Eviction (N54/N54A). Serve N54 at least 14 days before eviction; if re-listing, N54A (min. 7 days). Court may vary/dispense (CPR 83.8A).

Enforcement by HCEO. We coordinate attendance, locksmiths, inventory and hand-back; welfare and vulnerability protocols followed.

Fees: Check the latest HMCTS fees in EX50 (updated 10 July 2025). HCEO professional fees are separate from court fees.

Detailed process – trespasser claims

County Court possession order against trespassers. Keep sealed copies (include plan/description if land-based).

Use N293A to certify & transfer for a writ. Complete N293A (trespassers only). Transfer takes effect on grant (CPR 83.19).

If 3+ months have elapsed, obtain permission to issue. Apply under CPR 83.13(3)–(4); then proceed to seal No.66.

No N54 notice required. CPR 83.8A(6) disapplies the 14-day eviction notice to trespasser writs.

What we need to proceed

Sealed County Court possession order (and any suspended terms / money judgment).
For tenants/occupiers: County Court s.42 transfer order(N244 outcome). For trespassers: N293A(certificate & request).
High Court paperwork: PF92(application), PF88 or PF89(request), draft No.66/66A.
Occupancy & risk information (vulnerabilities, pets, oxygen, sharps, security risks).
For residential: authority to serve N54 and preferred eviction dates.

Nominating an HCEO

You may name your preferred Authorised High Court Enforcement Officer on the writ request, or address it to authorised HCEOs generally. We cannot be named for end-to-end issuance ourselves, but we can arrange for an authorised HCEO to be named and manage the process with you.

FAQs

Do I have to notify the tenant before applying?

No. CPR/PD 83 (Oct 2025) does not require a pre-application notice for N244. A judge may still direct notice; giving a courtesy letter is good practice.

What notice is compulsory?

The N54/N54A eviction notice (post-writ) for tenants/occupiers — minimum 14 days unless varied/dispensed by the court (CPR 83.8A). Not required for trespassers.

Can I combine recovery of arrears?

Yes — use PF89 to request a combined writ (possession + control) where appropriate.

What if more than 3 months have passed (trespassers)?

Permission to issue is required before the writ can be sealed (CPR 83.13(3)–(4)).

What if the County Court refuses transfer?

Renew N244 with better evidence; consider an appeal under CPR Part 52; or proceed via County Court warrant (e.g., N325). We can help prepare a targeted renewal/appeal bundle.

Ready to proceed?

Instruct us online or ask for a call. We’ll check your paperwork, draft/serve N54 if required, schedule attendance and provide a completion pack.

Last updated: 7 October 2025 .