Transferring County Court Possession Orders to the High Court | UK Bailiff Services Ltd
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.
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 2N244
—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 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 4No 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.
Compliance note (Legal Services Act 2007 – reserved activities):
Applying to transfer enforcement to the High Court (e.g., filing N244
, making submissions, and conducting court communications) constitutes conduct of litigation
and related reserved legal activities under the LSA 2007. These steps must be carried out either by the landlord personally(as a litigant in person) or by an authorised legal representative(e.g., solicitor/barrister/CILEX practitioner). UK Bailiff Services and HCEOs do not
conduct litigation; our role begins with operational preparation and post-writ
enforcement.
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.
Can a non-solicitor or HCEO apply for the transfer?
No.
The application to transfer (and related court-facing steps) engages reserved legal activities
under the Legal Services Act 2007. It must be made by the landlord as a litigant in person
or by an authorised legal representative. HCEO/enforcement companies cannot conduct litigation; they execute the writ once issued.
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.
