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After a landlord obtains a possession order, it may be enforced by a county court bailiff or, if the court orders a transfer for enforcement, through the High Court by an authorised enforcement officer. High Court enforcement is not automatic, and it does not dispense with the usual notice of eviction.
Ask the county court about the likely wait for a bailiff appointment. Compare that with the time needed to obtain a transfer order, arrange a High Court writ and give the required eviction notice. A transfer may not save time. Explain any particular urgency, such as continuing damage or serious antisocial behaviour, with evidence rather than assuming that delay alone guarantees a transfer.
Compare the total cost before applying. Obtain a written quote from an authorised High Court enforcement officer, including their charges and what happens if the eviction cannot proceed. Check the current court fees in HMCTS form EX50. Charges and waiting times vary; do not rely on a fixed saving or a promised eviction date.
The possession claim itself must be brought through the appropriate court procedure. Once a possession order has been made, the County Court may order that enforcement proceedings be transferred to the High Court under section 42 of the County Courts Act 1984. You may ask the court to deal with transfer when making the possession order or apply afterwards. If a separate application is required, form N244 is the application notice. Explain why transfer is sought and check what the court actually orders. Transfer is discretionary; there is no fixed waiting-time threshold that entitles a landlord to it.
A transfer order is distinct from issuing a High Court writ of possession. Where enforcement has been transferred and no separate permission to issue the writ is required, Practice Direction 83, paragraph 5.1 specifies form PF92, accompanied by the possession order, transfer order or certificate, and draft writ. The application for a writ can normally be made without notice, and the applicant must certify that the land has not been vacated (CPR 83.13). Separate permission to issue a writ is required in particular cases; check the order and the rules before filing. Do not use the trespasser-specific transfer certificate route for an ordinary tenant possession claim.
The notice before the eviction is a separate stage from the application for a writ. Under CPR 83.8A, a notice of eviction must ordinarily be delivered to the premises at least 14 days before a writ or warrant of possession is executed. If the eviction is not completed on the date specified, a further notice will ordinarily need at least seven days. Practice Direction 83 specifies forms N54 and N54A. The court may dispense with notice or change its timing, and the rule excludes certain trespasser cases. The notice is usually given by the High Court Enforcement company you employed but check with them.
Before choosing either route, confirm the current procedure, court fees and likely timetable with the court and the proposed enforcement officer. If the court refuses a transfer, ask about county court bailiff enforcement rather than assuming a High Court writ can bypass that decision.
High Court enforcement can be an option after a possession order, but the County Court decides whether to transfer enforcement. Compare the full cost and realistic timetable with a county court bailiff, and allow for the usual eviction notice before anyone attends.