Enforcement Warrant
A court warrant authorising an officer to take enforcement action, such as seizing property, to satisfy a judgment.
What it is
An enforcement warrant is a court-issued warrant that authorises an enforcement officer to take a specific enforcement action to satisfy a judgment debt. Depending on the warrant, this can include seizing and selling property, redirecting earnings or other steps available under the court's rules.
In Queensland, for example, enforcement warrants are the main mechanism for acting on a money judgment.
How it works
After obtaining a judgment debt, the creditor applies to the court for the appropriate enforcement warrant. The court issues the warrant, and an enforcement officer then carries out the authorised action against the debtor's property or income. Different warrant types target different sources of recovery.
Merion identifies the right warrant and manages the application and follow-through for clients at refer a debt.
Good to know
This is general information and not legal advice. The names, forms and scope of enforcement warrants differ between states and territories, and a warrant generally has a limited life before it must be renewed. As with all enforcement, recovery depends on the debtor actually having reachable assets or income, and certain property is protected from seizure.
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