Debt Recovery Glossary

Adjournment
Postponement of a hearing until a later date

Advocate
A Barrister or Solicitor representing a party in a hearing before a Court

Bailiff
An Officer of the Court who attends on the enforcement

Certificate of Service
A document in which the details, date and manner of service of Court documents are contained.

Claim
Proceedings issued in the County Court or High Court

Claimant
The person who is bringing a civil claim in the County Court or High Court

County Court Judgment
A Judgment of the County Court that orders a Defendant to pay a sum of money to the Claimant.  Judgments are enforceable for 6 years and can affect the Defendant’s ability to borrow money.

Debtor
Person who owes the monies

Defendant
The person whom proceedings and debt recovery claims are brought against.

District Judge
A Judicial Officer of the Court whose duties involve hearing applications including possession cases.

Fixed Costs
Costs in civil cases that are set at a certain level.

High Court Enforcement Officer
These like bailiffs are Officers of the Court but as the name suggests they are Officers of the High Court and they enforce higher value Judgments.

Particulars of Claim
A document containing concise details of the Claimant’s claim.

Statement of Case
This contains the outline of the Claimant’s or the Defendant’s case.

Statement of Truth
Every Statement of Case must be verified by a statement of truth signed by the party involved.  It confirms that a party believes that the facts they have written are true.

Warrant (County Court)
This document gives the Court Bailiff the authority to take enforcement action at the address of the Defendant. 

Writ of Fi Fa
Writ of Fieri Facias (or Fi Fa) is the authority which the High Court Enforcement Officer acts upon when conducting enforcement or debt recovery proceedings.