Won the court case with automatic judgement. What do I do now?

[zetetic]

I made a claim against an individual and his small business (not ltd) who took money from me but failed to deliver what I paid for. I filed a claim, he did not respond at all (what if he just moved?) and I applied for automatic judgement and got it. What do I do next? Ideally in a cost-effective way.

[ploddertom]

If they don't cough up voluntarily then you need to start enforcement against them - but that costs, you have to pay first and the sum gets added to the debt owed. You do need to be aware though that just because you have obtained Judgment does not guarantee you will get paid. Have a read of https://www.smallclaimscourtgenie.co...-won-now-what/

[zetetic]

If they don't cough up voluntarily then you need to start enforcement against them - but that costs, you have to pay first and the sum gets added to the debt owed. You do need to be aware though that just because you have obtained Judgment does not guarantee you will get paid. Have a read of https://www.smallclaimscourtgenie.co...-won-now-what/

Thank you. Do I need to know to find our whether the debtor is still in the country and if so what is his current address? Or will court bailiffs do it themselves?

[ploddertom]

It is in your own interest to do a little background checking rather than having just to fork out to employ a Bailiff. It could be they are not trading or if they are then give that information to the Bailiff. As said earlier just because you have Judgment is no guarantee you will get paid.

[zetetic]

It is in your own interest to do a little background checking rather than having just to fork out to employ a Bailiff.

What background checking can I do on my own and how?
The defendant is individual or sole trader if it changes anything.

[ploddertom]

Does he trade from Business premises?
Does he advertise?
Get someone to contact him on a known phone number and ask if he can quote for some work?
Does he have any visible assets - van or machinery?

The more info you can provide then the better chance you have of getting a result. How long ago was Judgment awarded & roughly how much for?

[zetetic]

Does he trade from Business premises?

I don't think so.

Does he advertise?

I don't see any adverts

Get someone to contact him on a known phone number and ask if he can quote for some work?

That may be an idea but he may have moved to different area.

Does he have any visible assets - van or machinery?

I don't think so.

How long ago was Judgment awarded?

Few months ago

Roughly how much for?

Around £1.5k

[Amethyst]

Doesn't sound hugely positive. Is his telephone contact still operational ?

Where did you have the claim issued to ? his home address ? Is he still there ?

[zetetic]

Is his telephone contact still operational ?

Yes.

Where did you have the claim issued to ? his home address ?

Yes.

Is he still there ?

Apparently no, the claim letter has been sent back.

[ploddertom]

Apparently no, the claim letter has been sent back.

Was it returned as Not at this Address/Return to Sender or as Non Deliverable?

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