High Court Enforcement vs County Court Bailiff

County Court Bailiffs

• Apply using Form N325 (Warrant of Possession)
• Court fee: typically £130–£150
• Waiting time: 6–10 weeks (some busy areas: 3–4 months)
• The bailiff works on the court's schedule — you cannot expedite

High Court Enforcement Officers (HCEOs)

• Requires transfer of your case to the High Court
• Enforcement time: 1–3 weeks from instruction
• Cost: £700–£1,500+ for the eviction attendance
• HCEOs have greater powers and tend to be more effective at gaining prompt entry
• Key tip: Always request permission to transfer to High Court when applying for your possession order — this saves significant time and cost

Our Recommendation

In most cases we recommend the HCEO route for speed — provided the transfer was requested at the possession order stage. The time saving of 2–3 months typically represents far greater value than the higher upfront cost.