Last reviewed: June 2026 · For use in England & Wales · eLitigant is a Community Interest Company (No. 16566612), not a law firm. Always check the current official form on GOV.UK before you file, and sign the declaration yourself.
Official form & guidance: Form N245 (Suspend a warrant / vary payments) →
In short
Use form N245 to ask the County Court to suspend a warrant of control and/or change the payment terms of a County Court Judgment (CCJ) — pay by instalments, or reduce payments to what you can genuinely afford. It does not challenge the judgment itself; you set out your income, expenditure, debts and an offer of payment, and a district judge decides what is reasonable. Return the completed form to the court that made the order or warrant and pay the fee — check the current fee on GOV.UK; Help with Fees may cover it. eLitigant’s Chris drafts this for you to a professional standard — you check, sign and file.
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Form N245: Suspend a Warrant or Vary CCJ Payments (2026 Guide)
Form N245 — officially the “Application for suspension of a warrant and/or variation of an order” — is the county court form that puts an unaffordable CCJ back within your control. It does two jobs, separately or together: it asks the court to suspend a warrant of control, pausing bailiff enforcement, and it asks the court to vary the payment terms of the judgment — spreading a lump sum into instalments, or reducing instalments that are too high.
A CCJ that you cannot comply with does not simply go away. If you ignore it, the claimant can enforce through bailiffs, attachment of earnings, charging orders, or a statutory demand leading to bankruptcy. Form N245 is the proper mechanism to manage your obligations and avoid enforcement action. This guide explains when you need it, how to complete it, and what happens after you apply.
When Do You Need Form N245?
You need Form N245 when:
- Bailiffs have a warrant of control — the claimant has had a warrant issued (you may have received a Notice of Enforcement or a bailiff’s letter) and you want it suspended while you pay at a rate you can afford.
- A CCJ has been entered against you — this means the court has made an order requiring you to pay a specified sum of money, either in full by a certain date or by instalments.
- You cannot afford the current payment terms — your circumstances may have changed since the judgment was made. You may have lost your job, your income may have decreased, or your essential expenses may have increased.
- You want to pay by instalments instead of a lump sum — if the court ordered you to pay the full amount by a specific date and you cannot do so, you can apply to pay by monthly instalments.
- You want to reduce the instalment amount — if the court ordered monthly instalments that are higher than you can afford, you can apply to reduce them.
- You want to increase the instalment amount — less commonly, your circumstances may have improved and you want to pay off the judgment faster to get the CCJ satisfied sooner.
You cannot use Form N245 to challenge the judgment itself. If you believe the judgment was wrong, you need to apply to set it aside (if it was a default judgment, using Form N244) or appeal. Form N245 only deals with the terms of payment, not whether the judgment should have been made.
What Form N245 Is Used For
Form N245 serves a specific purpose within the county court enforcement framework:
- Suspension of a warrant of control — where enforcement by county court bailiffs has begun, the form asks the court to pause the warrant on terms, normally that you keep to the instalments you offer.
- Variation of payment terms — the other half. You are asking the court to change the rate or method of payment ordered in the judgment.
- Financial disclosure — the form requires you to provide a detailed statement of your income and expenditure. This is how the court assesses what you can reasonably afford to pay. The information you provide is shared with the claimant, who has the right to object to your proposed variation.
- Protection from enforcement — once you file Form N245, enforcement action is not automatically stayed (paused). However, if the court varies the payment terms and you comply with the new order, the claimant cannot take enforcement action unless you fall behind again. If a warrant of control has been issued, tick the suspension box on this form — that is precisely what it is for; other kinds of enforcement (an attachment of earnings, for example) have their own procedures.
- Register of Judgments — a CCJ remains on the Register of Judgments, Orders and Fines for six years from the date of the judgment. If you pay the full amount within one month of the judgment, you can apply to have it removed. After one month, it stays on the register for six years regardless of whether you pay. Varying the payment terms does not remove the CCJ from the register, but it does give you a manageable route to satisfying it.
How to Complete Form N245: Step by Step
The form mirrors the court’s real question — what can this person actually afford? — so almost all of it is a structured financial statement. Its own notes say it plainly: give as much information as you can, complete every detail, and sign it, or the court cannot deal with the application. Work through it in order.
The header boxes
At the top, enter the name of the court, the claim number and — if a warrant has been issued — the warrant number (all of these appear on the paperwork you have received), together with the claimant’s and defendant’s names and references. There are also boxes for a fee account number and a Help with Fees reference, if either applies to you.
What you are applying for — the tick boxes
The form opens with the operative choice: “I cannot pay the amount ordered and I wish to apply for — suspension of the warrant — and/or — a reduction in the instalment order.” Tick what fits:
- Suspension of the warrant — bailiffs have a warrant of control and you want it paused while you pay by instalments you can afford.
- A reduction in the instalment order — the ordered payments are more than you can meet.
- Both — the usual position where a warrant has been issued: suspend the warrant and reset the payments in one application.
Boxes 1–5: you, your dependants, work, bank and home
- 1 — Personal details — name, age, address and daytime telephone number.
- 2 — Dependants — children (ages and dates of birth) and anyone else you look after financially.
- 3 — Employment — employed (employer’s name, any second jobs), self-employed (annual turnover, any tax or National Insurance arrears, contracts in hand and sums due for work done), unemployed (and for how long), or a pensioner.
- 4 — Bank account and savings — whether your account is in credit or overdrawn, and the balance of any savings or building society account.
- 5 — Property — whether you live in your own property, jointly owned property, rented property, lodgings or council property.
Boxes 6–10: the money in and the money out
This is the heart of the application, and the court reads it as one picture:
- 6 — Income — take-home pay (including overtime and bonuses), benefits, pensions, contributions from others living in your home, and any other income; totalled.
- 7 — Expenses — mortgage or rent, council tax, gas, electricity, water, housekeeping and food, travelling expenses, children’s clothing, maintenance payments and the rest; totalled. Do not include payments other members of the household make from their own income, and do not repeat anything that belongs in boxes 9 and 10.
- 8 — Priority debts — arrears only: rent, mortgage, council tax, water, fuel and maintenance arrears; totalled. These are the debts the court expects you to protect first.
- 9 — Court orders — other court orders you are paying, with court, claim number and instalment, and which of them you are behind on.
- 10 — Credit debts — loans and credit card payments, and which of them are in arrears.
Accuracy beats optimism in every box. The completed form is sent to the claimant to consider your offer — figures that do not add up are the fastest way to an objection.
Box 11: your offer of payment
The form’s own guidance is the formula: take the totals of boxes 7, 8 and 9, and the payments you are making in box 10, away from your total income in box 6 — the result is the territory your offer should come from. Offer a monthly figure you can genuinely sustain; the court is weighing credibility as much as arithmetic. There are boxes to enclose a first payment and the fee.
Box 12: the declaration
Sign and date the declaration that the details you have given are true to the best of your knowledge. False figures do more than sink the application — they undermine you at every later stage of enforcement.
Where to send it
Return the completed form to the court that made the order or warrant — the form says so on its face. If a warrant is in play, that is the court shown on the warrant paperwork. A fee is payable on filing; check the current fee on GOV.UK, and apply for Help with Fees if you qualify.
Key Deadlines
| Event | Deadline |
|---|---|
| Filing Form N245 | No fixed deadline — but if a warrant has been issued, file before the bailiff’s visit; the suspension protects you only once granted |
| Court fee payment | Payable on filing — check the current fee on GOV.UK (Help with Fees may apply) |
| Claimant’s response to your application | The court gives the claimant time to respond — usually 14 days |
| Court decision | Made on paper by a district judge, usually within 2–4 weeks of the claimant’s response (or after the response deadline) |
| Comply with varied payment terms | From the date of the variation order |
What Happens After You File Form N245
Service on the claimant — the court sends a copy of your application, including your financial statement, to the claimant. The claimant has the opportunity to accept your proposal, object to it, or propose alternative terms.
Claimant’s response — if the claimant accepts your proposal, the court makes the variation order without a hearing. If the claimant objects, the court considers both parties’ positions and makes a decision — usually on paper (without a hearing) by a district judge. If the case raises issues that cannot be determined on paper, the court may list a short hearing.
Court’s decision — the district judge reviews your financial statement, the claimant’s response, and any evidence. The judge decides what is a reasonable instalment. The judge is not bound by either party’s proposal and may set a different figure. The test is what the defendant can reasonably afford to pay while meeting their essential living expenses and other obligations.
Variation order — if the court grants the variation, it issues a new order specifying the revised payment terms. You must comply with the new order. If you fail to comply, the claimant can resume enforcement action.
Filing does not itself pause the warrant — the suspension takes effect only if and when the court orders it. If a bailiff visit is imminent, file urgently, tell the court office a visit is expected, and let the bailiff office know a suspension application has been filed — the court has discretion to hold enforcement while the application is considered. Enforcement that is not a warrant of control (an attachment of earnings, for example) is dealt with by its own procedures, not by this form.
Court Fees
A court fee is payable when you file Form N245 — check the current fee on GOV.UK before you file, as court fees change. It is one of the more modest court fees, and it can be remitted entirely: if your income is below the threshold, apply for Help with Fees (form EX160 or online) and enter your reference number in the box on the N245.
Common Mistakes
1. Waiting Too Long to Apply
If you know you cannot meet the current payment terms, apply immediately. Delaying means you fall further behind, the claimant may commence enforcement action, and your credibility with the court is reduced. Applying promptly demonstrates good faith.
2. Providing Inaccurate Financial Information
The financial statement is the foundation of your application. If you understate your income or overstate your expenses, and the claimant discovers this (for example, by obtaining bank statements through an order for further information), your application will be viewed with suspicion and may be refused. Be honest and accurate.
3. Offering an Unrealistically Low Amount
While the court is sympathetic to genuine financial hardship, offering £1 per month on a £10,000 judgment when your disposable income is £200 per month will not be accepted. The court balances your needs against the claimant’s right to be paid. Offer a fair amount that reflects your genuine means.
4. Not Including All Debts
If you have other debts that reduce your disposable income, list them. If you omit them, the court may calculate a higher disposable income than you actually have and set instalments you cannot afford.
5. Leaving the Suspension Box Unticked
If bailiffs already have a warrant and you apply only to vary the instalments, the warrant carries on. The form’s opening tick boxes exist for a reason: where a warrant has been issued, tick suspension of the warrant as well — and remember the suspension protects you only once the court grants it, so file before the visit, not after.
6. Not Keeping Up With the Current Order While the Application Is Pending
Until the court varies the payment terms, the existing order remains in force. If you stop paying because you have applied to vary, you are in breach of the existing order and the claimant can take enforcement action. Continue paying what you can while the application is processed.
7. Ignoring the Claimant’s Response
If the claimant objects to your proposal and the court invites you to respond, do so. Ignoring the process may result in the court making a decision based solely on the claimant’s submissions.
The Rules That Apply
- CPR Part 40 — judgments and orders. Governs the form and content of court orders, including payment terms.
- CPR r.40.9A — the power to vary the date or rate of payment under a judgment or order for the payment of money.
- CPR Part 70 — general rules about enforcement of judgments and orders.
- CPR Part 71 — orders to obtain information from judgment debtors. If the claimant applies for an order requiring you to attend court and provide financial information, this is governed by Part 71.
- CPR Part 83 — writs and warrants (enforcement by bailiffs/enforcement agents).
- CPR Part 85 — attachment of earnings orders.
- CPR Part 73 — charging orders, stop orders, and stop notices.
- CPR r.3.1(2)(f) — the court’s general power to stay proceedings, which can include enforcement proceedings.
- CPR r.22.1 — statement of truth requirements.
- The Register of Judgments, Orders and Fines Regulations 2005 — governs the recording and removal of CCJs on the register.
Impact on Your Credit Record
A CCJ is recorded on the Register of Judgments, Orders and Fines for six years from the date of the judgment. This information is shared with credit reference agencies and affects your credit score. Key points:
- Paid within one month — if you pay the full judgment amount within one calendar month of the date of the judgment, you can apply to have the entry removed from the register entirely.
- Paid after one month — if you pay in full after one month, the entry is marked as “satisfied” but remains on the register for the full six years.
- Varied payment terms — varying the payment terms does not remove the CCJ from the register. The entry remains for six years from the original judgment date.
- Set aside — if the judgment is set aside (cancelled), the entry is removed from the register.
Varying the payment terms through Form N245 does not worsen your credit position beyond the original CCJ entry. The priority is to bring your payments into line with what you can afford so that you avoid enforcement action and eventually satisfy the judgment.
Related Court Forms & Guides
- Form N260: Statement of Costs — the costs schedule used at summary assessment.
- Form N244: Application Notice — the form for interim applications.
- Form N323: Request for Warrant of Control — the creditor’s request that starts the warrant this form can suspend.
- Start a Money Claim Online (OCMC) — where most civil money claims begin.
- Particulars of Claim — setting out the basis of your claim.
- Civil Court Forms Index — every civil court form guide in one place.
How Chris Can Help
Applying to suspend a warrant or vary a CCJ payment is procedurally straightforward, but the financial statement is where most applications succeed or fail. Presenting your income and expenditure clearly and accurately, offering a reasonable instalment amount, and addressing any objections from the claimant all require careful preparation.
Chris can help you complete Form N245, prepare a clear and accurate financial statement, calculate a realistic and defensible offer of payment, and respond to any objections from the claimant. If bailiffs are already instructed, Chris helps you get the suspension half right — the urgent part — including any covering letter to the court or the bailiff office.
If your aim is to have the judgment removed rather than paid in instalments, you may be able to set aside the default judgment instead.
See it done — an application to suspend a warrant (N245) in minutes
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Frequently asked questions
What is Form N245 used for?
It does two jobs, and you can tick either or both: apply to suspend a warrant of control (pausing bailiff enforcement while you pay), and apply to vary the payment terms of a county court judgment — spreading a lump sum into instalments or reducing instalments that have become unaffordable. It changes how you pay and whether the warrant proceeds, not whether the judgment should have been made.
Can I use N245 to challenge or cancel the CCJ itself?
No. N245 only deals with the terms of payment. If you believe the judgment was wrong, you need to apply to set it aside (if it was a default judgment, using Form N244) or to appeal — that is a different route.
What information does the form require?
A detailed statement of your income, expenditure, assets and other debts — including any priority debts such as council tax, rent or utility arrears. The court uses these figures to assess what you can reasonably afford, so they must be accurate. The information is shared with the claimant, who can object to your proposed terms.
Does filing N245 stop enforcement action?
Not automatically. Filing the application does not by itself pause enforcement that is already underway. If bailiffs are due or an attachment of earnings order is in force, you should also apply for a stay of execution; the court has discretion to stay enforcement while your N245 is considered.
What happens after I file?
The court sends your application and financial statement to the claimant, who can accept, object or propose alternative terms. If accepted, the court makes the variation order without a hearing; if not, a district judge usually decides on paper what you can reasonably afford. The judge is not bound by either party’s proposal and may set a different figure.
Can Form N245 stop the bailiffs?
Yes — that is the suspension half of the form. If a warrant of control has been issued, tick “suspension of the warrant”, set out your finances and make an affordable offer. If the court suspends the warrant on terms, the bailiffs stand down while you keep to the payments; fall behind and the claimant can ask for the suspension to be lifted.
Should I tick suspension, reduction, or both?
Tick what matches your situation. If bailiffs are instructed, suspension is the urgent half — and if the underlying instalments are also unaffordable, tick both, so one application deals with the warrant and resets the payments to a figure you can meet.
What does it cost to apply?
There is a court fee payable on filing — check the current HMCTS figure for your situation, as fees can change, and fee remission may be available if your income is below the threshold. eLitigant’s drafting covers one matter for one day.
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Related guides: Form N244 (application notice) · All civil court forms
Form content and official guidance on this page are reproduced or adapted from material published by HM Courts & Tribunals Service on GOV.UK. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. eLitigant CIC is independent and is not affiliated with, or endorsed by, HM Courts & Tribunals Service or any government department. Always check the current official form on GOV.UK before you file.