An enforcement hearing and statement of financial position are ways that provide the judgment creditor with the required information to request an enforcement warrant pursuant to Chapter 19 Part 2 of the Uniform Civil Procedure Rules 1999 (QLD) (“UCPR”).

If a creditor has received an enforceable money order and they want to attempt to enforce the judgment or enforce the QCAT decision, then the judgment creditor is expected to have a certain level of proof or evidence of certain requirements for the warrant.

For example – an application for an enforcement warrant for seizure and sale of property requires the registrar to be satisfied that the judgment debtor owns that property.

Or, an application for an enforcement warrant for redirection of earnings requires the registrar to be satisfied that the judgment debtor is employed, has the ability to satisfy the warrant, and that the debtor will not suffer hardship.

Usually, a creditor will not know this information and will need to rely on the content of the statement of financial position, the documents provided by the debtor, and what is said and provided at the enforcement hearing.

An enforcement hearing and completed statement of financial position is not necessary to be given an enforcement warrant, but it is needed in most cases.

This article will explain the enforcement hearing process and the statement of financial position.

There are a number of steps that need to be taken to successfully apply for an enforcement hearing. We strongly recommend engaging a suitably qualified legal professional

The Purpose of an Enforcement Hearing

As mentioned above, an enforcement hearing is basically an information gathering exercise.

Rule 803 of the UCPR says:

The purpose of an enforcement hearing is to obtain information to facilitate the enforcement of a money order.

The debtor is summoned to appear in the Court to answer questions about their financial position under oath, and also to produce whatever documents the creditor requires to enforce the money order.

In Remely v. O’Shea & Ors (No. 3) [2009] QSC 110 McMeekin J said:

The information referred to in the rule is that information which will enable a judgment creditor to best secure payment of the monies owed and so satisfy the judgment debt

The Enforcement Hearing Process

The enforcement hearing process is set out in the UCPR.  A creditor must take the following steps to be given an enforcement hearing summons by the Court:

1. Obtain an enforceable money order;
2. Serve the debtor with a statement of financial position;
3. Wait for the required time to receive the completed statement of financial position;
4. Make an application for an enforcement hearing to the Court;
5. Serve the enforcement hearing summons on the debtor;
6. Be given documents and a completed statement of financial position;
7. Attend at the enforcement hearing and question the debtor.

I will address these steps in more detail below.

Letter of Demand

Once a creditor has received the sealed judgment from the Court, or the registered QCAT decision, a creditor may initially attempt to send this enforceable money order with a letter of demand.

If the debtor pays the judgment debt, then you will not be put to the costs of the enforcement hearing process.

We have more information on the letter of demand process here.

Obtain an Enforceable Money Order

Any of the enforcement options in Chapter 19 of the UCPR requires the creditor to have an enforceable money order.

Rule 793 of the UCPR says:

“enforceable money order” of a court, means—

(a) a money order of the court; or

(b) a money order of another court or tribunal filed or registered under an Act in the court for enforcement.

Schedule 3 of the UCPR says:

“order” … includes a judgment, direction, decision or determination of a court whether final or otherwise.

An enforceable money order is a money judgment from the Court, or a decision in QCAT registered in the Magistrates Court.

A QCAT decision which has not been registered in the Court is not an enforceable money.

Once a creditor has an enforceable money order, then they are able to serve the debtor with a statement of financial position.

Serve the Debtor with a Statement of Financial Position

A statement of financial position is an approved form:

1. Form 71 – if the enforcement debtor is a person; or
2. Form 71a – if the enforcement debtor is a company.

Rule 807 of the UCPR details the requirements for a statement of financial position.

Rule 807(1) of the UCPR says:

At any time after a money order is made, an enforcement creditor may, by written notice, require an enforcement debtor to complete and return to the enforcement creditor a statement of financial position of an enforcement debtor in the approved form.

The statement of financial position is a detailed document which requires the judgment debtor to complete and return to the creditor.

The statement of financial position includes the following very detailed sections:

• Part 1 – Income
• Part 2 – Expenses
• Part 3 – Assets
• Part 4 – Liabilities
• Part 5 – Proposal for Payment
• Part 6 – Verification of Statement

Rule 807(2) of the UCPR says:

The written notice must be given or sent by post to the enforcement debtor together with a blank statement of financial position.

A blank statement of financial position must be given personally if possible or can be sent by post.

However, the blank statement of financial position is given to the debtor, the creditor must keep a receipt as evidence to use in the application for an enforcement hearing.

TIP – We suggest sending the notice and the blank statement of financial position by express post.  You can then check the tracking identification number to prove that it was delivered.

There are a number of steps that need to be taken to successfully apply for an enforcement hearing. We strongly recommend engaging a suitably qualified legal professional

DEDICATED TEAM – FAST TURNAROUND – PROVEN RESULTS

CONTACT OUR LAWYERS FOR ENFORCEMENT OPTIONS

OR CALL: 1300 545 133 FOR A PHONE CONSULTATION

If the Debtor Returns the Statement of Financial Position

It might be possible that if the debtor returns a detailed statement of financial position that it will include all the information that the creditor may require to obtain an enforcement warrant.

This will mean that there is no need for an enforcement hearing.

However, it is more common than not that the debtor will simply ignore the statement of financial position or omit large details of their financial position.

If this happens then the creditor can apply for an enforcement hearing.

If the Enforcement Debtor is a Company

Rule 807(4) of the UCPR says:

If the enforcement debtor is a corporation, an officer of the corporation must complete the statement of financial position.

This means that if the debtor is a company (Debtor Company Pty Ltd – for example) then the Form 71a must be completed by a director, secretary or a very senior manager of the company.

Section 9 of the Corporations Act 2001 (CTH) outlines exactly who is an officer of a company.

Best practice is to send the statement of financial position on a company to the registered office contained in the ASIC current extract.

The debtor must then complete the statement of financial position and return it to the debtor within the prescribed time.

The Required Time to Complete the Statement of Financial Position

The completed statement of financial position must be returned to the creditor on or before fourteen (14) days after receiving it.

Rule 807(3) of the UCPR says:

The enforcement debtor must complete and return the statement of financial position to the enforcement creditor within 14 days after receiving the statement.

The debtor must also provide evidence of the last four (4) payments made to it with the completed statement of financial position.

Rule 807(6) of the UCPR says:

If the enforcement debtor receives regular payments including, for example, wages or social security benefits, the person completing the statement of financial position must include in the statement (a) the date of receipt of the last 4 payments; and (b) if the payments were paid to the enforcement debtor by payment into an account with a financial institution, the account number and any other details necessary to identify the account.

If the debtor does not provide a completed statement of financial position, or if the creditor is not satisfied with the information given in the statement, then the creditor can apply for an enforcement hearing.

Make an Application for an Enforcement Hearing to the Court

Like any other application, an application for an enforcement hearing contains:

1. The application – Form 9;
2. The draft enforcement hearing summons – Form 70;
3. The affidavit in support of the application – Form 46.

We will explain the application process in more detail below.

The Application – Form 9

Like any other application, an application for an enforcement hearing is a document asking the Court to do certain things.

The application for an enforcement hearing usually consists of something like:

TAKE NOTICE that the plaintiff applying to the Court for the following orders:

1.       That the defendant be summoned to an enforcement hearing; and

2.       That the defendant provides the plaintiff with documents and things relating to their finances and complete a statement of financial position; and

3.       That the defendant pays the costs of the plaintiff of the application.

The application is supported by a draft summons (order) and an affidavit in support of the application.

The Draft Enforcement Hearing Summons – Form 70

The enforcement hearing summons is a summons from the Court summoning the debtor to attend at the enforcement hearing on a date and time set by the Court.

It also requires the debtor to produce at the hearing certain documents and things.

These documents and things may include (by way of example only):

1. Details of the debtor’s employment, including payslips;
2. Details of the debtor’s bank accounts, bank statements, bank account numbers and account balances;
3. Details of any government benefits the debtor receives, including Centrelink payments;
4. Details of any additional sources of income the debtor receives, such as interest, trust account monies, court awards, or benefits;
5. Details of any financial support the debtor receives;
6. Details of the debtor’s assets, including cars, motorcycles, boats;
7. Details of the debtor’s weekly expenses, including rent.

The Affidavit in Support of the Application – Form 46

Rule 808(3) of the UCPR says:

The application must be supported by an affidavit that states the following—

(a) the unpaid amount of the money order;

(b) whether the enforcement creditor has received a completed statement of financial position from the enforcement debtor;

(c) if the enforcement creditor has received a completed statement of financial position from the enforcement debtor, why the enforcement creditor is not satisfied with the information given in the statement.

It may be a good idea to also annex evidence that the statement of financial position was sent to the debtor, the time and date that the debtor received the statement of financial position – to prove that the fourteen (14) days have elapsed.

It is also important to include a statement from the creditor that as at the day of swearing/affirming the affidavit, no payments have been made against the judgment debt.

If everything is completed correctly, then the Court will issue an enforcement hearing summons.

There are a number of steps that need to be taken to successfully apply for an enforcement hearing. We strongly recommend engaging a suitably qualified legal professional

DEDICATED TEAM – FAST TURNAROUND – PROVEN RESULTS

CONTACT OUR LAWYERS FOR ENFORCEMENT OPTIONS

OR CALL: 1300 545 133 FOR A PHONE CONSULTATION

Serve the Enforcement Hearing Summons on the Debtor

After being issued with the sealed enforcement hearing summons the creditor must attend to serving the summons on the judgement debtor.

Rule 809(2) of the UCPR says:

An enforcement hearing summons may be served on the person to whom it is directed personally or by prepaid ordinary post.

A creditor can pay for a process server to personally serve the enforcement hearing summons on the debtor or post the summons by express post – as above.

Service of the enforcement hearing summons is very important.  Ultimately, correctly served increases the chances that the debtor will show up to the enforcement hearing.  But if the debtor does not attend at the hearing, unless the registrar can be 100% sure that service was made, they will not likely issue an enforcement hearing warrant (warrant for their arrest).

Rule 809(4) of the UCPR says:

Any other enforcement hearing summons must be served at least 14 days before the day set for the enforcement hearing.

When the enforcement hearing summons is returned from the Court it will include a date, time and place for the enforcement hearing.  The summons must be served at least 14 days before that date.

Completed Statement of Financial Position

If the debtor did not provide the completed statement of financial position initially, then the summons can require that the debtor provide one before the enforcement hearing.

Rule 808(7) of the UCPR says:

The enforcement hearing summons may require the enforcement debtor to complete and return a statement of financial position in the approved form at least 4 business days before the date of the enforcement hearing.

It is well-worth adding this order to the application and the draft summons.

If the debtor turns up to the enforcement hearing, then they may have a completed statement of financial position and some documents at that time.

Attend at the Enforcement Hearing and Question the Debtor

Hopefully the enforcement debtor will attend at the enforcement hearing.

The debtor will swear an oath or affirmation and then answer questions about their financial position.

The combination of the documents provided, and the information provided in the statement of financial position and the enforcement hearing, should be enough to obtain an enforcement warrant.

Location for Enforcement Hearing

Rule 810 of the UCPR says:

If practicable, an enforcement hearing … must be held in a district in which the person to whom the enforcement hearing summons is directed resides or carries on business.

This means that the hearing must be heard in the Court closest to where the debtor lives or carries on business.  In a lot of cases this will be the Court in which the judgment or money order was made.

However, it is quite common for debtors to move.  If this happens then the application for an enforcement hearing can be made in another Court.

If the enforcement hearing is in a district in which the debtor does not live or conduct business, then the creditor must provide the debtor with some money to attend the enforcement hearing.  This is called conduct money.

Conduct Money

Quite possibly one of the most difficult things that we have to try to explain to our creditor clients is the payment of conduct money to the debtor to attend at an enforcement hearing.

Rule 811 of the UCPR prescribes the requirements for conduct money.  It says:

If a person is required by summons to attend an enforcement hearing in a district other than a district in which the person resides or carries on business … conduct money must be offered to the person when the person is served with the summons

Conduct money is to be calculated in accordance with rule 419 of the UCPR and Part 4 of the Uniform Civil Procedure (Fees) Regulation 2009 (QLD) (“Regs”).

The main monies to be paid are to cover the travel expenses.

Conduct Money for Travel Allowance

Section 14 of the Regs says:

The amount of the travelling allowance that is to be paid to a relevant person is (a) the amount actually and properly paid for fares for public transport; or (b) if there is no public transport available—the amount calculated at the rate per kilometre

So, if a creditor is able to calculate the fare for public transport, then that amount.  If no public transport is available, then an amount calculated per kilometre.

The amount per kilometre is calculated in accordance with  Public Service Act 2008 to a public service employee required to use the employee’s private motor vehicle for official purposes, taken to the nearest whole cent – currently 30c per kilometre (adjusted pursuant to the Eight Capitals Consumer Price Index for the Private motoring sub-group most recently published by the Australian Bureau of Statistics starting from an initial ‘adjustment date’ of 1 September 2014).

See the Minister for Employment and Industrial Relations Directive: Motor Vehicle Allowances for more.

If you are to summon the debtor to a district other than a district in which the debtor resides or carries on business then the creditor will need to provide a cheque when service of the summons is made.

There are a number of steps that need to be taken to successfully apply for an enforcement hearing. We strongly recommend engaging a suitably qualified legal professional

DEDICATED TEAM – FAST TURNAROUND – PROVEN RESULTS

CONTACT OUR LAWYERS FOR ENFORCEMENT OPTIONS

OR CALL: 1300 545 133 FOR A PHONE CONSULTATION

Enforcement Hearing FAQ

See below for some frequently asked questions regarding the enforcement of money orders, issuance of the statement of financial position, making the application for an enforcement hearing, summoning the debtor to Court, and attendance at the enforcement hearing.

What Happens if the Enforcement Debtor does not Attend?

If the debtor does not attend at the enforcement hearing, then rule 815 of the UCPR says that the court may treat the person’s refusal … as a contempt of court.

If the Court is satisfied that the debtor was served with the enforcement hearing summons; and it considers the person failed to attend the enforcement hearing without sufficient cause; then the court may issue a warrant ordering the enforcement officer (Bailiff) to arrest the debtor and bring the debtor to court.

The enforcement officer can attend at the address of the debtor with the police and bring the debtor to the watch house until the next Court date.

The approved form for an enforcement hearing warrant is Form 73.

What Happens if the Debtor Does Nothing?

The Court may also treat as contempt if the debtor does not provide a statement of financial position when summoned; failed or refuses to produce the documents or things stated in the summons; refuses to be sworn or to affirmed; and refuses to answer a question.

Remely v. Vandenberg & Ors [2010] QCA 214 is a Queensland Court of Appeal case where the appellant appealed against a six (6) month prison sentence for failing to produce documents and refusing to answer relevant questions.

In the judgment dismissing the appeal with costs Muir JA said:

In my view, the penalty imposed has not been shown to be arrived at in error. The offending conduct was engaged in with a view to frustrating the second respondents’ attempts to recover moneys lawfully due to them under court orders. The conduct was deliberate and protracted.

There are serious consequences for not doing what is required by the Court order or enforcement hearing summons.

How much does an Enforcement Hearing Cost?

There are no filing fees for an application for an enforcement hearing.

The only costs that a creditor will incur are solicitors’ professional fees and any third-party costs such as bailiff fees, process server fees, express postage, etc.

Can I claim my Costs for the Enforcement Hearing?

Yes you can!

Item 14 of Schedule 2 of the UCPR outlines the standard costs that you are able to claim in relation to the enforcement hearing.

Is there a Time Limit for Enforcement Hearings?

A creditor has six (6) years in which to enforce their money order without permission of the Court.

Rule 799(1) of the UCPR says:

An enforcement creditor may start enforcement proceedings without leave at any time within 6 years after the day the money order was made.

Permission (or leave) of the Court is required if it is more than 6 years since the money order was made; or (b) there has been a change in an enforcement creditor or enforcement debtor.

 Moving Forward

We strongly suggest that you engage a suitable qualified legal practitioner who specialises in the enforcement of money orders to issue the statement of financial position, make the application for an enforcement hearing and summon the debtor to Court.

If you have a QCAT decision which needs to be registered in the Magistrates Court and enforced, or a judgment, direction, decision or determination of the Court to be enforced then contact our dedicated enforcement lawyers today.

A warrant for redirection of earnings is an enforcement option pursuant to the Uniform Civil Procedure Rules 1999 (QLD) (“UCPR”).

An enforcement warrant for redirection of earnings is a way of enforcing a judgment or enforcing a registered QCAT decision.

A warrant for redirection of earnings allows the creditor to enforce an enforceable money order over the wages or salary earned by the debtor.

A warrant for redirection of earnings is a warrant directed at both the debtor and the debtor’s employer, directing the debtor’s employer to pay part of the debtor’s wages or salary directly to the creditor.

Just like a the warrant for seizure and sale of property, a warrant for redirection of earnings is obtained by making an application to the Court.  The application consists of:

1. The application;
2. A statement in support of the application; and
3. A draft enforcement warrant.

When the Court issues the UCPR enforcement warrant for redirection of earnings, it then needs to be served on the debtor and the debtor’s employer.

This article will give you all the information needed to apply for an enforcement warrant for redirection of earnings, and give you hints and tips to avoid pitfalls.

There are a number of difficult steps that need to happen before an employer must comply with an enforcement warrant for redirection of earnings. We strongly recommend engaging a legal professional

Enforcement Warrant for Redirection of Earnings

Rule 855(1) of the UCPR says:

A court may issue an enforcement warrant authorising redirection to an enforcement creditor of particular earnings of an enforcement debtor from a third person.

For the Court to issue an enforcement warrant for redirection of earnings the creditor will need:

1. An enforceable money order;
2. An application – Form 9;
3. A draft warrant – Form 78;
4. A statement in support of the application – Form 74;
5. A notice to employer for redirection of earnings – Form 79;
6. A notice that debtor is not an employee – Form 80; and
7. To serve the debtor and the debtor’s employer.

We will break each of these steps down in more detail below.

An Enforceable Money Order

Rule 793 of the UCPR says:

“enforceable money order” of a court, means—

(a) a money order of the court; or

(b) a money order of another court or tribunal filed or registered under an Act in the court for enforcement.

Schedule 3 of the UCPR defines an order to mean:

“order” … includes a judgment, direction, decision or determination of a court whether final or otherwise.

An enforceable money order is a money judgment from the Court, or a decision in QCAT registered in the Magistrates Court.  A QCAT decision which has not been registered in the Court is not an enforceable money order.

The Application

The application for an enforcement warrant for redirection of earnings – Form 9 – outlines the order (or orders) that the plaintiff is asking the Court to make.

The application will say something like:

TAKE NOTICE that the plaintiff is applying to the Court for the following orders 

That pursuant to rules 855 and 856 of the UCPR an enforcement warrant for redirection to the plaintiff of earnings of the defendant from the defendant’s employer to satisfy the judgment amount. 

That the defendant pay the costs of the plaintiff for issuing the enforcement warrant fixed in the sum of $XXX.

The costs of the warrant are fixed at Schedule 2 of the UCPR depending on the amount of the claim – see item 15.

The application for an enforcement warrant for redirection of earnings also needs to state who the warrant needs to be served on – the debtor and the debtor’s employer.

What are “Earnings”?

It is also necessary to understand how “Earnings” have been defined.  This is in order to know what funds are available to the creditor from the debtor’s employer.

Rule 793 of the UCPR says:

“earnings” of an enforcement debtor, means any of the following that are owing or accruing to the enforcement debtor—

(a) wages, salary, fees, bonuses, commission, overtime pay or other compensation for services or profit arising from office or employment;

(b) pension, benefit or similar payment;

(c) annuity;

(d) an amount payable instead of leave;

(e) retirement benefit.

As you can see, the types of earnings that can attach are quite broad.

There are a number of difficult steps that need to happen before an employer must comply with an enforcement warrant for redirection of earnings. We strongly recommend engaging a legal professional

The Draft Warrant

The draft enforcement warrant for redirection of earnings has to be in the correct form – Form 78.  The draft Form 78 must contain the following information:

1. Name and address of the enforcement creditor;
2. Name and address of the enforcement debtor;
3. Name and address of the employer of enforcement debtor;
4. The judgment amount;
5. Less – any payments made;
6. Plus – interest; and
7. Plus – costs of the enforcement warrant.

Rule 858 of the UCPR also says that the draft warrant will also need to specify the following:

The total amount the enforcement debtor’s employer must deduct from the earnings of the enforcement debtor; and

The amount the enforcement debtor’s employer must deduct each pay day from the earnings of the enforcement debtor.

The judgment amount – is the amount on the judgment, default judgment, summary judgment or registered QCAT decision.

Less any payments made – means that any payments that have already been made as against the judgment debt are to be deducted on the date that payment was made.

Plus interest – means the amount prescribed in section 59 of the Civil Proceedings Act 2011 (QLD) and at paragraph 4 of the Supreme Court of Queensland Practice Direction Number 7 of 2013 – being 6% per annum above the cash rate at the Reserve Bank of Australia.

Plus costs of the enforcement warrant – means the amount fixed at Schedule 2 of the UCPR depending on the amount of the claim – see item 15.

A notice in Form 79 and a copy of Form 80 must also be served on the enforcement debtor’s employer.

Form 79 Notice to Employer

A Form 79 notice is a notice to employer for redirection of earnings.  It is essentially a notice which gives the debtor’s employer detailed instructions on how to comply with the warrant, and what to do if the enforcement debtor ceases working for the employer.

The Form 79 notice must be filed and a sealed copy served with the warrant to the debtor’s employer.

Form 80 Notice that Debtor is not Employee

A Form 80 notice is a notice that debtor is not an employee.  The Form 80 is a draft form which the employer can use to tell the creditor that the enforcement has never worked for the employer.

The employer must also serve a Form 81 if the debtor has ceased working for the employer at a certain date.  The Form 81 is called a notice of cessation of employment.

The creditor must serve a draft copy with the rest of the warrant documents on the employer.

The Court’s Discretion to Issue the Warrant

The issuance of the enforcement warrant for redirection of earnings is discretionary and in some instances the Court may not issue the warrant.

In ML Ubase Holdings Co Ltd v Trigem Computer Inc [2007] NSWSC 859 Brereton J said:

The making of a garnishee order absolute is discretionary …

The creditor must prove the particulars set out in rule 856(3) of the UCPR are satisfactorily met.

Rule 856(3) of the UCPR says that:

In deciding whether to issue an enforcement warrant authorising the redirection to the enforcement creditor of the enforcement debtor’s earnings, the court must have regard to the following—

(a) whether the enforcement debtor is employed and the enforcement debtor’s employer has been identified;

(b) whether the enforcement debtor has sufficient means of satisfying the order after deducting—

(i) the necessary living expenses of the enforcement debtor and the enforcement debtor’s dependants; and

(ii) any other known liabilities of the enforcement debtor;

(c) whether the amount of earnings to be redirected would impose unreasonable hardship on the enforcement debtor

Therefore, in the statement in support of the application, the creditor must show evidence of the above, and show that the debtor has sufficient means of satisfying the order.

A creditor will usually get this information at an enforcement hearing and/or the completed statement of financial position – as well as by independent enquiry.

There are a number of difficult steps that need to happen before an employer must comply with an enforcement warrant for redirection of earnings. We strongly recommend engaging a legal professional

The Statement in Support of the Application

The statement in support of an application for an enforcement warrant for redirection of earnings will need to provide the Court with evidence of what is required for the Court to issue the enforcement warrant for redirection of earnings.

Rule 817 of the UCPR outlines the other things that need to be included in the statement, being:

1. the date the money order was made;
2. the amount for which the order was made;
3. the date and amount of any payment made under the order;
4. the costs incurred in previous enforcement proceedings in relation to the order debt;
5. any interest due at the date the statement is sworn;
6. any other details necessary to calculate the amount payable under the order at the date the statement is sworn and how the amount is calculated;
7. the daily amount of any interest that, subject to any future payment under the order, will accrue after the date the statement is sworn; and
8. any other information necessary for the warrant being sought.

It is also a good idea to include the following:

1. The person making the statement and the authority they have (solicitor for the judgment creditor, judgment creditor, director of the judgment creditor);
2. Annex evidence of the judgment, decision, or enforceable money order;
3. Annex evidence of any payments made as against the judgment debt, or a statement that no payments have been made against the judgment debt;
4. Annex evidence and a statement supporting the calculation of costs and interest; and
5. Annex evidence and statements in support of the matters outlined in rule 856(3).

The evidence particularised at number 5 above will be gained by receiving the information needed in the statement of financial position, the enforcement hearing, and independent enquiry.

Statement of Financial Position & Enforcement Hearing

The enforcement hearing and the completed statement of financial position are ways of gathering the information required to enable the Court to exercise its discretion and issue the enforcement warrant for redirection of earnings.

The debtor is required to complete a statement of financial position is Form 71 for a person; or Form 71a for a company.  The statement of financial position is a document where the debtor has to provide detailed information about their assets and liabilities.

The debtor is supposed to provide the debtor with the completed statement of financial position within fourteen (14) days.  If they do not (and they usually do not) then this is the condition precedent for requesting that the Court summon them to an enforcement hearing.

The enforcement hearing is a hearing in open Court in which the debtor has to take the stand, under oath, and answer questions about the debtor’s financial position.  They are also required to provide the debtor with a completed statement of financial position.

The purpose of the enforcement hearing and the completed statement of financial position is to get information from the debtor, to provide to the Court, so that the Court will issue a warrant – in this case a warrant for redirection of earnings.  This information will often include payslips and bank account statements.

If the creditor is successful and has been issued with the enforcement warrant for redirection of earnings you then will need to serve the debtor and the debtor’s employer.

Service on the Debtor and the Employer

Rule 859 of the UCPR says that the enforcement warrant for redirection of earnings must be served on the enforcement debtor and the enforcement debtor’s employer.

The creditor must also serve on the enforcement debtor’s employer a notice in Form 79 and a copy of Form 80 as mentioned above.

An enforcement warrant for redirection of earnings is not an originating process and so personal service is not required.  Rule 112 prescribes how ordinary service is performed.  Ordinary service is most commonly performed by posting it to the relevant address, faxing the document to the person; or emailing the document to the person (if applicable).

Of course, to be 100% sure then you can always personally serve the documents.

Enforcement Warrant for Redirection of Earnings

If a creditor does everything correctly then the Court will issue the enforcement warrant for redirection of earnings.  Once properly served on the debtor and the debtor’s employer then the employer will start making payments from the first payday after seven (7) days of being served.

FAQ – Redirection of Earnings

See below for some frequently asked questions regarding an enforcement warrant for redirection of earnings.

Does this Apply to Independent Contractors?

Probably not!  It really depends if the way that the contractor is paid by the employer and whether that is caught by the definitions of “employer” and “earnings”.

Probably an enforcement warrant for redirection of debts might be a better option.

How long does the enforcement warrant for redirection of earnings last?

Rule 855(2) says that an enforcement warrant for redirection of earnings continues in force until:

(a) the total amount specified in the warrant is paid; or

(b) the warrant is set aside or expires according to its conditions.

What is an Employer?

An employer is defined in rule 793 of the UCPR and says:

“employer” of an enforcement debtor means a person (including the State) who, as principal, rather than as a servant or agent, pays, or is likely to pay, earnings to the enforcement debtor.

Can I Recover the Debt from the Employer?

There is a long line of authorities which say that there is no transfer of security from the debtor to the employer.

In Chatterton v Watney (1881) 17 Ch D 259 Cotton LJ said:

The effect of a garnishee order is to bind the debt attached and to prevent the creditor from receiving it; and when it is made absolute it gives the judgment creditor a right to recover payment from the garnishee…[i]t has not the effect of transferring the security, nor does it give the person who obtained the garnishee order any right to the security or any claim against the land comprised in it.

Cotton LJ repeated this in Re Combined Weighing and Advertising Machine Company (1889) 43 Ch D 99.

What Happens if the Debtor Leave his Employment?

If the enforcement debtor leaves that place of employment then the warrant expires.

The employer is required to give notice to the registrar of the Court and to the creditor.  The creditor will then need to request another warrant by starting the process over.

Rule 866(2) says when the debtor ceases the employment:

The person must, immediately after ceasing to be the enforcement debtor’s employer, give notice in the approved form mentioned in rule 859 (2) (b) to the registrar and the enforcement creditor.

The employer must serve a Form 81 – notice of cessation of employment – if the debtor has ceased working for the employer at a certain date.

Moving Forward

We strongly suggest that you engage a suitable qualified legal practitioner who specialises in the enforcement of money orders.

If you have a QCAT decision which needs to be registered in the Magistrates Court and enforced, or a judgment, direction, decision or determination of the Court to be enforced then contact our dedicated enforcement lawyers today.

There are a number of difficult steps that need to happen before an employer must comply with an enforcement warrant for redirection of earnings. We strongly recommend engaging a legal professional

A warrant for seizure and sale of property is an enforcement option pursuant to the Uniform Civil Procedure Rules 1999 (QLD) (“UCPR”).

A warrant for seizure and sale of property is a way of enforcing a judgment or enforcing a registered QCAT decision.

A warrant for seizure and sale of property allows the creditor to enforce an enforceable money order over the property of the debtor.

Property can include all real and personal property of the debtor that is not exempt property, but in reality, is more likely to be real property or vehicles.

A warrant for seizure and sale is obtained by making an application to the Court.  The application consists of:

1. The application;
2. A statement in support of the application; and
3. A draft enforcement warrant.

After applying for enforcement warrant, when the Court issues the UCPR enforcement warrant, it is then given to the enforcement officer to execute the warrant.

This article will give you all the information needed to apply for an enforcement warrant, and give you hints and tips to avoid pitfalls.

There are a number of complicated steps that need to happen before a Court Bailiff can execute a warrant for seizure and sale of property. We strongly recommend engaging a legal professional

Enforcement Warrant for Seizure and Sale of Property

The steps needed for a warrant for seizure and sale of property include:

1. A creditor will need an enforceable money order;
2. The creditor must complete an application – Form 9;
3. The creditor must complete the draft warrant – Form 75;
4. The creditor must complete a statement in support of the application – Form 74;
5. The creditor will then need to provide the warrant to the enforcement officer for enforcement by one of the various enforcement options.

We will break each of these steps down in more detail below.

A Creditor will need an Enforceable Money Order

An enforceable money order is defined in rule 793 of the UCPR:

“enforceable money order” of a court, means—

(a) a money order of the court; or

(b) a money order of another court or tribunal filed or registered under an Act in the court for enforcement.

Schedule 3 of the UCPR defines an order to mean:

“order” … includes a judgment, direction, decision or determination of a court whether final or otherwise.

An enforceable money order is a money judgment, direction, decision or determination – of a court, another court or tribunal – filed or registered … in the court for enforcement.

This will include a money judgment in the Magistrates Court, or a decision in QCAT registered in the Magistrates Court for enforcement.  An unregistered QCAT decision is not an enforceable money order until it is registered in the Court.

Six (6) Year Limitation Period

The enforceable money order is able to be enforced – without leave of the Court – and time after six (6) years from the date of the order.

Rule 799(1) of the UCPR says:

An enforcement creditor may start enforcement proceedings without leave at any time within 6 years after the day the money order was made.

If six (6) years have passed since the day the money order was made then a judgment creditor may still proceed against the debtor, but only with leave of the Court.

If you have an enforceable money order which is less than six (6) years old, then you can draft and file the required documents in the Court.

The Creditor must Complete the Documents

The documents needed for the Court to issue an enforcement warrant are all required forms on the Queensland Courts website.  They are:

1. An application – Form 9;
2. A draft warrant – Form 75; and
3. A statement in support of the application – Form 74.

The Application

The application Form 9 outlines the order (or orders) that the plaintiff wants the Court to make.

The application will say something like:

TAKE NOTICE that the Plaintiff is applying to the Court for the following orders:

1.    That pursuant to rule 828 of the Uniform Civil Procedure Rules 1999 (QLD) an enforcement warrant for seizure and sale of the property of the Defendant to satisfy the judgment amount; and

2.    That the Defendant pay the costs of the Plaintiff for costs of preparing the warrant and attending to issuing and for return fixed in the sum of $XXX.

The costs of the warrant are fixed at Schedule 2 of the UCPR depending on the amount of the claim – see item 15.

A creditor may apply for an enforcement warrant without notice to another party.  This means that a creditor can apply for a warrant, and the Court can issue the warrant, without the debtor being notified.  Only when it is issued does the debtor need to be served.

The Draft Warrant

The draft warrant Form 75 is a pro-forma form which a judgment creditor must complete.  It will need to include:

1. The judgment amount; less
2. Any payments made by the debtor; plus
3. The costs of preparing warrant; plus
4. Interest calculated pursuant to section 59 of the Civil Proceedings Act 2011 (QLD).

The Judgment Amount – is simply the amount awarded in the judgement or registered QCAT decision.

Less Payments Made – means the amount must be deducted from the judgment amount if the debtor has made a few payments toward the debt.  This might have happened if a creditor is applying for a second warrant for example.

The Costs of Preparing the Warrant – means the amount fixed at Schedule 2 of the UCPR depending on the amount of the claim – see item 15.

Interest – means the amount set by section 59 of the Civil Proceedings Act 2011 (QLD) and by paragraph 4 of the Supreme Court of Queensland Practice Direction Number 7 of 2013 – 6% p/a above the cash rate at the Reserve Bank of Australia.

Once you have carefully calculated the total amount of the enforcement warrant for seizure and sale of property, the warrant is then followed by a notice to the enforcement officer saying:

You are to seize and sell such of the real and personal property (other than exempt property) in which the enforcement debtor has a legal or beneficial interest as will satisfy the total amount owing on the judgment.

The warrant then directs the enforcement officer to the known property of the enforcement debtor.

If it is real property, then the creditor will need to add a description of the real property and the lot, plan, title reference etc. on the enforcement warrant for seizure and sale of property.

If it is a vehicle, then a reference to the registration number and/or VIN number of the vehicle, who it is registered to, etc. will need to be provided.

Statement in Support of the Application

The statement in support of an application for an enforcement warrant for seizure and sale of property will need to provide the Court with evidence of what is required for the Court to issue the warrant.

Similar to an affidavit, the statement in support should identify:

1. The person making the statement and the authority they have (solicitor for the judgment creditor, judgment creditor, director of the judgment creditor);
2. Evidence of the decision, judgment, or enforceable money order;
3. Evidence of any payments made as against the judgment debt, or a statement that no payments have been made against the judgment debt;
4. Evidence and a statement supporting the calculation of costs and interest; and
5. Evidence of the property to be seized and sold.

If everything is done correctly and pursuant to the UCPR, the Court will issue you with the enforcement warrant for seizure and sale of property.

Rule 817 of the UCPR outlines the other things that need to be included in the statement, being:

• the date the money order was made;
• the amount for which the order was made;
• the date and amount of any payment made under the order;
• the costs incurred in previous enforcement proceedings in relation to the order debt;
• any interest due at the date the statement is sworn;
• any other details necessary to calculate the amount payable under the order at the date the statement is sworn and how the amount is calculated;
• the daily amount of any interest that, subject to any future payment under the order, will accrue after the date the statement is sworn; and
• any other information necessary for the warrant being sought.

The statement in support of an application for an enforcement warrant for seizure and sale of property must not be sworn/affirmed more than two days before the making of the application.  This is to attempt to ensure that the debt is still outstanding at the time of issuing the warrant. Best practise is to swear/affirm the same day as filing.

Once you have been issued with the enforcement warrant for seizure and sale of property you then will need to commence one of the different enforcement options.

There are a number of complicated steps that need to happen before a Court Bailiff can execute a warrant for seizure and sale of property. We strongly recommend engaging a legal professional

Enforcement Options for Seizure and Sale of Property

For the purpose of this article I will just give information in relation to the following:

1. A warrant for seizure and sale of real property (land); and
2. A warrant for seizure and sale of a vehicle.

The procedure for both are very different.  I will explain both below.

A Warrant for Seizure and Sale of Real Property

Probably the most common enforcement warrant is a warrant for seizure and sale of the debtor’s real property.

Once the warrant has been issued, the creditor has to register the warrant on the title of the debtor’s real property.

This is done by completing a Form 12 and lodging it on the title of the real property.

The creditor will need to conduct a fresh title search and a QVAS (Queensland Valuation and Sales) search to ensure the ownership of the real property.

The Form 12 must then be signed by the Plaintiff or an officer of a corporate plaintiff (director for example).

Once properly drafted and signed, the Form 12 can then be lodged with the Department of Natural Resources, Mines and Energy.  Once accepted, the warrant is registered on the title of the debtor.

At this point the creditor has to pay the cost of advertising and auctioning the real property to the enforcement officer.  This can be around $2,000.00 to $2,500.00.  Once the enforcement officer has these funds, then they will commence with executing the enforcement warrant.

These costs are recoverable – for example if the judgment debt is $50,000.00 and the enforcement costs are $2,500.00 then the bailiff will give the creditor $52,500.00 from the sale of the real property, plus the interest claimed – as a very rough example.

Finally, the enforcement officer will need a payout figure from the current mortgagee on the title.  This is to ensure that there is enough equity in the property to satisfy the debts and the enforcement costs.

A Warrant for Seizure and Sale of a Vehicle

Another popular warrant is a warrant for seizure and sale of a vehicle.

If the debtor has a vehicle registered in their name, and the vehicle is not exempt property, and there is enough unencumbered equity in the vehicle to satisfy the judgment debt and enforcement costs, then you may apply for a warrant for seizure and sale of that vehicle.

The creditor will need to perform a registration search on the QLD Motor Vehicle Register, and perform a search of the  Personal Property Securities Register (“PPSR”) to see if there are any registered interests over the vehicle (a finance company for example).

The creditor will also need an independent written valuation to assess the value of the vehicle.

If the judgment debtor owns the vehicle, and there are no security interests registered over the vehicle, then the enforcement officer may be directed to seize and sell the vehicle.

Once again, the enforcement officer will require security for their costs.  This is somewhere in the region of $1,000.00 to $1,500.00 to store and auction the vehicle.  Once again, these costs are recoverable after the sale of the vehicle.

Moving Forward

We strongly suggest that you engage a suitable qualified legal practitioner who specialises in the enforcement of money orders.

If you have a QCAT decision which needs to be registered in the Magistrates Court and enforced, or a judgment, direction, decision or determination of the Court to be enforced then contact our dedicated enforcement lawyers today.

There are a number of complicated steps that need to happen before a Court Bailiff can execute a warrant for seizure and sale of property. We strongly recommend engaging a legal professional

Frequently Asked Questions

See below for some frequently asked questions regarding a warrant for seizure and sale of property.

What is Exempt Property?

Rule 828(1) of the UCPR states that:

A court may issue an enforcement warrant authorising an enforcement officer to seize and sell in satisfaction of a money order all real and personal property (other than exempt property) in which the enforcement debtor has a legal or beneficial interest.

Exempt property has the same meaning as given to it by the section 116(2) of the Bankruptcy Act 1966 (CTH) and Regulation 6.03 of the Bankruptcy Regulations 1996 (CTH).

These sections of bankruptcy legislation contain a number of instances where property is exempt property.  The relevant property exempt from a warrant for seizure and sale of property includes but not limited to:

1. A vehicle with a value of less than $7,900.00 – subject to CPI – See AFSA for more information;
2. Property held by the debtor in trust for another person;
3. Tools of the trade – up to a certain value set by the regulations – See AFSA for more information;
4. Policies of life assurance or endowment assurance of the debtor and the proceeds of such policies (for example if they used that to purchase real property);
5. Funds held in a regulated superannuation fund;
6. Any damages or compensation recovered by the debtor in respect of such an injury or wrong or the death of such a person – and property purchased wholly or partly with that compensation).

Who is an Enforcement Officer?

Schedule 5 of the Supreme Court of Queensland Act 1991 (Qld) says:

“enforcement officer” for a court, means the sheriff, a deputy sheriff or a bailiff of the court.

That means that any of the above can enforce a warrant for seizure and sale of property.

How long does an Enforcement Warrant last?

An enforcement warrant for seizure and sale of property is valid for one (1) year after it is issued.

If the enforcement warrant for seizure and sale of property is not satisfied within one (1) year the creditor can renew the warrant by application to the court for a further period not exceeding one (1) year.

This application is made pursuant to rule 821 of the UCPR.

Is there a Priority of Enforcement Warrants?

Yes, if two (2) or more enforcement warrants for seizure and sale of property are filed around the same time, the earliest has priority over the later warrant.

Rule 823 of the UCPR deals with the priority of enforcement warrants.

What Happens if the Debtor Pays before the Sale?

If the debtor finds some money to pay the creditor, then the enforcement officer must not sell the property.  Rule 830 of the UCPR says:

An enforcement officer must not sell property seized under an enforcement warrant if, at or before the sale, the enforcement debtor pays to the enforcement officer—

(a) the amount owing under the order, including interest; and

(b) the costs of enforcement then known to the enforcement officer; and

(c) an amount set by the enforcement officer as security for the enforcement creditor’s other costs of enforcement.

This means that the debtor must pay the judgment debt, interest, and the cost of enforcement.  This is going to be significantly more than the judgment debt.

If the debtor does not pay all of those costs, then the enforcement officer can still sell the property.

What Costs are able to be Claimed?

Rule 797 of the UCPR says:

(1) The costs of enforcement of a money order are recoverable as part of the order.

(2) Interest on an order debt is recoverable as part of the money order.

So, the costs on the Court scale are recoverable, and interest as calculated above is also claimable.

These are added to the judgment debt and previous costs incurred.

What if the Debtor Owns the Property Jointly?

If the debtor is a joint owner in the property, then it becomes very difficult for the enforcement officer to seize and sell the property.

Best practice is to ensure that the debtor only owns the property, and that there is clear title to that property.

How much does an Enforcement Warrant Cost?

A UCPR enforcement warrant has no fee with the Court.

You will need to pay the estimated costs of the enforcement officer up-front.

These costs can include:

1. Advertising and auction expenses;
2. Seizure expenses, e.g. hire of a tow truck, or engaging a removal firm;
3. Storage of the property – vehicle for example;
4. The amount owing to the creditor pursuant to the warrant, costs and interest;
5. The bailiff’s execution fees and expenses – such as travel, the bailiff’s time and any other expenses incurred by the bailiff while executing the warrant.

Any remaining balance after the enforcement officer has paid for everything, is repaid to the debtor.

There are a number of complicated steps that need to happen before a Court Bailiff can execute a warrant for seizure and sale of property. We strongly recommend engaging a legal professional