Document comparison
Compare the document behind each bailiff debt stream
The document name matters because it identifies the creditor, court or authority, the enforcement route and the body that may need to correct or pause the process.
| Debt stream | Controlling instrument | Who holds the underlying record | Questions to ask first | Detailed guide |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Council tax | Liability order and enforcement power | Billing authority and Magistrates Court record | Who is liable, what address was used, what balance was referred and when? | Council tax hub |
| Magistrates Court fine | Warrant of Control | Magistrates Court and fines office | What case created the fine, when was it known, what payment terms apply and what does the warrant authorise? | Court fine hub |
| High Court judgment | Writ of control | Judgment court, High Court enforcement record and creditor | What judgment was transferred, is the writ current, what stage was reached and is a stay or set-aside application relevant? | High Court hub |
| Traffic or parking debt | Traffic enforcement warrant | Enforcement authority and Traffic Enforcement Centre | Which statutory notice was missed, what address was used, what form applies and has enforcement been suspended? | Traffic debt hub |
The same word can hide a different legal route
A visitor may describe every document as a bailiff warrant. The correct response begins by naming the actual instrument and tracing the decision that created it.