N245 (application for time to pay)

The form a debtor uses to ask the court for permission to pay a county court judgment by instalments — often the difference between a manageable plan and bailiffs turning up.

Does filing an N245 stop enforcement action against me?

Not automatically. Making the application does not itself suspend a warrant of control or other enforcement step already under way — you may need to also apply to suspend enforcement, or act before enforcement begins. Filing the N245 as early as possible, ideally before enforcement starts, gives you the best chance of avoiding it.

What if the judgment creditor objects to my proposed instalments?

If the creditor objects and the amount is more than a set threshold, the application is normally referred to a court officer or judge to decide, taking into account your income, expenditure and the size of the debt. You may be asked to complete a further financial statement to support your proposal.

What happens if I miss an instalment once the order is made?

Missing a payment does not automatically cancel the order, but repeated or unexplained missed payments can lead the creditor to apply to enforce the full remaining balance, or to pursue other enforcement methods such as a warrant of control or attachment of earnings.

Can I use an N245 for any type of court judgment?

It is used for money judgments in the county court, including default judgments and judgments made after a hearing. It is not the right form for other types of order, such as a possession order, which have their own separate procedures.

Is there a fee to apply for time to pay?

There is a court fee for making the application, set out in the HMCTS EX50 fees schedule, which changes periodically — check the current figure on GOV.UK before applying. Fee remission may be available if you are on a low income or certain benefits.

Can I apply if I already agreed a payment plan directly with the creditor?

You do not generally need to use the N245 if the creditor has already agreed to accept instalments informally. It becomes relevant when you cannot reach an agreement directly, or when you want the payment plan formally recorded and enforced by the court.

What the N245 is actually for

A county court judgment does not automatically come with a payment plan — unless the judgment already sets one out, the debt is technically due in full straight away. The N245 lets a debtor who genuinely cannot pay in full ask the court to formally approve instalments instead, based on their actual income and outgoings.

The same form is also used to apply to suspend enforcement that has already started — for example, to stop a warrant of control being carried out — if the debtor can propose a realistic instalment plan the court is willing to accept.

How the application is decided

• Complete a financial statement.
• You set out your income, essential outgoings and what you can genuinely afford to pay each month.
• File the N245 with the court.
• The application goes to the court that issued the judgment, along with the relevant fee unless remission applies.
• The creditor is given a chance to respond.
• If they accept your proposal, the court can approve it without a hearing. If they object, it may be referred to a judge.
• An instalment order is made.
• Once approved, the order sets out the amount and frequency of payments, and paying in line with it should prevent further enforcement action.

A debtor owes £2,400 under a default judgment and receives a letter warning that enforcement action may follow. Their income covers essential living costs with £80 a month left over. They file an N245 proposing £80 monthly instalments, supported by a financial statement.

Approx. time to clear debt

If the creditor does not object, the court can approve the plan without a hearing. Provided the debtor keeps up the payments, this generally avoids further enforcement such as a warrant of control, even though the debt itself takes some time to clear in full.

Civil Procedure Rules, Part 40

N245 (Application for Time to Pay) — Small Claims Glossary

What form N245 is, how to apply to pay a county court judgment by instalments, and how the court decides whether to approve it.