Life after a courtroom win can feel anticlimactic. The decision is on paper, yet the money is still missing, and each day that passes adds stress and often interest. If you hold a judgment in your favour, uncertainty about the next move can be just as draining as the dispute that brought you to court in the first place. The guide below walks through the practical steps for turning a piece of paper into real repayment, whether your order started interstate, in VCAT, or in a Victorian court.
- Making Sure You’re Starting in the Right Place
The Magistrates’ Court will not enforce a civil judgment automatically. Creditors must apply. Before lodging anything, confirm that an enforceable money order exists in your name. If the order was made interstate or by VCAT, register it first with the Magistrates’ Court. The filing fees you pay now are recoverable from the debtor later.
- Getting a Clearer Picture of the Debtor’s Situation
Blind enforcement wastes time. A quick investigation can reveal whether the debtor owns property, earns a regular salary, or holds funds in a bank. A Summons for Oral Examination is the most direct way to obtain this data. The debtor, or a company director, attends court with bank statements, tax returns, and asset details, and failure to appear can lead to an arrest warrant.
- Finding the Right Path to Enforcement
| Enforcement order | When to consider it | Key points |
| Summons for Oral Examination | You need clarity on assets and income | Non-attendance risks arrest |
| Warrant to Seize Property | Debtor owns vehicles, stock, or valuables | Sheriff sells items; basic household goods are protected |
| Warrant of Seizure and Sale (real property) | Goods alone will not satisfy the debt | Sheriff may sell the debtor’s share in land or a house, often raising property-dispute issues. If it is transferred, it will be done through conveyancing. |
| Attachment of Debt | You have bank details | Freezes and redirects funds in the account |
| Attachment of Earnings | The debtor has steady employment | Employer deducts instalments capped for living needs |
| Instalment Order | The debtor can pay over time | Governed by the Judgment Debt Recovery Act 1984 |
Each application adds filing fees, but those costs can be included in the judgment amount. Post-judgment interest, set by Parliament, also accrues until payment is complete.
- Taking the Next Steps: Filing and Serving
Every order has a prescribed form. Complete it carefully, pay the fee, and then serve the debtor. Sheriffs and process servers follow strict rules. Serving a corporate debtor at the wrong registered office is a common misstep that can stall recovery for weeks.
- Monitor Deadlines and Compliance
Most warrants last one year, and Victorian rules become stricter after six years, so track expiry dates. If attachment orders are in place, confirm that funds arrive on schedule. When payments falter, you can return to court or look at related commercial-dispute angles if company assets or director conduct complicate matters.
- Keeping Track of What’s Owed, With Interest
All enforcement costs, including sheriff’s fees and lawyer fees, plus penalty interest, are recoverable. Including them in your strategy gives a realistic view of the total amount owed and informs whether an instalment order is preferable to more aggressive action.
- Prepare For Every Situation
Debtors can still seek rehearings, instalment orders, or even declare bankruptcy. Understanding these possibilities helps you anticipate resistance and adjust strategy before costs spiral.
Looking at the Bigger Picture
Winning in court is only half the journey; real success is seeing funds land in your account. If you hold a judgment and the debtor will not pay, an informed enforcement plan can close the gap. Equally, if enforcement looms over you, early legal advice can protect essential assets, negotiate realistic payments, or, in limited cases, overturn default orders.
We design targeted strategies for creditors and guide debtors who need a workable path forward. From examination orders to asset seizure, from negotiated payment plans to robust debt-recovery defences, we explain every option and move purposefully toward resolution. Reach out when you are ready, and we here at Mohan Yildiz & Associates will meet you where you are and stay beside you until the matter is resolved.
