england-and-wales compensation civil-judgment
What powers do civil courts have to probe the finances of a defeated defendant refusing to pay compensation or even claiming destitution?
<p>Are bailiffs ever  used to enforce civil damages judgments as they are for fines and evictions?</p>
<p>If a defendant wishes to get out of paying the compensation ordered due, how hard is it for then to weasel lie or avoid their way out of doing so?</p>
<p>In matters of welfare tax or social housing frauds, statutes specifically give powers to DWP HMRC or local authorities to access one's bank accounts in investigations. What about in evasion of civil judgments?</p>
<p>I've been told that simply by claiming destitution one can easily get out of a judgement of £10000 by agreeing to a payment plan of £100/month and then in 5 months' time, just say you can't pay again and just make it so much effort for the plaintiff to bother chasing up and arguing at every step that it isn't worth it. Is that true?</p>

<h2><a href="https://www.gov.uk/make-court-claim-for-money/enforce-a-judgment" rel="nofollow noreferrer">These powers</a></h2>
<blockquote>
<ol>
<li><p>Find out what the debtor can afford to pay</p>
</li>
<li><p>Send bailiffs to collect payment</p>
</li>
<li><p>Get money deducted from wages</p>
</li>
<li><p>Freeze assets or money in an account</p>
</li>
<li><p>Charge the debtor’s land or property</p>
</li>
</ol>
</blockquote>
<p>Of course, one of the things a plaintiff should do before commencing legal action is to make sure the defendant isn’t “judgement proof” i.e. doesn’t have the money (or insurance) to pay if you win.</p>
