What is a Liability Order?

A Liability Order is an order made by the local Magistrates Court that gives the Council certain powers to collect the debt that it is owed. The Order is for a fixed amount of money, plus costs. Both of these amounts are payable immediately.

The options available to the Council include deductions from certain state benefits(Income Support, Job Seeker's Allowance, Pension Credits or Employment Support Allowance); an Attachment of Earnings Order; the use of Enforcement Agents (Bailiffs) to remove goods from your home to be sold to pay the debt; or even Committal to Prison.

Alternatively, we can look at starting Insolvency Proceedings against you or placing a charge against any interest you may have in the property, even forcing the sale of your home where necessary (This is known as a ‘Charging Order').