It is not widely known that the names of employers and individuals who fail to pay Employment Tribunal (ET) awards are added to the Register of Judgments, Orders and Fines, once enforcement proceedings have been brought against them in the County Court. The Register can be searched by members of the public, banks and credit reference agencies and the move was intended to provide an incentive to settle awards on time.
Successful claimants can now make use of an extended service from High Court Enforcement Officers if the other party fails to pay an ET award. An Enforcement Officer will complete the court process and move to enforcement as soon as possible. The only cost to the claimant is a £50 court fee, to issue a writ to seize assets to the value of the amount owed, and this will be added to the sum of money owing to them.