Understanding judgments & fines

Searching the registers

The registers for judgments and fines

The Register of Judgments, Orders and Fines is a statutory public Register run on behalf of the Ministry of Justice by Registry Trust Ltd(RTL), access to which is open to all.

Anyone can check the information on any other business or individual or on themselves, by providing the necessary search details and paying the appropriate fee (see how to search the registers).

Additionally Registry Trust Ltd is legally obliged to make information available, in bulk, to commercial organisations.

Sections of the E&W register

There are three separate sections of the England and Wales Register.

County court judgments, administration orders and child support agency liability orders. The Register holds details of all money judgments, other than defended cases, as soon as judgment is given. Defended cases, where the defendant appears in person, are not registered unless an instalment order is made, or the claimant takes enforcement action.
High Court Judgments The same types of judgment as in the county court are recorded.
Fines defaults Details of unpaid fines imposed by magistrates & crown courts are registered by Magistrates Courts.
Tribunal Awards.

Information held on the Register

The Register includes:

Name of court and case number
Name of defendant/offender (including date of birth, where known, from 06/04/2006)
Address of the defendant/offender (including postcode from 06/04/2006)
Date and amount of judgment, order or fine
Satisfaction details once notified by the court

Claimant details do not form part of the public Register and are available, to the defendant, direct from the relevant court.

Other Geographical Areas

The other registers held by RTL are:

Isle of Man

Default money judgments

Case number
Name & address of defendant
Date & amount of judgment (+ costs)
‘Satisfaction’ once notified by the court

Scotland

Small claims and summary causes Sheriff Court judgments

Court name and case number
Name and address of defender
Date and amount of decree
‘Satisfaction’ once RTL provided with proof + search fee

Northern Ireland

Undefended default & small claims judgments

Name of court and case number
Name and address of defendant
Date and amount of judgment (+ costs)
‘Satisfaction’ once RTL provided withproof + search fee

Jersey

Money judgments from the Petty Debts and Royal Court

Name and address of defendant
Date and amount of judgment
‘Satisfaction’ once RTL provided with proof + search fee

Republic of Ireland

Money judgments from circuit & district courts

Name of court and case number
Name and address of defendant
Date and amount of judgment
‘Satisfaction’ from court record or once RTL provided with proof + search fee