Judgments | England & Wales | Cross-Border Enforcement Center

With which jurisdictions does this country have reciprocal arrangements for enforcement of judgments?

Conventions:

Hague Choice of Court Convention 2005:
Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Mexico, Montenegro, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden

Agreement on the Continued Application and Amendment of the Convention Providing for the Reciprocal Recognition and Enforcement of Judgments in Civil Matters¹: Norway

Bilateral:

Administration of Justice Act 1920:
Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Bermuda, Botswana, British Indian Ocean Territory, British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands, Christmas Island, Cocos (Keeling) Islands, Dominica, Falkland Islands, Fiji, Gambia, Ghana, Grenada, Guyana, Jamaica, Kenya, Kiribati, Lesotho, Malawi, Malaysia, Mauritius, Montserrat, New Zealand, Nigeria, Norfolk Island, Papua New Guinea, St Christopher and Nevis, St Helena, St Lucia, St Vincent and the Grenadines, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Solomon Islands, Sovereign Base Areas of Akrotin and Dhekelia in Cyprus, Sri Lanka, Swaziland, Tanzania, Trinidad and Tobago, Turks and Caicos Islands, Tuvalu, Uganda, Zambia, Zimbabwe

Civil Jurisdiction and Judgments Act 1982: Northern Ireland, Scotland

Foreign Judgments (Reciprocal Enforcement) Act 1933:
Australia, Canada, Guernsey, India, Isle of Man, Israel, Jersey, Pakistan, Suriname, Tonga

1 Originally signed in London on 12 June 1961, reaffirmed in November 2020.

If there is no reciprocal arrangement, is it still possible to enforce a foreign judgment by means of a writ on the judgment, declaration of enforceability or similar mechanism?

Yes.

What is the approximate time required to register and enforce a foreign judgment if unopposed?

2 – 3 months.

What is the approximate time required to register and enforce a foreign judgment if opposed?

3 – 6 months.

What is the approximate cost of registering and enforcing a foreign judgment (including court fees and other disbursements) if unopposed?

USD 20,000 - 50,000+ (depending on the complexity of the enforcement steps required).

What is the approximate cost of registering and enforcing a foreign judgment (including court fees and other disbursements) if opposed?

USD 50,000 - 150,000+ (depending on the complexity of the enforcement steps required).

Are there any unusual difficulties in enforcing a foreign judgment?

No. Recognition is usually granted ex parte. The other party then has 1 month from service to apply to set aside registration (2 months if the other party is outside the UK).

Cross-Border Enforcement Center

England & Wales

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