Gaining a couty court judgement doesnt always get you your money thats due. a number of years ago I was called in by an insurance loss adjuster to save some pipe burst water damaged carpets.
I succesfully restored them and the client was so imprssed, in the following few weeks I did a couple of refferal jobs from him.
However it was his duty to pay me from the proceeds of his insurance company cheque (Thats how things were done over 25 years ago). He wouldnt pay so I got a judgement. He still wouldnt pay so I sent the bailiffs in at my expense. He ignored them so I sent the supervising bailiff in, again at my expense. He was refused peaceful entry and was not authorised to force an entry, so that route came to a dead end.
The client made a final offer of £50, which I accepted as I was about to give up hope of getting anything. After the court and baliffs expenses were taken into account, I was left with about £5 and thats not to mention the 2 days off work for court appearance etc.
Just to clarify about county court judgements. Once a judgement has been entered against someone it stays on record for 6 years no matter what. The judgement originator cannot change that. All they can do and should do, once the amount has been paid in full, is to notify the court that the debt has been satified. The debt will then be marked on the court record as 'Satisfied'. It still remains on the records for the remainder of 6 years.
Dave.