Business · Company Judgment

A judgment has been granted against your company. Act before the sheriff does.

Short answer

Once a court grants judgment against a company, a creditor can apply for a warrant of execution — authorising the sheriff to attach and sell company assets. The window to respond is narrow. KLS helps you act decisively.

Who this is for

Is your company in this position?

A judgment has been granted against your company in your absence

The company was summonsed but did not defend the claim — either because the summons was not received, the director was unaware, or legal representation was not arranged in time.

You've received a warrant of execution or sheriff notice

The creditor has moved beyond judgment to enforcement. The sheriff has authority to attach company assets. Immediate legal intervention is required.

You dispute the amount or the validity of the underlying debt

The judgment was granted for a debt you believe is incorrect, inflated, or already settled — but you did not have the opportunity to present your case.

The cost of waiting

What escalates if you delay

A company judgment that goes unaddressed moves through a predictable — and damaging — escalation path.

Asset attachment and sale

The sheriff can attach company vehicles, equipment, stock, and other movable assets and sell them at auction to satisfy the judgment debt — often at a fraction of their value.

Bank account freezing

A garnishee order can be obtained against the company's bankers, freezing accounts and intercepting incoming payments before they reach the business.

Liquidation application

A creditor who has obtained judgment and cannot recover through execution can apply to have the company wound up. This is a drastic step but creditors do use it.

Director reputational damage

Company judgments appear in public records. They affect the company's ability to tender, obtain trade credit, or enter into significant contracts.

How it works

How KLS responds to company judgments

01

Urgent assessment

We assess the judgment — when it was granted, on what basis, whether proper service occurred, and whether grounds for rescission or opposition exist. Time is critical and we treat it that way.

02

Rescission or settlement strategy

Where the judgment can be rescinded, we file urgently. Where the underlying debt is valid but the amount is disputed, we negotiate. Where immediate enforcement is the threat, we seek an interdict to buy time.

03

Resolution and protection

We pursue the outcome that best protects the company — whether that is a rescinded judgment, a negotiated settlement, a payment arrangement, or a transition into business rescue where the situation warrants it.

Before you start

What KLS checks before opening the matter

The intake is designed to classify the legal route, identify the documents that matter, and flag whether the matter needs attorney review before a formal step is taken.

Start this assessment

Assessment route

Business Distress Assessment

Review posture

Attorney review

Primary audience

Business

Legal context reviewed

Company judgment enforcement, Warrant of execution

Last reviewed: 17 May 2026 · Next review due: 17 Nov 2026

Trust and intake boundaries

What you can expect at this stage

Information is treated as confidential intake information.
The page explains the route before you submit an assessment.
Assessment content is routing support, not legal advice by itself.

Document readiness

Useful documents to prepare

Demand letters
Court papers
Creditor statements
Management accounts or cash-flow notes

Routing checks

What the assessment helps KLS identify

Whether a demand or liquidation application has been received
Whether trading, payroll, suppliers, or bank accounts are affected
Which deadlines or creditor actions need immediate review
Which company documents are needed before strategy is confirmed

This assessment is not legal advice and does not promise rescue, settlement, or opposition success. It helps KLS classify risk and readiness.

Guided pathways

If you are still deciding, use the pathway first

Related guides

Understand the issue before you submit

Connected legal routes

Other pages that may fit the same pressure

FAQs

Questions about company judgments

Yes. If the judgment was granted by default — meaning the company did not defend the claim — and there are reasonable grounds for the failure to defend, plus a bona fide defence to the claim, rescission is available. We assess both requirements.
Very quickly. A creditor can apply for a warrant of execution immediately after judgment. The sheriff can arrive within days. If you have received a judgment or a sheriff's notice, contact us today.
We can negotiate a payment arrangement with the creditor, which suspends enforcement action. We can also assess whether business rescue is appropriate if the company is facing broader financial difficulty.
A company judgment is against the company, not the directors personally — unless personal suretyship was signed. We assess the full picture including any personal exposure.
Yes, in most cases. A judgment against the company does not automatically stop trading. However, if enforcement action is active, it can disrupt operations significantly. Early intervention protects trading continuity.

Get started

Get urgent help with your company judgment

Tell us about the judgment — when it was granted, the amount, and what enforcement action has been taken. We respond within one business day.

Start the secure intake

You will answer a short set of questions so KLS can route the matter into the correct review process.

Continue to intake

Your information is confidential and used only for intake and consultation purposes.

Priority outcome

You receive an urgency and routing outcome.

Document guidance

KLS identifies whether senior review is needed.

Next step routing

Document and payment gates control consultation access where needed.

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