England and Wales

Attachment of earnings orders explained

How attachment of earnings orders can deduct judgment debt repayments from wages in England and Wales, and what to do if deductions are unaffordable.

An attachment of earnings order directs an employer to deduct money from wages towards certain debts, including qualifying County Court judgments. The court sets a protected earnings level so deductions should not reduce pay below the protected amount, and a debtor can ask for the amount to be changed if it is unaffordable.

How an order works

The court sends the order to both the debtor and employer. It states the debt, the deduction and the protected earnings rate.

Affordability and protected earnings

Current GOV.UK guidance confirms that normal deductions cannot take earnings below the protected earnings rate. A debtor may apply to change the amount where affordability is a problem.

Do not ask an employer to ignore it

An employer is legally required to comply with a valid order. The correct route is to deal with the court if the order or deduction needs to be challenged or varied.

Related guidance

Important: This page provides general information, not regulated financial or legal advice. Rules and enforcement processes can depend on the debt, court, creditor and jurisdiction.