VocabuLaw

Garnishment

What is it and what does it mean?

Description of the legal term Garnishment:

Garnishment, within the ambit of British legal system, is a judicial procedure by which a creditor can enforce the collection of a monetary obligation against a debtor by securing a court order that directs a third party, often the debtor’s employer or a bank, to withhold money owed or payable to the debtor and to send it directly to the creditor. This is often referred to as an attachment of earnings or a third-party debt order. Such an order is typically used when a debtor has failed to satisfy a debt voluntarily.

The process begins when the creditor applies for a court order after obtaining a judgment against the debtor. Once the order is granted, it is served upon the third party, known as the ‘garnishee’. The garnishee must then withhold an amount from the debtor’s wages or bank account and direct these funds to the creditor in satisfaction of the judgment. The amount that can be collected via this method is subject to legal limits, and certain types of income, such as benefits or pensions, may be protected or exempt from garnishment.

One key aspect of the garnishment process is to ensure that the rights of the debtor are balanced against the interests of the creditor. Therefore, the debtor is entitled to a court hearing before garnishment is approved if they wish to dispute the debt, the amount, or the manner in which garnishment is being executed. If the debtor proves at the hearing that the garnishment would cause them undue hardship, the court may adjust the amount that can be garnished or may even dismiss the garnishment action entirely.

Garnishment is a powerful tool for creditors but one that is strictly regulated to prevent abuse. In the situation where the debtor changes jobs or moves bank accounts, the creditor may need to commence fresh garnishment proceedings to continue to capture funds towards the satisfaction of the debt.

Legal context in which the term Garnishment may be used:

For example, a person may have an outstanding credit card debt and, having failed to engage in any payment plan or settlement with the credit card company, finds themselves subject to a court judgment. The credit card company, now armed with this judgment, could apply for a garnishment order against that person’s employer. If the order is granted, the employer would be legally required to deduct a portion of that person’s salary each pay period and send it directly to the credit card company until the debt is paid off.

Another scenario involves a tenant who has fallen behind on rent payments. The landlord obtains a court judgment for the unpaid rent and then seeks a garnishment order against the tenant’s bank where the tenant’s wages are deposited. Once the bank is served with the garnishment order, it must freeze the tenant’s account up to the amount specified in the order and then pay these funds directly to the landlord.

The incorporation of garnishment into the fabric of British debt enforcement mechanisms underscores the system’s commitment to not only upholding the rights of creditors to collect what is rightfully owed to them but also protecting the basic needs and rights of debtors. This balance ensures that while creditors have a mechanism to reclaim debts, debtors are shielded from extreme hardship that might arise from aggressive debt collection practices. The effectiveness and fairness of garnishment hinge on its transparent and regulated execution within the due process of law, offering a clear legal path to debt recovery while observing the principles of justice and equity for all parties involved.

This website is for informational purposes only and may contain inaccuracies. It should not be used as a substitute for professional legal advice.