Enforcing a foreign judgment in the UK is became simpler from July 2025 under new international rules. For businesses and individuals dealing with cross border disputes, this could significantly reduce the time and cost of enforcing overseas court decisions.

Enforcing a foreign judgment in the UK had not always been simple. The process has depended on where the judgment came from and the type of agreement between the countries involved.

 

In some cases, older EU rules still apply. In others, parties have had to rely on a mix of UK legislation, international agreements with limited scope, or even bring a fresh claim in the English courts to enforce the judgment. This has often meant added cost, delay and uncertainty. The new Hague Judgments Convention aims to change that by introducing a more consistent approach between participating countries.

 

The new regime

 

The Convention creates a clearer route for enforcing many types of foreign civil and commercial judgments. In practical terms, this means that if you obtain a qualifying judgment in one participating country, it should be easier to enforce it in another without starting proceedings again from scratch. The rules apply to a wide range of disputes, including many commercial claims, and can cover both financial awards and certain court orders.

 

However, not all cases are included. For example, the Convention does not apply to areas such as insolvency, family law, arbitration or defamation. It is therefore important to check whether your judgment falls within its scope. The new regime will only apply to claims started on or after 1 July 2025. Older cases will still need to follow the existing rules.

 

How enforcement works

 

To enforce a foreign judgment under the Convention in England and Wales, you will generally need to apply to the High Court to have the judgment recognised.

 

The court will not re hear the case or reconsider the outcome. Instead, it will check that certain conditions are met, including that the judgment is valid in its home country and that the correct legal basis exists for enforcement. There are limited circumstances in which enforcement can be refused, such as where there has been fraud or a lack of proper notice to the other party.

 

Why this matters

 

The new Convention is expected to make cross-border enforcement more efficient and predictable.
For businesses operating internationally, this means:

• greater confidence that judgments can be enforced abroad
• fewer procedural hurdles
• reduced time and legal costs

It also strengthens the UK’s position as a reliable place to resolve international disputes.

 

Key takeaway

 

Since July 2025, enforcing foreign judgments in the UK became simpler for many types of claims. However, the rules are not universal and will not apply to every case. Whether the Convention can be used will depend on factors such as when proceedings were started, the type of dispute and the countries involved.

 

How we can help

 

If you need to enforce a judgment from overseas in the UK, or you are involved in a cross-border dispute, our specialist team can advise on the most effective approach and help you navigate the available enforcement options.