What must a judgment creditor obtain before making an application for a writ of execution if 12 years have passed since the judgment?

A judgment creditor must obtain leave of the court before making an application for a writ of execution if 12 years have passed since the judgment. This requirement is based on the principle that a judgment has a limited lifespan, typically 12 years, after which enforcement actions, such as applying for a writ of execution, require a formal permission process to ensure fairness and to consider any potential equities involved.

In the context of civil procedure, requiring leave before enforcement after a significant period helps to protect debtors from outdated claims that may no longer reflect their financial situation. It also provides the court with an opportunity to assess the reasons for the delay in enforcement and to determine if the creditor has a valid justification for pursuing the writ after such a lengthy time span has elapsed since the judgment was rendered.

The other options, such as obtaining consent from the debtor, engaging a court-appointed receiver, or seeking approval from a mediator, are not relevant in this context. They do not constitute a requirement for enforcing a judgment after the 12-year period and would not provide the necessary legal foundation for moving forward with a writ of execution.