Changes to legislation and regulations affecting Civil and High Court Enforcement has also meant a change to the previously known terms of Bailiffs and Sheriffs.
Sheriffs now High Court Enforcement Officers
Prior to 2004, High Court Enforcement Officers (HCEO) were called Sheriffs (Sheriffs Officers). The 2003 Court Act (which came into force on the 1st April 2004) also saw geographical boundaries dropped to allow HCEO’s to conduct enforcement throughout the whole of England and Wales.
High Court Enforcement Officers are responsible for the enforcement of the Writs of Execution issued out of the High Court, the most popular of which being the “Writ of Control” formerly known as “Writ of Fieri Facias” or “Writ of Fi Fa”. This is a writ issued for the recovery of money owed and provides for the seizure and sale of the judgment debtor’s goods.
Bailiffs now Enforcement Agents
On the 6 April 2014, the law governing bailiffs changed. The main changes were:
- Bailiffs are now known as Enforcement Agents (the new regulations removed the term ‘bailiff’).
- There is a new fee structure.
- Enforcement Agents now follow a three stage process.
If you would like further information on the services that were offered in the past by Bailiffs and Sheriffs please
Telephone: 0843 504 1606* or email info@courtenforcementservices.co.uk
*Calls cost 7p per minute plus your phone company’s access charge