Different Types of Bailiffs
County Court Bailiffs are actually civil servants who are employed by HM Courts Service.
Their main role is to enforce County Court Judgments and Orders and although the majority of their work involves actions for recovery of debt, they are also required to enforce warrants for Possession of Property and for the Return of Goods under HP or similar agreements. The County Court Bailiffs are managed by County Court Officers and they are ultimately answerable to the District Judge at the relevant County Court.
These Bailiffs have full power and authority to seize goods and sell them in order to raise the funds necessary to recover a debt plus all reasonable expenses.
High Court Enforcement Officers
High Court Enforcement Officers are individuals who are authorised personally by the Lord Chancellor to execute judgments and orders of the High Courts and County Courts of England and Wales. Their powers are similar to those of County Court Bailiffs in that they too can seize goods and sell them to satisfy a debt, and they can also execute warrants for Possession of Property and for the Return of Goods. The main difference is that High Court Enforcement Officers can enforce judgments and orders of the High Courts, which County Court Bailiffs are not able to do. Also High Court Enforcement Officers (who until 2004 were known as Sheriff’s Officers) are not employed by the Court Service, but by private companies.
High Court Enforcement Officers are individuals who are authorised personally by the Lord Chancellor to execute judgments and orders of the High Courts and County Courts of England and Wales. Their powers are similar to those of County Court Bailiffs in that they too can seize goods and sell them to satisfy a debt, and they can also execute warrants for Possession of Property and for the Return of Goods. The main difference is that High Court Enforcement Officers can enforce judgments and orders of the High Courts, which County Court Bailiffs are not able to do. Also High Court Enforcement Officers (who until 2004 were known as Sheriff’s Officers) are not employed by the Court Service, but by private companies.
Certificated Bailiffs
Certificated Bailiffs are also employed by private companies and they are able to enforce a variety of debts on behalf of organisations such as local authorities and commercial landlords. Their powers are not limited to being able to seize goods and sell them in order to satisfy debts because they can also enforce actions for rent, road traffic debts, council tax and non-domestic rates. However, Certificated Bailiffs are not authorised to enforce judgments or orders made in the County Courts or High Courts. The Certificates are issued by County Court Judges and you can see a copy of the current Register of Certificated Bailiffs here http://certificatedbailiffs.justice.gov.uk/CertificatedBailiffs/searchPublic.do?search=&d-1341904-p=8
Certificated Bailiffs are also employed by private companies and they are able to enforce a variety of debts on behalf of organisations such as local authorities and commercial landlords. Their powers are not limited to being able to seize goods and sell them in order to satisfy debts because they can also enforce actions for rent, road traffic debts, council tax and non-domestic rates. However, Certificated Bailiffs are not authorised to enforce judgments or orders made in the County Courts or High Courts. The Certificates are issued by County Court Judges and you can see a copy of the current Register of Certificated Bailiffs here http://certificatedbailiffs.justice.gov.uk/CertificatedBailiffs/searchPublic.do?search=&d-1341904-p=8
Non-Certificated Bailiffs
Non-Certificated Bailiffs, also known as Private Bailiffs, are individuals who are employed by private companies and are able to recover monies owed for a variety of debts, by seizing and selling goods at auction. At present, employees of such companies are not required to pass the Certified Bailiffs Association (CBA) examination. There is no general statutory control over the competence and conduct of Non-Certificated Bailiffs. Perhaps understandably, these Bailiffs have less powers than the other groups of Bailiffs mentioned above. They cannot levy distress for rent, road traffic debts, council tax or non-domestic rates and neither can they enforce judgments or orders of the High Court or County Court.
In May 2002, The Lord Chancellor’s Department produced the National Standards for Enforcement Agencies in order ” to share, build on, and improve existing good practice and thereby to raise the level of professionalism across the whole sector.”
Non-Certificated Bailiffs, also known as Private Bailiffs, are individuals who are employed by private companies and are able to recover monies owed for a variety of debts, by seizing and selling goods at auction. At present, employees of such companies are not required to pass the Certified Bailiffs Association (CBA) examination. There is no general statutory control over the competence and conduct of Non-Certificated Bailiffs. Perhaps understandably, these Bailiffs have less powers than the other groups of Bailiffs mentioned above. They cannot levy distress for rent, road traffic debts, council tax or non-domestic rates and neither can they enforce judgments or orders of the High Court or County Court.
In May 2002, The Lord Chancellor’s Department produced the National Standards for Enforcement Agencies in order ” to share, build on, and improve existing good practice and thereby to raise the level of professionalism across the whole sector.”