Is the High Court Enforcement Officer named on the Writ personally liable for botched enforcement by bailiffs acting his authority?

Yes

The conditions an "individual" must satisfy to act as a High Court Enforcement Officer, include, not being sentenced custodially, involved in dishonesty, having unpaid fines or judgments, not be bankrupt, disqualified as a director or trading in buying or selling debts.^[1]

Regulations say an authorised High Court Enforcement Officer (HCEO) must hold "relevant insurance"^[2]. Further regulations state the HCEO must hold professional indemnity insurance,^[3] public liability insurance,^[4] and employers’ liability insurance, where the individual is an employer.^[5]

The regulations further say the enforcement officer must undertake enforcement action for all writs of execution received.^[6]

The debtor,^[7] or another party,^[8][9] may bring proceedings against the HCEO named on the Writ of Control for the breach by his bailiff because the enforcement power is conferred in the HCEO instructing the bailiff.^[10]

A debtor can sue an HCEO in his personal capacity, but must instruct a debtor tracing agent^[11] to get the HCEO's home address to serve the claim form^[12] and enable enforcement of the judgment.^[13]

^{[1] Regulation 4 of the High Court Enforcement Officers Regulations 2004
[2] Regulation 5(3)(b)(i) of The High Court Enforcement Officers Regulations 2004
[3] Regulation 5(6)(a) of The High Court Enforcement Officers Regulations 2004
[4] Regulation 5(6)(b) of The High Court Enforcement Officers Regulations 2004
[5] Regulation 5(6)(c) of The High Court Enforcement Officers Regulations 2004
[6] Regulation 7 of The High Court Enforcement Officers Regulations 2004
[7] Paragraph 66 of Schedule 12 of the Tribunals, Courts and Enforcement Act 2007
[8] Section 3 of the Torts (Interference with Goods) Act 1977
[9] Section 4 of the Torts (Interference with Goods) Act 1977
[10] Paragraph 66(6)(a) of Schedule 12 of the Tribunals, Courts and Enforcement Act 2007
[11] See Vilcol Ltd debtor tracing services. [12] Rule 6.9 of the Civil Procedure Rule. [13] Paragraph 14(6)(a) of Schedule 12 of the Tribunals, Courts and Enforcement Act 2007}