The bailiff said he is an officer


A bailiff is an enforcement agent,[1] and cannot officiate over anything.

Together with his enforcement certificate,[2] bailiffs can only take control of goods under an enforcement power,[3] using the schedule 12 enforcement provisions.[4][5]

A High Court Enforcement Officer (HCEO) is a completely separate legal entity,[6] nothing to do with recovering unpaid debts such as council tax, court fines, and traffic debts.

If a bailiff presents himself to be an officer, or other authority, he commits an offence for fraud by false representation.[7]

If the bailiff was wearing a body-worn camera, then you can report him for the offence.[8]



[1] Section 63 of the Tribunals, Courts and Enforcement Act 2007
[2] Section 64 of the Tribunals, Courts and Enforcement Act 2007
[3] Section 76(1) of the Magistrates Courts Act 1980
[4] Section 62 of the Tribunals, Courts and Enforcement Act 2007
[5] The Schedule 12 enforcement provisions
[6] Regulation 6(1) of the High Court Enforcement Officers regulations 2004
[7] Section 2 of the Fraud Act 2006
[8] See Bailiffs and body-worn cameras