Bailiffs took your exempt car or goods

Make a claim to exempt goods,^[1][2] previously called an interpleader claim, together with a claim for damages for depriving you of its use^[3] and you can ask the court that the bailiff company pays your legal costs,^[4] or be paid to represent yourself.^[5]

Exempt goods include:^[6]

Vehicles used for work trade or Education under £1350.

Any vehicle displaying a disabled blue badge

Gather the evidence that you own the car or the controlled goods.

Within seven days, give the bailiff company a 'notice of claim to exempt goods'^[7] and the enforcement power against your exempt vehicle or goods is suspended.^[8]

The bailiff must tell the creditor within three days of receiving the notice,^[9] who must, within seven days, tell the bailiff whether they accept your claim.^[10]

If the creditor accepts your claim, the enforcement power ceases to be exercisable and the bailiff must release your exempt vehicle (goods) back to you.^[11] You can start a claim for depriving you of its use together with the costs of transporting it back from the bailiff's pound.^[3]

If your claim is refused, or the bailiff makes no reply within 10 clear days, apply to the court by completing an application notice, a witness statement and exhibit^[12] and the court will determine your claim.^[13]

Template: ("the notice of claim to exempt goods")

Send the notice by email to the bailiff company and that stops the enforcement against your exempt goods.^[14]

Make a screenshot of the sent email capturing the date you sent it. If the bailiff does not return your goods in 10 days, make a third-party claim^[12] and apply for your damages^[3] together with your costs.^[4][5][16]

^{[1] Civil Procedure Rule 85.8
[2] Paragraph 60(1) of Schedule 12 of the Tribunals Courts and Enforcement Act 2007
[3] Section 3 of the Torts (Interference with Goods) Act 2007
[4] Civil Procedure Rule 44.2
[5] Civil Procedure Rule 46.5
[6] Regulation 4 of the Taking Control of Goods Regulations 2013
[7] Civil Procedure Rule 85.8(1)
[8] Paragraph 60(2) of Schedule 12 of the Tribunals Courts and Enforcement Act 2007
[9] Civil Procedure Rule 85.8(2)
[10] Civil Procedure Rule 85.8(3)
[11] Civil Procedure Rule 85.8(6)
[12] Civil Procedure Rule 85.9
[13] Civil Procedure Rule 85.9(7)
[14] Civil Procedure Rule 83.22(3)
[15] Civil Procedure Rule 85.10
[16] Civil Procedure Rule 85.12}