A person must hold an enforcement certificate to trade as a bailiff (enforcement agent).[1]
The bailiff must on request show the debtor and any person who appears to him to be in charge of the premises evidence of his identity.[2]
Anyone who acts as a bailiff without an enforcement certificate, unless he is exempt,[3] commits an offence.[4]
Any enforcement work by a person without an enforcement certificate is invalid and you can apply to the court to recover money or goods taken.[5]
Search the Ministry of Justice Public Register of Certificated Enforcement Agents,[6] and if he is absent, then make a screenshot of the search result and report it online to the police.
A bailiffs certificate is a white laminated card with a mugshot, measuring six inches tall by two two-and-a-half inches and signed by a judge.[7]
A certificate in the name of an original enforcement company is still valid, but any claim made against the bailiff's bond for wrongful action could make the company named on the certificate liable.
You have the right to ask the bailiff to show his enforcement certificate before he enters the premises or while he is there.[8]
Template Letter
Send the letter to the bailiff company and get a certificate of posting from the post office.
Give a copy of the letter to the bailiff company by email and make a screenshot of the sent email capturing the time you gave it.
Send a copy of the letter by text message to the bailiff to his mobile and make a screenshot of the sent text message to record the time you gave it.
Keep all screenshots for your file.
[1] Section 62(2)(a) of the Tribunals Courts and Enforcement Act 2007
[2] Section 26(1)(a) of Schedule 12 of the Tribunals Courts and Enforcement Act 2007
[3] Section 63(2-4) of the Tribunals Courts and Enforcement Act 2007
[4] Section 63(6) of the Tribunals Courts and Enforcement Act 2007
[5] Section 4 of the Torts (Interference with Goods) Act 1977
[6] See: Public Register of Certificated Enforcement Agents, maintained my the Ministry of Justice
[7] See Example Bailiffs Enforcement Certificate
[8] Section 26(2) of Schedule 12 of the Tribunals Courts and Enforcement Act 2007
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