Andrew Wilson backs reforms for CCJ debt enforcement
Mar 21, 2017
Category: News
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In his role as Chairman of the High Court Enforcement Officers Association (HCEOA), our co-founder and High Court Enforcement Officer, Andrew Wilson is calling for a level playing field between the County Courts and High Court.
Currently, High Court Enforcement Offices, like Andrew Wilson & Co, can only legally enforce County Court Judgment (CCJ) debts over £600 whilst only County Court bailiffs have the power to enforce Consumer Credit Act judgments.
A joint industry submission by the HCEOA and the Civil Enforcement Association (CIVEA) has been made to the Ministry of Justice Reform Policy and Her Majesty’s Courts & Tribunals Service Reform Programme Teams.
It proposes an amendment to the 1991 High Court & County Court Jurisdiction Order, which would allow high court enforcement officers, assisted, where appropriate by certificated enforcement agents, to enforce CCJs below £600 and judgments based on Consumer Credit Act agreements.
The submission is supported by a detailed Opinion (“Efficient & Effective Enforcement Against Goods: The Way Forward”) prepared by Toby Riley-Smith QC & Celia Oldham both of Henderson Chambers.
Andrew Wilson said: “Lord Briggs highlighted the failings of debt enforcement by County Court bailiffs in his Final Report and this is a suggested interim solution to ease the workload of the bailiffs and allow them more time to perform their other duties, such as enforcing orders for possession.”
Kevin McCarthy, Chair of CIVEA said: “CIVEA members already handle over 6 million liability orders and warrants and are well placed to ensure that court users can rely on having judgments enforced professionally, efficiently and with experts skilled at dealing with people who may be vulnerable.”
