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HMCS Consults on Regulations -

Her Majesty's Court Service (HMCS) has begun the consultation exercise which should eventually lead to the regulation of enforcement agents. Following the passing of the Tribunals Courts and Enforcement Act 2007 HMCS is now consulting with stakeholders, including the ESA, in order to take forward the process of creating regulations. The Association, in speaking to officials, has voiced concern over a number of issues including the up-front fee, the proposed three month time limit for taking control of goods, forced entry, the sale of goods following seizure and the use of the Security Industry Authority as a regulatory body. HMCS has indicated its willingness to listen to stakeholders' concerns and the Association is hopeful that, whatever the final outcome may be, it provides a system which is beneficial to creditors and debtors as well as enforcement agents.

HMCS - New Fee Structure

After what seems an age HMCS and the Ministry of Justice have begun work on introducing new regulations for enforcement agents following the passing of the Tribunals Courts and Enforcement Act 2007. HMCS has sent out forms (known as Requests for Information (RFIs)) to bailiff firms requesting information on the work they do, how much it costs them and the charges made for carrying out such work. The purpose of the information gathered from the forms is to provide material to enable HMCS to formulate a fee structure for enforcement. Ideally, this will be a clear, simple to understand system which will remove many of the current anomalies in the present fee structure. HMCS will subsequently publish a formal consultation paper setting out its proposals and asking for comments. In addition to the form, the ESA and ACEA have jointly submitted a paper setting out comprehensive details of a fee structure which we believe will satisfy the main concerns of government. Rather than making a charge for each individual act, the paper puts forward a scheme for charging a fixed fee for groups of actions which should ensure a) that the bailiff is fairly remunerated and b) that debtors are absolutely clear as to what they will have to pay and the reasons they are paying it. The paper has been endorsed by the BPA.

Ministerial Statement - TCE Act 2007

Ministers have made an announcement following the review of Parts 3 & 4 of the Tribunals Courts and Enforcement Act 2007. In written statements presented to both Houses of Parliament Ministers said that they had decided not to implement Part 4 of the Act but have decided to implement Part 3 save for those provisions which would have extended bailiffs' powers of entry. Three specific measures will be initiated shortly including the creation of an on-line bailiff certification register and the inclusion of CRB checks as part of the application process for certification. The third measure; minimum training requirements and competences for bailiffs, awaits further details. Ministers state that the intention is to implement "full independent regulation" by 2012 but with a General Election due to take place in 2010 it remains to be seen whether or not such regulation ever takes place.

Certificated Bailiffs Online Register

The Certificated Bailiff Register, recently published on Her Majesty's Court Service (HMCS) website, contains a large number of errors and omissions, despite the full co-operation of our members in providing up to date information. We are very disappointed that such a public register is not completely accurate and reliable. The Enforcement Services Association has reluctantly come to the conclusion that no one, whether they be member of the public, professional or volunteer adviser or anyone working in the sector, should rely on the register to check whether or not a bailiff is certificated. Despite the inadequacy of the HMCS register we remain committed to assisting the Government in the provision of accurate and up to date information on the sector.