1st Class Bailiffs Articles

National Enforcement Services (NES), one of the UK’s leading providers of bailiff and private investigation services, is calling on the Government to reform the County Court bailiff service as thousands of people are left with monies owed, as the County Court system seems to be buckling under pressure. 

The firm received over 4,000 calls last year from creditors wanting to use private bailiffs after finding that the County Court system failed to recoup outstanding funds from debtors.   National Enforcement Services is labelling the current system as ‘inadequate’ and unable to meet the growing number of County Court Judgements (CCJs), which deal with claims of under £600, in an acceptable timescale.

Due to the increase in the number of home repossessions, civil servants at the County Courts are giving priority to repossession warrants, leaving other claims to languish as lower priority, with thousands of claims being left unanswered.

Andy Coates, Chief Executive Officer of National Enforcement Services said:  “The County Court system is presently overwhelmed by claims on repossessions, with the result being that other claims are not being dealt with effectively.   NES is offering a real solution to those people who believe their claim needs greater attention”.

The County Courts charge £100 to try and collect the monies owed, but often the ‘softly softly’ approach of just leaving a letter for the debtor does not bring results.

NES has developed a new service, the Judgement Recovery Package, for just £45.00.  For this package, NES gives priority to customers who are otherwise being left behind by the County Court System.  A key factor of the service is to research the actual situation of the debtor by asset checking and photographing the debtor’s possessions.  The unique online, from site report carried out by the NES bailiff allows clients to view the status of the debtor at any time.  A written report is given to the client after 3 working days, with NES bailiffs visiting the debtor’s location upto a further two times, if necessary.

Andy Coates adds: “The success rate is higher because we use more advanced methods to secure monies owed to the creditor.  On average, it takes 30 days for the County Court system to even address a claim, whereas our approach is quicker, more efficient and importantly for the creditor, brings better results”.

A Bigger Splash, a company which sells spas, swimming pools, saunas and steam rooms from its base in Brompton-on Swale near Richmond has used the Judgement Recovery package. 

Partner Michelle Hammond said:   “We have used the County Court in the past if it has been necessary to pursue bad debts but have always been frustrated by a lack of success.  

“A recent judgement was made in our favour but the debtor just ignored it.    We asked NES for advice and were made aware of the Judgement Recovery Package.    It was completely effective and we were paid the money we were owed in a short space of time.

“Non payment of debts is a big issue for a lot of small and medium sized businesses and I would recommend this service to anyone.”

The Judgement Recovery Package will soon be available across the UK.