County Court Bailiffs

County Court bailiffs collect unpaid County Court judgments. They are usually a member of court staff but they are becoming less common since the HCEO 2004 regulations were introduced.

The Law

The County Court Fees Order (Amended 1994)

Mythology

Bailiffs collecting CCJs do not need to be certificated.
They receive their fee regardless of whether or not they recover the debt.
They are employed by the Court service.
They cannot enter your property unless invited.
They cannot break into your home (it is rarely threatened).
They can levy on your vehicle parked outside, but not if it is on finance, or has driving school or taxi livery on it.
Otherwise, their power is the same as a common debt collector.

Fees

• Where the sum of money to be recovered is £125 or less: £25
• Where the sum of money to be recovered is more than £125: £45
• Removing goods: Reasonable costs