Bailiffs are mostly used by the courts to recover debts, and enforce court orders and warrants. For example, failure to repay a County Court Judgment or CCJ may result in Bailiffs being used. They can also be used to repossess your home.

The main types of bailiff:

Certified or Private Bailiffs
Certified Bailiffs have been granted a certificate by a County Court Judge. They are not officers of the court or employed by the courts, and should be seen more as representatives of the court.

Although Certified Bailiffs have to prove to the courts that they are a ‘fit and proper person’ to hold a certificate and have the necessary knowledge to be a bailiff, there is no formal regulatory structure in place.

Only a Certified Bailiff can collect debts from: Council Tax and Business Rates, Parking and Congestion Charges, the Child Support Agency (CSA), Inland Revenue and Customs and Excise (VAT), and Magistrates Court Fines.

County Court Bailiffs
County Court Bailiffs are Civil Servants and are therefore accountable to the courts for their actions.

Fines Officers or Civilian Enforcement Officers
Once again, these Bailiffs are employed and managed by the courts. They are used to execute a wide range of warrants including the non-payment of fines and other sums that the courts have ordered you to pay.

High Court Enforcement Officer
These are a relatively small group of High Court appointed private sector bailiffs.