Bailiff Rules Reform
Bailiff Rules Reform
Updated national standards to define acceptable behaviour in bailiffs have been unveiled by Justice Minister Jonathan Djanogly.
The Bailiff Rules Reform provide updated minimum standards of behaviour expected of bailiffs and bailiff firms including
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they must not behave in a threatening manner or use unlawful force to gain access to a home or business
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should avoid discussing the debt with anyone except the person owing money and should never act in such a way that would publicly embarrass a debtor;
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Must withdraw when only a child is present;
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Have a duty of care to vulnerable people, such as the elderly, people with disabilities… unemployed people and must use discretion when collecting debts from these groups.
The Justice Minister also announced plans to create a new legally binding regulatory regime to include rules allowing modes and times of entry so to make it clear as to times of how and when an enforcement agent may enter a home or business premises. The rules will attempt to make it clear which items an enforcement agent may not take from somebody’s home or business premises.
What the bailiffs can charge for the range of debts they collect for local government, courts and solicitors.
The proposals will be debated this spring with a view to them becoming law as soon as possible.