Enforcement Officers

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The new High Cort enforcement regime

As from 1st April 2004, a new regime for High Court enforcement came into effect in England and Wales.

Previous to this date, enforcement of High Court writs of fieri facias and Writs of possession (collectively known as 'writs of execution') was carried out in the name of the High Sheriff for each bailiwick. (A 'bailiwick' being the area under the jurisdiction of the High Sheriff, these areas being roughly equivalent to the pre-1974 county boundaries).

From 1st April 2004, all this changed. Incoming High Sheriffs who take office from that date are being removed from their obligation from enforcing these High Court writs.

Instead, High Court writs of execution are now being enforced by "enforcement officers" appointed and assigned to districts by the Lord Chancellor or his nominated delegate. This directory contains a list of all those appointed as enforcement officers, and the postal districts to which they have been assigned. It also contains their contact details.

An enforcement officer is obliged to accept any writ forwarded to him or her for the postal districts to which they have been assigned. They also have the discretion to accept writs for anywhere in England and Wales, but may decline to accept the writ if it is for an area to which they have not sought assignment.

Many regular court users may already have regular dealings with High Court enforcement officers, and may know who they wish to approach to enforce their writs. However, many creditors may be unfamiliar with the system of High Court enforcement, and not know who they wish to enforce their writs on their behalf. A Directory of HCEOs published by HMCS contains details of all those appointed and to which areas they have been assigned. It also contains the address of the National Information Centre for Enforcement, where you may send your writ for automatic allocation to a High Court enforcement officer for the relevant postal district, using the "cab rank" principle.

Their contact details are below:

National Information Centre for Enforcement
c/o Registry Trust Limited
173-175 Cleveland Street
London W1T 6QR
Tel: 020 7380 0133

Enforcement service providers

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