PRESS STATEMENT

Immediate release:  11 April 2019

Justice Committee evidence supports industry developments 

Responding to the Justice Committee report on regulating bailffs, Russell Hamblin-Boone, chief executive of the Civil Enforcement Association, said:

"The Justice Committee identified that there is conflicting evidence that enforcement agents are not working to highly prescriptive regulations. However, the report is a helpful contribution to the Ministry of Justice Call for Evidence. Collecting public debt is an important responsibility and we are already making some of the changes that the Committee has identified. From 1 June, all complaints will be channelled through the Local Government Ombudsman, and later this year a new code of practice will mandate the use of body-worn cameras. Next month we will be sharing plans with the Ministry for a regulatory body to oversee our industry."

ENDS

The Civil Enforcement Association (CIVEA) is the principal trade association representing civil enforcement agencies operating in England and Wales.

Enforcement agents (formerly known as bailiffs) are regulated by the Tribunals Courts and Enforcement Act 2007, Schedule 12 and the Taking Control of Goods Regulations 2013.

Contact: Russell Hamblin-Boone 07810 374110 for media bids.