A Certificated Enforcement Officer is someone who can do the job often referred to as a bailiff but also has the qualifications and experience to show they do the job properly and within all the applicable laws. When you or your company employ an enforcement officer, you should always check they are certified to protect yourself and ensure best practice.
How to get a certificate
An enforcement officer certificate is not handed out to just anyone. For starters, you must prove to a County Court judge that you are a ‘fit and proper person’ that has no criminal record, no outstanding debt and that you have an extensive knowledge of bailiff law. You must also provide references that the court finds acceptable.
The other important step is that you get clearance from the Disclosure and Barring Service or DBS. This used to be known as a Criminal Records Bureau check and is required for anyone working in jobs such as being a bailiff, working with children or in healthcare. The check looks at spent and unspent convictions, cautions, reprimands and final warnings as well as advanced areas. You need to produce this check to the court’s satisfaction before they will grant you a certificate.
What a Certificated Enforcement Officer does
There are two main roles for Certificated Enforcement Officers – as a certificated bailiff and as a court-appointed officer. The first involves working for private firms like Able Investigations who are known as civil enforcement agencies and are tasked with collecting debts and other tasks for their clients. The second as Court appointed officers work as County Court bailiffs or as High Court Enforcement Officers (HCEOs).
Why should you not use uncertificated officers?
Although you may be tempted to use uncertificated officers we would strongly advise not to. You may find that your costs are in fact hugely increased as if they seize goods they are acting fraudulently.
Able Investigations are fully certified and have the experience to help with a wide range of issues like process serving in Bristol. For more information on how our team can help please call 0345 366 0000 or fill out our contact form.
