Published: 20 March 2008
Dodgy Bailiffs
Plans designed to protect householders from unscrupulous Bailiffs in England and Wales have been unveiled by the Ministry of Justice.
The new measures will hopefully mean:
· More training for bailiffs to stamp out cowboy practices
· Set qualifications to raise standards
· A powerful independent regulator
Justice minister Maria Eagle said:
"People have a right to recover their debts, but no-one should have the right to threaten, bully or intimidate people just to collect cash they are owed.
Regulation of bailiffs is an important part of protecting householders in disputes over debts and fines and will ensure only licensed agents are able to enter a property.
These rules will raise the level of professionalism among bailiffs by ensuring they are trained and know their legal limits. It will also ensure the public is protected by a properly regulated sector.
The plans were announced in the response to the consultation paper ‘Regulation of Enforcement Agents’ published this week, which recommends that bailiffs in England and Wales should be regulated by one body, the Security Industry Authority (SIA).
The responses show agreement on the need for a statutory body to regulate the bailiff profession, as it would deliver better value for money, set one standard for the industry and one set of training competencies leading to set qualifications.
Respondents also said that regulation would provide safeguards to ensure debtors rights were not violated.
The report also confirms:
· The government will need to look in detail at the different complaints procedures. This will not be a role for the SIA.
· A commitment to ensure that there is a common set of standards and a common system across the enforcement industry necessary to regulate Crown employees
· Enforcement agent powers are covered by the Tribunals, Courts and Enforcement Act 2007. Extended powers of entry will not be brought in to force until the statutory regulation of the industry is in place
Further information
Consultation and government response - ‘Regulation of Enforcement Agents’
Bailiffs and debt collectors : Directgov
Security Industry Authority (SIA)
Tribunals, Courts and Enforcement Act 2007
Related articles
New safeguards for householders in Bailiffs Bill
Tribunals Bill to speed up Dispute Hearings
To find a business you can trust, click on the related categories below: