What is the Certificated Enforcement Agent Register?
The register holds details of enforcement agents in England and Wales who hold a certificate permitting them to exercise enforcement powers under the statutory taking-control-of-goods procedure.
An enforcement agent may use those powers to take control of goods and, where the law permits, arrange for controlled goods to be sold to recover an enforceable debt.
The public service also provides details of people applying for a new certificate or renewing an existing certificate, including the relevant court and hearing information shown on the register.
Why certification matters
Certification provides a court-based process for assessing whether an individual is suitable to exercise statutory enforcement powers.
Fitness to Hold a Certificate
A judge must be satisfied that an applicant is a fit and proper person to hold a certificate and has sufficient knowledge of enforcement law and procedure.
Serious concerns about an applicant or an existing certificate holder may be brought to the attention of the appropriate court, supported by relevant evidence.
Check Current Applications
The applications search identifies people applying for certification or renewal and may provide details of the court dealing with the application and the proposed hearing.
Relevant evidence submitted before the hearing may be considered by the judge when deciding whether the certificate should be granted or renewed.
Not every person called a bailiff appears on this register
The register concerns certificated enforcement agents. County Court bailiffs are court employees and are not listed as certificated enforcement agents merely because of their role.
High Court Enforcement Officers are authorised under a separate system, although certificated enforcement agents acting on their behalf may appear on this register.
