A High Court Enforcement Officer can help you recover a debt or evict someone from your property or land.
Our members are all fully trained, qualified and registered High Court Enforcement Officers who are authorised by the Lord Chancellor and Ministry of Justice to enforce High Court Orders. They are experienced specialists in their field.
How do I choose a High Court Enforcement Officer?
It is important when considering issuing a writ that you choose a High Court Enforcement Officer.
Our list of Authorised HCEO’s is a good place to start and lists all those that are authorised to enforce judgments.
Remember it is always ok to telephone the High Court Enforcement Officer’s office and discuss your case, and to find out how the High Court Enforcement Officer will be able to assist.
How are High Court Enforcement Officers meant to behave?
All High Court Enforcement Officers follow our Code of Best Practice, which sets out standards that are hugely important to us and build on the National Standards for Enforcement Agents issued by the Ministry of Justice.
It sets out, among other things, how any Enforcement Agent acting on behalf of the High Court Enforcement Officer, or indeed the High Court Enforcement Officer, is expected to behave. These include requirements that High Court Enforcement Officers, or their agents:
- produce relevant identification on request;
- act within the law;
- respect confidentiality;
- do not exaggerate the powers they have;
- are professional, calm, dignified and appropriately dressed;
- are firm but fair; and
- do not discriminate.
Are there any standard terms and conditions to appointing a High Court Enforcement Officer?
Each High Court Enforcement Officer will have their own business terms and conditions relating to the provision of the enforcement that you ask them to undertake.
You should discuss terms and conditions with your chosen High Court Enforcement Officer’s office when engaging their services.
What is the difference between an Enforcement Agent and a High Court Enforcement Officer?
A High Court Enforcement Officer has specific authorisation from the Lord Chancellor and Ministry of Justice to enforce higher value judgments known as High Court Writs.
An Enforcement Agent is certificated by a County Court Judge and can, under the direction of the authorised High Court Enforcement Officer, enforce any High Court Writs on their behalf.
What do I do if I am not satisfied with the service I have received?
We hope that you will not find a need to complain but, in the event that you do, we have a comprehensive complaints process in our Complaints section.
Before complaining, we would ask you to remember that the High Court Enforcement Officer is acting under both your and the Court's instructions, and has duties of care not only to you but also to the debtor.
Where can I get independent advice?
You can always get independent legal advice from a solicitor and you can find more information about Court Judgments on the Citizens Advice Bureau website.
More information on dealing with enforcement agents can be found on the gov.uk website (link to website) and from the Ministry of Justice.
