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Select Committee · Justice Committee

Bailiffs: Enforcement of debt inquiry

Status: Closed Opened: 13 Dec 2018 Closed: 5 Nov 2019 2 reports
Inquiry scopeThe Committee are inquiring into the enforcement of debt by bailiffs (also known as enforcement agents) in England and Wales. The Committee wishes to understand the impact of the 2014 enforcement agent reforms introduced by the Tribunals, Courts and Enforcement Act 2007, and whether improvements should be made. Terms of Reference The Justice Committee has agreed to carry out an inquiry into the enforcement of debt by bailiffs (also known as enforcement agents) in England and Wales. The Committee will investigate the following topics: What was the impact of the 2014 enforcement agent reforms introduced by the Tribunals, Courts and Enforcement Act 2007? Why has there been an increase in complaints regarding enforcement agents? Is the fee structure working to encourage enforcement agents and debtors to settle at an early stage and to minimise the financial impact on debtors? Does the current system of self-regulation work as intended, and if not, should enforcement agents by regulated by an independent regulator? The inquiry will focus on High Court and Civil Enforcement officers. The Ministry of Justice is carrying out its own call for evidence into the 2014 enforcement agent reforms. Their call for evidence runs to 17 February 2019. In order to avoid duplication, the Justice Committee is not publishing a call for written evidence. Further information If you have questions about this inquiry please contact the inquiry manager, Fiona Hoban ( hobanf@parliament.uk ).

Reports

2 reports

Oral evidence sessions

2 sessions

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Date Session and witnesses Source
26 Feb 2019 No witnesses recorded View ↗
15 Jan 2019 No witnesses recorded View ↗

Correspondence

2 letters

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PublishedDirectionLetter
24 Jul 2019 To committee Letter from Rt Hon Lord Keen of Elie QC, regarding a written ministerial statement updating on the review of the Enforcement Agent Reforms 2014, dated 19 July 2019
18 Jun 2019 — Letter dated 4 June 2019 from Paul Maynard MP, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Justice, on Bailiffs: Enforcement of debt (the Committee’s 17th Report)