Post by nickd on Feb 17, 2012 12:51:50 GMT 1
The Ministry of Justice is setting new standards for the regulation of bailiffs. It seems a step in the right direction, but let's wait and see how this turns out in terms of what really happens when the bailiff comes knocking
Have a look at the new National standards..
www.justice.gov.uk/downloads/guidance/courts-and-tribunals/courts/enforcement-officers/national-standards-enforcement-agents.pdf
But Citizens Advice Bureau aren't too impressed...
Gillian Guy, chief executive at national charity Citizens Advice, says: "This review falls far short of protecting people in financial difficulty from the excessive and unfair practices carried out by bailiffs.
"While the re-coding of the law on bailiffs is welcome, without an independent regulatory body to oversee the bailiff industry, these reforms are unlikely to deal with the serious problems that we continue to see.
"We're also disappointed at proposals which will lead to a massive increase in bailiff fees for enforcing council tax debts. Almost 70% of enquiries Citizens Advice Bureaux receive about bailiffs relate to council tax debt.
"The review does nothing to stop bailiffs in England increasing their fees for families already in dire straits from £42.50 to over £300.
"Jonathan Djanogly must offer squeezed households more protection."
Read more
www.moneysavingexpert.com/news/loans/2012/02/rules-to-protect-the-vulnerable-from-bailiffs-proposed
Ministry of Justice consultation 17th February - 14th May 2012
Government has opened a consultation on the proposed legislation. Having looked at this in more detail, I think we should be more alarmed than reassured by the new proposals. There's a distinct lack of clarity over the 'use of force'. We should be very wary of legislation which enables bailiffs to enter property with any force and in imposing escalated fees which only serve to increase the amount a debtor owes. Read the consultation documents here (you will need to copy and paste the links into your browser as I can't get the links to work directly)..
consult.justice.gov.uk/digital-communications/transforming-bailiff-action
consult.justice.gov.uk/digital-communications/transforming-bailiff-action/consultation/intro/view
For what it's worth, this seems more about getting heavy on those who owe debts to the banks; - they want it back and I would not be at all surprised to see enforcement action ending up as not so much a knock on the door, but a hefty kick to enter properties in order to levy on goods.
We'll wait and see.