0:00:02 > 0:00:04Who do you turn to if you're ripped off?
0:00:04 > 0:00:08I did outline all the faults in the vehicle. He rejected all those.
0:00:08 > 0:00:12A court of law backs you but you still don't get your money.
0:00:12 > 0:00:18Little did I know how long it would take to recover the money from him.
0:00:18 > 0:00:19Sorry.
0:00:19 > 0:00:22It's time to call the sheriffs.
0:00:23 > 0:00:26We have every right to enter the premises by force if necessary.
0:00:26 > 0:00:29We WILL be entering that building.
0:00:29 > 0:00:32Sheriffs are High Court enforcement officers
0:00:32 > 0:00:35who recover what a court judgement says is owed.
0:00:36 > 0:00:38The writ orders us to come here
0:00:38 > 0:00:41and seize goods to the value of this debt.
0:00:42 > 0:00:47They're the experts in getting cash that's rightfully yours.
0:00:47 > 0:00:49£1,323.
0:00:49 > 0:00:53But fighting for the underdog isn't a job for the faint-hearted.
0:00:53 > 0:00:57- Mind yourself. - I'll back that truck through your windscreen.
0:00:57 > 0:00:59Debtors aren't pleased to see them.
0:00:59 > 0:01:02- They're harassing me. - Because they hate paying up.
0:01:02 > 0:01:06- Are you happy for me to leave you this paperwork?- I'm not. Go away.
0:01:10 > 0:01:13In today's programme...
0:01:13 > 0:01:17Robert Baker was made redundant after trying to return to work
0:01:17 > 0:01:19following a kidney transplant.
0:01:19 > 0:01:24He won an employment tribunal but his ex-boss hasn't paid a penny.
0:01:24 > 0:01:26Can the sheriffs put that right?
0:01:26 > 0:01:31The total outstanding, £8,621.20.
0:01:33 > 0:01:37And they might be worth £31.4 billion in revenue,
0:01:37 > 0:01:41but no company is too big for the sheriffs to take on,
0:01:41 > 0:01:43on behalf of an unhappy customer.
0:01:43 > 0:01:48High Court enforcement. We've been issued a writ for Barclays Wealth.
0:01:50 > 0:01:54And office manager Joan Wales won compensation for unfair dismissal
0:01:54 > 0:01:56but never got her cash.
0:01:56 > 0:02:00The sheriffs go to the home of her former boss.
0:02:00 > 0:02:03If you want to call the police, Mr Lydford, call them.
0:02:03 > 0:02:05They want to take his car to pay the debt
0:02:05 > 0:02:07but he's got different ideas.
0:02:07 > 0:02:11- If you obstruct a court officer, you can be arrested. - Right, Mr Lydford.
0:02:11 > 0:02:13Try it. Go for it.
0:02:20 > 0:02:23Robert Baker lives in Witham, Essex.
0:02:23 > 0:02:26Robert used to work for a central heating company
0:02:26 > 0:02:28as a domestic heating and plumbing engineer.
0:02:28 > 0:02:31But one day he had an accident at work
0:02:31 > 0:02:33and it changed his life for ever.
0:02:33 > 0:02:35I was taking out an old cast-iron bath
0:02:35 > 0:02:39and a bit of the metal had got stuck in my foot
0:02:39 > 0:02:44and I ended going to hospital and my foot had become infected.
0:02:44 > 0:02:49Robert had blood tests and the next thing he knew, a kidney specialist came to see him.
0:02:49 > 0:02:52He told me that my kidneys were only functioning at 10%,
0:02:52 > 0:02:57so I had to go back and see him a few weeks later
0:02:57 > 0:03:02and they confirmed that I was going to need a kidney transplant,
0:03:02 > 0:03:04which all came as a bit of a shock.
0:03:04 > 0:03:08The consultant told Robert his kidney problems were related
0:03:08 > 0:03:11to the diabetes he'd had since childhood.
0:03:11 > 0:03:14The blood test following his accident had revealed
0:03:14 > 0:03:17a life-threatening underlying problem.
0:03:17 > 0:03:21I was quite bewildered by it all and frightened, I suppose.
0:03:21 > 0:03:23I thought, "What next?"
0:03:25 > 0:03:27Despite the shock of his diagnosis,
0:03:27 > 0:03:30Robert wanted to continue life as normally as possible.
0:03:30 > 0:03:34He returned to work while he waited for his transplant.
0:03:35 > 0:03:40Robert tried hard to minimise the impact of his health issues on his employer.
0:03:41 > 0:03:43I just got on with my work.
0:03:43 > 0:03:47I had to have various tests and all that done over the next 12 months.
0:03:47 > 0:03:52The hospital appointments I took out of my holiday entitlement,
0:03:52 > 0:03:53so it wasn't like I'd been off
0:03:53 > 0:03:58and put them in an awkward situation by keeping having time off.
0:03:59 > 0:04:01It took about a year having all the tests done
0:04:01 > 0:04:05and got put on the waiting list in October 2008
0:04:05 > 0:04:09and within two weeks, I'd had the transplant done.
0:04:09 > 0:04:13Robert was in hospital for four weeks after the transplant
0:04:13 > 0:04:16and then spent five months recovering at home,
0:04:16 > 0:04:19before feeling strong enough to go back to work.
0:04:19 > 0:04:23He called his boss to let him know he was ready to return.
0:04:23 > 0:04:27He said, "I'll have to see what I've got for you."
0:04:27 > 0:04:31And I thought, "What do you mean, what you've got for me?
0:04:31 > 0:04:32"That's my job."
0:04:32 > 0:04:35And then the next thing I know I got a letter in the post
0:04:35 > 0:04:40saying, like, your job's at risk and you'll be invited into the office
0:04:40 > 0:04:43for a meeting to discuss redundancies.
0:04:43 > 0:04:46Robert was the only employee made redundant.
0:04:46 > 0:04:48He went to an employment tribunal
0:04:48 > 0:04:51which found the correct procedures hadn't been followed
0:04:51 > 0:04:54and awarded him £10,000 compensation.
0:04:54 > 0:04:57But the company only paid £3,000.
0:04:57 > 0:05:01Robert went to a solicitor and now has a High Court writ for the money
0:05:01 > 0:05:03but he still hasn't been paid.
0:05:04 > 0:05:06I've done as much as I can to get the money back,
0:05:06 > 0:05:08in a legal way, as it were.
0:05:08 > 0:05:10There's only so much you can do.
0:05:10 > 0:05:14I've gone about it in the right way, going through the solicitor.
0:05:14 > 0:05:18At the end of the day, there's only so many things a solicitor can do.
0:05:18 > 0:05:23It's almost two years now since, you know, since the judgment
0:05:23 > 0:05:25and it's gone on for too long.
0:05:27 > 0:05:32Robert had one last option. He called in the sheriffs.
0:05:32 > 0:05:36This High Court enforcement office despatched two officers
0:05:36 > 0:05:38to execute Robert's writ.
0:05:40 > 0:05:45It's 7.30am. Sheriffs Lawrence Gricks and Kev McNally
0:05:45 > 0:05:48are going to Chelmsford to see Robert's former boss.
0:05:48 > 0:05:52When we get there, I would hope, in an ideal world,
0:05:52 > 0:05:58they'll just put their hands up and say, "Yeah, we owe the money," and pay it.
0:05:58 > 0:06:02But we are there to remove goods. That's what the writ orders us to do.
0:06:02 > 0:06:05We're not actually there to collect money,
0:06:05 > 0:06:08we're there to seize the defendant's goods to clear the debt
0:06:08 > 0:06:12and the only way they can prevent that from happening is to pay us in full.
0:06:14 > 0:06:19Lawrence and Kev have arrived but the office looks closed.
0:06:25 > 0:06:28- No, not here yet.- Let's see.
0:06:28 > 0:06:30HE KNOCKS
0:06:30 > 0:06:34Sheriffs don't give advance warning of visits.
0:06:34 > 0:06:37The surprise element makes it easier to track down debtors.
0:06:37 > 0:06:42- Give them a call or not alert them? - Not going to alert them yet.
0:06:42 > 0:06:45The van in the car park could be removed to help pay off the debt,
0:06:45 > 0:06:48if it belongs to the business.
0:06:48 > 0:06:50We've blocked it in. If it's clear on finance,
0:06:50 > 0:06:54chances are we'll be able to take it if we need to.
0:06:54 > 0:06:56So it's just a bargaining tool.
0:06:56 > 0:07:00- Wait for them to turn up.- We might as well sit in the van and keep warm,
0:07:00 > 0:07:02finish off the coffee.
0:07:02 > 0:07:05While Lawrence finishes his early morning coffee,
0:07:05 > 0:07:08Kev checks out the company's website.
0:07:08 > 0:07:10Time for a little wind-up.
0:07:11 > 0:07:14- Half ten it opens.- No? - No, I'm joking.
0:07:17 > 0:07:20At ten to nine, a car appears.
0:07:20 > 0:07:22This is it.
0:07:24 > 0:07:29Lawrence manoeuvred the van to get an early sight of any arrivals.
0:07:30 > 0:07:32A4 S-Line.
0:07:33 > 0:07:37The driver goes into the office and the sheriffs pounce.
0:07:37 > 0:07:39Game on.
0:07:49 > 0:07:52Hello!
0:07:52 > 0:07:55Sorry to nab you the second you walk in but we've been waiting a while.
0:07:55 > 0:07:58- High Court enforcement officers. - Right.
0:07:58 > 0:08:01We're here today to enforce a writ of execution
0:08:01 > 0:08:03against PD Lawrence and Son Ltd.
0:08:03 > 0:08:10It's an employment tribunal case and a former employee, Robert Baker.
0:08:10 > 0:08:16- Yeah.- The total outstanding, £8,621,20.- Right.
0:08:16 > 0:08:20And we need to collect that today in cleared funds or we're here to remove goods.
0:08:20 > 0:08:24- I'd better ring Andrew.- Yeah, sure. - I don't know anything about it.
0:08:24 > 0:08:25OK, no problem.
0:08:25 > 0:08:29Yeah, I've got the High Court officers here.
0:08:29 > 0:08:31Just here as I've just come in the door.
0:08:31 > 0:08:36About the money that we owe Rob. Do you know what's happening with that?
0:08:36 > 0:08:40Well, I can't, can I? Shall I just write a cheque?
0:08:40 > 0:08:42We don't take cheques, unfortunately.
0:08:42 > 0:08:46- Oh, they don't take cheques. - Needs to be cleared funds.
0:08:46 > 0:08:52It can be bank transfer. We've got a chip and pin machine, so we can do a card payment.
0:08:52 > 0:08:54Is it 8,000 something?
0:08:54 > 0:08:57£8,621.20.
0:08:57 > 0:08:59£8,600 odd.
0:09:01 > 0:09:05The company owner has a debit card but he's over an hour away.
0:09:05 > 0:09:09The sheriffs can wait but will charge for the privilege.
0:09:09 > 0:09:14It's in the owner's best interest to settle this as quickly as possible.
0:09:14 > 0:09:17So do you have to stand here and wait?
0:09:17 > 0:09:19We have to remain on the premises,
0:09:19 > 0:09:22although technically we can force an entry anyway,
0:09:22 > 0:09:24because it's a commercial premises.
0:09:24 > 0:09:26But we need to wait on the premises.
0:09:26 > 0:09:29If you don't want us here, if there's somewhere we can sit out the way,
0:09:29 > 0:09:32we're quite happy to do that.
0:09:32 > 0:09:35- We don't want... We're not here to... - Yeah, but...
0:09:35 > 0:09:38..to get in the way of your customers and stop you running your business,
0:09:38 > 0:09:40by any means.
0:09:40 > 0:09:43There's not really anywhere else to go, to be honest.
0:09:46 > 0:09:50Lawrence is quite happy where he is with his new best friend.
0:09:53 > 0:09:58Five minutes later, the receptionist, who's also a company director, returns.
0:09:58 > 0:10:01She's transferred funds into an account with a debit card.
0:10:01 > 0:10:05Robert may be about to get his money at last.
0:10:05 > 0:10:10Right, OK. Just give it a sec. It's configuring itself for some reason.
0:10:11 > 0:10:15But the chip and machine isn't playing ball,
0:10:15 > 0:10:18so Lawrence sees if he can get better reception in the open air.
0:10:22 > 0:10:25If you'd like to just put your card in there.
0:10:25 > 0:10:31At last, the machine comes to life. Robert's money is paid in full.
0:10:31 > 0:10:36All that's left is some final paperwork.
0:10:36 > 0:10:39OK, I'll leave you a notice of seizure.
0:10:39 > 0:10:43I've just written down your shredder and your printer,
0:10:43 > 0:10:45should anything go wrong with the payment
0:10:45 > 0:10:48and for whatever reason it not get in our account.
0:10:48 > 0:10:51It's not likely to happen because it's a chip and pin payment
0:10:51 > 0:10:55but that's basically, I've just seized those goods in case.
0:10:55 > 0:10:59- There's a copy of the writ for you. - OK.- OK?
0:10:59 > 0:11:04The sheriffs retrieve on average £2 million a month from debtors.
0:11:04 > 0:11:09They can now add £8,621.20 to that total.
0:11:09 > 0:11:11Happy days! Job done!
0:11:13 > 0:11:16We asked PD Lawrence and Sons to comment.
0:11:16 > 0:11:19They told us Mr Baker was not dismissed due to ill health
0:11:19 > 0:11:21but because of the economic climate at the time.
0:11:21 > 0:11:25The judge found that there was a valid case for redundancy in the company
0:11:25 > 0:11:28but the correct procedures had not been followed.
0:11:30 > 0:11:35Back at home in Witham, Robert is pleased he enlisted the sheriffs.
0:11:36 > 0:11:39It was never about the money. I didn't do it for the money.
0:11:39 > 0:11:43It was the principle, just purely, I wanted, you know,
0:11:43 > 0:11:47I wanted to be able to turn round and say, "What you done was wrong."
0:11:47 > 0:11:50I was awarded that money in a court.
0:11:50 > 0:11:51Why should they get away with it?
0:11:56 > 0:12:02Executing High Court writs is a job that dates back to Saxon times.
0:12:02 > 0:12:06We're looking for just under £5,500.
0:12:08 > 0:12:10I'm here today to execute a High Court writ.
0:12:10 > 0:12:14Your vehicles are going to be seized and if necessary removed.
0:12:14 > 0:12:19High Court enforcement officers have more powers than bailiffs
0:12:19 > 0:12:23to seize goods for auction to settle debts.
0:12:23 > 0:12:24We're here today to remove.
0:12:24 > 0:12:27- Did you put that clamp on?- Yeah. - Why?
0:12:27 > 0:12:30Because we're going to take it away.
0:12:30 > 0:12:34The name on the lease doesn't exist. Let's get this stuff out of here.
0:12:36 > 0:12:40Britain's High Court enforcement industry executes
0:12:40 > 0:12:42over 70,000 writs every year.
0:12:43 > 0:12:47We have a live writ and we are here to seize goods to clear the debt.
0:12:49 > 0:12:53Sheriffs return tens of millions of pounds to people owed money.
0:12:53 > 0:12:56That's brilliant. I've got my money back.
0:12:56 > 0:13:00When the cheque arrived, I thought that was wonderful
0:13:00 > 0:13:02because it made me feel there was hope.
0:13:02 > 0:13:06The office employs 40 full-time High Court enforcement officers
0:13:06 > 0:13:09and one man looking for their help is Dave Simpson.
0:13:10 > 0:13:13He runs a security firm in Bromley
0:13:13 > 0:13:16and feels mistreated after investing in a share scheme
0:13:16 > 0:13:18that ended up losing him money.
0:13:18 > 0:13:19He wants it back.
0:13:19 > 0:13:24The problem is, the people he wants it back from aren't any old company.
0:13:24 > 0:13:26They're Barclays Bank.
0:13:28 > 0:13:32Dave's problems started after Barclays Wealth department
0:13:32 > 0:13:36convinced him to invest £50,000 in a five-year share scheme
0:13:36 > 0:13:38whose value would go up or down
0:13:38 > 0:13:41in line with the FTSE 100 share index.
0:13:42 > 0:13:45There are risks with that, I understood the risks
0:13:45 > 0:13:47and I was happy to invest the money for five years
0:13:47 > 0:13:50on the basis of what was going on with the stock market.
0:13:50 > 0:13:53Two years into the five-year scheme,
0:13:53 > 0:13:57Barclays offered the chance for investors to leave it early,
0:13:57 > 0:14:00an opportunity that suited Dave.
0:14:00 > 0:14:04I decided that when I had the opportunity to get the £52,000 back,
0:14:04 > 0:14:07it would be very useful because I've got four children
0:14:07 > 0:14:10and they've all got various needs, education and housing,
0:14:10 > 0:14:12and I was going to help them out.
0:14:12 > 0:14:18Dave rang Barclays who confirmed that if he cashed in his shares with them there and then,
0:14:18 > 0:14:23he'd make £2,700 profit on his £50,000 investment.
0:14:23 > 0:14:25He decided to go ahead.
0:14:25 > 0:14:28So I wrote them a letter that specifically said,
0:14:28 > 0:14:30on the basis of what I was told on that day,
0:14:30 > 0:14:33that I would like to get my money back
0:14:33 > 0:14:37and also I put my email address, my mobile phone number down there
0:14:37 > 0:14:41and said this was what I expected to get back, what I was quoted.
0:14:41 > 0:14:45If there was a problem, because I realise things can change, let me know.
0:14:47 > 0:14:51Some weeks later, Dave received a cheque from Barclays.
0:14:51 > 0:14:56They'd cashed in his shares for £47,994,
0:14:56 > 0:15:02considerably less than the telephone quote for £52,000
0:15:02 > 0:15:03that had prompted him to sell them.
0:15:03 > 0:15:06Dave feels his letter was clear,
0:15:06 > 0:15:08that if the value of the shares had dropped,
0:15:08 > 0:15:12Barclays should've checked with him before selling them.
0:15:12 > 0:15:16I was pretty livid with it, pretty upset with what they'd said
0:15:16 > 0:15:19and the way they were sort of being dismissive.
0:15:19 > 0:15:22So I wrote a letter back to them saying, "I'm not happy.
0:15:22 > 0:15:26"I want you to escalate this complaint to somebody higher."
0:15:26 > 0:15:30Barclays refused to refund Dave any money.
0:15:30 > 0:15:33In response, he decided to go to the small claims court.
0:15:33 > 0:15:37Dave's claim was uncontested and the court awarded in his favour,
0:15:37 > 0:15:40so now he's been able to turn to the sheriffs.
0:15:41 > 0:15:46They will send officers along to the bank to claim my money
0:15:46 > 0:15:50and to get the cheque sent to me without further ado.
0:15:50 > 0:15:53I'm hoping to put myself in the position I would have been in
0:15:53 > 0:15:56previous to this whole thing going wrong.
0:15:56 > 0:15:57That's all I'm looking for
0:15:57 > 0:16:01and obviously any compensation for interest and the court fees.
0:16:01 > 0:16:05My understanding is that when you've got enforcement officers going in,
0:16:05 > 0:16:07that's pretty serious.
0:16:07 > 0:16:09If it was me owing the bank,
0:16:09 > 0:16:12they would have done the same actions as I've done.
0:16:15 > 0:16:18Dave called the High Court enforcement office
0:16:18 > 0:16:22and they swung into action.
0:16:22 > 0:16:25This time, sheriff Kev is joined by Mark Newton.
0:16:27 > 0:16:30We're just heading down to Docklands in London.
0:16:30 > 0:16:33We've got a writ for Barclays Wealth.
0:16:34 > 0:16:37The amount that's outstanding on this is £6,500.
0:16:39 > 0:16:41A High Court writ costs £60.
0:16:41 > 0:16:45If the sheriffs are successful, there's nothing more to pay.
0:16:45 > 0:16:49If not, there's an admin fee, also of £60.
0:16:49 > 0:16:54Barclays has revenues of £31.4 billion a year,
0:16:54 > 0:16:57Dave Simpson considerably less
0:16:57 > 0:17:01but as long as there's a High Court writ the sheriffs will do all they can
0:17:01 > 0:17:05to help Dave take on Goliath.
0:17:05 > 0:17:09We can walk in. If that's the address we've got, that's where we go.
0:17:09 > 0:17:12It doesn't matter what they do or who they are.
0:17:12 > 0:17:16I think they've definitely got the money at the moment.
0:17:16 > 0:17:19- They'll get their legal team on it. - Yeah, the likelihood is
0:17:19 > 0:17:22they'll either just accept it and pay it
0:17:22 > 0:17:26or they'll get their legal team to talk to us.
0:17:26 > 0:17:30But we'll see. We'll see what happens when we get there.
0:17:30 > 0:17:33Hopefully, we can get to speak to the relevant person.
0:17:33 > 0:17:36Our first problem is going to be finding somewhere to park.
0:17:37 > 0:17:40But before they can tackle the parking issue,
0:17:40 > 0:17:44sheriffs Mark and Kev have got to get past Canary Wharf security.
0:17:45 > 0:17:50Hiya. I'm from the High Court. We've got a writ for Barclays Wealth
0:17:50 > 0:17:53at 1 Churchill Place.
0:17:54 > 0:17:56The sheriffs aren't the only special guests
0:17:56 > 0:17:59that security need to deal with.
0:17:59 > 0:18:03The guard tells them Seb Coe's coming with his Olympics committee.
0:18:06 > 0:18:10Canary Wharf security successfully negotiated,
0:18:10 > 0:18:12Mark and Kev head to Barclays head office.
0:18:14 > 0:18:17- Churchill Place.- He said come back on yourself, didn't he?
0:18:17 > 0:18:20- He said park outside, didn't he? - Yeah.
0:18:20 > 0:18:25- But not where Lord Coe's going to go.- But it don't say "Lord Coe's parking space".
0:18:25 > 0:18:28I don't know but that looks like one of his...
0:18:28 > 0:18:31- That looks like the security. - It does, doesn't it?
0:18:35 > 0:18:40Coe or no Coe, they park up in front of head office and head in.
0:18:40 > 0:18:42It's all going to go off now, isn't it?
0:18:45 > 0:18:48A minute. I said a minute, didn't I?
0:18:49 > 0:18:53- Hiya.- Gentlemen, have you got...? - I just need to...
0:18:56 > 0:18:59Barclays front door is as far as the security will let our camera go
0:18:59 > 0:19:04but Mark and Kev are allowed in to enforce Dave's High Court writ.
0:19:04 > 0:19:08- We'd better go to Barclays Wealth. - We're from High Court enforcement.
0:19:08 > 0:19:10We've been issued a writ for Barclays Wealth.
0:19:13 > 0:19:16The sheriffs have delivered the writ paperwork.
0:19:16 > 0:19:18Now all they can do is wait.
0:19:20 > 0:19:24Half an hour later, Mark and Kev have finished their business at the bank.
0:19:24 > 0:19:28Unsurprisingly, Barclays haven't handed over any cash just yet.
0:19:28 > 0:19:31They weren't going to pay today.
0:19:31 > 0:19:33The writ was in the name of Barclays Wealth
0:19:33 > 0:19:36and they're saying that's a non-entity,
0:19:36 > 0:19:39it's just a name that they use for a little department.
0:19:39 > 0:19:43The guy said he's going to take it away, look at the paperwork
0:19:43 > 0:19:48and then if they have to pay it and it's owed, they'll pay it.
0:19:48 > 0:19:52It seems Dave's sued under the wrong company name.
0:19:52 > 0:19:55To get his money back, he'll have to bring another court action
0:19:55 > 0:19:58or get this one amended.
0:19:58 > 0:20:01It's all part of the lengthy process Dave will have to go through
0:20:01 > 0:20:03in his battle with Barclays.
0:20:03 > 0:20:05But thanks to the sheriffs,
0:20:05 > 0:20:08Barclays are at least now taking a great deal of notice
0:20:08 > 0:20:11of his complaint.
0:20:11 > 0:20:15Barclays told us that they regret any distress caused to Dave Simpson,
0:20:15 > 0:20:17but said that due to an oversight,
0:20:17 > 0:20:20the relevant department wasn't made aware of Dave's claim
0:20:20 > 0:20:22until the sheriffs visited their office
0:20:22 > 0:20:25and are in the process of arranging for the judgment to be paid
0:20:25 > 0:20:27in order to resolve the matter.
0:20:33 > 0:20:396.30am and it's the first job of the day for sheriffs Kev and Lawrence.
0:20:39 > 0:20:41They're acting on behalf of an office manager
0:20:41 > 0:20:43who was sacked with minimal notice
0:20:43 > 0:20:46from a company called Classical Flooring Ltd.
0:20:46 > 0:20:51She won an employment tribunal and is owed over £10,000.
0:20:55 > 0:20:58On a previous visit, the sheriffs went to the company showroom
0:20:58 > 0:21:01and tracked down one of the owners.
0:21:01 > 0:21:03Hello, sir.
0:21:03 > 0:21:05He informed Lawrence that all the assets
0:21:05 > 0:21:07had been transferred to another company
0:21:07 > 0:21:11and so couldn't be removed to clear the debt to his former employee
0:21:11 > 0:21:15and he had documents to prove it.
0:21:15 > 0:21:17I'm quite happy with the paperwork I've seen
0:21:17 > 0:21:21that none of the major assets in there, the equipment, the tools,
0:21:21 > 0:21:23actually belong to the two gentlemen personally.
0:21:23 > 0:21:29So there's nothing really at that premises we can actually remove.
0:21:30 > 0:21:34Lawrence left empty handed but still noted the details of vehicles
0:21:34 > 0:21:39that could potentially be taken at a later date to clear the debt.
0:21:39 > 0:21:44The office manager, Joan Wales, was awarded £13,500
0:21:44 > 0:21:47by an employment tribunal for unfair dismissal
0:21:47 > 0:21:50but hasn't received any of it.
0:21:50 > 0:21:54They just thought I'd walk away and I wouldn't fight for this.
0:21:54 > 0:21:59But I do fight and I am fighting because it's...
0:21:59 > 0:22:00it's wrong.
0:22:00 > 0:22:04Joan was dismissed after over a decade of loyal service.
0:22:04 > 0:22:09It's very hard. I didn't think they'd do it to me.
0:22:12 > 0:22:15Fortunately for Joan, she has Kev and Lawrence on her side.
0:22:17 > 0:22:20They're going to the home of one of Classical Flooring's former owners
0:22:20 > 0:22:24to see if any property can be seized to clear the debt.
0:22:24 > 0:22:26We've got a couple of cars to look for,
0:22:26 > 0:22:30one of which shows up on the HPI register
0:22:30 > 0:22:32and it shows up as a personal loan.
0:22:32 > 0:22:37Now, a personal loan doesn't normally have any hold
0:22:37 > 0:22:39over the vehicle at all.
0:22:39 > 0:22:40It is just a personal loan
0:22:40 > 0:22:44but sometimes the companies put it onto the HPI register
0:22:44 > 0:22:46just to try and protect it.
0:22:46 > 0:22:49We haven't got in touch with the finance company.
0:22:49 > 0:22:52We want to find the car first or stop it from being driven away,
0:22:52 > 0:22:56then we'll try and make contact with the debtor
0:22:56 > 0:22:59and if necessary, we'll contact the finance company
0:22:59 > 0:23:01to see if they have got any hold over it.
0:23:03 > 0:23:06The sheriffs have arrived.
0:23:06 > 0:23:11It's first thing in the morning to increase the chances of the owner being home.
0:23:11 > 0:23:16The car in question, an Audi TT, is parked right outside the front door.
0:23:16 > 0:23:17Mr Lydford?
0:23:17 > 0:23:19He's not here?
0:23:19 > 0:23:22Right. Are you able to get him on the phone, at all?
0:23:24 > 0:23:27I'll show you some identification.
0:23:27 > 0:23:31We're enforcement officers here to execute a High Court writ.
0:23:31 > 0:23:33Basically, we're going to take away the Audi.
0:23:33 > 0:23:38The person answering the doors says the Audi TT is on hire purchase
0:23:38 > 0:23:41and doesn't belong to Mr Lydford.
0:23:41 > 0:23:44It's not HP. It's a personal loan.
0:23:46 > 0:23:48Are you Mr Lydford? Yeah?
0:23:48 > 0:23:50Mr Lydford has suddenly appeared
0:23:50 > 0:23:53and he's shut the door on the sheriffs.
0:23:53 > 0:23:55Take the Audi, then.
0:23:55 > 0:23:59But first the sheriffs need to call the finance company.
0:23:59 > 0:24:04The Audi cannot be taken if it's on hire purchase and belongs to that company.
0:24:04 > 0:24:08However, if Mr Lydford bought it with a personal loan, he owns it
0:24:08 > 0:24:10and it can be removed.
0:24:10 > 0:24:13- Hi, there.- All right?
0:24:13 > 0:24:15Hello, sir.
0:24:15 > 0:24:19Mr Lydford asked the camera operator to leave his drive.
0:24:22 > 0:24:25He tells the sheriffs that the Audi is definitely on hire purchase.
0:24:28 > 0:24:32Right, we did a HPI on it and it's come back as personal loan,
0:24:32 > 0:24:33which isn't financed.
0:24:33 > 0:24:35I'm going to try and contact them now.
0:24:35 > 0:24:37It's probably a bit early for them
0:24:37 > 0:24:41but if it's a personal loan, we will be taking the vehicle.
0:24:41 > 0:24:44Mr Lydford gets into the other car in his drive.
0:24:44 > 0:24:48He may be making room to move the Audi before the sheriffs can take it.
0:24:48 > 0:24:51He asks the sheriffs to move their van.
0:24:51 > 0:24:53We won't be moving at the moment, no, sir.
0:24:56 > 0:24:59Lawrence, mind yourself.
0:24:59 > 0:25:01Lawrence, mind yourself, Lawrence.
0:25:02 > 0:25:04We're not moving that, no.
0:25:07 > 0:25:12- We won't be moving that. - That will be criminal damage.- We'll phone the police, you'll get nicked.
0:25:13 > 0:25:17You'll be obstructing court officers from doing their job.
0:25:17 > 0:25:20- Right, Mr Lydford... - Try it. Go for your life.
0:25:20 > 0:25:25Go for your life. I'm telling you, you'll get arrested for it.
0:25:25 > 0:25:27You're now hitting my van, so...
0:25:27 > 0:25:30Mr Lydford, we'll seize this vehicle as well...
0:25:30 > 0:25:35Mr Lydford says Lawrence can't. The vehicle doesn't belong to him.
0:25:35 > 0:25:38Right, well, you need to show proof of that, sir.
0:25:38 > 0:25:40Yes, you do, sir.
0:25:47 > 0:25:50It looks like Mr Lydford is giving up trying to force his way out.
0:25:57 > 0:25:58He gets out of the car
0:25:58 > 0:26:02and angrily tells the sheriffs the Audi is definitely on hire purchase
0:26:02 > 0:26:05and cannot be removed to pay off the debt.
0:26:05 > 0:26:09Right, sir, I've said to you, if it turns out that you're correct...
0:26:09 > 0:26:11Because that vehicle is seized.
0:26:11 > 0:26:14Mr Lydford accuses Lawrence of shouting at him.
0:26:14 > 0:26:16He's not shouting. Why are you getting in his face?
0:26:16 > 0:26:20I've got a loud voice. Stand back and I'll try and talk more quietly.
0:26:20 > 0:26:23I'm not shouting, I just have a loud voice.
0:26:23 > 0:26:26One of my colleagues came here before Christmas
0:26:26 > 0:26:28and left seizure paperwork on the Audi.
0:26:28 > 0:26:30Now, when you got that paperwork,
0:26:30 > 0:26:36you were then obliged to notify, if it was owned by a finance company,
0:26:36 > 0:26:39you were obliged to notify the finance company
0:26:39 > 0:26:41that the vehicle had been seized.
0:26:41 > 0:26:43They then had to get in touch with us
0:26:43 > 0:26:46and make a claim for that vehicle.
0:26:46 > 0:26:49You didn't do that, therefore we're obliged to remove it.
0:26:50 > 0:26:52Mr Lydford goes back into the house.
0:26:52 > 0:26:55Having successfully blocked the Audi in,
0:26:55 > 0:26:57the sheriffs will wait until 9am,
0:26:57 > 0:27:01when they can call the finance company to confirm who owns it.
0:27:01 > 0:27:03But it's a bitterly cold morning.
0:27:05 > 0:27:07Have we driven to the North Pole?
0:27:09 > 0:27:13Mr Lydford comes back out and wants to know who the sheriffs are.
0:27:13 > 0:27:16We're here to execute a High Court writ.
0:27:16 > 0:27:18We came to you at your business.
0:27:18 > 0:27:23He says if the sheriff's van isn't legally entitled to be there,
0:27:23 > 0:27:25he's going to smash it.
0:27:25 > 0:27:29- He's a bit more shirty than last time.- I knew he would be.
0:27:29 > 0:27:32The sheriffs wait in the relative warmth of the van.
0:27:36 > 0:27:41- Half an hour later, Mr Lydford emerges again.- He's coming out.
0:27:43 > 0:27:46Stay in here for sec, see what it looks like.
0:27:46 > 0:27:50Mr Lydford says he's taken legal advice
0:27:50 > 0:27:53and the sheriffs must move their van off his drive.
0:27:53 > 0:27:55If they don't, he says he will call the police.
0:27:55 > 0:27:58Well, we've stated why we're here.
0:27:58 > 0:28:02If you want to call the police, that's entirely your prerogative.
0:28:02 > 0:28:05If you want to call the police, Mr Lydford, call the police.
0:28:05 > 0:28:10- Excellent.- It suits the sheriffs for the police to come.
0:28:10 > 0:28:12The law is on their side.
0:28:12 > 0:28:15They're in the process of enforcing a High Court writ
0:28:15 > 0:28:18and they've done nothing wrong.
0:28:21 > 0:28:24An hour later, there's still no sign of the boys in blue
0:28:24 > 0:28:27but it may be the sheriffs who'll need to call the police.
0:28:27 > 0:28:30Mr Lydford decides to escalate the situation.
0:28:32 > 0:28:34What do you think he'll do now? Block us in?
0:28:34 > 0:28:38- He can't, though, can he, without blocking the road?- Oh, I don't know.
0:28:45 > 0:28:48It looks like this could become a war of attrition.
0:28:50 > 0:28:52That does make me laugh.
0:28:52 > 0:28:55Have you called the police, Mr Lydford?
0:28:55 > 0:29:00- It makes him look really stupid. - I think so.- Don't you think?- Yeah.
0:29:00 > 0:29:04It's now 9am, so Lawrence calls the finance company
0:29:04 > 0:29:08and asks them to fax the paperwork relating to the Audi.
0:29:08 > 0:29:12If the car is on finance and they hold the title to it,
0:29:12 > 0:29:13the sheriffs can't remove it.
0:29:13 > 0:29:17Hello, there, it's Mr Gricks, the High Court enforcement officer.
0:29:18 > 0:29:23Half an hour later, the paperwork is faxed to the High Court enforcement office
0:29:23 > 0:29:25but it is somewhat inconclusive.
0:29:27 > 0:29:31I've got an email of the fax received by our office
0:29:31 > 0:29:35from the finance company, with its covering letter.
0:29:35 > 0:29:39I've been told to have a look at it myself for my own peace of mind
0:29:39 > 0:29:42because it doesn't appear to say on it anywhere
0:29:42 > 0:29:44that they actually hold title to the vehicle.
0:29:44 > 0:29:48It just says, "Purpose of loan, if known,"
0:29:48 > 0:29:51if there are any assets,
0:29:51 > 0:29:53which does... it immediately implies
0:29:53 > 0:29:56that there's no actual hold over the car.
0:29:56 > 0:29:59But when it comes to High Court writ enforcement,
0:29:59 > 0:30:02sometimes it pays to be cautious.
0:30:02 > 0:30:04Having seen the Audi close up,
0:30:04 > 0:30:08Lawrence doesn't think it will get more than £2,000 at auction,
0:30:08 > 0:30:15so it might not be worth an expensive emergency legal battle today to prove ownership.
0:30:15 > 0:30:18Lawrence decides to leave the ball in the finance company's court.
0:30:18 > 0:30:22They have five days to prove without doubt they own the car.
0:30:22 > 0:30:25Hello, Mr Lydford.
0:30:25 > 0:30:27Right, I've spoken to my governor
0:30:27 > 0:30:31and he said because of the value of the car and the legal costs involved,
0:30:31 > 0:30:32we'll leave it.
0:30:32 > 0:30:36OK? Because it's going to rack up costs for everybody concerned
0:30:36 > 0:30:38unnecessarily.
0:30:38 > 0:30:43I'll leave you the paperwork, OK? It's paperwork seizing that.
0:30:43 > 0:30:48I've also, because we've not seen any paperwork, seized that, OK?
0:30:48 > 0:30:52I'll get in touch with your guy from the finance company myself
0:30:52 > 0:30:53to tell him what we're doing.
0:30:53 > 0:30:55I imagine he'll get in touch.
0:30:55 > 0:30:59He'll have to make his proper third-party claim against the vehicle, OK?
0:30:59 > 0:31:02And the legal people will battle it out
0:31:02 > 0:31:05without the necessity for it to actually go to the court, which it would.
0:31:05 > 0:31:10Because if it ends up going in front of a master of the court, which it would,
0:31:10 > 0:31:13then you're looking at more than the value of the car
0:31:13 > 0:31:16just to have a hearing with the master and somebody has to pay that.
0:31:16 > 0:31:20OK? So just to keep the legal costs down, that's what we'll do.
0:31:20 > 0:31:22OK, so I'll give your guy a ring in a moment.
0:31:22 > 0:31:26If you want to let us off your drive, we'll be out your hair.
0:31:29 > 0:31:33Lawrence and his colleagues have one of the highest collection rates in the industry
0:31:33 > 0:31:36but sometimes they do have to bide their time
0:31:36 > 0:31:39before they can get the money for their clients.
0:31:39 > 0:31:42I'm now going to get on to the finance company
0:31:42 > 0:31:44and let them know what we're doing
0:31:44 > 0:31:46and invite them to submit their third-party claim
0:31:46 > 0:31:49in accordance with RSC Order 17,
0:31:49 > 0:31:52which should have been done when we last left the paperwork with Mr Lydford.
0:31:52 > 0:31:55I've no doubt this time they'll do that.
0:31:55 > 0:31:58If it turns out it goes our way, we'll be back and take the car.
0:31:58 > 0:32:01But it just saves the unnecessary legal expense
0:32:01 > 0:32:05of actually having to battle it out in a court
0:32:05 > 0:32:08and storage costs racking up on the vehicle.
0:32:08 > 0:32:10Because nobody wins then
0:32:10 > 0:32:14and the legal costs outweigh what you're going to get for the vehicle.
0:32:15 > 0:32:18So Joan Wales may still get her money
0:32:18 > 0:32:22but for the time being, she and the sheriffs must remain patient.
0:32:30 > 0:32:34It's early morning and Mark and Kev are in the West Midlands.
0:32:34 > 0:32:36The sheriffs' mission?
0:32:36 > 0:32:39To get another member of the public the money they're owed.
0:32:41 > 0:32:43We're off to Solihull now.
0:32:43 > 0:32:48We're going to see a Mr Kent. He owes £1,900.
0:32:48 > 0:32:54He used to run a post office, which he no longer does, apparently.
0:32:54 > 0:32:57We're just going to his, like, private address now,
0:32:57 > 0:33:00so we'll give him a knock this morning and see how we get on.
0:33:01 > 0:33:05At the post office that the debtor, Pradeep Kent, used to run,
0:33:05 > 0:33:08an elderly customer broke her foot in an accident,
0:33:08 > 0:33:12leaving her housebound and in plaster for several weeks.
0:33:12 > 0:33:16When lawyers representing her wrote to Mr Kent to pursue an injury claim,
0:33:16 > 0:33:20he wouldn't confirm that he was the post office owner.
0:33:20 > 0:33:23The lady and her lawyers have managed to prove
0:33:23 > 0:33:25that he was the legal owner
0:33:25 > 0:33:29but it's cost them thousands of pounds in court costs to do so.
0:33:29 > 0:33:33The court awarded the legal costs against Mr Kent.
0:33:33 > 0:33:35Some of this debt is still outstanding,
0:33:35 > 0:33:37which is where Mark and Kev come in.
0:33:39 > 0:33:40DOORBELL CHIMES
0:33:45 > 0:33:46Here we go. Hold on.
0:33:46 > 0:33:49Hiya. Mr Kent?
0:33:49 > 0:33:53Mr Kent isn't in but his wife is.
0:33:53 > 0:33:56Our camera operator has a conversation with her
0:33:56 > 0:33:59and agrees to film from the road.
0:33:59 > 0:34:02Mrs Kent says they've already paid off the money to the claimant.
0:34:02 > 0:34:06..thought it was the same case, that's what I'm wondering.
0:34:06 > 0:34:10You may have thought it was the same case that you've just paid.
0:34:10 > 0:34:12And you thought it was all finished with.
0:34:12 > 0:34:16Mark checks back in with the office to find out what's going on.
0:34:16 > 0:34:19Yes, it's the costs. It's the costs of the last one.
0:34:19 > 0:34:21The costs wasn't paid from the last case.
0:34:21 > 0:34:24Some of the legal costs are still outstanding
0:34:24 > 0:34:30and Mark and Kev aren't going anywhere until they've been paid.
0:34:30 > 0:34:34We need to collect that amount or we'll start seizing goods.
0:34:34 > 0:34:38Mrs Kent accepts she must pay the injured lady her money
0:34:38 > 0:34:42but she's got to find the cash first.
0:34:42 > 0:34:45We have to wait here while you sort that payment out.
0:34:45 > 0:34:48Unfortunately, we have to charge if we have to wait.
0:34:48 > 0:34:52We'll give you an hour and after an hour we'll start having to charge, yeah?
0:34:52 > 0:34:53No problem. All right.
0:34:56 > 0:35:00All this waiting around is bringing out the team spirit in the sheriffs.
0:35:00 > 0:35:02I'm getting cold standing out here.
0:35:02 > 0:35:06Come in here, pet. I'll give you a cuddle to keep you warm.
0:35:06 > 0:35:10We spoke to the defendant's wife. Apparently, he's not here.
0:35:10 > 0:35:13The lady's now trying to get the money together, supposedly.
0:35:13 > 0:35:18If she refuses to pay, we'll start clamping up some of these vehicles.
0:35:18 > 0:35:22Hopefully it won't come to that. We'll just have to see what happens.
0:35:22 > 0:35:25The family should have no problem paying,
0:35:25 > 0:35:29as a quick phone call back to the office confirms that just one car
0:35:29 > 0:35:30would more than cover the debt.
0:35:30 > 0:35:34- That's worth eleven grand.- Eleven? - Yeah.
0:35:34 > 0:35:37- Is it?- Yeah.- That much? - I don't know what year it is.
0:35:40 > 0:35:45While Mark and Kev wait, an uncle arrives to help the family out...
0:35:46 > 0:35:49..but it doesn't speed up the payment.
0:35:50 > 0:35:55It's now 10.30am and Mark and Kev have been at the house for over an hour and a half.
0:35:55 > 0:35:58There's still no sign of any money,
0:35:58 > 0:36:01so Mark decides to try and move things along.
0:36:01 > 0:36:03He sets about clamping the cars on the driveway.
0:36:03 > 0:36:06He's showing that if he doesn't get the money,
0:36:06 > 0:36:08he'll take the cars instead.
0:36:08 > 0:36:12But this doesn't go down well with the uncle.
0:36:12 > 0:36:14- (INAUDIBLE)- I am.
0:36:14 > 0:36:17- What are you doing? Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa.- I just fell over.
0:36:17 > 0:36:20You didn't fall over. You didn't fall over.
0:36:20 > 0:36:22- You do not touch him. - You did not fall over.- I did!
0:36:22 > 0:36:25- Do you understand? - All right, you fell over.
0:36:25 > 0:36:30Did the uncle deliberately knee Mark or did he just fall over?
0:36:30 > 0:36:33Whatever it was, it doesn't stop Mark clamping the cars
0:36:33 > 0:36:36and it has the desired effect.
0:36:36 > 0:36:40Mrs Kent agrees to pay up what the injured lady's owed in full
0:36:40 > 0:36:43but she's still got to find the money
0:36:43 > 0:36:47and as time goes by, Mark's bill isn't staying still.
0:36:47 > 0:36:50OK, just to let you know that the bill is going up.
0:36:50 > 0:36:53The amount is not what's on the letter there now.
0:36:53 > 0:36:56It's gone up by £181.50 plus VAT.
0:36:56 > 0:36:58DOOR SLAMS
0:36:58 > 0:37:00It looks like Mark's tactics have paid off.
0:37:00 > 0:37:03A family friend arrives with the money.
0:37:03 > 0:37:06So I'll do £2005 on this.
0:37:06 > 0:37:11No, sorry, hang on. I put 2005p instead of £2005.
0:37:11 > 0:37:15- MACHINE BLEEPS - Frozen brain, being outside for three hours.
0:37:15 > 0:37:19OK, that's yours. I'll just do you a receipt for the payment.
0:37:19 > 0:37:22With the full amount owed now collected for the injured lady,
0:37:22 > 0:37:26Mark gets a chance to reflect on his run-in with the uncle's knee.
0:37:26 > 0:37:30As I was clamping the vehicle, he sort of walked past me
0:37:30 > 0:37:33and I didn't see what he done but he said he'd tripped over.
0:37:33 > 0:37:36I think he might have tried to knee me a little bit
0:37:36 > 0:37:38but it was all a bit handbaggy, nothing major.
0:37:40 > 0:37:42We got there in the end. It took a couple of hours
0:37:42 > 0:37:44to get the result we needed
0:37:44 > 0:37:49but in the end they paid, like they should have done in the first place.
0:37:49 > 0:37:52They'd have saved themselves the money for our waiting time.
0:37:52 > 0:37:56They paid the full debt, so that's dealt with.
0:38:01 > 0:38:04Sheriff Lawrence is going to see Joan Wales,
0:38:04 > 0:38:07his client in the unpaid unfair dismissal case
0:38:07 > 0:38:09against Classical Flooring.
0:38:11 > 0:38:15- Hi, Joan?- Hello.- I'm Lawrence. Nice to meet you.- Pleased to meet you.
0:38:15 > 0:38:16- Come on in.- Thank you.
0:38:18 > 0:38:22Lawrence is reporting back on his visit to Mr Lydford's home.
0:38:22 > 0:38:24We're not going to get into his house.
0:38:24 > 0:38:28He was locking the door behind him, you know...
0:38:28 > 0:38:33so he's got no assets that we can get our hands on, basically.
0:38:33 > 0:38:38Because the ownership documents for the Audi were so inconclusive,
0:38:38 > 0:38:42Lawrence recommends against taking the risk of removing it.
0:38:42 > 0:38:45There's a potentially huge cost implication for yourself
0:38:45 > 0:38:49if we did go and take it and then they put in a claim for it.
0:38:49 > 0:38:50Right, OK.
0:38:50 > 0:38:54The finance company could say, "Yes, we have got a title to it."
0:38:54 > 0:38:59It then becomes a legal battle and if you dispute the claim
0:38:59 > 0:39:02and it goes all the way to the High Court
0:39:02 > 0:39:05where you go in front of a master and he makes the decision,
0:39:05 > 0:39:09just the cost of doing that, and the storage in the meantime,
0:39:09 > 0:39:12will probably outweigh the value of the vehicle.
0:39:13 > 0:39:17But Joan was prudent enough to include both the Classical Flooring owners,
0:39:17 > 0:39:19Mr Lydford and Mr Barnard,
0:39:19 > 0:39:23in the High Court writ she obtained for her money.
0:39:23 > 0:39:27If you'd like us to go round to Barnard's and try and catch him, that's what we'll do next.
0:39:27 > 0:39:29So how do you feel about that?
0:39:29 > 0:39:34- It's been very draining...- Yeah. - ..personally wise,
0:39:34 > 0:39:36through all of this,
0:39:36 > 0:39:39because nobody wants to be on the receiving end of this
0:39:39 > 0:39:41and nobody wants to be sat here like we are...
0:39:41 > 0:39:45You shouldn't have to do battle to get what's yours.
0:39:45 > 0:39:51I shouldn't have to worry about having to pay for anything that those people owe me.
0:39:51 > 0:39:53Because a judge has sat there and said,
0:39:53 > 0:39:58- "Joan, you are awarded £13,500," and this is all wrong.- Yeah.
0:39:58 > 0:40:00Totally wrong.
0:40:00 > 0:40:03You won't get any disagreement from me there.
0:40:03 > 0:40:07Joan wants the sheriffs to keep up the battle on her behalf
0:40:07 > 0:40:09for as long as it takes.
0:40:09 > 0:40:12I'll never let them get away with it, never.
0:40:12 > 0:40:15I'll fight to the bitter end, so, yeah.
0:40:15 > 0:40:17I will.
0:40:17 > 0:40:21And Lawrence will continue his fight to get money for all his clients
0:40:21 > 0:40:23who are owed cash.
0:40:23 > 0:40:26The majority of people pay their way through life,
0:40:26 > 0:40:29don't get into debt, don't refuse to pay for things.
0:40:30 > 0:40:36It's the minority, the won't-pays.
0:40:36 > 0:40:40There's systems in place to help the can't-pays.
0:40:42 > 0:40:46But the won't-pays shouldn't be allowed to get away with it
0:40:46 > 0:40:49and we're redressing the balance by going after them.
0:40:54 > 0:40:59Since Mark and Kev visited former post office owner Pradeep Kent's house,
0:40:59 > 0:41:04the injured customer is delighted to have received her money back in full
0:41:04 > 0:41:06and is very glad she turned to the sheriffs.
0:41:08 > 0:41:12A month after Lawrence and Kev went to Joan Wales's former boss's home,
0:41:12 > 0:41:17Joan's considering forcing both of her former employers into bankruptcy,
0:41:17 > 0:41:19to try to get the money she's owed.
0:41:19 > 0:41:23The sheriffs will soon be carrying out another early morning seizure.
0:41:23 > 0:41:26Hopefully next time things will prove more clear-cut.
0:41:28 > 0:41:33And in Essex, kidney transplant patient Robert Baker is delighted
0:41:33 > 0:41:37that he finally he got his £10,000 employment tribunal award,
0:41:37 > 0:41:38thanks to the sheriffs.
0:41:39 > 0:41:44I'm just ecstatic, to be honest, to have got the money at last.
0:41:45 > 0:41:50Knowing that it's all done and dusted and I can just get on with my life,
0:41:50 > 0:41:53it's just a huge relief.
0:41:53 > 0:41:55Next time...
0:41:58 > 0:42:02Plumber Ray Millett paid for and fitted a full central heating system
0:42:02 > 0:42:06for a building company but he didn't get paid a penny.
0:42:06 > 0:42:09To treat people in this way, it's pretty despicable, really.
0:42:09 > 0:42:14Can the sheriffs get Ray his money back?
0:42:14 > 0:42:17We're here to collect the payment, which is £11,100 now.
0:42:17 > 0:42:21Sheriff Pete Spencer revisits a road services company
0:42:21 > 0:42:24that owes a former employee thousands.
0:42:24 > 0:42:27I'm a director of the company, I'm asking you to leave the premises.
0:42:27 > 0:42:30- Phone the police.- I will do.- OK.
0:42:30 > 0:42:34And when Jan Smith sold valuable items through a local auctioneers',
0:42:34 > 0:42:36she expected a hefty cheque.
0:42:36 > 0:42:40Instead she got an antiques no-show.
0:42:40 > 0:42:44I haven't had any money whatsoever. It's just outrageous.
0:42:44 > 0:42:45It is outrageous.
0:42:45 > 0:42:49The sheriffs go in search of the cash she's owed.
0:43:11 > 0:43:13Subtitles by Red Bee Media Ltd