0:00:02 > 0:00:06What do you do if you're ripped off and don't know where to turn?
0:00:06 > 0:00:09I told him all the faults. He rejected them.
0:00:09 > 0:00:13A court of law backs you, but you still don't get your money?
0:00:13 > 0:00:20Little did I know how long it would take to try and recover the money from him... Sorry.
0:00:20 > 0:00:23It's time to call the sheriffs.
0:00:23 > 0:00:30We have every right to enter the premises by force if necessary. We will be entering that building.
0:00:30 > 0:00:35Sheriffs are High Court enforcement officers who recover what a court judgment says is owed.
0:00:35 > 0:00:41The writ orders us to come here and seize goods to the value of this debt.
0:00:43 > 0:00:47They're the experts in getting cash that is rightfully yours.
0:00:47 > 0:00:50£1,323.
0:00:50 > 0:00:55But fighting for the underdog isn't a job for the faint-hearted.
0:00:55 > 0:00:57I'll put it through your windscreen!
0:00:57 > 0:01:02- Debtors aren't pleased to see them...- They're harassing me. - ..because they hate paying up.
0:01:02 > 0:01:07- Are you happy for me to leave you some paperwork?- No. Go away!
0:01:12 > 0:01:18In today's programme, former office manager Shelley Summers was sacked by text.
0:01:18 > 0:01:22She won a tribunal but never got the compensation.
0:01:22 > 0:01:26At one point, I had everything, then I was left with nothing.
0:01:26 > 0:01:28Can the sheriffs put that right?
0:01:30 > 0:01:34Steve Knock had always dreamed of buying a boat,
0:01:34 > 0:01:38but when he finally got one, it became a nautical nightmare.
0:01:38 > 0:01:44He took the company which sold him the faulty vessel to court and got an out-of-court settlement,
0:01:44 > 0:01:46but he still hasn't got his money.
0:01:46 > 0:01:50The sheriffs try to pay them a visit.
0:01:50 > 0:01:54Every asset on these premises is now seized.
0:01:54 > 0:01:59And this garage sold a car for a customer but didn't give him the cash they got for it.
0:01:59 > 0:02:06The sheriffs go to the garage to get the customer what he's owed, but they get a frosty reception.
0:02:06 > 0:02:13If you try to shut me in here by pulling the shutter down, that's an arrestable offence. I'm warning you.
0:02:19 > 0:02:23Shelley Summers is an office manager who lives in Bournemouth.
0:02:23 > 0:02:28Shelley had a traumatic experience when employed at a building firm near Manchester.
0:02:28 > 0:02:31Now she needs the help of the sheriffs.
0:02:32 > 0:02:36I started working for MJ McCaul in 2005
0:02:36 > 0:02:39where I was basically an office manager.
0:02:39 > 0:02:43I helped run the business, mainly office work,
0:02:43 > 0:02:49went to the site now and again, paid the wages for the lads. Yeah, I did enjoy working there.
0:02:50 > 0:02:54But in July 2010, the firm moved to bigger offices,
0:02:54 > 0:02:57and the atmosphere at work changed for the worse.
0:02:57 > 0:03:02One day, there was a row that was absolutely unbelievable.
0:03:02 > 0:03:06There was swearing. I thought that someone was going to get hurt.
0:03:06 > 0:03:10I really did think there was going to be some kind of fight or something.
0:03:10 > 0:03:16At the time, I was on the phone, speaking to a client. He was asking me what was going on.
0:03:16 > 0:03:21I said, "I'm sorry, I'll ring you back." I didn't feel professional with running the business.
0:03:21 > 0:03:26Shelley mentioned to her boss she was uncomfortable with the shouting
0:03:26 > 0:03:30and asked if she could work from home for the afternoon.
0:03:30 > 0:03:33He said, "If you leave the office, you don't come back."
0:03:33 > 0:03:37I'd worked there for five years, and he'd never spoken like that before.
0:03:37 > 0:03:43I was always treated quite fairly. He's never said anything like that before.
0:03:43 > 0:03:47So by this stage, I was very upset. I was extremely upset.
0:03:47 > 0:03:50And in the end, he just went out the office.
0:03:50 > 0:03:56Shelley was so distressed by what had happened, she went to see her doctor.
0:03:56 > 0:03:59She was put on sick leave for a week and went home.
0:03:59 > 0:04:04Soon after she got there, Shelley received a message from her boss.
0:04:04 > 0:04:08I got a text later on, saying that I had been suspended
0:04:08 > 0:04:13and I shouldn't have left the office without his authority.
0:04:13 > 0:04:18He was going to come and take the company car away at 12 noon the next day.
0:04:18 > 0:04:22I was devastated, absolutely devastated.
0:04:22 > 0:04:27I couldn't believe that I'd worked there for so long and I was treated so bad,
0:04:27 > 0:04:29knowing I was at home with nobody.
0:04:29 > 0:04:33I had no other source of income, no car. I was left with nothing.
0:04:33 > 0:04:39A week later, the boss texted Shelley, telling her to call him straightaway.
0:04:39 > 0:04:42I was about to give him a ring, then I get the text.
0:04:42 > 0:04:48"You are now sacked for gross misconduct. You had your chance and blew it."
0:04:49 > 0:04:52The shock made Shelley ill.
0:04:52 > 0:04:57It's just the stress of basically having no money coming in,
0:04:57 > 0:05:03no car. At one point, I seemed to have everything, then the next, I was left with nothing.
0:05:03 > 0:05:05Shelley decided to fight back.
0:05:06 > 0:05:09I really felt, "This is wrong,"
0:05:09 > 0:05:13so I went to my local Citizens Advice Bureau who were shocked,
0:05:13 > 0:05:16they couldn't believe what had happened also.
0:05:16 > 0:05:21They were basically trying to help me, so they found me a legal aid representative.
0:05:21 > 0:05:28With their help, Shelley went to an employment tribunal which decided she had been unfairly dismissed.
0:05:28 > 0:05:34I was awarded £11,650, approximately.
0:05:34 > 0:05:38I've been paid nothing.
0:05:38 > 0:05:43It's now a year on, and Shelley's tried everything to get her money.
0:05:43 > 0:05:50She's at the end of her tether, but the law allows her to do one last thing -
0:05:50 > 0:05:52apply for a High Court writ.
0:05:52 > 0:05:57Shelley got one, and now a sheriff is going to enforce it.
0:06:01 > 0:06:06High Court enforcement officer Pete Spencer is on his way to where Shelley used to work,
0:06:06 > 0:06:12his aim - to track down her former boss Martin McCaul and get him to pay what he owes.
0:06:12 > 0:06:18Every place is different, really. You get very different reactions from various different people.
0:06:19 > 0:06:26He'll obviously know of the tribunal case that's been set against him and he'll know he's lost that case.
0:06:26 > 0:06:30He won't be aware of our visit today until we knock on the door.
0:06:30 > 0:06:35The High Court enforcement officers, who are also known as sheriffs,
0:06:35 > 0:06:37do a job that goes back to Saxon times.
0:06:37 > 0:06:41They don't need to forewarn people about their visit.
0:06:41 > 0:06:46The element of surprise can prove useful when tracking down debtors.
0:06:47 > 0:06:54Sheriffs are legally allowed to walk straight into commercial premises on behalf of people owed money.
0:06:56 > 0:07:01Before he starts removing goods, Pete wants to find Shelley's former boss
0:07:01 > 0:07:05and give him the opportunity to pay her what the tribunal awarded.
0:07:05 > 0:07:09- KNOCKS ON DOOR - Hello?
0:07:09 > 0:07:14- Hiya. Good morning. Mr McCaul of McCaul Building Contractors? - That's it here.
0:07:14 > 0:07:20Enforcement officer from the High Court. It's regarding an employment tribunal matter.
0:07:20 > 0:07:25- Would it be yourself I need to speak to?- Let me see if anyone's around. - Cheers. Thank you.
0:07:27 > 0:07:33- Where were you from? - I'm an enforcement officer working on behalf of the High Court.- Right.
0:07:33 > 0:07:38It doesn't take long for Mr McCaul to appear, but he isn't keen on being filmed.
0:07:38 > 0:07:44- No, no, no, I'm not having any filming.- That's all right. I'll step outside.
0:07:46 > 0:07:49Pete starts his negotiations on behalf of Shelley.
0:07:50 > 0:07:54Mr McCaul tells Pete his business is being wound up
0:07:54 > 0:07:57and all the assets transferred to another company.
0:07:57 > 0:08:02However, Pete points out this transfer isn't listed with Companies House,
0:08:02 > 0:08:05and that's against the rules.
0:08:07 > 0:08:12Mr McCaul agrees to make an initial payment of £5,000 to Shelley with more to come.
0:08:12 > 0:08:18It's not the whole amount, but without Pete, Shelley wouldn't be getting anything.
0:08:18 > 0:08:24Unfortunately, most of the assets that were at the premises were no longer there
0:08:24 > 0:08:29and they've been transferred to another company, but he was also a director of it.
0:08:29 > 0:08:35He did decide in the end to make an initial payment of £5,000, which he has done by bank transfer.
0:08:35 > 0:08:41Then he's emailing in, once he seeks legal advice, to pay the remainder over a monthly period,
0:08:41 > 0:08:47to resolve it, but he's doing that personally, rather than through the company, as it has no assets.
0:08:48 > 0:08:52Shelley is pleased that she enlisted the help of the sheriffs.
0:08:52 > 0:08:56I've worked for big companies and I know what goes on.
0:08:56 > 0:08:59Things are always correct, the way they do things.
0:08:59 > 0:09:05So I don't feel that they should get away with it, even though they're a small company.
0:09:05 > 0:09:11It's too easy. People say, "A small company might not be making the same money." That's not the point.
0:09:11 > 0:09:14This needs to be sorted out for the future.
0:09:14 > 0:09:20It's happened to me, and if this help to stop it happening to someone else, that's why I've done this.
0:09:24 > 0:09:29David Carter is joint managing director of this High Court Enforcement Office in London.
0:09:30 > 0:09:37The recovery rates of the High Court enforcement officer are far greater than that of a County Court bailiff.
0:09:37 > 0:09:43We're paid on results, we're not salaried and we have greater powers than the County Court bailiff
0:09:43 > 0:09:47in terms of seizure and forcing entry to various types of premises.
0:09:47 > 0:09:50A High Court writ costs £60.
0:09:50 > 0:09:54If the sheriffs are successful in settling the debt,
0:09:54 > 0:09:58there is nothing more to pay, because the debtor foots the bill.
0:09:58 > 0:10:01£1,323.
0:10:02 > 0:10:09If the sheriffs don't get the cash owed to their client, there can be an admin fee to pay, also £60.
0:10:09 > 0:10:14- Why are you here?- The money is still owed.- What are you here for? - To collect the money.
0:10:14 > 0:10:20Every month, this Enforcement Office helps over 1,000 people who are owed money,
0:10:20 > 0:10:23and another case has just been added to the list.
0:10:23 > 0:10:30High Court enforcement officers Lawrence Grix and Kev McNally are on their way to a garage in Middlesex.
0:10:30 > 0:10:38The garage advertised a car for a member of the public for £27,995.
0:10:38 > 0:10:42The car was sold, but the customer never got his money.
0:10:43 > 0:10:49After trying everything to get his cash, the car owner went to the High Court and got a writ
0:10:49 > 0:10:51for the money he is owed.
0:10:51 > 0:10:54Now the sheriffs are about to enforce it.
0:10:54 > 0:10:58They visited the garage before, but the boss went to court
0:10:58 > 0:11:02to get a stay to delay them removing goods to cover the debt.
0:11:03 > 0:11:09We won't be taking our time with this one, because he managed to get the stay last time,
0:11:09 > 0:11:15so we'll be going in demanding full payment. If he doesn't pay in full, we'll be removing the Ferraris.
0:11:15 > 0:11:18It's not just cars that the sheriffs are after today.
0:11:18 > 0:11:24There are computers at the garage and two Ferrari diagnostic kits worth £40,000.
0:11:24 > 0:11:30As High Court enforcement officers, they're entitled to pick them up and walk straight out with them,
0:11:30 > 0:11:35but the owner might not take too kindly to that.
0:11:35 > 0:11:41Once we'd left and the stay was in place, he phoned me up and was quite threatening over the phone,
0:11:41 > 0:11:45so we'll see just how threatening he is when we turn up.
0:11:45 > 0:11:52The sheriffs have yet to meet garage landlord Mr Birdi or his son Mr Verdi,
0:11:52 > 0:11:55the owner of the business, face to face.
0:11:55 > 0:11:58They don't even know what they look like.
0:11:58 > 0:12:01Is Mr Verdi here at all?
0:12:02 > 0:12:04Is Mr Verdi here at all?
0:12:04 > 0:12:07I'm asking you, "Is he here at all?"
0:12:10 > 0:12:14Is somebody able to get him on the phone at all?
0:12:14 > 0:12:16Is he upstairs?
0:12:16 > 0:12:19Is he in the office?
0:12:22 > 0:12:27The paperwork the sheriffs left after their first visit made it clear
0:12:27 > 0:12:33none of the assets could be removed by the owner while proceedings were in progress.
0:12:33 > 0:12:37That's one of the first things they'll be checking today.
0:12:39 > 0:12:41How are you doing?
0:12:42 > 0:12:46I think we can safely say that's not Mr Verdi.
0:12:46 > 0:12:49I'm a High Court enforcement officer.
0:12:49 > 0:12:51OK, I was here before.
0:12:51 > 0:12:56We've got a High Court writ to seize goods on the premises.
0:12:56 > 0:12:59- Right.- To cover a debt, basically.
0:12:59 > 0:13:02Mr Verdi managed to get a stay last time.
0:13:02 > 0:13:08That's now been overturned, so we're here today to complete the execution of the writ.
0:13:08 > 0:13:13The guy who was trying to get him on the phone has walked off, so we'll start removing goods now.
0:13:13 > 0:13:19Those computers need to be backed up. If you've got any sensitive data on them, you need to delete it,
0:13:19 > 0:13:25because we'll unplug those and remove those within the next five or ten minutes.
0:13:25 > 0:13:28While the receptionist backs up the computers,
0:13:28 > 0:13:34Lawrence goes on the hunt for the two valuable Ferrari diagnostic kits he spotted last time.
0:13:34 > 0:13:41When it comes to commercial properties, High Court enforcement officers have access all areas.
0:13:41 > 0:13:44They can break through doors if necessary.
0:13:49 > 0:13:55Lawrence has found one of the kits, but has the garage boss sold it to prevent it being removed?
0:13:55 > 0:14:00- That's the one we want.- It doesn't belong to us.- Who does it belong to?
0:14:00 > 0:14:04- Another company.- What other company is that?- Read it.
0:14:04 > 0:14:10What I have noticed going round is a lot of stuff has now got stickers with "asset tag" on,
0:14:10 > 0:14:13so it looks like he might have attempted to defeat distress
0:14:13 > 0:14:17by basically borrowing money against those assets.
0:14:17 > 0:14:23It could be just a nominal amount, so that some other company can try and claim title to them.
0:14:23 > 0:14:26It doesn't affect us, because they were already seized.
0:14:26 > 0:14:32Anything that was seized previously, which was the entire contents of the workshop,
0:14:32 > 0:14:35can't then be passed on to an asset finance company.
0:14:36 > 0:14:40Go and get that diagnostic stuff off there, mate.
0:14:40 > 0:14:45I don't care what asset tag they've put on it. It wasn't on there last time.
0:14:45 > 0:14:49We've seized it last time, so we'll take it.
0:14:49 > 0:14:51We'll try and find the other one.
0:14:52 > 0:14:56While Kev confiscates the £20,000 diagnostic kit,
0:14:56 > 0:15:01Lawrence checks outside for any cars that can be removed.
0:15:01 > 0:15:05There doesn't seem to be any of the cars here that were here last time.
0:15:05 > 0:15:11That's not unexpected, because they were, we believe, customers' cars being worked on.
0:15:11 > 0:15:13It's not surprising.
0:15:13 > 0:15:17Lawrence spots something suspicious going on in the garage.
0:15:17 > 0:15:23I have to tell you, mate, if you try and shut me in here by pulling the shutter down,
0:15:23 > 0:15:25that's an arrestable offence.
0:15:25 > 0:15:27The shutter's come down over there.
0:15:27 > 0:15:30The shutter move may be a warning shot.
0:15:30 > 0:15:33Lawrence and Kev need to act fast.
0:15:46 > 0:15:49The sheriffs have been told the garage owner is on his way.
0:15:49 > 0:15:55Is he coming to settle his debt to the disgruntled customer or to try and stop them removing his property?
0:15:58 > 0:16:02High Court enforcement officers can't take tools of the trade,
0:16:02 > 0:16:06equipment necessary for the running of the business,
0:16:06 > 0:16:10but this rule only applies if the equipment is only used by the owner.
0:16:10 > 0:16:14These computers are also used by his colleagues.
0:16:14 > 0:16:16I'll dig out the power lead for the...
0:16:16 > 0:16:19- for the other tower unit. - What's this?
0:16:19 > 0:16:25That's ready to go. The printer's ready to go. There's a power lead there for the printer.
0:16:27 > 0:16:32The new arrival seems to know the place. It could be the elusive owner.
0:16:32 > 0:16:37No-one seems to be keen to tell us who they are or who they represent,
0:16:37 > 0:16:41so we'll let them crack on until someone claims to be him.
0:16:41 > 0:16:43We'll see.
0:16:43 > 0:16:46Lawrence and Kev can't take any risks.
0:16:46 > 0:16:50If it is the owner, he may try to lock them out.
0:16:50 > 0:16:53We're leaving one of us on the premises at all times.
0:16:53 > 0:16:58We can effect re-entry, but if they were to pull the shutters down and lock them,
0:16:58 > 0:17:01it's added time and aggravation, and we don't need it.
0:17:01 > 0:17:08- Are you just taking what you think is to that value?- We have to have a fair estimate, yeah.
0:17:08 > 0:17:11But this should have been dealt with when we were here last time.
0:17:11 > 0:17:14You know? We've got to take decisive action.
0:17:14 > 0:17:20Lawrence can't prove any of the vehicles on site belong to the garage owner,
0:17:20 > 0:17:25so he's going to remove the posts which hoist the cars into the air for maintenance work.
0:17:25 > 0:17:31Can you get a wheel on that Ferrari there, so it can be pushed off when the specialists take the lift away?
0:17:32 > 0:17:36Next, the CCTV system is stripped out.
0:17:36 > 0:17:39Grab that monitor, mate. I've got the control unit.
0:17:39 > 0:17:45- Have you got the light bit?- I've got the bit I can carry in one hand with my briefcase in the other.
0:17:45 > 0:17:49The removal of the kit has clearly upped the ante.
0:17:49 > 0:17:54Another man who refuses to identify himself wants to make a deal to stop the removal,
0:17:54 > 0:18:00but it may just be a stalling manoeuvre while the owner tries to get another stay from the court.
0:18:00 > 0:18:06If you get me 17 grand in the next half hour, I'll put the trucks on hold for half an hour.
0:18:06 > 0:18:11- A bit more than half an hour. - The maximum is an hour, purely because of what happened last time.
0:18:11 > 0:18:17Is it a genuine offer or a delaying tactic? Lawrence will find out soon.
0:18:23 > 0:18:27It's Pete's last job of the day in Bingley, Yorkshire.
0:18:27 > 0:18:32All he knows about the case is it's about a man who owes over £13,000.
0:18:34 > 0:18:39No idea what it's about. There's no case notes to give me any background information.
0:18:39 > 0:18:43So we'll give it a knock and see if the defendant's there.
0:18:44 > 0:18:46DOORBELL RINGS
0:18:48 > 0:18:51- Hi. Is there a Mr...- BLEEP- ?
0:18:52 > 0:18:56- No.- No? Do you know of that name or...?
0:18:56 > 0:18:58Can I ask what's going on?
0:18:58 > 0:19:04Yeah, I'm an enforcement officer enforcing a High Court writ at this address.
0:19:04 > 0:19:10- You don't know who that is? - They've got my address?- It's gone through court at this address.
0:19:10 > 0:19:14Sometimes High Court enforcement officers chase the wrong lead,
0:19:14 > 0:19:16and it costs them valuable time and money,
0:19:16 > 0:19:23but of the 70,000-plus writs they deal with every year, they collect over 65 pence for every pound owed.
0:19:23 > 0:19:29Obviously, it's not you. And you've no idea who this person is at all?
0:19:29 > 0:19:31- No, I've no idea at all.- OK.
0:19:31 > 0:19:34Because the address on this writ is incorrect,
0:19:34 > 0:19:38an innocent member of the public has become unwittingly involved.
0:19:38 > 0:19:42- It's quite concerning that somebody has used your address.- Yes.
0:19:42 > 0:19:48We'll do a re-trace on the defendant name and hopefully get a trace address somewhere else maybe.
0:19:48 > 0:19:55- If anything comes to light, the office number and my number is on there to contact us.- I will.
0:19:55 > 0:19:59Pete gives the house owner some important advice.
0:19:59 > 0:20:05You might just want to report it to the police that somebody might have used your address fraudulently,
0:20:05 > 0:20:12so they're aware of it, just in case you get any other items cropping up that you're not aware of.
0:20:12 > 0:20:16- OK.- I'll do that.- Thank you. - Thank you very much.
0:20:16 > 0:20:18Sorry that I can't be of more help.
0:20:18 > 0:20:24Pete will check the name on the writ against a national database and the electoral roll.
0:20:24 > 0:20:28Hopefully, that will help him track down his man.
0:20:33 > 0:20:39Back at the garage in Hayes, Lawrence and Kev are still waiting for the money they were promised.
0:20:39 > 0:20:46The £17,000 isn't the full amount owed to the owner of the car the garage sold, but it is a start.
0:20:46 > 0:20:50A man who won't reveal his identity approaches Lawrence.
0:20:50 > 0:20:54- Have you got the writ there?- I have. - Can I see that, please?
0:20:54 > 0:20:59No, sir, you can't, because you're not my defendant. You're not Mr Verdi.
0:20:59 > 0:21:05If you show me some ID showing me you're Mr Verdi... You keep saying you are and then you're not.
0:21:05 > 0:21:10If you show me some ID showing me you're Mr Verdi, then I'll show you my writ.
0:21:10 > 0:21:13And what does the writ let you do?
0:21:13 > 0:21:16Come here and seize goods to the value of the debt.
0:21:16 > 0:21:20Just when it looks like Lawrence is getting nowhere,
0:21:20 > 0:21:25he is approached by the man who offered £17,000 to stop the removal of goods.
0:21:25 > 0:21:30He's going to get his aunt to come down and pay on a credit card.
0:21:31 > 0:21:33So, um, we shall see.
0:21:35 > 0:21:41- How far away is your aunt? - About 20 minutes.- That means nothing to me, I'm afraid.
0:21:41 > 0:21:48The police will throw you out. The police are coming here to throw these guys out.
0:21:48 > 0:21:50Confusion reigns.
0:21:50 > 0:21:55Is the aunt coming or the police?
0:21:55 > 0:21:57Soon the question is answered.
0:21:59 > 0:22:04- Hi. Who called us?- No idea. I'll show you some ID.
0:22:05 > 0:22:09- Enforcement officers.- Cool. - Here to enforce a High Court writ.
0:22:09 > 0:22:11- On this premise here?- Yeah.
0:22:11 > 0:22:16We seized goods about three months ago, and they got an emergency stay.
0:22:16 > 0:22:20The judge threw it out when he actually got a hearing.
0:22:20 > 0:22:23There was no grounds for dispute whatsoever.
0:22:23 > 0:22:30Now the police have arrived, the elusive landlord Mr Birdi suddenly appears out of nowhere.
0:22:30 > 0:22:33Hello, mate. All right? Sorry, who are you?
0:22:33 > 0:22:38- I own the property.- All right. We'll come and have a chat in a sec.
0:22:38 > 0:22:41- Is that Mr Birdi? - I believe it might be.
0:22:42 > 0:22:47I believe that might have just been our defendant.
0:22:47 > 0:22:51That's the first time he's acknowledged who he is.
0:22:51 > 0:22:53So that's the elusive Mr Birdi.
0:22:53 > 0:22:58He was actually the first person Lawrence saw when he arrived.
0:23:01 > 0:23:06Mr Birdi wants a private chat with the policemen upstairs.
0:23:13 > 0:23:1620 minutes later, the police officer reappears.
0:23:16 > 0:23:23- He reports back on Mr Birdi's side of the story.- He says this company went into liquidation two days ago.
0:23:23 > 0:23:26No, what they've done is write to a liquidator.
0:23:26 > 0:23:33Yeah. It's still got the name on there. They're saying it's trading in a different name.
0:23:33 > 0:23:38You've got the correct paperwork to say you can take the goods. And that is basically it.
0:23:38 > 0:23:44- Have we got the name of the chap we're after?- Verdi Ferrari Aftersales Ltd. He's a director,
0:23:44 > 0:23:50but we're not after his personal assets. It's assets of the company, which is here.
0:23:50 > 0:23:54- And whether it's in liquidation or not...- It's not in liquidation.
0:23:54 > 0:23:59If it was actually properly in liquidation, we couldn't take the assets.
0:23:59 > 0:24:03They become in the custody of the liquidator.
0:24:03 > 0:24:09- They've failed to give me anything. - The lady on the phone said, "They wrote to us two days ago
0:24:09 > 0:24:13"and asked us to act for them. We've had no paperwork."
0:24:13 > 0:24:20- We're going to take the stuff we've got now.- Yeah.- I've got to give him this paperwork. He's got to sign.
0:24:20 > 0:24:23Right. I'll ask him down, then.
0:24:23 > 0:24:27Lawrence isn't surprised by the delaying tactics.
0:24:27 > 0:24:30A lot of the time, it's a war of attrition.
0:24:32 > 0:24:34Which we usually win.
0:24:36 > 0:24:42- Mr Birdi doesn't want to come and talk in front of the cameras. Would you come upstairs?- Sure.
0:24:42 > 0:24:46- We'll give him a receipt. - Not a receipt, but effectively.
0:24:46 > 0:24:49- No problem.- Without the cameras.
0:24:49 > 0:24:56The sheriffs seem to be making progress. Soon after Lawrence gets upstairs, Mr Birdi's wife appears
0:24:56 > 0:24:59and pays £5,000 by credit card.
0:25:00 > 0:25:04I'll do you a receipt in a sec. Just got to do the balance.
0:25:04 > 0:25:10And the Birdis offer to organise scheduled repayments to cover the outstanding debt.
0:25:10 > 0:25:16Lawrence is satisfied with this arrangement and returns the removed goods.
0:25:16 > 0:25:20Thanks to the sheriffs, the owner of the car the garage sold
0:25:20 > 0:25:25will now get a good chunk of the money he's owed, with more to come.
0:25:25 > 0:25:28They're offering £5,000 a month to clear it off.
0:25:28 > 0:25:32Providing they stick to that, that's quite reasonable.
0:25:32 > 0:25:37As it transpires, there aren't the assets there. The cars do belong to customers,
0:25:37 > 0:25:42so there's no real leverage there to get any more money.
0:25:42 > 0:25:46So we've handed the goods back. They can't function without them.
0:25:46 > 0:25:51While, generally speaking, if our actions cause a business to close,
0:25:51 > 0:25:55but we've cleared the debt, then that's not an issue.
0:25:55 > 0:26:01A limited company, there's no protection. All their assets are liable to be seized and sold.
0:26:01 > 0:26:05But if we're not going to clear a debt, only a fraction of it,
0:26:05 > 0:26:11there's little point in removing the assets and preventing them trading.
0:26:11 > 0:26:15So they can carry on trading and meet the payment arrangement
0:26:15 > 0:26:17if it's accepted by the client.
0:26:17 > 0:26:22But if it isn't accepted, or the owners don't meet the repayments,
0:26:22 > 0:26:25the sheriffs will be back.
0:26:32 > 0:26:38Steve Knock's another unlucky member of the public who needs the help of the High Court Enforcement Office.
0:26:38 > 0:26:43Steve was an aircraft engineer until an accident ended his career.
0:26:43 > 0:26:46In 2004,
0:26:46 > 0:26:53I had an accident, and, unfortunately, it left me with what they call nerve root impingement,
0:26:53 > 0:26:59which is basically down my left arm and in my left hand, I can't feel properly.
0:26:59 > 0:27:02I haven't any real sensation. Also my right leg.
0:27:02 > 0:27:06As a result of his injuries, Steve lost his job.
0:27:06 > 0:27:12- He started to rethink his approach to life.- That was when really we appreciated your health,
0:27:12 > 0:27:14and life is a lot more important.
0:27:14 > 0:27:20One of the things we had always dreamed of, because we live close to the River Thames,
0:27:20 > 0:27:27was to have a boat and use that to trundle up and down the Thames when it was nice.
0:27:27 > 0:27:34Steve and his wife bought this luxury cruiser from Regency Marine Ltd, trading as Gibbs Marine,
0:27:34 > 0:27:38in Shepperton. The price - £62,000.
0:27:38 > 0:27:42It had always been a lifetime ambition.
0:27:42 > 0:27:47The dream, if you know what I mean. Dreaming about having a boat
0:27:47 > 0:27:53and, initially, seeing people go past, especially in the summer,
0:27:53 > 0:27:59going down the Thames on the boat, pulling up at a little pub and having a pub lunch,
0:27:59 > 0:28:03that seems such a nice thing to be able to do.
0:28:03 > 0:28:08I'd always dreamed about having a boat but could never justify
0:28:08 > 0:28:12the expense of having one.
0:28:12 > 0:28:19When I had the accident, you know, justifying buying a boat realistically went out the window,
0:28:19 > 0:28:24because you realise that money isn't the be all and end all,
0:28:24 > 0:28:28and it's about enjoying your life, enjoying what you've got.
0:28:28 > 0:28:32But Steve's dream became a nautical nightmare.
0:28:32 > 0:28:37The boat looked great, but he says it turned out to be a disaster.
0:28:37 > 0:28:44Looks can be deceiving. Certainly with my experience of this boat,
0:28:44 > 0:28:50- it was the biggest pile of junk going. - Steve had problems from day one.
0:28:50 > 0:28:57There was probably about 20 or 30 defects on the boat.
0:28:57 > 0:29:01One of the faults was particularly concerning.
0:29:01 > 0:29:06Steve was worried about the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning.
0:29:06 > 0:29:10The exhaust fumes were getting into the cabin area and sleeping area.
0:29:11 > 0:29:16So much so that it was setting off the carbon monoxide alarms.
0:29:18 > 0:29:24To add insult to potential injury, as soon as it rained, it became apparent that the front cabin
0:29:24 > 0:29:28- had a leaky roof. - It just leaked like a sieve!
0:29:28 > 0:29:33After about 5 minutes of it raining, you might as well be stood outside.
0:29:33 > 0:29:39Steve asked for a meeting with the owner of Regency Marine to insist he fix the problems
0:29:39 > 0:29:42or give him his money back.
0:29:42 > 0:29:48The meeting basically broke down. He still had no intentions of repairing, and so on and so forth,
0:29:48 > 0:29:52so as I left his office, which is upstairs,
0:29:52 > 0:29:57as I walked down the office steps and out of the actual showroom,
0:29:57 > 0:30:01he shouted down to me, "OK, Steve, let's have fun in court, then!"
0:30:01 > 0:30:04Steve didn't have fun.
0:30:04 > 0:30:11His legal costs were £35,000, but he did get an out of court settlement with Regency Marine.
0:30:11 > 0:30:16However, Regency Marine failed to pay Steve what he was owed.
0:30:16 > 0:30:21In fact, a year on, they still haven't paid a penny.
0:30:21 > 0:30:27Steve had little option. He transferred the claim to the High Court and got a writ against them.
0:30:30 > 0:30:37And now sheriffs Kev and Lawrence are on their way to enforce it at the showroom in Shepperton.
0:30:37 > 0:30:42They've got a debt, as it stands at the moment, of just over £57,000.
0:30:42 > 0:30:47Boats sell for lots of money, so they should have sufficient assets.
0:30:47 > 0:30:53Hopefully, they'll realise that and pay, or if not and we do have to remove,
0:30:53 > 0:30:57there will be sufficient stuff there to cover the debt.
0:30:57 > 0:31:02The first job will be to check if Regency Marine is still trading
0:31:02 > 0:31:06and if these boats belong to the company and can be removed.
0:31:06 > 0:31:11- Hello.- Hello.- Regency Marine Ltd, trading as Gibbs Marine Sales?
0:31:11 > 0:31:15I'll show you my ID, sir. I'm an enforcement officer.
0:31:15 > 0:31:19I'm here to enforce a High Court writ against Regency Marine Ltd
0:31:19 > 0:31:23on behalf of Stephen Knock and Andrea Knock.
0:31:23 > 0:31:28I'm here today to collect £57,078.06.
0:31:28 > 0:31:30Right.
0:31:30 > 0:31:34That needs to be paid, sir, or we'll seize goods to cover it.
0:31:34 > 0:31:40Lawrence needs to find out if he's talking to the Regency Marine man named in the writ.
0:31:40 > 0:31:44- Mr Shields? Is that you?- No. I'm Mr Pearcey. A different company.
0:31:44 > 0:31:47Oh, all right.
0:31:47 > 0:31:53Mr Pearcey tells Lawrence that the debtor company, Regency Marine, trading as Gibbs Marine,
0:31:53 > 0:31:55is no longer in business.
0:31:55 > 0:32:02And none of these boats belong to it. Instead, he says they belong to Gibbs Boat Sales.
0:32:02 > 0:32:08Any idea why then, sir, this has got Gibbs Marine Sales on it? If it's Gibbs Boat Sales?
0:32:08 > 0:32:14- It's all Gibbs, but these are Gibbs Boat Sales. - I definitely need to see proof.
0:32:14 > 0:32:20Everything here says Gibbs Marine Sales, so I will be seizing them.
0:32:21 > 0:32:27Lawrence could remove and auction this boat to help settle the Steve Knock case.
0:32:27 > 0:32:32It's down to Mr Pearcey to prove his company owns it, not Regency Marine.
0:32:32 > 0:32:36While they wait for his accountant to fax the ownership documents,
0:32:36 > 0:32:42Mr Pearcey takes Lawrence to see the boat at the centre of the dispute.
0:32:44 > 0:32:49- This is Mr Knock's boat, which has sat here...- If it's Mr Knock's boat, we can't touch it.
0:32:49 > 0:32:57- We can only remove...- Have that one. - We can only remove the defendant's goods to pay the debt.
0:32:57 > 0:33:03If there's a dispute over this and it's Mr Knock's boat and he's been awarded money on top,
0:33:03 > 0:33:08then if this is Mr Knock's boat, we can't remove it
0:33:08 > 0:33:12to clear Regency Marine's debt. It's not their boat.
0:33:12 > 0:33:17- What the SP is is that we're selling this on behalf of Mr Knock.- Yeah. - To clear the debt.
0:33:17 > 0:33:23But it seems like he doesn't want to wait for the money. We've had the boat up for sale for 5-6 months.
0:33:23 > 0:33:27It hasn't sold, because boats aren't selling fantastically.
0:33:27 > 0:33:31- So you're selling HIS boat to clear Regency Marine's debt?- No.
0:33:31 > 0:33:37- To clear a debt to Mr Knock. The proceeds will go to Mr Knock. - But that's Mr Knock's boat.- Yeah.
0:33:37 > 0:33:43In other words, we're selling it so we can pay Mr Knock £50,000 or whatever it is.
0:33:43 > 0:33:48- What do you owe him the £50,000 for? For not selling his boat?- Yeah.
0:33:48 > 0:33:56In the out of court settlement, Regency Marine did agree to sell the boat so he got his money back.
0:33:56 > 0:34:01Lawrence goes back inside to make completely sure Regency Marine isn't selling boats
0:34:01 > 0:34:08- under its previous trading name, Gibbs Marine. - PHONE RINGS
0:34:08 > 0:34:10Gibbs Marine. Good morning.
0:34:10 > 0:34:13Gibbs Marine.
0:34:13 > 0:34:16I'm afraid he's not here at the moment...
0:34:24 > 0:34:28I don't know off the top of my head. Can I take your number?
0:34:28 > 0:34:34- Answering the phone "Gibbs Marine". - Some paperwork's been faxed to Mr Pearcey.
0:34:34 > 0:34:41Does it prove the boats don't belong to the company that sold Steve Knock his boat and can't be seized today?
0:34:41 > 0:34:45I just find it very strange that you answered the phone, "Gibbs Marine".
0:34:45 > 0:34:51- Yeah, we always do. - But you're not Gibbs Marine. - Gibbs Marine's been here since 1987.
0:34:51 > 0:34:54- Yeah. - So just to keep it all running...
0:34:54 > 0:34:58Let me have a look at this paperwork.
0:34:58 > 0:35:04The paperwork doesn't include bank account transactions confirming the boats were sold to Mr Pearcey.
0:35:04 > 0:35:07Lawrence isn't convinced.
0:35:07 > 0:35:12There appears to be some doubt over the ownership of most of the vessels here,
0:35:12 > 0:35:17so I'm going to list down every boat in here and you'll have five days...
0:35:17 > 0:35:23If your company's claiming to be the owner, you'll have five days to submit paperwork.
0:35:23 > 0:35:27If, for example, the boat outside has a lien on it from a bank,
0:35:27 > 0:35:30the bank will have five days.
0:35:30 > 0:35:37You can see where I'm coming from? Every asset of the defendant company on these premises is now seized
0:35:37 > 0:35:40and no longer belongs to the debtor company.
0:35:40 > 0:35:45I do have to tell you, because this is commercial premises,
0:35:45 > 0:35:51if we deem it necessary, we can effect an entry using locksmiths or any other means.
0:35:51 > 0:35:57Now it's down to Mr Pearcey to prove the boats belong to his company and not Regency Marine.
0:35:57 > 0:36:01They have five days now to do a third-party claim to those goods
0:36:01 > 0:36:07and submit proof to us that they actually own those boats. It's a bit of a legal exercise,
0:36:07 > 0:36:12but it wasn't clear who owned what, so I've just done a paper seizure.
0:36:13 > 0:36:18To clear up the ownership issue, Mr Knock went to court, and it held
0:36:18 > 0:36:23Gibbs Boat Sales were a separate company, legitimately trading.
0:36:23 > 0:36:27So Lawrence couldn't take any of their boats.
0:36:29 > 0:36:35It looks like Steve Knock won't be getting his money back from Regency Marine.
0:36:37 > 0:36:44It's disappointing for Steve, but he takes time to reflect on the few happy moments he had on the boat
0:36:44 > 0:36:46before it all went badly wrong.
0:36:46 > 0:36:53It was something we had always really dreamed about, especially me, if I'm honest with you.
0:36:53 > 0:37:00So when we got that, it was unbelievable. It was such...such...good fun.
0:37:00 > 0:37:06Just being around the water, being around the wildlife as well. Everything about it
0:37:06 > 0:37:13was just absolutely fantastic. It really was. I'd genuinely recommend it to anyone,
0:37:13 > 0:37:16just be wary of where you buy your boat from!
0:37:20 > 0:37:27Kev and Lawrence have one more job to do today at a property investment company in Wandsworth, London.
0:37:27 > 0:37:33They're acting for someone selling a house with the company, but there was a dispute,
0:37:33 > 0:37:38- leaving the vendor out of pocket. - We're here to collect £5,500.
0:37:38 > 0:37:45We've just pulled up now. It looks like offices, so we don't know what assets they'll have.
0:37:45 > 0:37:49But hopefully they'll be able to discharge the debt.
0:37:49 > 0:37:56Because the sheriffs don't forewarn debtors they're coming, things can get heated when they turn up.
0:37:56 > 0:38:00You'll always get the odd nutter. You've got to go in prepared,
0:38:00 > 0:38:05but, generally speaking, most situations aren't too bad.
0:38:06 > 0:38:12And if you really need to, you can call the police, and they will come and assist you.
0:38:12 > 0:38:17Hello, there. I'm looking for Quantum Investment Properties Ltd.
0:38:17 > 0:38:22- I'll just give them a call. Can I take your name?- Mr Grix.
0:38:22 > 0:38:26- Hiya.- Hello, there. I'll show you some ID.
0:38:26 > 0:38:30- Enforcement officer. Are you happy to speak here?- No, go through.
0:38:35 > 0:38:40- What is it?- We're here today to execute a High Court writ
0:38:40 > 0:38:44- on behalf of a Mr Steven Savage and Mrs Susan Hibbert.- Yeah?
0:38:44 > 0:38:49The amount outstanding at the moment is £5,521.61.
0:38:49 > 0:38:54- OK.- Which is what we're here to collect today.- Yeah?- Yeah.
0:38:54 > 0:39:00- So...?- How would you like to pay? - Erm, debit card if we could.- Yep.
0:39:00 > 0:39:02- OK?- Yeah.
0:39:02 > 0:39:06We've got a chip and PIN machine. My colleague will go and get it.
0:39:06 > 0:39:09- I'll go upstairs. Two seconds.- OK.
0:39:09 > 0:39:12Result! That was quick, even by Lawrence's standards.
0:39:12 > 0:39:18Sometimes that throws them. If you just come out with it, "How would you like to pay?"
0:39:18 > 0:39:23and don't give them the choice, it sometimes works, as in this case.
0:39:23 > 0:39:31He hasn't come down yet, so... we can't count our chickens, but a good way to finish the day.
0:39:34 > 0:39:40It's a debit card, yeah? There's a £5 surcharge for a debit card payment.
0:39:40 > 0:39:47For the company director, settling with the enforcement officers was cheaper than a long legal battle.
0:39:47 > 0:39:51I knew it had to be paid, but the whole thing's frustrating.
0:39:51 > 0:39:56If we had got lawyers involved, it could have been a different case.
0:39:56 > 0:39:59If only they could all be like that!
0:39:59 > 0:40:04You know? "We're here to collect this amount. How would you like to pay?"
0:40:04 > 0:40:08"Debit card all right?" "Thank you." If only!
0:40:08 > 0:40:15It's nothing against these guys. They've got to collect the money. You win some, you lose some.
0:40:15 > 0:40:19Back off to the office now. Job done for the day.
0:40:20 > 0:40:25A welcome early finish for the sheriffs.
0:40:30 > 0:40:35It's now two months since Lawrence and Kev paid Regency Marine a visit.
0:40:35 > 0:40:39The company is now in administration.
0:40:39 > 0:40:45Steve Knock has taken his boat back to sell and try to recoup some of his losses.
0:40:46 > 0:40:54Shelley Summers is being paid £175 per month by her previous employer, Mr McCaul.
0:40:54 > 0:40:58The debt will be paid off in just over four years.
0:40:58 > 0:41:02Shelley says she wants to put this episode of her life behind her
0:41:02 > 0:41:05and looks forward to a brighter future.
0:41:05 > 0:41:09And the customer whose car was sold by Verdi Ferrari
0:41:09 > 0:41:15was pleased to get some of the money he was owed, but the story doesn't end there.
0:41:15 > 0:41:21The owner of the garage promised monthly £500 repayments to pay off the rest of the debt,
0:41:21 > 0:41:27but he's missed the first deadline, and there's no sign of that money.
0:41:27 > 0:41:33If they don't make the first payment, it appears obvious that they're intending not to pay,
0:41:33 > 0:41:36so we go back to remove goods.
0:41:36 > 0:41:40The sheriffs will be revisiting the garage within days
0:41:40 > 0:41:44and this time, they'll remove property for good.
0:41:52 > 0:41:59Karen Steadman's employers were supposed to deduct money from her wages to pay for her rent.
0:41:59 > 0:42:03The money was deducted, but they didn't pass it on to her landlord,
0:42:03 > 0:42:07so Karen and her family were threatened with eviction.
0:42:07 > 0:42:12It's very stressful, and I wouldn't want any person to go through it.
0:42:12 > 0:42:18The sheriffs pay her employers a visit. Will they get Karen's cash?
0:42:18 > 0:42:20- What do I need to do now?- Pay it.
0:42:20 > 0:42:27The sheriffs go to the home of a businessman who failed to pay an employee her wages.
0:42:27 > 0:42:33- They're told he's moved out, but is it the truth?- If he's lying, why give us a forwarding address?
0:42:33 > 0:42:37Cos the chances are you're going to get rumbled.
0:42:37 > 0:42:42And Lawrence and Kev return to the garage in Hayes.
0:42:42 > 0:42:48This time they do take property to settle the debt to the customer who the garage didn't pay.
0:42:48 > 0:42:52However, a £20,000 piece of equipment is missing.
0:42:52 > 0:42:59It was here this morning. The power lead is still plugged in. It could be in the boot of a car.
0:43:07 > 0:43:10Subtitles by Red Bee Media Ltd