0:00:02 > 0:00:05- Meet the Sheriffs...- We're High Court Enforcement Officers.
0:00:05 > 0:00:08We're here today to execute a High Court writ.
0:00:08 > 0:00:11..they're the men whose job it is to get you your money back...
0:00:11 > 0:00:13It's an arrestable offence to stop me doing my job.
0:00:13 > 0:00:16..if you've been ripped off and don't know where to turn...
0:00:16 > 0:00:17I'm not waiting any more!
0:00:17 > 0:00:19I'm ordered to seize goods to clear this debt,
0:00:19 > 0:00:21which would mean clearing this place out.
0:00:21 > 0:00:24If you've been to court but still not been paid what you're owed...
0:00:24 > 0:00:26Why don't you just tell me who you are?
0:00:26 > 0:00:28This is an absolute crock. You need to pay this.
0:00:28 > 0:00:30..the High Court Enforcement Officers
0:00:30 > 0:00:35are charged, by law, to recover what a court says is rightfully yours.
0:00:35 > 0:00:36I've seized your car, sir.
0:00:36 > 0:00:40- You can have a letter through the door, or we'll go through the window.- Whoa, whoa.
0:00:40 > 0:00:44- It's time to call...the Sheriffs! - Collected 42 grand.
0:00:45 > 0:00:47Coming up...
0:00:47 > 0:00:51the owner of this pub's lost it to squatters.
0:00:51 > 0:00:54Can the Sheriffs get the uninvited guests out
0:00:54 > 0:00:56and the rightful owner back in?
0:00:56 > 0:00:58Enforcement Officers!
0:00:58 > 0:00:59Up to the first floor.
0:00:59 > 0:01:03Matthew McWilliams wasn't paid over £600 of wages
0:01:03 > 0:01:05by a holiday company...
0:01:05 > 0:01:08I knew they owed me that money, there was no way out of it.
0:01:08 > 0:01:10..can the Sheriffs get him back what he's owed?
0:01:10 > 0:01:12'I'm here to seize assets,'
0:01:12 > 0:01:14and the only way to prevent further action is to pay in full.
0:01:14 > 0:01:19Tom Sumner bought a top of the range car as a retirement present,
0:01:19 > 0:01:24but it ended up costing him over £1,700 for major repairs.
0:01:24 > 0:01:27It was just an utter and complete shambles.
0:01:27 > 0:01:29Can the Sheriffs get his money back?
0:01:33 > 0:01:36Today, the Sheriffs are on a different type of job...
0:01:36 > 0:01:38evicting squatters.
0:01:40 > 0:01:43In the high-pressure world of London's property market,
0:01:43 > 0:01:46accommodation is in demand as never before,
0:01:46 > 0:01:48but the flip side of the housing shortage
0:01:48 > 0:01:50has been a rise in squatting.
0:01:50 > 0:01:53In September last year, the law changed,
0:01:53 > 0:01:57making squatting in residential properties a criminal offence,
0:01:57 > 0:01:59but not in commercial ones,
0:01:59 > 0:02:02where landlords still have to go through the courts
0:02:02 > 0:02:03to get an eviction.
0:02:03 > 0:02:06So squatters have started moving into an increasing number
0:02:06 > 0:02:09of empty business premises,
0:02:09 > 0:02:12and today, Sheriffs Lawrence Grix and Kev McNally
0:02:12 > 0:02:15are in West London to deal with just such a case.
0:02:15 > 0:02:18We've got a writ of possession for a pub called The Cross Keys,
0:02:18 > 0:02:19just off Cheyne Walk.
0:02:19 > 0:02:22It's six o'clock in the morning, and we're going in now.
0:02:23 > 0:02:28Andrew Bourne's loss-making pub has been shut for six months,
0:02:28 > 0:02:32but four weeks ago, some uninvited guests moved in.
0:02:32 > 0:02:34So Mr Bourne has obtained a Writ of Possession,
0:02:34 > 0:02:38and it's now Lawrence and Kev's job, with four colleagues,
0:02:38 > 0:02:41to remove the squatters and return the pub to him.
0:02:41 > 0:02:44There are people up, there's lights on, erm...
0:02:44 > 0:02:48it shouldn't be any problems, but you never know.
0:02:48 > 0:02:53Erm, we'll be splitting up into teams, covering different floors.
0:02:53 > 0:02:55First of all, they need to gain entry,
0:02:55 > 0:02:57as the squatters have changed the locks.
0:02:57 > 0:02:59They've brought a locksmith with them,
0:02:59 > 0:03:01but once they do get in,
0:03:01 > 0:03:04they've no idea who or what they'll find inside.
0:03:12 > 0:03:14THEY WHISPER
0:03:15 > 0:03:18The first door they open only leads to a storage area.
0:03:19 > 0:03:21'We're just trying to get in at the moment,'
0:03:21 > 0:03:23because we've got into one door
0:03:23 > 0:03:24to find it's just a little... block room.
0:03:24 > 0:03:27There's absolutely nothing in there.
0:03:27 > 0:03:29Little, sort of, five foot square room,
0:03:29 > 0:03:32so they're using the door next to it.
0:03:32 > 0:03:34So that's where the going in now.
0:03:34 > 0:03:36This is going to make a bit more noise now.
0:03:39 > 0:03:41Lawrence calls for a more traditional means
0:03:41 > 0:03:43of opening the door...
0:03:45 > 0:03:46..a crowbar.
0:03:47 > 0:03:48There you go.
0:03:56 > 0:03:57It's coming. It's coming.
0:04:00 > 0:04:01And they're in...
0:04:06 > 0:04:08..but a third door stands between the Sheriffs
0:04:08 > 0:04:10and the inside of the pub.
0:04:12 > 0:04:13Time for the crowbar again.
0:04:16 > 0:04:19Enforcement Officers!
0:04:19 > 0:04:20Torch - who's got a torch?
0:04:23 > 0:04:26Up to the first floor. First floor.
0:04:26 > 0:04:27Enforcement Officers!
0:04:31 > 0:04:33The Sheriffs spread out -
0:04:33 > 0:04:37they need to check every room to see what's inside...
0:04:37 > 0:04:40- Got anyone there? - Yeah, got two up here.
0:04:40 > 0:04:43..and it's not long before they find what they were looking for...
0:04:48 > 0:04:51..two squatters illegally occupying someone else's property
0:04:51 > 0:04:53and enjoying its comforts.
0:04:53 > 0:04:57The television's on, and they've made themselves at home.
0:04:58 > 0:05:00They leave quickly and don't put up a fight.
0:05:02 > 0:05:04The Sheriffs' job now is to secure the premises
0:05:04 > 0:05:07and check the rest of the building for any other squatters
0:05:07 > 0:05:10that might need removing.
0:05:10 > 0:05:13No, not at the moment, because Andy's outside keeping them out,
0:05:13 > 0:05:14because there's someone out already.
0:05:14 > 0:05:16So we'll work our way downstairs systematically
0:05:16 > 0:05:18and we'll do the basement in a sec.
0:05:19 > 0:05:22And they soon find the pub's most recent patrons
0:05:22 > 0:05:26have left something more sinister for them...
0:05:26 > 0:05:28a booby trap attached to the door,
0:05:28 > 0:05:32meant to bring down boxes of glasses onto anyone entering.
0:05:32 > 0:05:36Open the door up, then it pulls on the back and the glasses come down.
0:05:39 > 0:05:43It turns out the Sheriffs had a closer shave than they realised.
0:05:45 > 0:05:50We'll just check out the loo and then we'll check out the basement.
0:05:50 > 0:05:54As a large Victorian premises, with three floors, a loft, cellar
0:05:54 > 0:05:58and extensive kitchen facilities, a lot of ground needs covering.
0:05:59 > 0:06:04They make their way to the basement, the last part they haven't checked.
0:06:10 > 0:06:14Luckily, the other squatters that were in the building
0:06:14 > 0:06:15have already vacated it.
0:06:16 > 0:06:19- There's definitely been a lot more here, though.- Oh, yeah.
0:06:19 > 0:06:22Just, at the moment, there's only two of them, so...
0:06:24 > 0:06:26It seems advanced word of the impending eviction
0:06:26 > 0:06:29has scared the majority of squatters away.
0:06:29 > 0:06:31The owner's now on site
0:06:31 > 0:06:35and takes his time inspecting every room of his property.
0:06:35 > 0:06:38- Two.- There were two? - We were expecting a lot more.
0:06:38 > 0:06:42I escorted them out when they got to the ground floor,
0:06:42 > 0:06:44but they didn't say anything to me. They just walked past.
0:06:44 > 0:06:46The pub has been left in a mess,
0:06:46 > 0:06:49with food and drink detritus everywhere,
0:06:49 > 0:06:52and the office room a shambles,
0:06:52 > 0:06:56but the building is mercifully free of graffiti and structural damage.
0:06:56 > 0:06:59I think the original ones might have gone...
0:06:59 > 0:07:01once they knew the writ had been obtained,
0:07:01 > 0:07:05cos there was a notice saying, "We'll only go under a Writ of Possession."
0:07:06 > 0:07:09The pub used to be frequented by everyone,
0:07:09 > 0:07:11from Charles Dickens and the painter Turner,
0:07:11 > 0:07:13to Bob Marley and Kate Middleton,
0:07:13 > 0:07:17but its most recent patrons left a less elegant legacy.
0:07:18 > 0:07:22- Where's Andy?- All right?- You got a job, mate.- What are we doing?
0:07:22 > 0:07:25- Changing the locks.- Oh, right! OK.
0:07:25 > 0:07:27New locks are put in, and this time,
0:07:27 > 0:07:31it will only be the owner, Andrew Bourne, that has the keys to them.
0:07:31 > 0:07:36For him, it's a welcome relief to finally get his pub back.
0:07:36 > 0:07:38'It's been a long ordeal,'
0:07:38 > 0:07:40but we're just very pleased
0:07:40 > 0:07:44to finally get rid of the squatters in the pub.
0:07:44 > 0:07:50It would be beneficial to commercial property owners like ourselves
0:07:50 > 0:07:54to have the law on our side,
0:07:54 > 0:07:56which currently it isn't, it's a civil matter currently,
0:07:56 > 0:08:00which we'd prefer it were a criminal matter.
0:08:01 > 0:08:03The whole thing might have been an ordeal for the owner,
0:08:03 > 0:08:06but for Lawrence, it's a job well done.
0:08:07 > 0:08:09'It all went very easily, very smoothly.'
0:08:09 > 0:08:13Once we were in there, there were two guys on the first floor, and that was it.
0:08:13 > 0:08:16So we all went to different floors and we only found two...
0:08:16 > 0:08:18and they just walked out.
0:08:18 > 0:08:19Been loads of people in there.
0:08:19 > 0:08:21I mean, there's actually still alcohol in there,
0:08:21 > 0:08:24there's still a pump working, on the ground floor,
0:08:24 > 0:08:29so we could have found a load of semiconscious drunks in there, to be fair!
0:08:29 > 0:08:32But you can never knock it when it goes smoothly and easily, no.
0:08:32 > 0:08:35'No hassle and no injuries is the main thing.'
0:08:35 > 0:08:36- Happy for us to go now?- Yeah.- Right.
0:08:36 > 0:08:38- Brilliant, thanks a lot. - Thank you very much.
0:08:38 > 0:08:42- Know where we are if you need us again.- Sure.- Come on, then, chaps.
0:08:42 > 0:08:43Let's go and find a cafe.
0:08:45 > 0:08:48With that, it's job done for the Sheriffs.
0:08:48 > 0:08:51This property at least has been returned to its rightful owner,
0:08:51 > 0:08:54but no-one knows which building the squatters will choose
0:08:54 > 0:08:56as their next residence.
0:09:02 > 0:09:06This morning, Sheriffs Lawrence and Kev are in Hertfordshire,
0:09:06 > 0:09:08en route to a travel company
0:09:08 > 0:09:12who haven't paid a former member of staff the wages he's entitled to.
0:09:12 > 0:09:15We're coming into St Albans.
0:09:15 > 0:09:18We're looking for a company called Mediterranean Leisure Group.
0:09:19 > 0:09:22Hopefully, being a company, they'll be open,
0:09:22 > 0:09:24cos it's just coming up to nine o'clock,
0:09:24 > 0:09:26and they'll have some assets there.
0:09:26 > 0:09:29The people they're trying to help are father and son
0:09:29 > 0:09:32Lawrence and Matthew McWilliams, from Yorkshire.
0:09:36 > 0:09:39Their problems began when, after completing his studies,
0:09:39 > 0:09:43Matthew decided to pursue his dream of working as a ski instructor
0:09:43 > 0:09:45in the Alps for a season.
0:09:45 > 0:09:46'I started skiing when I was eight.
0:09:46 > 0:09:48'It really is something I care about,'
0:09:48 > 0:09:51so as soon as I had the chance to leave university,
0:09:51 > 0:09:53I knew exactly what I wanted to do.
0:09:53 > 0:09:56For years, Matthew had looked forward to a winter working the slopes,
0:09:56 > 0:09:59but instead, it's left him owed money,
0:09:59 > 0:10:03fighting through the courts and relying on the Sheriffs for justice
0:10:03 > 0:10:06after he took a job with a company he quickly came to regret.
0:10:09 > 0:10:11Matthew's search for a ski season job
0:10:11 > 0:10:13brought him to a company called Ski Snowcoach,
0:10:13 > 0:10:16specialising in winter sports holidays.
0:10:17 > 0:10:20It seemed exactly what he'd been looking for.
0:10:20 > 0:10:22It would be me just skiing from nine till five,
0:10:22 > 0:10:25with meeting new people every week, which I enjoy.
0:10:25 > 0:10:27So, for me, it was a perfect job.
0:10:27 > 0:10:29Matthew excitedly accepted a contract
0:10:29 > 0:10:33through a company called Mediterranean Leisure Group Ltd.
0:10:33 > 0:10:35He was to be a guide for a full season
0:10:35 > 0:10:39at one of Ski Snowcoach's French mountain resorts.
0:10:39 > 0:10:41The company provided free coach travel to France
0:10:41 > 0:10:44and a ten-day training camp for new staff,
0:10:44 > 0:10:47which Matthew found an enjoyable way of breaking the ice
0:10:47 > 0:10:48with his new colleagues.
0:10:48 > 0:10:52Just being around people my age,
0:10:52 > 0:10:57learning new tricks to guiding, about my new job, I really enjoyed it.
0:10:57 > 0:10:58With training complete,
0:10:58 > 0:11:01he arrived at the resort ready for work to begin,
0:11:01 > 0:11:03but as the season got underway,
0:11:03 > 0:11:06Matthew quickly found himself under considerable pressure
0:11:06 > 0:11:09from having to deal with the complaints of customers
0:11:09 > 0:11:11unhappy with the resort.
0:11:11 > 0:11:13'All the problems had been put on me,'
0:11:13 > 0:11:16and I felt I was having to come up with excuses
0:11:16 > 0:11:19for a company that I'd only been working for a week.
0:11:19 > 0:11:23Back in England, dad Lawrence soon became concerned
0:11:23 > 0:11:25his son's job wasn't what he'd hoped for.
0:11:25 > 0:11:29I don't think he wanted to tell us how bad it was,
0:11:29 > 0:11:31and none of us wanted to say,
0:11:31 > 0:11:33"Well, actually, this dream opportunity
0:11:33 > 0:11:34"is turning into a nightmare."
0:11:34 > 0:11:38After three gruelling, unhappy months at the resort,
0:11:38 > 0:11:40Matthew had had enough.
0:11:41 > 0:11:42At that point, I could see that,
0:11:42 > 0:11:46I mean, I didn't want to be part of this.
0:11:46 > 0:11:48I didn't enjoy working for the company,
0:11:48 > 0:11:50so I handed in my notice, which I was happy to see out,
0:11:50 > 0:11:52because it was part of a contract of employment.
0:11:52 > 0:11:55Matthew worked his full three-week notice period
0:11:55 > 0:11:58before returning to the UK.
0:11:58 > 0:12:02He then called the company's head office to chase up his final wages
0:12:02 > 0:12:04and was reassured these would soon be paid,
0:12:04 > 0:12:07but despite making several further calls,
0:12:07 > 0:12:09the money he was owed never arrived.
0:12:10 > 0:12:14At this point, he went to dad Lawrence to discuss his options.
0:12:14 > 0:12:19It may been a bad experience, but...I worked my notice,
0:12:19 > 0:12:23I did everything I needed to do, so I knew that they owed me that money.
0:12:23 > 0:12:26There was no way out of it, really.
0:12:26 > 0:12:28It started to become more of a just a fact that
0:12:28 > 0:12:31I wanted to bring this to justice.
0:12:31 > 0:12:32So we looked at the next step,
0:12:32 > 0:12:36which was going to the employment tribunal and starting claims.
0:12:36 > 0:12:38Both Mediterranean Leisure Group
0:12:38 > 0:12:43and Ski Snowcoach share the same managing director, David Stewart.
0:12:43 > 0:12:46With his dad's help, Matthew took Mediterranean Leisure to court.
0:12:46 > 0:12:49When Mr Stewart failed to contest the case,
0:12:49 > 0:12:52a judge ruled Mediterranean Leisure must pay Matthew
0:12:52 > 0:12:56the £647 wages he was owed.
0:12:56 > 0:12:59However, the company still failed to pay.
0:12:59 > 0:13:04Now Matthew's last hope of seeing the money he worked hard to earn
0:13:04 > 0:13:05rests with the Sheriffs.
0:13:09 > 0:13:12But already things aren't going according to plan.
0:13:12 > 0:13:17Lawrence is having to take on this enforcement as a one-man band.
0:13:17 > 0:13:19Had to leave Kev in the van, in a petrol station,
0:13:19 > 0:13:21cos there's nowhere to park.
0:13:23 > 0:13:25Bit of a walk today.
0:13:26 > 0:13:29Sheriffs have the right, when necessary,
0:13:29 > 0:13:31to force entry to commercial premises,
0:13:31 > 0:13:35but they like to try a more straightforward approach first.
0:13:35 > 0:13:37Hello, I'm looking for Mediterranean Leisure Group.
0:13:37 > 0:13:39My name's Mr Grix, I'm an Enforcement Officer.
0:13:39 > 0:13:42Would you like to send somebody down to speak to me?
0:13:42 > 0:13:44A man answers the intercom and confirms
0:13:44 > 0:13:48this is where Mediterranean Leisure Group is based.
0:13:48 > 0:13:50It's nice that I've got an admission that it was them.
0:13:52 > 0:13:55Hello, there. I'll just show you some ID.
0:13:55 > 0:13:58- As I said, Mr Grix, Enforcement Officer.- OK, sure.
0:13:58 > 0:14:00I've got a High Court writ to execute today
0:14:00 > 0:14:02against Mediterranean Leisure Group.
0:14:02 > 0:14:03OK.
0:14:03 > 0:14:08So I'm here to seize assets to the value of £1,425.73.
0:14:08 > 0:14:09OK.
0:14:09 > 0:14:13- And the only way to prevent further action is to pay in full.- OK, sure...
0:14:13 > 0:14:14Is there someone here to pay that?
0:14:14 > 0:14:16Well, it would be the managing director.
0:14:16 > 0:14:18He's not in yet, he's due in any moment.
0:14:18 > 0:14:20Right...
0:14:20 > 0:14:24- I can get you to come in and sit down, maybe?- Yeah, sure.
0:14:24 > 0:14:27It makes a nice change to be invited in.
0:14:27 > 0:14:30Given a number of other companies are trading from the same address,
0:14:30 > 0:14:33this is a positive start for Lawrence,
0:14:33 > 0:14:35who now knows he's in the right place
0:14:35 > 0:14:38to collect the money owed to Matthew McWilliams.
0:14:38 > 0:14:41Now Lawrence wants to talk to the boss.
0:14:41 > 0:14:43Can you get him on the phone, just to see where he is,
0:14:43 > 0:14:45cos, obviously, there's so much traffic out there.
0:14:45 > 0:14:48He won't answer his phone while he's driving.
0:14:48 > 0:14:50Oh, he's not got Bluetooth?
0:14:50 > 0:14:54The male employee disappears upstairs to the main office,
0:14:54 > 0:14:58leaving Lawrence with free rein to size up the assets in reception.
0:15:01 > 0:15:02I don't know where he went.
0:15:06 > 0:15:08- Hello, can I help you at all? - Hello, there.
0:15:08 > 0:15:11His exploring is interrupted by another member of staff
0:15:11 > 0:15:15who says the company he's after isn't based in the building.
0:15:15 > 0:15:18This contradicts what he's already been told.
0:15:18 > 0:15:19Mediterranean Leisure Group are here
0:15:19 > 0:15:22because the gentleman who answered the intercom to me
0:15:22 > 0:15:23said, "Yes, that's us."
0:15:23 > 0:15:26So I need to seize all goods within the premises
0:15:26 > 0:15:28until it's proven who owns them.
0:15:29 > 0:15:32Unconvinced, Lawrence follows the woman upstairs,
0:15:32 > 0:15:34to the main office area.
0:15:36 > 0:15:38He isn't prepared to waste any time
0:15:38 > 0:15:40and gets on with listing all the goods in the office
0:15:40 > 0:15:43for potential seizure...
0:15:43 > 0:15:45but it's not getting the usual reaction...
0:15:48 > 0:15:50..no-one seems to care,
0:15:50 > 0:15:53and there's still no sign of the boss.
0:15:53 > 0:15:56We're here to today to seize and potentially remove the goods
0:15:56 > 0:15:58if payment isn't made, so...
0:15:58 > 0:16:02- Yeah, but that's after a few days. - No, not necessarily.
0:16:02 > 0:16:06Any goods that belong to Mediterranean Leisure Group can be seized
0:16:06 > 0:16:11and, if necessary, sold to pay off their debt to Matthew McWilliams,
0:16:11 > 0:16:14but despite Lawrence's outwardly confident stance,
0:16:14 > 0:16:17he's aware he's not in the strongest of positions here.
0:16:17 > 0:16:20They don't seem like they're willing to do anything, particularly, are they?
0:16:20 > 0:16:23It's a bit of a hard one, to be honest.
0:16:23 > 0:16:26They've already made a claim that the company isn't here.
0:16:26 > 0:16:28It's not noted outside anywhere.
0:16:30 > 0:16:33Half an hour after Lawrence made his entrance,
0:16:33 > 0:16:37the director of Mediterranean Leisure Group, David Stewart, finally arrives.
0:16:37 > 0:16:40We're asked to wait outside,
0:16:40 > 0:16:43as he invites Lawrence into his private office.
0:16:43 > 0:16:47Mr Stewart is adamant the company and all its assets
0:16:47 > 0:16:51are based in France, meaning nothing in this building belongs to them,
0:16:51 > 0:16:55and therefore the High Court writ cannot be enforced.
0:16:55 > 0:17:00Lawrence sees it rather differently, but can he convince him to pay up?
0:17:00 > 0:17:03Unfortunately, I asked for a Mediterranean Leisure Group,
0:17:03 > 0:17:07and the guy who answered the intercom said, "Yes, that's us."
0:17:07 > 0:17:10All we need is a reasonable belief that there may be assets here
0:17:10 > 0:17:13and we're entitled to seize them until it's proven otherwise.
0:17:13 > 0:17:15The director changes tack
0:17:15 > 0:17:18and says his lawyer is still dealing with the case.
0:17:18 > 0:17:21Lawrence offers him some free legal advice of his own.
0:17:21 > 0:17:24We're here with a van to potentially remove assets
0:17:24 > 0:17:25if it doesn't get paid.
0:17:25 > 0:17:28Your lawyers are going to say it's going to cost you too much,
0:17:28 > 0:17:30so you might as well pay it. That's where we're at.
0:17:30 > 0:17:34Unable to prove the goods in the office don't belong to Mediterranean Leisure Group,
0:17:34 > 0:17:38Mr Stewart realises the only way to get rid of Lawrence
0:17:38 > 0:17:40is to pay up, in full.
0:17:40 > 0:17:45In this battle of wills, Lawrence has come out on top.
0:17:45 > 0:17:48It's the end of an excellent morning's work for Lawrence,
0:17:48 > 0:17:50who's single-handedly managed
0:17:50 > 0:17:53to get young Matthew McWilliams the money he's owed.
0:17:53 > 0:17:54'Paid in full, yeah.'
0:17:54 > 0:17:57The onus isn't on us to prove that he does own something,
0:17:57 > 0:18:00it's on him to prove that one of his other companies own it,
0:18:00 > 0:18:03or a third party to prove that they own it,
0:18:03 > 0:18:06which, I think, he was unable to do, basically, so he paid in full.
0:18:07 > 0:18:09Let's go, then.
0:18:10 > 0:18:15Anyone managing to obtain a County Court Judgment of over £600
0:18:15 > 0:18:17can upgrade it to the High Court and get a writ.
0:18:17 > 0:18:19We're here today to execute a High Court writ.
0:18:19 > 0:18:23The Sheriffs enforce over 70,000 writs every year,
0:18:23 > 0:18:26to get people back money they're rightfully owed.
0:18:26 > 0:18:29You need to pay, otherwise we're going to be removing goods.
0:18:29 > 0:18:32These days, a High Court writ costs £60.
0:18:32 > 0:18:35If the Sheriffs are successful, there's nothing more to pay.
0:18:35 > 0:18:38We need some kind of proof of ownership or we'll be taking it.
0:18:38 > 0:18:40When they can't get the money back,
0:18:40 > 0:18:43there's only an admin fee of £60 to pay.
0:18:43 > 0:18:46- Okey-dokey, we'll leave you in peace.- Lovely.
0:18:46 > 0:18:48That's quite a slick operation, that!
0:18:53 > 0:18:56Today, Sheriffs Pete Spencer and Dave Crabtree
0:18:56 > 0:18:58are in Preston, Lancashire,
0:18:58 > 0:19:02on their way to a garage whose attempts to fix a car
0:19:02 > 0:19:06left it in a worse state than when they were first given it.
0:19:06 > 0:19:10The man they are on their way to help is Tom Sumner...
0:19:10 > 0:19:11also from Preston.
0:19:14 > 0:19:18Right now, he drives a BMW 7 Series, a nice car,
0:19:18 > 0:19:21but a year ago, he was driving a Jaguar.
0:19:24 > 0:19:28A civil servant, he bought it as a retirement present.
0:19:28 > 0:19:30It was a car he loved.
0:19:30 > 0:19:36'XJ8 3.2, deep red colour with beige upholstery,
0:19:36 > 0:19:38'all the bits and pieces.'
0:19:38 > 0:19:42Just a really nice-looking car. I always fancied a Jag and...
0:19:44 > 0:19:46..this one came up and it was too good to miss.
0:19:48 > 0:19:53Tom had a great time driving his beloved Jag on regular visits
0:19:53 > 0:19:57to see his son in Surrey, but a few months after buying it,
0:19:57 > 0:20:00he noticed it was starting to leak coolant.
0:20:00 > 0:20:02Wanting to fix the problem as soon as possible,
0:20:02 > 0:20:04he decided to take it to a garage.
0:20:04 > 0:20:10Luckily, he knew just the place. Walton MOT run by Peter Lawless.
0:20:10 > 0:20:12This is the garage, here.
0:20:12 > 0:20:17Walton Summit, that was, supposedly, looking after my Jaguar...
0:20:18 > 0:20:19..and didn't.
0:20:20 > 0:20:23'I had used Mr Lawless previously...'
0:20:25 > 0:20:29..just for general servicing and I'd not had a problem with it.
0:20:29 > 0:20:32So I took it back to him
0:20:32 > 0:20:35and expected him to do it fairly quickly,
0:20:35 > 0:20:39and...as far as I was concerned, it was just a minor leak.
0:20:39 > 0:20:44Probably...a hose loose or something like that.
0:20:45 > 0:20:47A week after leaving the Jag with them,
0:20:47 > 0:20:51he went back to collect it, but according to Mr Lawless,
0:20:51 > 0:20:55the simple repair he had expected had turned into a major job.
0:20:56 > 0:21:00'He then proceeded to tell me that...
0:21:00 > 0:21:02'there was a problem with the radiator,'
0:21:02 > 0:21:05problem with the water pump,
0:21:05 > 0:21:08problem with the thermostat, and he'd replaced them all.
0:21:08 > 0:21:12And I had a bit of an argument with him,
0:21:12 > 0:21:16in that I thought it unlikely that it be all three items, maybe one,
0:21:16 > 0:21:21but he was quite insistent that all three needed replacement.
0:21:21 > 0:21:29So I paid him, although I was a bit sceptical, to get the car back.
0:21:29 > 0:21:32But despite having changed all three items,
0:21:32 > 0:21:36the Jag had gone from bad to worse.
0:21:36 > 0:21:40'I took her to work, and on the way back from work,'
0:21:40 > 0:21:45the whole heating system, or the cooling system,
0:21:45 > 0:21:49collapsed, and I lost all the water out of the car.
0:21:49 > 0:21:50And...
0:21:50 > 0:21:53I had to have the car recovered
0:21:53 > 0:21:56and sent back to him that evening.
0:21:57 > 0:22:01Mr Lawless promised to fix the new problem in two weeks.
0:22:01 > 0:22:05But it was a month before Tom got his car back.
0:22:05 > 0:22:08Whenever I rang him to ask if the car was ready,
0:22:08 > 0:22:11I could never get hold of him.
0:22:11 > 0:22:16What should have taken a week, the initial repair,
0:22:16 > 0:22:21ended up I was near enough two months without a car.
0:22:21 > 0:22:24Apart from the fact that I had to eventually end up paying
0:22:24 > 0:22:28over the odds for the car, it was the expense of hiring cars
0:22:28 > 0:22:31to get about in between, that type of thing.
0:22:31 > 0:22:34It was just an utter and complete shambles.
0:22:34 > 0:22:38Tom was so angry, he wanted to withhold payment
0:22:38 > 0:22:42but was advised by Trading Standards that if he didn't pay,
0:22:42 > 0:22:45the garage didn't have to give him his car back.
0:22:45 > 0:22:48So he paid, took back his Jag
0:22:48 > 0:22:50and wrote a letter outlining his grievances.
0:22:50 > 0:22:54He got no response from Mr Lawless and, with no other option,
0:22:54 > 0:22:57decided to take him to the County Court.
0:22:57 > 0:23:02Mr Lawless didn't contest the case, and the Judge ruled in Tom's favour.
0:23:02 > 0:23:05Mr Lawless then appealed.
0:23:05 > 0:23:10Basically, he was saying to the judge there was no such thing
0:23:10 > 0:23:13as British justice, but the judge told him,
0:23:13 > 0:23:18"Well, you've not answered the questions that have been posed
0:23:18 > 0:23:21"by Mr Sumner regarding the repair and you've not offered
0:23:21 > 0:23:27"any form of defence whatsoever," and he ended up just storming out.
0:23:27 > 0:23:32The appeal failed, Mr Lawless owes Tom £1,800.
0:23:32 > 0:23:36So far, he's not seen a penny.
0:23:36 > 0:23:37The car was my pride and joy.
0:23:37 > 0:23:42I felt as though I was being ripped off by the guy,
0:23:42 > 0:23:48and those sort of people just seem to get away with it.
0:23:48 > 0:23:53With nowhere left to turn, he's had to call in the help of the Sheriffs.
0:23:56 > 0:23:58And on their way to get Tom back his money,
0:23:58 > 0:24:01Sheriffs Pete and Dave arrive at the garage.
0:24:01 > 0:24:07Car place. It seems to be Walton something MOT Centre.
0:24:07 > 0:24:10I'm assuming it's a garage and MOT garage.
0:24:10 > 0:24:12They've got things of value,
0:24:12 > 0:24:15and obviously we'll be looking to seize them when we arrive there.
0:24:21 > 0:24:25They've barely parked up when Pete spots a potentially seizable asset.
0:24:25 > 0:24:30The garage's van. There's no doubt it belongs to the business,
0:24:30 > 0:24:34and if needs be, he can seize it to help pay off the debt.
0:24:34 > 0:24:39Details taken, the Sheriffs go looking for boss Peter Lawless.
0:24:42 > 0:24:46Mr Lawless? I've got a live High Court writ that...
0:24:46 > 0:24:49the reason for our attendance today.
0:24:49 > 0:24:53It's regarding a Mr Thomas Robert Sumner, if you know about that?
0:24:53 > 0:24:56Mr Lawless takes a look at the writ.
0:24:56 > 0:25:00Meanwhile, Pete and Dave list any assets on offer.
0:25:00 > 0:25:03Two mig welders.
0:25:04 > 0:25:08Battery charger.
0:25:08 > 0:25:11As a working garage, there's no shortage of expensive equipment
0:25:11 > 0:25:14that would more than cover the £2,700 they're after,
0:25:14 > 0:25:18once court, Sheriffs' fees and interest have been added.
0:25:21 > 0:25:24At this point, our cameraman is asked to leave.
0:25:24 > 0:25:28Pete and Dave, meanwhile, keep going inside the garage.
0:25:28 > 0:25:30Mr Lawless isn't keen to pay.
0:25:30 > 0:25:33Can Pete convince him that a High Court writ
0:25:33 > 0:25:35isn't something he can ignore?
0:25:35 > 0:25:38I'm just commanded by the High Court judge who's deemed this
0:25:38 > 0:25:42to come here today to collect the outstanding amount or remove goods.
0:25:44 > 0:25:45It's as simple as that, really.
0:25:45 > 0:25:49Pete would rather get paid than have to remove goods for auction.
0:25:49 > 0:25:51He tries to explain to Mr Lawless
0:25:51 > 0:25:55that it's also in his interests not to go down the auction route.
0:25:55 > 0:25:58It might be 2,700, but we'll have to remove goods up to about £4,500,
0:25:58 > 0:26:00because they're auction prices.
0:26:00 > 0:26:03There's VAT and interest per day going on.
0:26:03 > 0:26:07If it goes to removal, there's another £475 plus VAT
0:26:07 > 0:26:09put on top of that amount automatically,
0:26:09 > 0:26:11plus any removal costs incurred.
0:26:11 > 0:26:15And Pete points out that by listing the assets he's seen,
0:26:15 > 0:26:19he's technically seized them, and they now belong to the court.
0:26:19 > 0:26:22The only way for Mr Lawless to get them back is to pay up.
0:26:22 > 0:26:27Everything here that I've listed is now possession of the court.
0:26:27 > 0:26:30As soon as you remove any item, it's a criminal offence.
0:26:30 > 0:26:32It's theft.
0:26:32 > 0:26:35It's not, I've seized it on behalf of the court.
0:26:35 > 0:26:39With the bill rising, Mr Lawless accepts defeat.
0:26:39 > 0:26:44Pete's convinced him this is a court judgment that isn't going away.
0:26:44 > 0:26:49How would you like to pay - cash, credit card, debit card?
0:26:51 > 0:26:55Payment made, Mr Lawless invites us to hear his side of the story.
0:26:55 > 0:26:58He says he believes his garage carried out suitable repairs
0:26:58 > 0:27:02on Mr Sumner's Jaguar and was as surprised as anyone
0:27:02 > 0:27:04that it ended up in court.
0:27:04 > 0:27:06He remains unhappy at the judgment awarded.
0:27:06 > 0:27:11It's a chain of events that has escalated,
0:27:11 > 0:27:14but for what reason, I'd like to know.
0:27:14 > 0:27:15We did everything right.
0:27:15 > 0:27:19We don't do dodgy jobs, as you call it, because that's not me.
0:27:19 > 0:27:21That's not my personality or who I am.
0:27:21 > 0:27:24I'd rather not do it at all.
0:27:24 > 0:27:27Sheriff Pete, however, is just pleased to get the result,
0:27:27 > 0:27:30and the cash in hand.
0:27:30 > 0:27:32We've had a payment in full.
0:27:32 > 0:27:38They were just struggling a little bit with the card payment.
0:27:38 > 0:27:42They've paid £1,200 in cash and the remainder in a bank transfer.
0:27:42 > 0:27:45That's the cash there, so paid in full.
0:27:45 > 0:27:48That'll be into the client's holding account today.
0:27:48 > 0:27:52So good job, no problem.
0:27:57 > 0:28:00I've got a feeling we'll get a full payment on this one.
0:28:00 > 0:28:05Sheriffs Lawrence and Kev are on the road again, this time in Kent.
0:28:05 > 0:28:08They're on the trail of a convenience store which owes money
0:28:08 > 0:28:12for rent arrears to a client who doesn't wish to be identified.
0:28:12 > 0:28:18We're heading to a defendant by the name of Ashok Aramayachalandringham.
0:28:18 > 0:28:20It's a convenience store,
0:28:20 > 0:28:24so we're hoping we'll find sufficient assets in there.
0:28:24 > 0:28:26Has been visited before, has paid money before.
0:28:26 > 0:28:30There's a total of just over £10,000 already been paid,
0:28:30 > 0:28:33but despite writing to him, the balance hasn't been paid.
0:28:33 > 0:28:37So we're looking today for £1,401.08,
0:28:37 > 0:28:41and hopefully in a convenience store, and given the fact that he's paid
0:28:41 > 0:28:44so much money already, we should be able to collect in full on this one.
0:28:47 > 0:28:48As a true professional,
0:28:48 > 0:28:51Lawrence wants to make sure he gets the debtor's name right.
0:28:51 > 0:28:55Mr Arumaichandrilingum, Arumaichandrilingum...
0:28:57 > 0:28:59That settled, they head in.
0:29:02 > 0:29:06- Hello, is this number 112? - Yeah.
0:29:06 > 0:29:10I'm looking for a Mr Arimachandrilingham.
0:29:14 > 0:29:15Yeah.
0:29:17 > 0:29:19Is that who it is?
0:29:19 > 0:29:23Is that your boss, Ashok? Who is Ashok then?
0:29:26 > 0:29:29You think he's what, sorry?
0:29:29 > 0:29:31Oh, he's a cousin.
0:29:31 > 0:29:35The shop assistant offers to get his boss on the phone.
0:29:35 > 0:29:39Lawrence needs to establish what relationship Ashok has to the shop.
0:29:39 > 0:29:42As the writ is against Ashok personally, and not the shop
0:29:42 > 0:29:47as a limited company, they can only seize goods if he's still the owner.
0:29:47 > 0:29:54Hello, sir. My name's Mr Grix, I'm an Enforcement Officer.
0:29:55 > 0:29:58I'm here to execute a High Court writ against,
0:29:58 > 0:30:02is it your cousin Ashok Arimachandrilingham?
0:30:02 > 0:30:06The boss tells Lawrence that he's now the owner and not Ashok.
0:30:06 > 0:30:10But Lawrence will need more convincing.
0:30:10 > 0:30:12Have you got proof of that, sir?
0:30:12 > 0:30:15Right, what we're going to have to do is seize sufficient goods
0:30:15 > 0:30:17within the premises to clear this debt.
0:30:17 > 0:30:22Because there's no evidence here that Ashok doesn't own the premises
0:30:22 > 0:30:24or doesn't own the business.
0:30:24 > 0:30:28Right, so you're coming here now, yeah? OK, sir, thank you.
0:30:31 > 0:30:34He'll be here in five. Not Ashok, though - he's in India.
0:30:34 > 0:30:38The boss is on his way down to talk to Lawrence face to face.
0:30:38 > 0:30:43In the meantime, Detective Kev has spotted something else.
0:30:43 > 0:30:46Got Mr Ashok on the alarm.
0:30:46 > 0:30:50Ashok's the first name, Aru... Ashok Aru, yeah.
0:30:51 > 0:30:55The debtor's name is on the burglar alarm system,
0:30:55 > 0:30:59more evidence to confirm Lawrence's suspicions that the debtor, Ashok,
0:30:59 > 0:31:02is indeed the owner and liable for the goods within.
0:31:02 > 0:31:06The Sheriffs put together an inventory of the most
0:31:06 > 0:31:09valuable bottles of spirit behind the counter.
0:31:09 > 0:31:12Soon after, the boss arrives,
0:31:12 > 0:31:14still arguing that he shouldn't have to pay.
0:31:14 > 0:31:17Yeah, it's me who's taken over the business, from last year.
0:31:17 > 0:31:20Right, have you got any proof of that? There's nothing current.
0:31:20 > 0:31:25The boss also argues that he's not been properly informed
0:31:25 > 0:31:29of any debts that might be owing, but Lawrence disagrees.
0:31:29 > 0:31:33It's not fair, you didn't even send us a letter saying that,
0:31:33 > 0:31:36OK, this much money you are supposed to pay.
0:31:36 > 0:31:40If you don't pay within this time, we're going to do all these things.
0:31:40 > 0:31:43Since June, we've written to you a couple of times,
0:31:43 > 0:31:47so you know, unfortunately, sir, the ball is in your court,
0:31:47 > 0:31:50and the blame comes down to, well, Ashok, basically.
0:31:50 > 0:31:53Unable to prove Ashok is no longer the owner,
0:31:53 > 0:31:55and with the shop's assets in jeopardy...
0:31:55 > 0:31:59I've done the Aftershocks, Sidekicks...stuff like that.
0:31:59 > 0:32:03The boss has no other option but to give in.
0:32:03 > 0:32:05So you got a card machine? I can pay now.
0:32:05 > 0:32:08- Sorry?- If you got a machine, I can pay straightaway now.
0:32:08 > 0:32:11My colleague will go and get the machine out the van.
0:32:11 > 0:32:14Not even Lawrence was expecting that.
0:32:14 > 0:32:17But will payment really be this simple?
0:32:17 > 0:32:18Can I give you a cheque?
0:32:18 > 0:32:22No, my colleague's got the card machine, it needs to be done...
0:32:22 > 0:32:23I haven't got my card.
0:32:23 > 0:32:25Well, you need to get it then, sir.
0:32:25 > 0:32:29We only take cleared funds, we don't take cheques.
0:32:29 > 0:32:31How much is the total?
0:32:32 > 0:32:37It's on there - £1,401.08.
0:32:37 > 0:32:42With no card to hand, instead the boss heads for the till.
0:32:42 > 0:32:45Can someone count this, please?
0:32:45 > 0:32:49The Sheriffs are in business. Finally, some hard currency.
0:32:52 > 0:32:56100, 200, 500.
0:32:56 > 0:32:58£1401.08, that's it, yeah.
0:32:58 > 0:33:02I've got no 2p piece to give you, I've got no change.
0:33:04 > 0:33:08OK, so if you sign and print for me you've paid in cash, no balance,
0:33:08 > 0:33:12you won't see anybody again.
0:33:12 > 0:33:15And with that, the Sheriffs are off to their next job
0:33:15 > 0:33:18with £1,400 in pocket.
0:33:18 > 0:33:22Another successful enforcement means another debt paid in full.
0:33:22 > 0:33:24That should be the end of that.
0:33:24 > 0:33:28- OK, sir. Thank you. - All the best for the next show.
0:33:28 > 0:33:32The defendant, Mr Arumachandrilingham
0:33:32 > 0:33:35apparently is in India at the moment.
0:33:35 > 0:33:37His cousin came down.
0:33:37 > 0:33:40Apparently, he's taken over the lease of the shop,
0:33:40 > 0:33:46and everything in there is his, but he paid on behalf of the debtor.
0:33:46 > 0:33:47He just paid us in cash.
0:33:56 > 0:33:59Today, Sheriffs Marc Newton and Tony Smith
0:33:59 > 0:34:02are heading to Weston-super-Mare.
0:34:02 > 0:34:04They're there on behalf of a charity,
0:34:04 > 0:34:06which wishes to remain anonymous.
0:34:06 > 0:34:10They paid for a buffet function at the Arosfa Hotel,
0:34:10 > 0:34:13but were so appalled by the standard of the food,
0:34:13 > 0:34:15they demanded their money back.
0:34:15 > 0:34:18The matter ended up with a court ordering the hotel
0:34:18 > 0:34:20to pay the charity £650.
0:34:20 > 0:34:24But so far, they've received nothing.
0:34:24 > 0:34:30Just off to a hotel, it's called the Arosfa Hotel.
0:34:30 > 0:34:36Hopefully it's still the same owners, and we can a bit of joy, hopefully.
0:34:42 > 0:34:45Arriving at the address, Marc finds a parking space.
0:34:47 > 0:34:51For the Sheriffs, it hasn't been the smoothest of journeys.
0:34:53 > 0:34:56This morning, Marc's van failed to start,
0:34:56 > 0:35:02meaning a tight squeeze into this rather smaller vehicle.
0:35:05 > 0:35:07With a relieved Tony finally extracted,
0:35:07 > 0:35:09it's check-in time at the hotel.
0:35:14 > 0:35:16Hello.
0:35:17 > 0:35:20Hi. We need to speak to someone
0:35:20 > 0:35:21about a High Court writ that's been issued.
0:35:21 > 0:35:24I don't want you coming in here, so you can turn it off now.
0:35:24 > 0:35:26Our cameraman leaves the premises
0:35:26 > 0:35:31but continues filming from outside, as Marc and Tony finish explaining
0:35:31 > 0:35:33to the manager who they are and what they've come to do.
0:35:33 > 0:35:36We're not bailiffs, we're court enforcement.
0:35:36 > 0:35:38We'll start listing goods for removal.
0:35:38 > 0:35:42Straightaway, the manager claims nothing can be removed,
0:35:42 > 0:35:45as all the goods inside belong to the landlord
0:35:45 > 0:35:48and came with his lease as fixtures and fittings.
0:35:48 > 0:35:52This includes, he says, the computer equipment in the office.
0:35:52 > 0:35:54No, it's not. No, it's not.
0:35:54 > 0:35:57Fixtures and fittings will be maybe beds, sofas, curtains -
0:35:57 > 0:36:01stuff like that. Laptops don't come under fixtures and fittings.
0:36:01 > 0:36:04That screen here, that printer there, that TV over there.
0:36:04 > 0:36:07Luckily, there's an easy way to clear up who owns what.
0:36:09 > 0:36:11I need the inventory of goods.
0:36:11 > 0:36:13- Have you got it? - We need to get an inventory.
0:36:13 > 0:36:17We need to see the inventory of what exactly is owned by the landlord.
0:36:17 > 0:36:20The man happily produces his tenancy agreement.
0:36:20 > 0:36:23But instead of the comprehensive list of goods
0:36:23 > 0:36:26the Sheriffs need to see, this document merely states
0:36:26 > 0:36:29"all fixtures and fittings are included,"
0:36:29 > 0:36:31but not what those items are.
0:36:31 > 0:36:34That could be anything. That could be one bed.
0:36:34 > 0:36:39- We have to see the whole inventory. - You're saying all fixtures and fittings,
0:36:39 > 0:36:41but not everything is fixtures and fittings.
0:36:41 > 0:36:45We're just asking to see the inventory.
0:36:45 > 0:36:50The man's still adamant everything in the hotel is a fixture or fitting
0:36:50 > 0:36:54and belongs to his landlord who has the only copy of the full inventory.
0:36:54 > 0:36:56But, unfortunately, he can't get hold of him.
0:36:56 > 0:37:00You should have a copy of it. There's always a copy of an inventory
0:37:00 > 0:37:04attached to your side of the tenancy agreement and his side.
0:37:04 > 0:37:08With the man unable to provide any proof of what he's telling them,
0:37:08 > 0:37:12Marc and Tony get on with listing assets inside ready for removal.
0:37:12 > 0:37:15And this soon prompts a rethink from the manager,
0:37:15 > 0:37:18who now wants to know how he can pay
0:37:18 > 0:37:21and get Marc and Tony out of his lobby.
0:37:21 > 0:37:25£1,448.35.
0:37:25 > 0:37:29Credit card, debit card, bank transfer, cash.
0:37:29 > 0:37:33Grudgingly, the man produces a card and pays in full.
0:37:36 > 0:37:38There's your card, OK?
0:37:38 > 0:37:41After 45 minutes going round in circles,
0:37:41 > 0:37:43Marc and Tony have got what they came for.
0:37:43 > 0:37:47It means the unhappy charity getting back the money they were owed,
0:37:47 > 0:37:49in full.
0:37:49 > 0:37:51There is a lot of goods in there
0:37:51 > 0:37:54that probably do belong to the hotel.
0:37:54 > 0:37:56He didn't provide any proof to say they didn't,
0:37:56 > 0:37:58so I think that he knew.
0:38:01 > 0:38:04Time for another deep breath
0:38:04 > 0:38:08and a cosy 150-mile journey back to London.
0:38:11 > 0:38:14The Arosfa Hotel told us they thought the price per head charge
0:38:14 > 0:38:18to the charity for the meal was fair, and that they should have
0:38:18 > 0:38:21no reason to complain. They added that they hadn't charged
0:38:21 > 0:38:25for six extra guests who had turned up on the night.
0:38:25 > 0:38:28They said the only reason they paid the debt is because
0:38:28 > 0:38:31there were guests in reception at the time the Sheriffs visited,
0:38:31 > 0:38:34and they wanted the Sheriffs out of the hotel.
0:38:42 > 0:38:45Today, Lawrence and Kev are in south London on their way
0:38:45 > 0:38:47to a substantial new assignment.
0:38:47 > 0:38:51They're going to the head office of a company
0:38:51 > 0:38:54that made a profit last year of £77 million.
0:38:54 > 0:38:58We're on our way to Bromley to Churchill Insurance Limited.
0:38:58 > 0:39:04We're there to collect £41,512.05.
0:39:04 > 0:39:07The Sheriffs have no detail on what the debt's for,
0:39:07 > 0:39:11but whatever the size of it, the Sheriffs' aim is always the same -
0:39:11 > 0:39:14to get back the money that people are rightfully owed.
0:39:14 > 0:39:17With a company of this size and prestige,
0:39:17 > 0:39:21Lawrence certainly won't be taking no for an answer.
0:39:21 > 0:39:24Obviously, Churchill is a massive insurance company.
0:39:24 > 0:39:28They're well capable of paying this, so hopefully we'll be able to walk
0:39:28 > 0:39:31straight in, make contact with the appropriate person
0:39:31 > 0:39:33and get this dealt with, collect in full.
0:39:39 > 0:39:41Arriving at Churchill HQ,
0:39:41 > 0:39:45they park up and make their way straight to the main entrance.
0:39:45 > 0:39:48Time to ask for £41,000.
0:39:48 > 0:39:51Might surprise us, might be, "Please, come in."
0:39:53 > 0:39:56Churchill is part of the Direct Line Group,
0:39:56 > 0:39:59one of the largest insurance companies in the world.
0:39:59 > 0:40:03The staff on reception certainly seem surprised to see them.
0:40:03 > 0:40:07Morning. I'm here to see somebody, don't know who it would be
0:40:07 > 0:40:10with regards to Churchill Insurance Company. My name's Mr Grix,
0:40:10 > 0:40:14I'm an Enforcement Officer here today to execute a High Court writ.
0:40:14 > 0:40:16Normally, it's Lawrence and Kev who want to see proof
0:40:16 > 0:40:20of who they're dealing with. Today, it's the other way round.
0:40:20 > 0:40:24Grix - Golf Romeo India X-ray.
0:40:24 > 0:40:26Lawrence, with a W.
0:40:26 > 0:40:30And the receptionist wants photos of both of them too.
0:40:32 > 0:40:37- Don't like having your photo taken. - Try not to break the lens.
0:40:37 > 0:40:38With their IDs printed,
0:40:38 > 0:40:42the Sheriffs make themselves comfortable in the lobby and wait.
0:40:42 > 0:40:43All right, thank you.
0:40:49 > 0:40:53Moments later, a female staff member arrives to speak to them.
0:40:53 > 0:40:56Hello, there. I'll just show you some ID.
0:40:56 > 0:41:00At this point, we're asked to leave while Lawrence and Kev
0:41:00 > 0:41:04explain what's brought them to Churchill's head office.
0:41:04 > 0:41:06It's now crunch time.
0:41:06 > 0:41:10Can Lawrence and Kev convince the multi-million-pound company
0:41:10 > 0:41:13to part with the £41,000 they owe?
0:41:15 > 0:41:19Less than half an hour later, and it's all over.
0:41:20 > 0:41:23It went really well. Invited in.
0:41:23 > 0:41:26Generally with big companies, you don't get any grief.
0:41:26 > 0:41:31It appears to be an oversight. They paid in full.
0:41:31 > 0:41:36Just over £43,000 on a credit card.
0:41:38 > 0:41:41Good start to the day.
0:41:41 > 0:41:44Lawrence and Kev came looking for £41,000,
0:41:44 > 0:41:49and with a credit card surcharge added, that's payment in full.
0:41:49 > 0:41:51Result.
0:41:51 > 0:41:53Did we get a payment from Churchill?
0:41:53 > 0:41:56"Oh, yes, yes, yes."
0:41:57 > 0:42:00Churchill Insurance told us that...
0:42:05 > 0:42:07They said that once they were notified of the judgment
0:42:07 > 0:42:09in the case, they paid it, in full.
0:42:11 > 0:42:14Since we filmed Lawrence getting payment in full on behalf
0:42:14 > 0:42:18of Matthew McWilliams, the director of Mediterranean Leisure,
0:42:18 > 0:42:21David Stewart, has filed a High Court motion, claiming that
0:42:21 > 0:42:25as the funds he paid with came from another of his companies,
0:42:25 > 0:42:29they cannot be used to pay the debt and should be returned to him.
0:42:30 > 0:42:33Until the court rules on the ownership of the money,
0:42:33 > 0:42:35it will remain in the Sheriffs' care.
0:42:35 > 0:42:40For Matthew McWilliams, the wait for his outstanding wages continues.
0:42:47 > 0:42:50Subtitles by Red Bee Media Ltd