0:00:02 > 0:00:04- Meet the sheriffs. - Let's go and introduce ourselves.
0:00:04 > 0:00:07- We're High Court Enforcement Officers.- We're here today to execute a High Court writ.
0:00:07 > 0:00:10Their job is to get you your money back.
0:00:10 > 0:00:13It's an arrestable offence to stop me doing my job.
0:00:13 > 0:00:16If 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 which would mean
0:00:19 > 0:00:21clearing this place out.
0:00:21 > 0:00:25..if you've been to court but still not been paid what you're owed...
0:00:25 > 0:00:26Why don't you just tell me who you are?
0:00:26 > 0:00:29This is an absolute crock. You need to pay this.
0:00:29 > 0:00:32..it's time to call the sheriffs.
0:00:32 > 0:00:33I've seized your car, sir.
0:00:33 > 0:00:36You can either let us through the door or we'll go through the window.
0:00:36 > 0:00:37Whoa, whoa, whoa.
0:00:37 > 0:00:40They're enforcement officers of the High Court
0:00:40 > 0:00:43and the law says they're on your side.
0:00:43 > 0:00:44I've just collected 42 grand.
0:00:48 > 0:00:50Coming up...
0:00:50 > 0:00:52when former army medic Alan Trott worked
0:00:52 > 0:00:54for a private ambulance company,
0:00:54 > 0:00:56they didn't pay him for almost a year.
0:00:56 > 0:01:00They just think that by fobbing us off we would go away,
0:01:00 > 0:01:02well, we weren't going to go away.
0:01:02 > 0:01:06Can the sheriffs get Alan his money from the camera-shy company owner?
0:01:06 > 0:01:08We're looking to seize vehicles today,
0:01:08 > 0:01:10you need to come and deal with this, sir.
0:01:11 > 0:01:15In Wales, it's an early morning call for a surprised farmer.
0:01:15 > 0:01:17Mr Hughes, can we have a word with you, please?
0:01:17 > 0:01:21Can sheriffs Tom and Craig persuade him pay to his debt?
0:01:21 > 0:01:25- £4,400...- BLEEP!- What's that for!?
0:01:25 > 0:01:28And when sheriffs Lawrence and Kev try to get some money
0:01:28 > 0:01:32for a wronged car buyer, they find themselves locked in the garage...
0:01:32 > 0:01:33You've now trapped us in here.
0:01:33 > 0:01:37Whoever has put those barriers up has now committed a criminal offence
0:01:37 > 0:01:40Can they get themselves out, and the money paid?
0:01:44 > 0:01:46On the road and heading to a rendezvous with a difference
0:01:46 > 0:01:50this morning are Enforcement Officers Lawrence and Kev.
0:01:50 > 0:01:52We're in Morden in Surrey
0:01:52 > 0:01:56and we are going to Medical Dispatch Ambulance Services Ltd.
0:01:56 > 0:01:58They're owing £2,947.
0:02:02 > 0:02:06The man they're on their way to help is former soldier Alan Trott.
0:02:06 > 0:02:10His time in the army left him with a valuable qualification.
0:02:10 > 0:02:11I was a medic
0:02:11 > 0:02:15and I served in that role in the '91 Gulf War.
0:02:15 > 0:02:18I was with an armoured field ambulance unit.
0:02:18 > 0:02:21The armoured vehicles would bring back the casualties.
0:02:21 > 0:02:25We would treat them and then evacuate them to the field hospital.
0:02:26 > 0:02:30Alan now runs first-aid classes for the British Heart Foundation.
0:02:30 > 0:02:32But after he left the army, he and his wife
0:02:32 > 0:02:35worked for Medical Dispatch Ambulance Services Ltd,
0:02:35 > 0:02:38run by Robert Burch. The company hired out
0:02:38 > 0:02:41private ambulances for concerts and major events.
0:02:42 > 0:02:45We would go to the venue prior to the start of the concert.
0:02:45 > 0:02:48If there was any accidents or any treatment required,
0:02:48 > 0:02:50we would attend to them.
0:02:50 > 0:02:51Give them the primary aid,
0:02:51 > 0:02:55then call in the backup from the ambulance services if needed.
0:02:57 > 0:03:00And the company boss wasn't plain Mr Burch.
0:03:00 > 0:03:03He had a title, Lord Robert Burch.
0:03:03 > 0:03:06Early impressions of him were positive.
0:03:06 > 0:03:08Quite a pleasant guy, quite friendly.
0:03:08 > 0:03:12Told us what the company was about, and it seemed fine.
0:03:12 > 0:03:14We got on with him, OK.
0:03:17 > 0:03:19At first, it was great fun, helping people
0:03:19 > 0:03:22and seeing some top quality entertainment.
0:03:22 > 0:03:26We saw some really big groups like Iron Maiden, Michael Buble.
0:03:27 > 0:03:31But it also had its serious side.
0:03:31 > 0:03:33I don't think it's any exaggeration to say that
0:03:33 > 0:03:37over the time that we worked for Medical Despatch we did save lives.
0:03:37 > 0:03:41But it wasn't long before problems started.
0:03:41 > 0:03:45We did soon realise that they weren't the quickest
0:03:45 > 0:03:48payers of wages and we were having to wait sometimes
0:03:48 > 0:03:51two to three months before the money would come through.
0:03:51 > 0:03:53At first, Alan carried on working for the company
0:03:53 > 0:03:57on an occasional basis and was assured he'd get his money.
0:03:57 > 0:03:58But nothing came.
0:03:58 > 0:04:01After nearly a year of working without pay,
0:04:01 > 0:04:04Alan and his wife called a halt.
0:04:04 > 0:04:06That was the time we sort of said,
0:04:06 > 0:04:09"We're now not going to do any more work until you...you pay us."
0:04:11 > 0:04:13We offered them to pay in instalments, so we said,
0:04:13 > 0:04:15"Pay us £100 a month, we don't care,
0:04:15 > 0:04:17"as long as we get the money," you know, "if you're having
0:04:17 > 0:04:22"problems, just pay us the a nominal sum until it's all paid off."
0:04:22 > 0:04:25No response, nothing. They didn't want to know.
0:04:25 > 0:04:28We were constantly being told, oh, we had to speak to the
0:04:28 > 0:04:33accounts department or the HR department, this person
0:04:33 > 0:04:37and that person, as if he was some sort of multinational company, you
0:04:37 > 0:04:41know, instead of a guy working out of some semi-detached in Wimbledon.
0:04:43 > 0:04:45Determined to get the money owed to him,
0:04:45 > 0:04:49Alan took Medical Dispatch Ambulance Services Ltd to court.
0:04:49 > 0:04:53He just seemed to think that by ignoring us or fobbing us off,
0:04:53 > 0:04:56we would go away. Well, we weren't going to go away.
0:04:56 > 0:04:59The company didn't contest the case
0:04:59 > 0:05:01and a judgment was issued in Alan's favour.
0:05:01 > 0:05:04But despite this, he still wasn't paid.
0:05:04 > 0:05:07Luckily, he'd been watching telly.
0:05:07 > 0:05:09By chance, we had seen the programme The Sherrifs
0:05:09 > 0:05:14Are Coming and we were quite impressed by the way they operated.
0:05:14 > 0:05:16We decided that these boys know their business
0:05:16 > 0:05:17and we're going to use them.
0:05:19 > 0:05:22And with Alan's writ in hand, it's now up to Lawrence
0:05:22 > 0:05:24and Kev to get him his money back.
0:05:31 > 0:05:33When Lawrence and Kev get to their target road,
0:05:33 > 0:05:36it's not hard to spot which house they're looking for.
0:05:38 > 0:05:41That's the Ranger, isn't it? What's that one in there?
0:05:41 > 0:05:43This is the one that they think's leased.
0:05:43 > 0:05:45- Is that the Volvo? - That is a Volvo, yeah.
0:05:46 > 0:05:48Time to see if anyone's at home.
0:05:51 > 0:05:53HE RINGS THE INTERCOM
0:05:54 > 0:05:57I don't think there's anybody in. Hello?
0:05:57 > 0:05:58Medical Dispatch Ambulance Services?
0:05:58 > 0:06:00My name's Mr Grix, I'm an enforcement officer
0:06:00 > 0:06:02I have a High Court writ to execute against
0:06:02 > 0:06:04Medical Dispatch Ambulance Services Ltd.
0:06:04 > 0:06:07Would you like to come to the door and speak to me, sir?
0:06:07 > 0:06:09The man says Lawrence has the wrong company name.
0:06:09 > 0:06:12He's not Medical Dispatch Ambulance Services Ltd.
0:06:12 > 0:06:15He's Medical Dispatch Events Ltd.
0:06:15 > 0:06:16Completely different.
0:06:16 > 0:06:18Right, well, I've got a writ
0:06:18 > 0:06:21in the name of Medical Dispatch Ambulance Services.
0:06:21 > 0:06:23We're sent to any address in England and Wales
0:06:23 > 0:06:25where the company has assets and we can see two of
0:06:25 > 0:06:29your assets here, so you need to come out and deal with this, please.
0:06:29 > 0:06:32The man argues that the ambulances on the drive aren't owned
0:06:32 > 0:06:36by the company as they've instead been sold to himself personally.
0:06:36 > 0:06:38And you'll have some sort of proof of that, will you?
0:06:38 > 0:06:41If it's true, it means Lawrence can't seize them,
0:06:41 > 0:06:43if necessary, to pay off the debt.
0:06:43 > 0:06:45We're looking to seize vehicles today.
0:06:45 > 0:06:47You're a director of Medical Dispatch Ambulance Services Ltd.
0:06:47 > 0:06:49You need to come and deal with this, sir.
0:06:49 > 0:06:52I'll wait five, ten minutes for you to get dressed, then, sir.
0:06:52 > 0:06:54While the company director gets dressed,
0:06:54 > 0:06:58Lawrence and Kev turn to the two ambulances on the drive.
0:06:58 > 0:07:01It looks likely that they do belong to the company.
0:07:01 > 0:07:04But will the company director agree?
0:07:04 > 0:07:07- He's a lord by the way.- Say again?
0:07:08 > 0:07:12- He's a lord.- Lord?
0:07:12 > 0:07:14Officer's title. Lord.
0:07:17 > 0:07:19- Hello, there. - No, not having the camera.
0:07:21 > 0:07:23And there he is, Lord Robert Burch.
0:07:23 > 0:07:25- Not with the camera.- He's just...
0:07:28 > 0:07:32But the camera-shy lord isn't keen on talking in front of us.
0:07:32 > 0:07:34He asks if we're still filming,
0:07:34 > 0:07:35which we are.
0:07:37 > 0:07:41Back inside the house, Lord Burch finds paperwork he says
0:07:41 > 0:07:45proves the main ambulance has been sold to himself - a receipt.
0:07:47 > 0:07:49But when the receipt comes out through the letter box,
0:07:49 > 0:07:53Lawrence thinks it proves quite the opposite, that the car is actually
0:07:53 > 0:07:55in the company's name.
0:07:55 > 0:07:57You've signed it on behalf of the company,
0:07:57 > 0:08:01but it says "full name" and it's got Medical Dispatch Ambulance Service.
0:08:01 > 0:08:04This says it's sold to Medical Dispatch Ambulance Service.
0:08:04 > 0:08:07Why did you put Medical Dispatch Ambulance Service on it, then?
0:08:07 > 0:08:10Lord Burch says he put the company name on the receipt to make
0:08:10 > 0:08:12it eligible for road tax exemption.
0:08:12 > 0:08:16But this is a red rag to a bull for Lawrence, who thinks this proves
0:08:16 > 0:08:21the car is owned by the company, which means he can seize it.
0:08:21 > 0:08:24So it has to belong to Medical Dispatch Ambulance Services
0:08:24 > 0:08:29and not you as an individual to be exempt from tax with the DVLA.
0:08:29 > 0:08:32The director continues to insist the ambulance is not a company
0:08:32 > 0:08:35vehicle, but rather his personally,
0:08:35 > 0:08:38and that it would be eligible for road tax exemption either way.
0:08:38 > 0:08:42You need to make up your mind, then. You're contradicting yourself.
0:08:42 > 0:08:45It's either a company vehicle and that's why it's exempt.
0:08:46 > 0:08:49- You can't have it both ways. - No, you can't have it both ways.
0:08:51 > 0:08:52Absolute rubbish.
0:08:53 > 0:08:56To try to get Alan Trott his money, Lawrence ramps up the pressure
0:08:56 > 0:09:01further by going after the second, more valuable, ambulance.
0:09:01 > 0:09:05Lord Burch says it's also privately owned and therefore,
0:09:05 > 0:09:09Lawrence can't seize it, but Lawrence isn't convinced.
0:09:09 > 0:09:11We need to see the proof of purchase of that.
0:09:11 > 0:09:15Your invoice there is in the name of the company
0:09:15 > 0:09:19we're looking for. As it stands at the moment, as far as we're concerned,
0:09:19 > 0:09:20that's a company asset.
0:09:20 > 0:09:24If you say it isn't, you need to provide proof of that
0:09:24 > 0:09:25and you need to provide it now.
0:09:25 > 0:09:28Either way, Lord Burch says he can't pay today.
0:09:28 > 0:09:29Well, then it's be going.
0:09:31 > 0:09:34We're ordered here to seize assets of the company
0:09:34 > 0:09:36sufficient to clear the debt.
0:09:36 > 0:09:39As it stands at the moment, you've shown me
0:09:39 > 0:09:42purchase paperwork for the Ford Ranger there,
0:09:42 > 0:09:44in the name of the company.
0:09:45 > 0:09:48Lord Burch heads inside to look through his paperwork
0:09:48 > 0:09:51to try and prove where the money's come from
0:09:51 > 0:09:52that paid for the ambulances.
0:09:52 > 0:09:55He's off at the moment digging out his bank statements to
0:09:55 > 0:09:58show that he personally made the transfer of funds that meant he paid
0:09:58 > 0:10:01for the vehicle and if he manages to do that,
0:10:01 > 0:10:03then there's not a lot we can do.
0:10:07 > 0:10:10This enforcement is at a key moment, and Lawrence knows it.
0:10:12 > 0:10:14Whether he can get Alan back his money now depends
0:10:14 > 0:10:17on the paperwork Lord Burch is able to provide.
0:10:18 > 0:10:21But after consulting his records, the director is unable to
0:10:21 > 0:10:25produce any proof that he has personally bought the ambulances.
0:10:26 > 0:10:29With Lawrence on the verge of towing away his vehicles,
0:10:29 > 0:10:31Lord Burch decides to act and pays up.
0:10:32 > 0:10:35Lawrence is put on the phone to the company accountant.
0:10:35 > 0:10:37Hello, sir.
0:10:37 > 0:10:40Hello there. It can be done by bank transfer.
0:10:42 > 0:10:44Payment has gone through.
0:10:44 > 0:10:47It's a particularly satisfying result for Lawrence,
0:10:47 > 0:10:50who pushed hard on the ownership status of the ambulances.
0:10:52 > 0:10:54There's your copy of the receipt.
0:10:55 > 0:10:58That went quite well in the end.
0:10:58 > 0:11:00He didn't seem very lordly to me.
0:11:01 > 0:11:03It might be job done for Lawrence and Kev,
0:11:03 > 0:11:08but for Alan, it's time to celebrate receiving the £1,900 he was owed.
0:11:08 > 0:11:11We've received from the sheriff's office the full amount that
0:11:11 > 0:11:15was owed, plus the interest, plus all our expenses,
0:11:15 > 0:11:20so in the end, Medical Dispatch have had to pay out a lot more than
0:11:20 > 0:11:23if they just paid us in the first place with a lot less hassle.
0:11:25 > 0:11:27Really, really good news.
0:11:27 > 0:11:30Robert Burch told us he did not know about Alan's court action
0:11:30 > 0:11:33because the court summons was sent to an old address.
0:11:33 > 0:11:36He said he only became aware of it when it reached the High Court
0:11:36 > 0:11:39and went to the correct address.
0:11:39 > 0:11:41He reiterated that the ambulances on his drive
0:11:41 > 0:11:44were privately owned and only loaned to the company
0:11:44 > 0:11:47and stressed that they met all DVLA requirements for
0:11:47 > 0:11:48road tax exemption.
0:11:49 > 0:11:51He said he had now made full payment
0:11:51 > 0:11:52and considers the matter closed.
0:11:55 > 0:11:58Lawrence and Kev are High Court enforcement officers commonly
0:11:58 > 0:12:00known as sheriffs.
0:12:00 > 0:12:02Who's the sheriff? Are you the sheriff?
0:12:03 > 0:12:06High Court enforcement officers enforce 70,000 writs
0:12:06 > 0:12:09and collect £65,000,000 a year, money
0:12:09 > 0:12:13- rightfully owed to their clients. - That's what you
0:12:13 > 0:12:15want to see. That coming out of the van.
0:12:17 > 0:12:21- We got £1,200 in cash. - All cleared up, paid in full.
0:12:21 > 0:12:24- A High Court writ costs £60. - He's hasn't paid, so he's
0:12:24 > 0:12:27transferred it up to the High Court for enforcement purposes.
0:12:27 > 0:12:29If the sheriffs are successful,
0:12:29 > 0:12:31there's nothing more for the client to pay.
0:12:31 > 0:12:35If they're unsuccessful, the only cost is a £60 admin fee.
0:12:35 > 0:12:38- Yeah, what?!- I'll have you arrested for that.- What?!
0:12:38 > 0:12:39No need to get violent, is there?
0:12:50 > 0:12:52In Berkshire, enforcement officers Lawrence
0:12:52 > 0:12:55and Kev are heading to a rendezvous with a car garage.
0:12:56 > 0:13:00We're off to Reading now to a car dealer, Mazda UK Ltd,
0:13:00 > 0:13:03but that is just the company name.
0:13:03 > 0:13:05They're nothing to do with Mazda cars.
0:13:05 > 0:13:12We've got a claimant, Mr Tom Upton, and a debt of £6,246.99.
0:13:12 > 0:13:14Mr Upton bought a Mazda RXH from the garage,
0:13:14 > 0:13:17but discovered it had serious engine problems.
0:13:17 > 0:13:19When he asked the garage to take responsibility,
0:13:19 > 0:13:24by repairing the car, or refunding him, he says the garage refused.
0:13:24 > 0:13:25He took them to court.
0:13:25 > 0:13:28The garage put in a defence in writing,
0:13:28 > 0:13:31saying Mr Upton had refused to return the car to them.
0:13:31 > 0:13:33But the judge found in Tom Upton's favour
0:13:33 > 0:13:38and ordered the garage to pay £4,899.
0:13:38 > 0:13:41But Tom has received nothing.
0:13:41 > 0:13:44Lawrence is hopeful of getting Tom what he's owed.
0:13:44 > 0:13:47We'll be looking to get this cleared in full.
0:13:53 > 0:13:56Mazda UK. There it is.
0:13:56 > 0:13:58With plenty of potentially seizable assets on site,
0:13:58 > 0:14:01the prospects are looking good for the enforcement officers,
0:14:01 > 0:14:04as they head inside to introduce themselves.
0:14:05 > 0:14:09- Hello there.- High Court enforcement officers.- We're here to execute
0:14:09 > 0:14:14a High Court writ against Mazda UK Ltd on behalf of a Mr Tom Upton.
0:14:14 > 0:14:18We're ordered here today to seize goods to the value of £6,246.99.
0:14:19 > 0:14:22- The owner's not in today. - Can you get him on the phone?
0:14:22 > 0:14:23Can do.
0:14:23 > 0:14:28But this is Mazda UK (Berkshire) Ltd, it's a different company.
0:14:28 > 0:14:29Has it just changed names
0:14:29 > 0:14:32or has it just become Mazda UK (Berkshire) Ltd?
0:14:32 > 0:14:34No, this is Mazda UK (Berkshire) Ltd.
0:14:34 > 0:14:37Yeah, if you get him on the phone, we'll speak to him.
0:14:38 > 0:14:41At this point, our cameraman is asked to leave the premises.
0:14:41 > 0:14:44Lawrence and Kev, however, remain.
0:14:44 > 0:14:47But they've already been thrown a curveball.
0:14:47 > 0:14:50The manager is insisting the company now operating in the garage,
0:14:50 > 0:14:52Mazda UK (Berkshire) Ltd,
0:14:52 > 0:14:56is completely different to the company named on Lawrence's writ,
0:14:56 > 0:14:57Mazda UK Ltd.
0:14:58 > 0:15:03And a call to the office confirms both companies exist.
0:15:03 > 0:15:06All right, OK. Lovely. Cheers. Bye.
0:15:07 > 0:15:11But Lawrence wants to know which one the cars on site belong to.
0:15:11 > 0:15:15If they're still in the name of Mazda UK Ltd, he can seize them
0:15:15 > 0:15:17to sell to pay off the debt.
0:15:19 > 0:15:23What you need to prove is that Mazda UK (Berkshire) Ltd
0:15:23 > 0:15:25have purchased every vehicle here,
0:15:25 > 0:15:28because otherwise we'll be removing one or two vehicles
0:15:28 > 0:15:30to clear the debt.
0:15:30 > 0:15:32While Kev gets listing vehicles,
0:15:32 > 0:15:35Lawrence starts searching the office.
0:15:35 > 0:15:37I'm just going to start looking through
0:15:37 > 0:15:39and seeing what paperwork I can find.
0:15:39 > 0:15:41He's looking for proof there are vehicles here
0:15:41 > 0:15:43registered to the company on his writ.
0:15:43 > 0:15:46Half an hour later, he finds what he's after -
0:15:46 > 0:15:50recent paperwork in the Mazda UK Ltd name.
0:15:50 > 0:15:53Every warranty is issued in the name of Mazda UK Ltd.
0:15:53 > 0:15:55That is the name of our debtor company.
0:15:55 > 0:15:59You can not be putting it on your paperwork because you feel like it.
0:15:59 > 0:16:02Lawrence believes he's seen more than enough evidence
0:16:02 > 0:16:05that the company he's after is still operating at the site.
0:16:05 > 0:16:09But it isn't convincing the company to pay Tom Upton's money,
0:16:09 > 0:16:13so Lawrence moves to take more pro-active measures.
0:16:13 > 0:16:16We're ordered here by the court today to seize assets.
0:16:16 > 0:16:19My colleague at the moment is doing an inventory.
0:16:19 > 0:16:22Unless there is proof otherwise, we will be removing some cars today,
0:16:22 > 0:16:25and the only way for your boss to prevent further action
0:16:25 > 0:16:26is to pay in full.
0:16:26 > 0:16:28It all comes down to what paperwork they've got.
0:16:28 > 0:16:31Every car that's on this lot is going to need paperwork.
0:16:31 > 0:16:35The threat to their vehicles finally spurs the staff into action.
0:16:35 > 0:16:38They get the company's solicitor on the phone to speak to Lawrence,
0:16:38 > 0:16:40who isn't backing down.
0:16:40 > 0:16:44As it stands at the moment, we're getting no proof of ownership
0:16:44 > 0:16:46and it doesn't look as if anyone's attempting to get
0:16:46 > 0:16:49any proof of ownership of these assets.
0:16:49 > 0:16:53Lawrence's arguments might have won the lawyer round.
0:16:54 > 0:16:55I spoke to the solicitor.
0:16:55 > 0:16:58The solicitor's advising him to pay, apparently.
0:16:59 > 0:17:01This looks like good news.
0:17:01 > 0:17:06But 40 minutes later, there's still no sign of the boss or the payment.
0:17:07 > 0:17:10So Lawrence continues his search for documents
0:17:10 > 0:17:12that will help his enforcement.
0:17:12 > 0:17:15Then he finally finds paperwork he says
0:17:15 > 0:17:17shows that Mazda UK Ltd
0:17:17 > 0:17:20is the registered keeper of two of the cars.
0:17:20 > 0:17:23I've got two bits of paperwork here showing Mazda UK,
0:17:23 > 0:17:26which is the two vehicles I'm going to be taking,
0:17:26 > 0:17:29because I've now got some paperwork with Mazda UK on it.
0:17:29 > 0:17:32Lawrence is about to call for the tow truck
0:17:32 > 0:17:35when the salesman brings him word that the boss has been to the bank
0:17:35 > 0:17:39and carried out a bank transfer to pay off the debt.
0:17:39 > 0:17:43It's a triumph for Lawrence, but it's not quite a paid-in-full.
0:17:43 > 0:17:45It's taken three hours,
0:17:45 > 0:17:48so the garage have to pay for the sheriffs' time.
0:17:48 > 0:17:52He could have gone into a bank and paid that amount three hours ago
0:17:52 > 0:17:55and that would have been done.
0:17:55 > 0:17:57The salesman is very unhappy
0:17:57 > 0:18:00about having to pay for the additional sheriffs' waiting time.
0:18:00 > 0:18:05But Lawrence is well within his rights, and stands his ground
0:18:05 > 0:18:08as the fees form part of the writ.
0:18:10 > 0:18:13If you get somebody to do work for you, do you not expect them
0:18:13 > 0:18:16to charge for the hours they're on the job?
0:18:16 > 0:18:18I need you to sign and print for the receipt.
0:18:18 > 0:18:21Right, so you're not signing it.
0:18:21 > 0:18:24I've put on there RTS, which means "refused to sign".
0:18:25 > 0:18:27OK.
0:18:27 > 0:18:30I shall now order a truck to remove one of the vehicles.
0:18:30 > 0:18:32- Let's get a truck.- Yeah?- Yeah.
0:18:32 > 0:18:37Refusing to pay the sheriffs' fees means the writ is still not cleared,
0:18:37 > 0:18:40so Lawrence is going seize a vehicle to pay the balance.
0:18:40 > 0:18:43Can you get me a tow truck, please?
0:18:43 > 0:18:46Lawrence's threat to call a tow truck outrages the staff,
0:18:46 > 0:18:48who take drastic action -
0:18:48 > 0:18:50effectively locking Lawrence and Kev
0:18:50 > 0:18:54and the cars they intend to tow inside the showroom.
0:18:54 > 0:18:56But Lawrence won't be intimidated.
0:18:56 > 0:18:59Right, this is the route we're going down, now, is it?
0:18:59 > 0:19:02We're going to need to call the police.
0:19:02 > 0:19:05You've now trapped us in here with a seized vehicle,
0:19:05 > 0:19:07or seized vehicles, and our own vehicle,
0:19:07 > 0:19:09which is now a criminal offence.
0:19:09 > 0:19:12We've gone past the stage of it being civil now.
0:19:12 > 0:19:14This is now a criminal offence.
0:19:14 > 0:19:16Whoever has put those barriers up,
0:19:16 > 0:19:20whichever one of you three it was, has now committed a criminal offence.
0:19:20 > 0:19:22Realising Lawrence isn't going to budge easily,
0:19:22 > 0:19:26the salesman offers a compromise on the outstanding fees.
0:19:26 > 0:19:29You pay £400 in the next five minutes and I'll call it that.
0:19:29 > 0:19:31So I'll knock off the £180.
0:19:31 > 0:19:33In the next five minutes, and that's it.
0:19:33 > 0:19:36Following an unpleasant few moments locked inside,
0:19:36 > 0:19:41the garage pays up, including £400 to clear the writ.
0:19:41 > 0:19:45Lawrence and Kev can head for the exit.
0:19:45 > 0:19:47There's 400 there.
0:19:48 > 0:19:50- Right. See you later.- Bye-bye.
0:19:52 > 0:19:56Full payment. Took a while getting there but to be expected sometimes,
0:19:56 > 0:19:59but, no, in the end, that was a good result.
0:20:01 > 0:20:03A good result for the sheriffs.
0:20:03 > 0:20:06A significant payment-in-full and, best of all,
0:20:06 > 0:20:11it means Tom Upton will get every penny of the money he's owed.
0:20:21 > 0:20:24Enforcement officers Craig Wild and Tom Coyle
0:20:24 > 0:20:27are in their usual stamping ground of the Midlands.
0:20:27 > 0:20:32Their job this morning is to seize goods to clear a debt,
0:20:32 > 0:20:35but the paperwork gives them very few clues
0:20:35 > 0:20:37as to what the case is about.
0:20:37 > 0:20:40Today, we're in Birmingham. We're after an individual,
0:20:40 > 0:20:44and we've got in brackets a company name here as well to go after.
0:20:44 > 0:20:46The claimant's an individual.
0:20:46 > 0:20:51It's a small balance for £1,945.85.
0:20:52 > 0:20:56There is... Is there any details about what it's about?
0:20:56 > 0:20:58Let's have a quick look.
0:20:58 > 0:21:02No, not actually indicating what it's actually to do with.
0:21:02 > 0:21:07The actual address is Dir Group Customer Services.
0:21:07 > 0:21:11Dir Group sells furniture and equipment for beauty salons
0:21:11 > 0:21:14and hairdressers. As they pull up to the enforcement address,
0:21:14 > 0:21:17Tom realises they've been here before
0:21:17 > 0:21:19on a different job.
0:21:19 > 0:21:21It ain't the same one. It is!
0:21:21 > 0:21:23Dir Group, remember?
0:21:23 > 0:21:26Do you remember we were in there for ages? Yeah.
0:21:26 > 0:21:29He weren't happy, was he?
0:21:29 > 0:21:31This is going to be a right ding-dong.
0:21:31 > 0:21:36Tom and Craig's visit is on behalf of Sadia Azzouz from North London.
0:21:36 > 0:21:39She's been a hairdresser for 12 years,
0:21:39 > 0:21:42dedicated to making people look as good as she can.
0:21:42 > 0:21:44I like transforming people
0:21:44 > 0:21:47from very bad...very bad
0:21:47 > 0:21:51to perfect and glamorous and everything.
0:21:51 > 0:21:54- Shall I take your jacket for you? - Yeah. Thank you.
0:21:54 > 0:21:57I like the atmosphere, you know, the fun of it.
0:21:57 > 0:21:59- Do you want a number three?- No!
0:21:59 > 0:22:03You have to give them what they want at the end,
0:22:03 > 0:22:09and they are thanking you as if they win the lottery, or something.
0:22:09 > 0:22:14Two years ago, she decided to stop working for other people's salons
0:22:14 > 0:22:16and go into business for herself,
0:22:16 > 0:22:20setting up a hairdressing salon with a business partner.
0:22:20 > 0:22:25I decided, why not start doing my own business,
0:22:25 > 0:22:28instead of running around all over the place?
0:22:28 > 0:22:31Then you get to have your own clientele
0:22:31 > 0:22:33and for this community here,
0:22:33 > 0:22:35because there weren't any hair salons available...
0:22:35 > 0:22:38for ladies, actually,
0:22:38 > 0:22:41so we decided, you know, to do it together.
0:22:41 > 0:22:45She and her business partner set about getting it up and running,
0:22:45 > 0:22:48and that meant furnishing the new salon.
0:22:48 > 0:22:50So I looked online
0:22:50 > 0:22:53and I found this company, Dir Group Ltd,
0:22:53 > 0:22:55which looks very good.
0:22:55 > 0:22:57You see the website online.
0:22:57 > 0:22:59You know, very serious company.
0:22:59 > 0:23:01Very big as well.
0:23:01 > 0:23:06So I ordered two chairs and one sink, to wash the hair,
0:23:06 > 0:23:08a trolley and a stool.
0:23:08 > 0:23:13Sadia made her order, totalling £844,
0:23:13 > 0:23:15and paid upfront.
0:23:15 > 0:23:19She was told the items would take five weeks to arrive
0:23:19 > 0:23:21as they were coming from abroad.
0:23:21 > 0:23:25But in that five weeks, things changed markedly for Sadia.
0:23:25 > 0:23:29So, in the meantime, between me and the partner in the salon,
0:23:29 > 0:23:32we had a few disagreements
0:23:32 > 0:23:37so I decided that I was not going to go through with it.
0:23:37 > 0:23:40It was a hard decision for Sadia,
0:23:40 > 0:23:42not to go ahead with the new venture,
0:23:42 > 0:23:45but one she felt she had to make.
0:23:45 > 0:23:49Needing every penny of her money, Sadia then contacted Dir Group
0:23:49 > 0:23:51to cancel her order.
0:23:51 > 0:23:55The terms and conditions under which she'd made it
0:23:55 > 0:23:57stipulated that if she cancelled in time,
0:23:57 > 0:23:59she'd get a full refund.
0:23:59 > 0:24:02It was only three weeks into the order.
0:24:02 > 0:24:05I had been told by the wholesalers I would have to wait 28 days
0:24:05 > 0:24:08for my money, but the 28 days came...
0:24:08 > 0:24:10and a few weeks more
0:24:10 > 0:24:13and, "Where's my cheque? Where's my money?"
0:24:13 > 0:24:17- What do you think?- I like it. Yeah. Thank you very much.
0:24:17 > 0:24:21£884, ordering from Dir Group,
0:24:21 > 0:24:24was quite a lot because I wasn't working at the time,
0:24:24 > 0:24:27so it was the only money I had,
0:24:27 > 0:24:30I was leaving home, organising the place and ordering,
0:24:30 > 0:24:33so really I was very tight...money.
0:24:33 > 0:24:35Sadia chased them on the phone,
0:24:35 > 0:24:38but still couldn't get her money back.
0:24:38 > 0:24:40I tried my best with Dir, you know,
0:24:40 > 0:24:42with calls,
0:24:42 > 0:24:45then I decided the calls weren't doing anything, I e-mailed,
0:24:45 > 0:24:49so at least I have proof that I'm e-mailing.
0:24:49 > 0:24:52But nothing was happening. It started to get very hard for me
0:24:52 > 0:24:55because I have a son, he's 15,
0:24:55 > 0:24:57and I have to look after him as well.
0:24:57 > 0:25:00In fact, I was getting stressed with them
0:25:00 > 0:25:02and not working,
0:25:02 > 0:25:04leaving the business,
0:25:04 > 0:25:07so everything is going downhill for me.
0:25:07 > 0:25:11So I didn't know what to do until I went to see a solicitor.
0:25:11 > 0:25:17She decided she had no option but to take Dir Group to court.
0:25:17 > 0:25:20The company didn't contest the case
0:25:20 > 0:25:23and a judgment was issued in Sadia's favour.
0:25:23 > 0:25:25But Dir Group still hasn't paid up.
0:25:25 > 0:25:29Now Sadia's only hope of seeing her money
0:25:29 > 0:25:32lies in the trusty hands of Craig and Tom.
0:25:39 > 0:25:41Anticipating a possible confrontation,
0:25:41 > 0:25:43they sort out their tactics.
0:25:43 > 0:25:46Do you want to try it first on a one-on-one?
0:25:46 > 0:25:48- I'll try and get in, see what happens.- Yeah.
0:25:48 > 0:25:51If you can't get in, you can't get in, can you?
0:25:51 > 0:25:53Craig remembers there's another entrance
0:25:53 > 0:25:55where the company loads lorries,
0:25:55 > 0:25:57so while Tom tries the front door,
0:25:57 > 0:25:59Craig drives round the back.
0:25:59 > 0:26:02The loading bay is unstaffed,
0:26:02 > 0:26:05leaving the way open for Craig to get into the warehouse.
0:26:05 > 0:26:07In reception,
0:26:07 > 0:26:10Tom has been explaining why the sheriffs are here.
0:26:14 > 0:26:16Yeah, I've got no problem... Great.
0:26:20 > 0:26:23Our camera is asked to leave the building.
0:26:23 > 0:26:26Meanwhile, Craig's talked to the company's accountant
0:26:26 > 0:26:32and learned that Dir Ltd went into administration in 2011.
0:26:32 > 0:26:35However, the name they have on the writ
0:26:35 > 0:26:37is not the limited company.
0:26:37 > 0:26:41It's the company's owner - dirgroup.co.uk.
0:26:41 > 0:26:44We've been to these premises before for a previous writ.
0:26:44 > 0:26:46We did get a run-around at the time.
0:26:46 > 0:26:50The accountant was under the impression that we won't be able to do anything.
0:26:50 > 0:26:52I've put the situation to him that we can and we will.
0:26:52 > 0:26:55He's saying there's no money available.
0:26:55 > 0:26:58We're now looking at removing some items today
0:26:58 > 0:27:00if it's not resolved by way of payment,
0:27:00 > 0:27:03so we're just at the moment ascertaining what
0:27:03 > 0:27:05assets are available for us to remove.
0:27:05 > 0:27:08Tom's been looking through invoices in the office,
0:27:08 > 0:27:12and there's some confusion about the company name.
0:27:12 > 0:27:17We've got Dir Group. Everything in there is in Dream In Reality.
0:27:17 > 0:27:20- Yeah.- Which you could say is Dir, couldn't you?- Yes.
0:27:20 > 0:27:24- But it's not. - Is it Dreams In Reality Ltd?
0:27:24 > 0:27:28No, Dreams In Reality... I'll get it back out now.
0:27:28 > 0:27:31Mate, if it's Dreams In Reality, yeah,
0:27:31 > 0:27:37that's the same as Dir. But it's only him. It's not a legal entity.
0:27:37 > 0:27:41Craig is convinced that whether it's called Dir or Dreams In Reality,
0:27:41 > 0:27:44this business is no longer a limited company
0:27:44 > 0:27:47and these are just trading names of the company owner.
0:27:47 > 0:27:50If the invoices aren't limited, the goods are going.
0:27:50 > 0:27:52Because it's him trading as...
0:27:52 > 0:27:55Either it's Dir or...doesn't matter.
0:27:55 > 0:27:57If it's Dreams In Reality, Dir, it's still him.
0:27:57 > 0:28:00The court writ, as it stands at the moment,
0:28:00 > 0:28:01is still valid,
0:28:01 > 0:28:05and that's what I've just told Tom, to go back in and have it out again.
0:28:05 > 0:28:07Tom is back in reception talking to the secretary,
0:28:07 > 0:28:09who has become more agitated.
0:28:09 > 0:28:13My company is saying they are willing to argue that and remove the goods.
0:28:13 > 0:28:15The woman tells Tom he's being cocky
0:28:15 > 0:28:18and that the company doesn't have the money to give him.
0:28:18 > 0:28:21Tom tells her they WILL be seizing goods to cover the debt
0:28:21 > 0:28:24but he's not happy with what's on offer.
0:28:24 > 0:28:27What you are trying to do is give us some low-value asset goods.
0:28:27 > 0:28:31They don't think you're going to get the money, that's why they've sent me and my colleague.
0:28:31 > 0:28:33If they thought you were going to pay,
0:28:33 > 0:28:34they'd probably send you a letter.
0:28:34 > 0:28:37But instead, they have two sheriffs on the premises,
0:28:37 > 0:28:40determined to recover the debt the company owes.
0:28:40 > 0:28:44Tom points out that it would be better to pay.
0:28:44 > 0:28:46If the sheriffs end up removing goods,
0:28:46 > 0:28:48there will be further expense.
0:28:48 > 0:28:51We're not going to pay the contractors,
0:28:51 > 0:28:53your company will have to pay for it.
0:28:53 > 0:28:56If it comes to seizure, there should be plenty to go at.
0:28:56 > 0:29:00All salon goods, mirrors, some flat-packs, it looks like, in boxes.
0:29:00 > 0:29:03Some display goods there and computers,
0:29:03 > 0:29:07desks...and quite a lot of it, to be fair.
0:29:07 > 0:29:09A removal would happen here if they don't pay.
0:29:11 > 0:29:13It's time to ramp up the pressure.
0:29:13 > 0:29:15Get the van here.
0:29:15 > 0:29:16Yeah, OK.
0:29:16 > 0:29:19If the sheriffs remove furniture today, it will be sold
0:29:19 > 0:29:23at auction, where it could raise only a fraction of its retail value.
0:29:23 > 0:29:26Rather than see the sheriffs take a lot of goods,
0:29:26 > 0:29:29the company starts to look for money.
0:29:29 > 0:29:34They can raise £2,000 cash, leaving them £500 short.
0:29:34 > 0:29:37How it comes, I don't...to be fair, I ain't bothered, you know what I mean?
0:29:37 > 0:29:39But it has to be the full amount.
0:29:39 > 0:29:42Still short of the final £500, the sheriffs, once again,
0:29:42 > 0:29:46threaten to remove valuable salon chairs.
0:29:46 > 0:29:50I can accept the 2,000 but it won't be just two chairs that will be going.
0:29:50 > 0:29:52It will be a lot more chairs.
0:29:52 > 0:29:55If we're looking down the route of removing for part of the payment,
0:29:55 > 0:29:57there's a lot more cost involved.
0:29:57 > 0:30:02You're talking about £1,000 odd extra involved.
0:30:02 > 0:30:04Tom comes outside.
0:30:04 > 0:30:05Discussions between him
0:30:05 > 0:30:08and the woman on reception are not going well.
0:30:08 > 0:30:10She did seem helpful at first
0:30:10 > 0:30:13but she's got very irate as I've had to tell her the sort of
0:30:13 > 0:30:16facts that if it's not paid, goods are going to be removed.
0:30:16 > 0:30:18She's become very upset with me.
0:30:18 > 0:30:20Er, so we manage to work it as you can in a two-man team,
0:30:20 > 0:30:23where Craig's communicating with her now because, obviously,
0:30:23 > 0:30:25she's very upset to have me in the room,
0:30:25 > 0:30:28cos I've obviously told her things are going to go today.
0:30:28 > 0:30:32Craig's diplomatic skills seem to have paid off.
0:30:32 > 0:30:34Finally, a result.
0:30:34 > 0:30:36- See you.- Ta-ra.
0:30:38 > 0:30:42The balance on the account was £2,493.
0:30:42 > 0:30:44Er, we explained to them it's not a problem,
0:30:44 > 0:30:47we can still take the cash but we're going to have to take
0:30:47 > 0:30:48some goods away for the remaining balance.
0:30:48 > 0:30:51They were quite happy for us to do that, erm, but unfortunately
0:30:51 > 0:30:54their interpretation of taking goods away with us was different to ours.
0:30:54 > 0:30:58They hadn't taken into account the other costs which are involved
0:30:58 > 0:31:00if we do take goods away from anybody.
0:31:00 > 0:31:05She said, "Well, the director may have left some money in his office."
0:31:05 > 0:31:10So, she went away to check and came back
0:31:10 > 0:31:13and miraculously she found the other £500.
0:31:13 > 0:31:17So, it was totally paid in full, £2,493 in cash.
0:31:17 > 0:31:20Erm, so therefore it was a good result.
0:31:20 > 0:31:23We've been here before, we know the score
0:31:23 > 0:31:25and we're both experienced in what we do. So...
0:31:25 > 0:31:27Different calibre of officer.
0:31:27 > 0:31:31Craig and Tom wouldn't give up on the final £500.
0:31:31 > 0:31:34So, they have recovered all of the debt owed to their client.
0:31:34 > 0:31:38Even if it did mean Tom fell out with the woman on reception.
0:31:38 > 0:31:41She didn't want to see me, erm, so I had to walk out first.
0:31:41 > 0:31:43She wasn't too interested in seeing me, was she?
0:31:43 > 0:31:45She wasn't my friend.
0:31:45 > 0:31:49I don't think he's on her Christmas list, to be fair.
0:31:49 > 0:31:51I don't know how much to thank them, really.
0:31:51 > 0:31:56You know, not just because of the money and because of the help
0:31:56 > 0:32:00they bring you in life, you know, to stand up and continue.
0:32:00 > 0:32:04I'm so grateful to them and I'm so happy. Really, really happy.
0:32:13 > 0:32:16West Midlands based enforcement officers Craig Wild
0:32:16 > 0:32:19and Tom Coyle also cover Wales
0:32:19 > 0:32:23and are firm believer in the proverb "the early bird catches the worm".
0:32:23 > 0:32:26It's nearly four o' clock this morning.
0:32:26 > 0:32:29We're just heading off to Wales.
0:32:29 > 0:32:33Get there pretty early in the morning to try and catch these people in.
0:32:33 > 0:32:35I can do the weather for Wales wherever I am in the country,
0:32:35 > 0:32:38I can let you know what it's going to be...
0:32:38 > 0:32:39wet.
0:32:39 > 0:32:43Right, we're on our way to a job today. It's for an individual.
0:32:43 > 0:32:49Erm, it's in Gwynedd, for an amount of £4,498.48.
0:32:50 > 0:32:53The case involves two farmers.
0:32:53 > 0:32:55Farmer David Hughes rented land from another farmer to
0:32:55 > 0:32:59graze his sheep on for about £2,000.
0:32:59 > 0:33:03He also bought bales of hay and silage to feed his animals.
0:33:03 > 0:33:07The total bill for rent and silage was just under £3,000
0:33:07 > 0:33:10but Mr Hughes has paid only £500.
0:33:15 > 0:33:18Now the sheriffs are heading up Mr Hughes' farm track
0:33:18 > 0:33:20to get all of the money owed.
0:33:21 > 0:33:23IMPERSONATES WELSH ACCENT: A bit of Welsh lamb.
0:33:23 > 0:33:26The sheriffs are here to seize assets
0:33:26 > 0:33:29and there are vehicles clearly on view in the farmyard.
0:33:29 > 0:33:31We'll keep the gate shut, we'll block the gate in.
0:33:31 > 0:33:33- So, at least we've got all the vehicles...- Yeah.
0:33:33 > 0:33:34..secured in.
0:33:39 > 0:33:43Craig and Tom's tactic of arriving early seems to have paid off.
0:33:43 > 0:33:46Hello, Mr Hughes?
0:33:46 > 0:33:48We're High Court enforcement officers from the sheriff's,
0:33:48 > 0:33:50can we have a word with you, please?
0:33:52 > 0:33:55He's gone straight past the door, Tom.
0:33:55 > 0:33:57He'll probably come around the outside.
0:33:57 > 0:33:59Hello, sir.
0:34:02 > 0:34:03All right.
0:34:03 > 0:34:08I'm here today to execute a High Court writ, unfortunately for you.
0:34:08 > 0:34:12Balance on the account is £4,498.48.
0:34:12 > 0:34:16- What's that for?- Do you know the claimant at all?- I know of him, yeah.
0:34:16 > 0:34:20Unfortunately, he's taking you to court for the monies owed.
0:34:20 > 0:34:23I don't know anything about this.
0:34:23 > 0:34:27Despite Mr Hughes' excuses, Craig is here to collect the money owed
0:34:27 > 0:34:29and he needs to be paid today.
0:34:30 > 0:34:35- It has to be cleared funds.- Cash. - It's cash or it's a card payment.
0:34:36 > 0:34:38Right, well, I've got...
0:34:38 > 0:34:41at the end of the day, I'm not...
0:34:41 > 0:34:42this is nothing to do with sort
0:34:42 > 0:34:44of...I don't know what it's about.
0:34:44 > 0:34:46How am I going to pay something when
0:34:46 > 0:34:47I don't know something about it?
0:34:47 > 0:34:50I would naturally assume that the claimant would have been
0:34:50 > 0:34:53in contact with you with regards to payment, I would have thought.
0:34:53 > 0:34:55- I used to buy silage off him a couple of years ago.- Right.
0:34:55 > 0:34:57So, it could be something to do with that, then.
0:34:57 > 0:34:59No, I paid him as I was getting it.
0:34:59 > 0:35:03Then I don't know. All we do is get involved in the High Court writ, sir.
0:35:03 > 0:35:05David Hughes didn't contest the case
0:35:05 > 0:35:08and a judgment was issued against him.
0:35:08 > 0:35:12Mr Hughes said he's received no paperwork about the case.
0:35:12 > 0:35:13Because he hasn't paid,
0:35:13 > 0:35:16the other farmer's now taken his claim to the High Court
0:35:16 > 0:35:20and hopes the sheriffs will be able to get him what he's owed.
0:35:20 > 0:35:21So, what do we do now, then?
0:35:21 > 0:35:24Well, either we see the payments or we're here to seize the goods.
0:35:24 > 0:35:27- What goods?- Cars, household items.
0:35:27 > 0:35:30Well, the cars aren't mine.
0:35:30 > 0:35:32Craig explains to Mr Hughes that he will have to prove the vehicles
0:35:32 > 0:35:36belong to someone else or they will be seized.
0:35:36 > 0:35:40I'm acting under a court order, so that court order empowers me today
0:35:40 > 0:35:43to require the money from you in full. Now, obviously,
0:35:43 > 0:35:46if you haven't got the money in full I will take that on board,
0:35:46 > 0:35:48but how much can you raise today?
0:35:48 > 0:35:54- So, how much do you want?- £4,498... - Bloody hell! What's that for?
0:35:54 > 0:35:57Again, Mr Hughes, I don't get party to that.
0:35:57 > 0:36:01All I get is a defendant and a claimant.
0:36:01 > 0:36:03Mr Hughes says he'll have to drive to the bank
0:36:03 > 0:36:05to find out how much money he has.
0:36:05 > 0:36:07So, how much do you want?
0:36:07 > 0:36:09Well, as much as you have, to be fair.
0:36:09 > 0:36:12They normally talk about at least 50% of the liability.
0:36:12 > 0:36:14I haven't got that much, I'll be honest with you.
0:36:14 > 0:36:17- How much have you got?- Erm...
0:36:17 > 0:36:20I don't know. I'd have to speak to...
0:36:20 > 0:36:22- Well, if you want to have a quick chat with her first.- Janice!
0:36:25 > 0:36:28How much money can we pay these people?
0:36:28 > 0:36:31They're something to do with silage.
0:36:31 > 0:36:33Where are you going?
0:36:33 > 0:36:34That's the end of the camera.
0:36:34 > 0:36:37At this point, our camera's asked to wait outside
0:36:37 > 0:36:40while Mr Hughes looks for funds.
0:36:40 > 0:36:44Mr Hughes is trying a couple of debit cards to see what he's
0:36:44 > 0:36:47got on them, trying to levy out the situation with some payment today.
0:36:49 > 0:36:51Because they're only getting part payment now,
0:36:51 > 0:36:54the sheriffs will seize goods to cover the rest.
0:36:55 > 0:36:58If Mr Hughes doesn't pay in full within five days,
0:36:58 > 0:37:01those goods can be taken away.
0:37:01 > 0:37:05Is it a debit card or a credit card? Debit card.
0:37:05 > 0:37:07If I can get you to sign and print your name there, sir.
0:37:08 > 0:37:13All right, Mr Hughes? Thanks very much, sorry to disturb you.
0:37:13 > 0:37:17With the paperwork signed, Mr Hughes wants to put his side of the story.
0:37:18 > 0:37:20I'm speechless.
0:37:20 > 0:37:23When these chaps turned up, that was the first I knew of it.
0:37:23 > 0:37:26There's been no postal deliveries of any kind here.
0:37:26 > 0:37:29Mr Hughes tells us the dispute was about some silage he bought,
0:37:29 > 0:37:32which he claims was rotten, so he refused to pay.
0:37:32 > 0:37:36He shows us what he says is an example of the bad silage.
0:37:36 > 0:37:39How you supposed to feed that to your animals?
0:37:39 > 0:37:40You cannot feed that to sheep.
0:37:40 > 0:37:43You just cannot cos that would kill them.
0:37:43 > 0:37:45So, I've refused to pay for them.
0:37:45 > 0:37:48Mr Hughes claims he received many bales of bad silage.
0:37:48 > 0:37:51The other farmer says they left his yard in good condition.
0:37:53 > 0:37:55But the silage made up less than a third of the debt,
0:37:55 > 0:37:59which was mainly unpaid rents for fields Mr Hughes had used.
0:38:01 > 0:38:04It's been a success. We've woken Mr Hughes up this morning,
0:38:04 > 0:38:07we've took a part payment of £400 today off him.
0:38:07 > 0:38:10He is disputing it and is going to continue to dispute it,
0:38:10 > 0:38:13which we explained is his legal right,
0:38:13 > 0:38:15but he needs to pay some money today.
0:38:15 > 0:38:18And since we filmed, the two farmers went back to court,
0:38:18 > 0:38:22where they agreed a payment of the remaining £2,000 from Mr Hughes.
0:38:22 > 0:38:24The matter is now closed.
0:38:39 > 0:38:41It's early morning in North West London
0:38:41 > 0:38:45and enforcement officers Lawrence Griggs and Kev McNally
0:38:45 > 0:38:47are heading towards their latest date with a debtor.
0:38:49 > 0:38:51We're heading towards Uxbridge at the moment
0:38:51 > 0:38:54to a company called Rainbow Logistics.
0:38:54 > 0:38:58We're looking for £2,692.24.
0:38:59 > 0:39:02A British woman arranged for Rainbow Logistics
0:39:02 > 0:39:05to send some clothing for her to Uganda.
0:39:05 > 0:39:07But despite paying them for the privilege,
0:39:07 > 0:39:10the clothing never arrived.
0:39:10 > 0:39:12The woman took the company to court where they contested the case
0:39:12 > 0:39:15but the court sided with her.
0:39:15 > 0:39:18Despite this, the debt's still not been paid.
0:39:18 > 0:39:22So, now it's up to Lawrence and Kev to get her the money she's owed.
0:39:30 > 0:39:32Rainbow Logistics.
0:39:32 > 0:39:34- That looks gone, doesn't it?- Yeah.
0:39:34 > 0:39:37Sheriffs have the power to force entry at commercial premises
0:39:37 > 0:39:41like these, if necessary, but today they're in luck,
0:39:41 > 0:39:43as Kev gets buzzed straight in.
0:39:46 > 0:39:48My name's Mr Griggs, I'm an enforcement officer.
0:39:48 > 0:39:50I'm here today to execute a High Court writ,
0:39:50 > 0:39:55here today to seize goods to the value of £2,692.24.
0:39:55 > 0:39:59The only way to prevent that is to pay in full.
0:39:59 > 0:40:03The somewhat taken aback staff member goes searching for the boss.
0:40:03 > 0:40:07Lawrence, meanwhile, has got a job for Kev.
0:40:07 > 0:40:09Just check out the van, Kev. There's a van.
0:40:09 > 0:40:12- Check one out?- Yeah, it's a Sprinter or something.
0:40:12 > 0:40:14If you go through that door on the side, I would think.
0:40:16 > 0:40:18Wanting some leverage to get the debt paid,
0:40:18 > 0:40:23Lawrence has already spotted two vans he could potentially seize.
0:40:23 > 0:40:26In going to check them out, Kev gets lucky.
0:40:26 > 0:40:30In one of the vans, he's found something else too.
0:40:30 > 0:40:31Just have the keys out of there.
0:40:31 > 0:40:34Got the keys for this Transit so obviously the Transit's been seized
0:40:34 > 0:40:37at the moment so the keys are in it so I'll just...
0:40:37 > 0:40:39take the keys, look after them until we get payment
0:40:39 > 0:40:41and they can have the keys back.
0:40:41 > 0:40:43The keys will make the van much easier to remove
0:40:43 > 0:40:46if they do need to take it with them.
0:40:46 > 0:40:49Back upstairs, Lawrence is put in touch with the boss.
0:40:52 > 0:40:54Hello there, sir.
0:40:55 > 0:40:58I'm fine. My name's Mr Griggs, I'm an enforcement officer.
0:40:58 > 0:41:01We're here now, sir, you need to make the payment now.
0:41:01 > 0:41:03We're here to seize goods now.
0:41:05 > 0:41:07We don't take cheques, sir.
0:41:07 > 0:41:11It's cleared funds so it needs to be bank transfer...
0:41:11 > 0:41:14or a card payment or cash.
0:41:14 > 0:41:17Right, then you need to come here, sir,
0:41:17 > 0:41:19if that's the only way you can do a bank transfer.
0:41:19 > 0:41:20You need to come here now.
0:41:22 > 0:41:26Downstairs, Kev is carrying out a diligent search for assets
0:41:26 > 0:41:27relevant to the company.
0:41:27 > 0:41:29And he gets lucky again -
0:41:29 > 0:41:32a second set of keys for the other van.
0:41:32 > 0:41:35Keys for this van now. So, we'll keep them.
0:41:35 > 0:41:38And with both vans and keys seized,
0:41:38 > 0:41:41someone's clearly feeling the pressure.
0:41:41 > 0:41:44News comes through that the boss is willing to pay.
0:41:44 > 0:41:47It's what Lawrence and Kev had been hoping for.
0:41:47 > 0:41:51The boss is doing a bank transfer from home, so...
0:41:51 > 0:41:54He's not bothering to come here once I explained...
0:41:55 > 0:41:58..that we charge for the time on site.
0:41:59 > 0:42:04But more than 15 minutes later, there's still no sign of any money.
0:42:04 > 0:42:05Lawrence keeps the pressure up.
0:42:07 > 0:42:09It's not showing yet. Do you want to give him a ring
0:42:09 > 0:42:11and see if he's done it yet? Because if he's at home,
0:42:11 > 0:42:13it shouldn't take that long to do it.
0:42:13 > 0:42:16Can you get him to get a screen print as well?
0:42:18 > 0:42:22And moments later, there is finally good news.
0:42:22 > 0:42:24- Here is your copy. - Yeah, looks all OK.
0:42:24 > 0:42:28It's got the reference number, right account number on it, sort code.
0:42:28 > 0:42:32After less than three quarters of an hour on site,
0:42:32 > 0:42:34it's a paid-in-full in the bank.
0:42:34 > 0:42:37Receipt issued, it's job done.
0:42:37 > 0:42:39- Anything else?- No, that's it, we'll leave you in peace.
0:42:39 > 0:42:43- Cheers, mate, bye-bye. - Have a nice day, gentlemen.
0:42:43 > 0:42:47With not a lot in the way of assets, it was the seizure of the van
0:42:47 > 0:42:50that left the company with no choice but to pay.
0:42:50 > 0:42:52Once they know that that could potentially go,
0:42:52 > 0:42:55we know we're good in the fact that we can recover our money.
0:42:55 > 0:42:59He had no choice and he paid a transfer immediately, so job done.
0:42:59 > 0:43:01Happy with that. Good start to the day.
0:43:01 > 0:43:05And with that, the sheriffs head off with a payment-in-full.
0:43:05 > 0:43:07It's good news for the former customer,
0:43:07 > 0:43:10who will finally get the money she rightfully deserves.