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 to execute a High Court writ.
0:00:07 > 0:00:10Their job is to get you your money back.
0:00:10 > 0:00:12It's an arrestable offence to stop me doing my job.
0:00:12 > 0:00:16If you've been ripped off and don't know where to turn...
0:00:16 > 0:00:18- I'm not waiting any more. - I'm ordered to seize goods
0:00:18 > 0:00:21to clear this debt, which would mean clearing 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 > 0:00:28- Why don't you just tell me who you are?- This is an absolute crock.
0:00:28 > 0:00:29You need to pay this.
0:00:29 > 0:00:31..it's time to call the sheriffs.
0:00:31 > 0:00:33I've seized your car, sir.
0:00:33 > 0:00:36You can have a letter through the door or through the window.
0:00:36 > 0:00:37Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa.
0:00:37 > 0:00:40They're enforcement officers of the High Court
0:00:40 > 0:00:42and the law says they're on your side.
0:00:42 > 0:00:44Just collected 42 grand.
0:00:48 > 0:00:49- Coming up...- Hello there, sir.
0:00:49 > 0:00:52..at a store in Coventry, the sheriffs are attempting
0:00:52 > 0:00:54to clear a big debt.
0:00:54 > 0:00:57- It'd be everything out the shop. - When sheriff Tom is confronted...
0:00:57 > 0:00:58I'm not going to allow you to take this.
0:00:58 > 0:01:00..and prevented from seizing goods...
0:01:00 > 0:01:04It's about to get physical basically. They're stopping me doing my job.
0:01:04 > 0:01:08..the law steps in. Will the sheriffs be able to do their job?
0:01:08 > 0:01:09Turn around for me.
0:01:09 > 0:01:14Sheriffs Lawrence and Kev are called to a well-known London pub.
0:01:14 > 0:01:19It's been occupied by squatters - barricaded and booby-trapped.
0:01:19 > 0:01:20I'll need a crowbar again.
0:01:20 > 0:01:24Can the sheriffs get in and get the squatters out?
0:01:24 > 0:01:26You've got in front. You two go to the top floor.
0:01:26 > 0:01:30And when Michael Shawyer worked on a van at the family's garage
0:01:30 > 0:01:33they ended up frustrated and out of pocket.
0:01:33 > 0:01:37Very annoying. We're only small garage so every penny counts.
0:01:37 > 0:01:40Can the sheriffs get them the money they are owed?
0:01:40 > 0:01:43Do you know what? There's something so iffy with this.
0:01:46 > 0:01:49It's a misty morning as enforcement officers Craig Wild
0:01:49 > 0:01:53and Tom Coyle pilot their van through the early morning commuters.
0:01:53 > 0:02:00We're on our way to Coventry today. It's nice and bright, as you can see.
0:02:00 > 0:02:04Attention to detail is part of the sheriffs' mantra,
0:02:04 > 0:02:08and that starts with preparation for the day ahead.
0:02:08 > 0:02:12I've had my muesli and, at the minute, I'm into mocha.
0:02:12 > 0:02:14I don't tend to do breakfast, to be fair,
0:02:14 > 0:02:17cos we start, generally, that early in the morning.
0:02:17 > 0:02:21Today's case involves a substantial debt they're hoping to recover
0:02:21 > 0:02:23from a local convenience store.
0:02:23 > 0:02:28The debt's £21,836.81.
0:02:28 > 0:02:32Fingers crossed it's a shop and we can walk straight in.
0:02:39 > 0:02:41The early opening of the store
0:02:41 > 0:02:45is convenient for the local community and sheriffs alike.
0:02:45 > 0:02:49Hello there, sir. Is a Mr Krishna Kumar available?
0:02:49 > 0:02:52He's not. Could you get him on the phone for me?
0:02:52 > 0:02:55We're here with a High Court writ today to execute.
0:02:55 > 0:02:57The man behind the counter
0:02:57 > 0:02:59says he's just a friend helping out the shop owner.
0:02:59 > 0:03:02While he tries to get the boss on the phone, the sheriffs start
0:03:02 > 0:03:07to list the extensive stock for seizing if the debt isn't paid.
0:03:07 > 0:03:09There's a lot of stuff here.
0:03:09 > 0:03:13Tom checks and discovers that the man being phoned by his friend
0:03:13 > 0:03:16is not the debtor named on the writ.
0:03:16 > 0:03:19It's that name there - Mr Krishna Kumar.
0:03:19 > 0:03:22- My friend isn't him. - That's not your friend?
0:03:22 > 0:03:24His brother. This is not my friend
0:03:24 > 0:03:27- Your friend is the brother of him. - Yeah, that's the brother.
0:03:27 > 0:03:32He's the brother of him. Right. I still don't know.
0:03:32 > 0:03:35If the man running the business isn't the one named on the writ,
0:03:35 > 0:03:37it could be a problem.
0:03:37 > 0:03:40But Craig has spotted the liquor licences on display.
0:03:41 > 0:03:45He's the holder of the licence but he's got a licence as well.
0:03:45 > 0:03:47There seem to be two licensees -
0:03:47 > 0:03:50the debtor on the writ and someone with the same surname.
0:03:50 > 0:03:52Two brothers.
0:03:52 > 0:03:54Do you want to try him again, sir?
0:03:54 > 0:03:58Cos we're getting to a point where we might have to start carrying on.
0:03:58 > 0:04:02The man's back on the phone and the news isn't good.
0:04:02 > 0:04:06He says the man on the writ now has nothing to do with the business
0:04:06 > 0:04:08because it has changed hands.
0:04:08 > 0:04:11But the sheriffs have seen evidence to the contrary.
0:04:11 > 0:04:14We've already seen his name on one of the...
0:04:14 > 0:04:21He's not the licence holder here but he's the nominated adviser here.
0:04:21 > 0:04:25So he's already interlinked here with the business so we need someone
0:04:25 > 0:04:26to come down here and we need to
0:04:26 > 0:04:29see a lot of documentation to prove otherwise.
0:04:29 > 0:04:30OK, I'll see you shortly.
0:04:34 > 0:04:35Yeah, he's coming down.
0:04:36 > 0:04:39As they wait for the business owner, Tom searches through
0:04:39 > 0:04:43the paperwork lying about but can't find what he's looking for.
0:04:43 > 0:04:47It's got the store number but not the debtor's name.
0:04:47 > 0:04:50- That's fine. Cheers, mate. - Get the store number and then
0:04:50 > 0:04:53we'll phone these through and see who's the store owner.
0:04:53 > 0:04:54Two people have arrived.
0:04:54 > 0:04:58The woman says the business used to be run by her brother-in-law -
0:04:58 > 0:05:01the man on the writ - but now she and her husband run it.
0:05:01 > 0:05:03The other man is here to support her.
0:05:03 > 0:05:08They say the debtor now has nothing to do with the business.
0:05:08 > 0:05:10At the moment, we think he may have something
0:05:10 > 0:05:12to do with the business still here cos
0:05:12 > 0:05:15we have noticed his name is on one of the documents up there.
0:05:15 > 0:05:18The woman who says she runs the business has brought some
0:05:18 > 0:05:20paperwork to prove it.
0:05:20 > 0:05:21What's this you've got here?
0:05:21 > 0:05:23The documents show the lease
0:05:23 > 0:05:26and business rates are indeed paid by the woman.
0:05:26 > 0:05:28But the owners still haven't shown Tom evidence
0:05:28 > 0:05:30of who owns the stock in the shop.
0:05:30 > 0:05:33I don't know what to suggest to you. Without seeing conclusive
0:05:33 > 0:05:37proof, they're going to want us to remove them.
0:05:37 > 0:05:40And cos it's such a large debt, without nothing being paid today,
0:05:40 > 0:05:42it'd be everything out of the shop.
0:05:42 > 0:05:46Shifting everything is going to be a massive task.
0:05:46 > 0:05:4818-tonner?
0:05:48 > 0:05:50They're going to look at removing.
0:05:50 > 0:05:54While Craig gets on to the office to talk trucks, Tom tries to convince
0:05:54 > 0:05:58the people who say they own the shop that it would be better to pay.
0:05:58 > 0:06:01The only way to relieve the situation at the moment is
0:06:01 > 0:06:04getting some payment made and then we can look at doing
0:06:04 > 0:06:07a walking possession and giving you a bit of time.
0:06:07 > 0:06:10Then Craig finds a crucial piece of paperwork.
0:06:11 > 0:06:16- Krishna Kumar. Krishna Kumar Sivagan.- Is our man.
0:06:16 > 0:06:19- Is our man?- Mm. - It's on the invoices paid.
0:06:19 > 0:06:21- When's that?- Last week.
0:06:21 > 0:06:26Let's have a look. Well, that changes things considerably, doesn't it?
0:06:26 > 0:06:31There's invoices my colleague's just found - 4th of December -
0:06:31 > 0:06:37which have been paid by Krishna Kumar, which is our defendant here.
0:06:39 > 0:06:42So you're still using the defendant's name here.
0:06:42 > 0:06:45All them goods are going to be removed unless money is paid.
0:06:45 > 0:06:48There's no more discussing it now, it needs to be paid.
0:06:48 > 0:06:53We've got proof that the goods here belong to our defendant.
0:06:53 > 0:06:56The owners say they were just using an account in the defendant's name
0:06:56 > 0:06:59but paid for it themselves.
0:06:59 > 0:07:02But an invoice in Krishna Kumar's name,
0:07:02 > 0:07:06covering a substantial chunk of the shop's stock, is enough for Tom.
0:07:06 > 0:07:09Yeah, it's bang to rights, to be honest, mate. We're digging more
0:07:09 > 0:07:13and more paperwork out now with our man's name all over it.
0:07:13 > 0:07:15Speak to you in a bit.
0:07:15 > 0:07:17Hello.
0:07:18 > 0:07:20Right, that was my manager on the phone. He wants us
0:07:20 > 0:07:23to start stacking everything up and getting it ready to be removed.
0:07:23 > 0:07:26The owners have called in their solicitor, Mr Khan,
0:07:26 > 0:07:29so Tom explains the situation.
0:07:29 > 0:07:32Obviously they said he's nothing to do with this company whatsoever.
0:07:32 > 0:07:36We've found evidence on the contrary, which is invoices for all the stock
0:07:36 > 0:07:40in the gentleman's name, listing everything throughout the shop.
0:07:40 > 0:07:41I've obviously given him
0:07:41 > 0:07:44the offer of making payment today for this High Court order.
0:07:44 > 0:07:46If it's not paid, we're going to be removing the stock.
0:07:46 > 0:07:49- Let me speak to my client. - By all means. By all means, sir.
0:07:49 > 0:07:51- I'll talk to him.- Yeah. OK.
0:07:51 > 0:07:54With a lot of stock to get into the truck,
0:07:54 > 0:07:57Tom starts stacking the alcohol for removal.
0:07:58 > 0:08:00Is there any boxes out the back, Craig?
0:08:06 > 0:08:07No, it's being removed
0:08:09 > 0:08:11We can. It's not whether you allow us, we're here to remove it.
0:08:13 > 0:08:16So we're going to need the police basically cos you're stopping us.
0:08:16 > 0:08:18Craig, do you want to ring the police?
0:08:18 > 0:08:20This gentleman's stopping me doing my job.
0:08:20 > 0:08:23I thought you was just a friend anyway.
0:08:23 > 0:08:27Just a friend but you seem a bit more involved to be this upset.
0:08:27 > 0:08:30He's going to end up getting arrested cos he's going to stop me
0:08:30 > 0:08:33- doing what I'm trying to do. - If you want your client...
0:08:33 > 0:08:37I'm going to need to cos otherwise I'm going to have to push past him.
0:08:38 > 0:08:40No problem.
0:08:40 > 0:08:43This enforcement has taken an unexpected turn.
0:08:43 > 0:08:45Hello there. I need police assistance at a shop.
0:08:45 > 0:08:48I'm a High Court officer executing a High Court writ.
0:08:48 > 0:08:52It's about to get physical basically. They're stopping me doing my job.
0:08:52 > 0:08:56With Tom physically prevented from seizing the stock,
0:08:56 > 0:09:00and the police on their way, when we return to Coventry, we'll see
0:09:00 > 0:09:04if the forces of law and order will allow the sheriffs to do their job.
0:09:08 > 0:09:10The sheriffs enforce High Court writs.
0:09:10 > 0:09:13We're High Court enforcement officers.
0:09:13 > 0:09:15They also have protection under the law.
0:09:15 > 0:09:16I'm not leaving, no.
0:09:16 > 0:09:18I'm an enforcement officer with a High Court writ.
0:09:18 > 0:09:20Stop a sheriff from doing his job,
0:09:20 > 0:09:23and you've committed a criminal offence.
0:09:23 > 0:09:25We've gone past the stage of it being civil now.
0:09:25 > 0:09:27This is now a criminal offence.
0:09:27 > 0:09:29The problem is, what you're doing is actually assault.
0:09:29 > 0:09:30They may call the police,
0:09:30 > 0:09:33who could arrest you, charge you, and take you to court...
0:09:33 > 0:09:35It's an arrestable offence
0:09:35 > 0:09:38if you don't adhere to the command of a High Court enforcement officer.
0:09:38 > 0:09:41..leaving the sheriffs to recover the money their clients are owed.
0:09:55 > 0:09:58Taking the early morning shift are enforcement officers
0:09:58 > 0:10:01Marc Newton and Kev McNally.
0:10:01 > 0:10:03They're in central London, going south.
0:10:06 > 0:10:11As they head under the Thames, Kev gets to grips with today's case.
0:10:12 > 0:10:17We're going to Charlton, Southeast London. We're looking for
0:10:17 > 0:10:23Southern Engine Services Ltd and we're looking for 2,000 and a pound.
0:10:26 > 0:10:30The business Marc and Kev are helping is run by David Shawyer.
0:10:30 > 0:10:33Also working in the garage is his son Michael.
0:10:33 > 0:10:35I help out in my dad's garage.
0:10:35 > 0:10:39The business has been here for approximately 12 years.
0:10:39 > 0:10:42My father's been in the motor trade industry
0:10:42 > 0:10:45for about 38 to 40 years now.
0:10:45 > 0:10:46We're only a little garage,
0:10:46 > 0:10:49we're not backed up by a big chain or big investors.
0:10:49 > 0:10:51It is literally just us,
0:10:51 > 0:10:56these four walls and so our customers are our top priority.
0:10:56 > 0:10:59Wickham Cars sometimes worked with other garages
0:10:59 > 0:11:01when specialist work had to be done.
0:11:01 > 0:11:03If an engine needed reconditioning,
0:11:03 > 0:11:06they often used Southern Engine Services.
0:11:06 > 0:11:09We've had a very long relationship with them.
0:11:09 > 0:11:11Never had a problem in the past.
0:11:13 > 0:11:17Problems started when Southern Engine Services asked Wickham Cars
0:11:17 > 0:11:20to do some work on a van belonging to one of their customers.
0:11:20 > 0:11:24We were contacted by Southern Engine Services, asked to remove
0:11:24 > 0:11:29an engine from an Iveco Daily, which we said, "Yeah, not a problem."
0:11:29 > 0:11:31The vehicle was dropped off to us
0:11:31 > 0:11:34and we noticed it was the wrong engine in the vehicle.
0:11:34 > 0:11:38The van that arrived was fitted with a bigger engine
0:11:38 > 0:11:40than they were expecting.
0:11:40 > 0:11:44It was a bigger job, and this would lead to extra time and cost.
0:11:44 > 0:11:47They said, "Yeah, not a problem, carry on with it,"
0:11:47 > 0:11:50so we proceeded to take the engine out.
0:11:50 > 0:11:53The engine went back to Southern Engine Services to be worked on
0:11:53 > 0:11:55but they had problems with it too,
0:11:55 > 0:11:58finding it hard to get the correct pistons and valves.
0:11:58 > 0:12:01Two months after they'd taken it out,
0:12:01 > 0:12:03Wickham finally got the engine back.
0:12:03 > 0:12:07But instead of finding the engine ready to install as expected,
0:12:07 > 0:12:11they had to spend time reassembling it at further cost.
0:12:11 > 0:12:12And that wasn't all.
0:12:12 > 0:12:17Once in the van, the Southern Engine Services engine didn't run properly.
0:12:17 > 0:12:20We were getting quite annoyed by this stage with Southern Engines.
0:12:20 > 0:12:23We had this vehicle sat around, taking up our room.
0:12:23 > 0:12:25We didn't seem to be getting very far
0:12:25 > 0:12:27with phone conversations with them.
0:12:28 > 0:12:32Eventually, Southern Engine Services agreed to take the van away.
0:12:32 > 0:12:36We agreed a price before they left, covering our labour costs
0:12:36 > 0:12:40and the work we'd put into it, they then jumped in
0:12:40 > 0:12:43the vehicle and took it back to London to carry out the repair.
0:12:43 > 0:12:46The job had been harder, more costly,
0:12:46 > 0:12:50and taken far longer than Wickham Cars had expected.
0:12:50 > 0:12:53Now they had another challenge - getting their money.
0:12:53 > 0:12:56We were told, "Oh, it will be settled in a fortnight,"
0:12:56 > 0:12:59so we allowed it to go a fortnight.
0:12:59 > 0:13:03We did notice a payment of £500 go into our account, which was
0:13:03 > 0:13:05only half of what we'd agreed.
0:13:05 > 0:13:09It was very annoying because we're only a small garage so we...
0:13:09 > 0:13:10Every penny counts, as they say.
0:13:11 > 0:13:15After chasing Southern Engine Services for the money
0:13:15 > 0:13:19and no longer receiving replies, Wickham Cars took them to court.
0:13:19 > 0:13:22The judgment was in Wickham's favour.
0:13:22 > 0:13:25Although Southern Engine Services didn't attend the hearing,
0:13:25 > 0:13:27they challenged the judgment in writing.
0:13:27 > 0:13:30Michael and his dad had to go back to court.
0:13:30 > 0:13:34Finally the judge refused to set aside the judgment.
0:13:34 > 0:13:35Wickham cars had won.
0:13:37 > 0:13:40It was a relief when we did win the judgment, however
0:13:40 > 0:13:43we were thinking that it was going to be trouble getting the money
0:13:43 > 0:13:45out of Southern Engine Services.
0:13:45 > 0:13:48Literally the fact that they'd fought all this way,
0:13:48 > 0:13:50we could see they were going to carry on fighting.
0:13:52 > 0:13:55Unfortunately, Michael's prediction came true.
0:13:55 > 0:13:58They haven't received the money from Southern Engine Services
0:13:58 > 0:13:59the court says is theirs.
0:13:59 > 0:14:03But there is one final chance to get what they're owed.
0:14:03 > 0:14:05After seeing the sheriffs on TV
0:14:05 > 0:14:09and how they enforce court orders for reclaiming
0:14:09 > 0:14:12people's money, we believed that they would be the best course
0:14:12 > 0:14:16of action for us for getting our money back from Southern Engines.
0:14:21 > 0:14:24Aiming to recover the money are Marc Newton and Kev McNally.
0:14:25 > 0:14:29It looks like Southern Engine Services have tried to get
0:14:29 > 0:14:33this judgment set aside and it's been refused.
0:14:33 > 0:14:37The sheriffs soon locate the Southern Engine Services premises
0:14:37 > 0:14:41and it looks like the mechanics are out to enjoy the sunshine.
0:14:43 > 0:14:45- Southern Engine Services?- Yes, mate.
0:14:45 > 0:14:47- High Court officers. - High Court officers?
0:14:47 > 0:14:51We've got a High Court writ against Southern Engine Services.
0:14:51 > 0:14:53From David Shawyer.
0:14:53 > 0:14:54Yeah, you know what?
0:14:54 > 0:14:57- There's something so iffy with this, it's unbelievable.- Is there?
0:14:57 > 0:15:00We haven't got any details of... Well, we've got...
0:15:00 > 0:15:03We've details that say... Did you apply to have it set aside?
0:15:03 > 0:15:06- Yeah.- And that's been dismissed. - And then I had a...
0:15:06 > 0:15:08The business owners are very familiar with the case,
0:15:08 > 0:15:10but tell Marc and Kev
0:15:10 > 0:15:13they aren't happy with the way the court dealt with them.
0:15:13 > 0:15:15He went through all the paperwork,
0:15:15 > 0:15:18he went through all the e-mails, right? Nothing had come back to us.
0:15:18 > 0:15:21No litigation, no paperwork, no e-mails, nothing.
0:15:21 > 0:15:23So all that goes on down there
0:15:23 > 0:15:26and all the decisions that are made in that courthouse...
0:15:26 > 0:15:28- It's Portsmouth, isn't it?- Yeah.
0:15:28 > 0:15:32None of it, and I mean none of it, comes back here to us.
0:15:32 > 0:15:35How can you have a court case that you want to defend
0:15:35 > 0:15:36and you don't get a date?
0:15:36 > 0:15:38The owners of the business complain
0:15:38 > 0:15:41that after an initial conversation with a lady from the court,
0:15:41 > 0:15:43they never received any paperwork
0:15:43 > 0:15:47telling them about the date of the hearing, meaning they missed it
0:15:47 > 0:15:48and lost the case.
0:15:48 > 0:15:50For the sheriffs, it's of little consequence.
0:15:50 > 0:15:53They're here to enforce a High Court writ
0:15:53 > 0:15:54and that's what they plan to do.
0:15:54 > 0:15:57It's unbelievable, it's a proper carry-on.
0:15:57 > 0:16:00We're not actually here for payment. We're here to seize assets.
0:16:00 > 0:16:03The only way of stopping that is by paying us, as I'm sure you're aware.
0:16:03 > 0:16:07But any money we take is held for 14 days by us.
0:16:07 > 0:16:09It doesn't get dispersed, it can't get dispersed.
0:16:09 > 0:16:11- We legally have to hold it.- Right.
0:16:11 > 0:16:13So anything you want to do in that time,
0:16:13 > 0:16:15you can take measures in that time.
0:16:15 > 0:16:17The man believes he shouldn't have to pay
0:16:17 > 0:16:19and wants time to speak with the court.
0:16:19 > 0:16:22So he asks the sheriffs to revisit tomorrow.
0:16:22 > 0:16:25But for the sheriffs, there is no tomorrow.
0:16:25 > 0:16:27We can't leave, though, we can't leave.
0:16:36 > 0:16:40That's fine. Have you just got something to show us that, then?
0:16:47 > 0:16:48- Yeah?- That would be great.
0:16:48 > 0:16:52It's not good news. The business owner shows Marc receipts
0:16:52 > 0:16:55showing that he personally owns the valuable tools and machinery.
0:16:55 > 0:16:59This means Southern Engine Services owns nothing of value.
0:16:59 > 0:17:01The sheriffs have nothing to seize,
0:17:01 > 0:17:04and no obvious way to get Mr Shawyer his money.
0:17:06 > 0:17:09- Yeah?- Yeah, all the goods are owned by Alan.
0:17:09 > 0:17:10So we'll leave him paperwork.
0:17:10 > 0:17:13- He's got the paperwork, done all that.- All good?- Yeah.
0:17:13 > 0:17:15- Cheers, mate. Bye-bye. - Cheers, mate. Thank you.
0:17:15 > 0:17:20It looks like Marc and Kev are going to have to leave empty-handed,
0:17:20 > 0:17:22but Marc is not completely disheartened.
0:17:22 > 0:17:26He said if he goes to court and it's found against him, he'll pay.
0:17:26 > 0:17:29It turns out there is a tomorrow after all
0:17:29 > 0:17:33because two weeks later, Southern Engine Services paid in full.
0:17:34 > 0:17:37Well, we had some news from the sheriffs.
0:17:37 > 0:17:40They've been successful in collecting our claim and our costs
0:17:40 > 0:17:45and I'm happy to report that we are now better off financially
0:17:45 > 0:17:48and able to buy some new equipment for our workshop.
0:17:48 > 0:17:52I'd like to say, sheriffs, thank you for getting my money. Job well done.
0:17:53 > 0:17:55Southern Engine Services told us...
0:18:01 > 0:18:04..as the director was away.
0:18:04 > 0:18:07They said they were currently in communication with the court
0:18:07 > 0:18:09about the issue, and were looking
0:18:09 > 0:18:11for recompense or for a new hearing...
0:18:14 > 0:18:17..and the way they were treated.
0:18:17 > 0:18:20They said they wished to make no further comment
0:18:20 > 0:18:22until the dispute with the courts was settled.
0:18:31 > 0:18:36In Coventry, the sheriffs are trying to settle a debt of over £21,000
0:18:36 > 0:18:39owed by a convenience store.
0:18:39 > 0:18:43But Tom has been physically prevented from removing the stock
0:18:43 > 0:18:44and the police have been called.
0:18:44 > 0:18:48There's about £2,000 worth of this stock in invoices
0:18:48 > 0:18:49in the name of our defendant,
0:18:49 > 0:18:51so that's what we're here to remove today
0:18:51 > 0:18:54if they don't want to make payment. There's been a bit of an issue
0:18:54 > 0:18:56with me getting stopped doing that,
0:18:56 > 0:19:00- hence we called you just to obviously stop a breach of the peace.- OK.
0:19:00 > 0:19:04But the owner's solicitor has been looking at the sheriffs' writ,
0:19:04 > 0:19:05and he's spotted a problem.
0:19:10 > 0:19:13We've got a sealed copy in the office.
0:19:13 > 0:19:15I'll speak to the office for you now.
0:19:21 > 0:19:23It's not a defective notice.
0:19:29 > 0:19:30Bear with me.
0:19:30 > 0:19:35Tom asks the office to send over a copy of the original sealed, dated writ.
0:19:35 > 0:19:39Meanwhile, the shop has found evidence some goods were paid for
0:19:39 > 0:19:43by the new owners. It means not everything can be seized,
0:19:43 > 0:19:46and Tom is stacking the stock the sheriffs can take away.
0:19:46 > 0:19:50Plenty Weetabix there. It's going to be all the cereals, more or less,
0:19:50 > 0:19:54on this list, so it will be more or less... Well, it's all this aisle,
0:19:54 > 0:19:59more or less the next, what I can see, most of the bars down here.
0:19:59 > 0:20:01It's quite a lot of stock, actually, when you work it out.
0:20:01 > 0:20:05Another copy of the High Court writ has been e-mailed over.
0:20:05 > 0:20:07But it's still not right.
0:20:10 > 0:20:14That's what's been sent to me. There's the high court claim number.
0:20:15 > 0:20:16It will be sealed, sir.
0:20:18 > 0:20:21You're trying to tell me I've gone to the effort of making that up myself?
0:20:21 > 0:20:23Can you honestly say that?
0:20:25 > 0:20:27Our office will have the sealed copy.
0:20:29 > 0:20:30I'll ring them up again.
0:20:30 > 0:20:33Ten minutes later, the sealed writ appears.
0:20:36 > 0:20:39He's happy with that. One second, I'll put him on.
0:20:39 > 0:20:41And the enforcement is back on.
0:20:41 > 0:20:44Tom needs to seize more high-value goods
0:20:44 > 0:20:47to have any chance of clearing the debt.
0:20:47 > 0:20:50Next on his list are the cigarettes,
0:20:50 > 0:20:54but the man supporting the new shop owner has other ideas.
0:20:54 > 0:20:57Excuse me, don't start obstructing me. Come on.
0:21:00 > 0:21:01No, the cigarettes are going.
0:21:01 > 0:21:04Let me have a word with him. Out of the way, Tom.
0:21:04 > 0:21:06Come here, my friend. I want to talk to you.
0:21:06 > 0:21:09The police have seen enough.
0:21:09 > 0:21:11- Outside.- Outside, sir.
0:21:11 > 0:21:13You're under arrest.
0:21:13 > 0:21:15You don't have to say anything, but it may harm your defence
0:21:15 > 0:21:18if you do not mention when questioned something you rely on in court.
0:21:18 > 0:21:21- Anything you do say may be given in evidence. All right?- OK.
0:21:21 > 0:21:24You are under arrest for obstructing an enforcement officer
0:21:24 > 0:21:26in the execution of their duty. Do you understand?
0:21:26 > 0:21:27- OK.- Turn around for me.
0:21:27 > 0:21:30This is not how the sheriffs wanted it to go,
0:21:30 > 0:21:33but being an enforcement officer gives them powers and protection
0:21:33 > 0:21:37under the law, and that's why the man has been arrested.
0:21:37 > 0:21:39Obstructing the enforcement officers at the moment
0:21:39 > 0:21:41and to prevent breach of the peace.
0:21:41 > 0:21:44He'll be taken to the police station. It will be investigated.
0:21:44 > 0:21:47It won't be me making the decision on what the outcome will be.
0:21:47 > 0:21:50It will be the custody sergeant or the Crown Prosecution Service.
0:21:50 > 0:21:52Back in the shop, the turn of events
0:21:52 > 0:21:56has visibly upset the woman who runs the business.
0:21:56 > 0:21:59She starts phoning round to try to raise some money.
0:21:59 > 0:22:02Knowing they are unlikely to get a full payment today,
0:22:02 > 0:22:05the sheriffs are prepared to take a part payment
0:22:05 > 0:22:09and seize goods on paper until a payment plan is put in place.
0:22:12 > 0:22:15It needs to be about 3,500 minimum.
0:22:15 > 0:22:173,500.
0:22:18 > 0:22:22The solicitor, Mr Khan, has taken over negotiations
0:22:22 > 0:22:23with the person on the phone.
0:22:28 > 0:22:30It has to be 3,500.
0:22:33 > 0:22:35We can't, sir. We've been nearly four hours.
0:22:37 > 0:22:39We can't do that, sir.
0:22:40 > 0:22:42Because time's money, you see.
0:22:42 > 0:22:46It is a bit edgy. It's difficult to get all the documents, paperwork,
0:22:46 > 0:22:48to the High Court enforcement officers,
0:22:48 > 0:22:50but if they are given more time
0:22:50 > 0:22:52perhaps they can take a more balanced approach.
0:22:52 > 0:22:54So I think my client has taken the right step
0:22:54 > 0:22:57to make some payment on account, and thereafter
0:22:57 > 0:23:01to provide all the paperwork and documents to the enforcement officers
0:23:01 > 0:23:03and they will obviously take it from there.
0:23:03 > 0:23:09The owner's relative, who tried to prevent the sheriffs doing their job, is taken away by police.
0:23:09 > 0:23:14Meanwhile, Craig is beginning to believe the case will soon be over.
0:23:14 > 0:23:16Bringing my trusty friend with me,
0:23:16 > 0:23:18so hopefully the payment will be made.
0:23:18 > 0:23:19The shop owner is waiting
0:23:19 > 0:23:22for someone to pay money into her account.
0:23:22 > 0:23:26She signs a walking possession, which leaves the stock in the shop
0:23:26 > 0:23:28but hands ownership to the court
0:23:28 > 0:23:31until she either proves it belongs to her,
0:23:31 > 0:23:34or the debtor agrees to pay the remainder of the debt.
0:23:34 > 0:23:37Right. Just wait for this payment. Once the payment's received,
0:23:37 > 0:23:39I'll give you copies of all your paperwork.
0:23:39 > 0:23:42Finally, the money arrives and the shop owner pays.
0:23:42 > 0:23:45Enter your pin and press the green button, please.
0:23:47 > 0:23:49- Approved.- Boom.
0:23:49 > 0:23:51The money will be held by the sheriffs,
0:23:51 > 0:23:54giving her chance to prove she owns the stock.
0:23:54 > 0:23:57As the sheriffs and remaining police head off,
0:23:57 > 0:24:00the owner's solicitor wants to put his client's side of the case.
0:24:00 > 0:24:03We are taking the matter further. There are many issues in this case.
0:24:03 > 0:24:05Should they pay the money or not,
0:24:05 > 0:24:08the inconvenience, damage to the business, the distress caused.
0:24:08 > 0:24:11There's a lot of issues that need to be taken into account also.
0:24:11 > 0:24:14The aftermath of this event, they've paid £3,500
0:24:14 > 0:24:17so we'd obviously get all the evidence and proof to show that
0:24:17 > 0:24:19they are the people who are lawful owners
0:24:19 > 0:24:23and that all the goods belong to them and not the previous account holder.
0:24:23 > 0:24:25We need to get more evidence and more proof,
0:24:25 > 0:24:28provide that to the High Court enforcement officers
0:24:28 > 0:24:31for them to look at and obviously make their decision.
0:24:34 > 0:24:36The sheriffs have secured part of the payment,
0:24:36 > 0:24:39and expect the rest to follow.
0:24:39 > 0:24:42It was quite a good result, apart from one gentleman had to be removed
0:24:42 > 0:24:46by the police, and actually arrested, which we never want to see happen
0:24:46 > 0:24:47but he was stopping me doing my job,
0:24:47 > 0:24:50he wouldn't allow me to carry on with the seizure, going behind,
0:24:50 > 0:24:53physically stopping me, so the officer intervened
0:24:53 > 0:24:55and had to arrest him in the end.
0:24:56 > 0:24:59Since we filmed, the Crown Prosecution Service decided
0:24:59 > 0:25:04not to bring a prosecution against the man arrested by the police.
0:25:04 > 0:25:08The Earlsdon convenience store told us the recent invoice
0:25:08 > 0:25:11found in the previous store owner's name was a mistake
0:25:11 > 0:25:15caused by a wholesaler issuing it in the wrong account name.
0:25:15 > 0:25:18They stress the current business owner's reticence to pay the debt...
0:25:32 > 0:25:34With dawn just around the corner,
0:25:34 > 0:25:37sheriffs Lawrence Grix and Kev McNally are in West London.
0:25:37 > 0:25:40But this morning, they're not looking for a debtor.
0:25:40 > 0:25:42Instead, they've got a writ of possession
0:25:42 > 0:25:44to evict a group of squatters.
0:25:44 > 0:25:47It's just after 5 o'clock at the moment
0:25:47 > 0:25:51and we're on our way to a repossession in London.
0:25:51 > 0:25:55It's a pub we've done before, the Cross Keys.
0:25:55 > 0:25:58We took possession of it for the client about a year ago.
0:25:58 > 0:26:00There's now squatters in there again.
0:26:00 > 0:26:03We've been told there's between five and ten people.
0:26:03 > 0:26:06A year ago, Lawrence and Kev visited the same pub
0:26:06 > 0:26:08after it was occupied by squatters,
0:26:08 > 0:26:12having become vacant while the owner sought to develop it.
0:26:13 > 0:26:14Enforcement officers!
0:26:14 > 0:26:18The sheriffs forced entry, and were lucky enough to avoid
0:26:18 > 0:26:20a booby trap left for them at the door.
0:26:21 > 0:26:23They managed to evict the squatters
0:26:23 > 0:26:27and return the pub to its rightful owner.
0:26:27 > 0:26:28- Thanks a lot.- Thank you very much.
0:26:28 > 0:26:30- You know where we are if you need us again.- Sure.
0:26:30 > 0:26:33Come on, chaps. Let's go and find a caff.
0:26:34 > 0:26:37But the development process has again become drawn out,
0:26:37 > 0:26:39leaving the building empty,
0:26:39 > 0:26:42and now a new bunch of squatters has moved in.
0:26:42 > 0:26:44So it's Lawrence and Kev's job,
0:26:44 > 0:26:47along with some colleagues and a team supplied by the owner,
0:26:47 > 0:26:49to get the new squatters out.
0:26:49 > 0:26:52The sheriffs are keen to make entry
0:26:52 > 0:26:55before the sleeping squatters realise what's happening.
0:26:55 > 0:26:58There's no sign of any movement in there at the moment.
0:26:58 > 0:27:01There's a dim light on on the first floor.
0:27:01 > 0:27:04Doesn't appear to be anything on the ground floor
0:27:04 > 0:27:07but it's boarded up, so you can't really see anyway.
0:27:07 > 0:27:10They've gained entry through the rear, we believe.
0:27:10 > 0:27:11We'll be going in through the front.
0:27:11 > 0:27:14If they want to run out the rear as we go in the front,
0:27:14 > 0:27:17you know, that's entirely up to them, and suits us.
0:27:18 > 0:27:20It's time to go in.
0:27:20 > 0:27:24Normally, the sheriffs bring in their own experts to do this.
0:27:24 > 0:27:27The men supplied by the client are making a lot of noise.
0:27:29 > 0:27:31DOOR CREAKS AND THUDS
0:27:31 > 0:27:33They're awake.
0:27:33 > 0:27:35It's hard not to be, innit, really?
0:27:43 > 0:27:46The door's open, but they can't get in.
0:27:46 > 0:27:48The entrance is barricaded.
0:27:48 > 0:27:51Until the gear's out, the sheriffs won't be going in.
0:27:52 > 0:27:54James, take it easy.
0:27:54 > 0:27:56That stuff's got to come out.
0:28:00 > 0:28:02Come on, you lot! Start moving some of this stuff.
0:28:02 > 0:28:06We're doing your job for you. You're supposed to be getting us in.
0:28:06 > 0:28:07Bring everything out.
0:28:07 > 0:28:11The sheriffs have a dilemma - they need to get in quickly
0:28:11 > 0:28:14to stop the squatters barricading any more doors.
0:28:14 > 0:28:17But having experienced the booby trap last time,
0:28:17 > 0:28:20Lawrence doesn't want his men taking unnecessary risks.
0:28:20 > 0:28:22James, careful.
0:28:22 > 0:28:24The booby trap is back in place.
0:28:26 > 0:28:29With the barricade cleared, there's a second door.
0:28:29 > 0:28:31Right, we need a crowbar again.
0:28:41 > 0:28:43Right, that's the ground floor.
0:28:43 > 0:28:45You don't want to go that way. Up the stairs.
0:28:45 > 0:28:49Right, enforcement officers, if you hadn't already realised. Yeah.
0:28:49 > 0:28:52We've got a writ of possession. You all need to leave.
0:28:52 > 0:28:55We'll give you a bit of time to get your stuff together, OK?
0:28:55 > 0:28:57How many of you in here?
0:28:57 > 0:28:59- About 20.- About 20? OK.
0:29:01 > 0:29:04It's a lot of bodies to shift, along with all their stuff.
0:29:04 > 0:29:07Some things haven't changed since the last raid.
0:29:08 > 0:29:11Surprised the TV's still in here.
0:29:11 > 0:29:13They were watching that last time we were in
0:29:13 > 0:29:17and a year later, I'm very surprised to still see a big TV still in here.
0:29:17 > 0:29:19It's quite a bit grubbier.
0:29:19 > 0:29:22At least some of the squatters realise the game is up,
0:29:22 > 0:29:25take advantage of the newly opened door, and leave.
0:29:27 > 0:29:29Yeah.
0:29:29 > 0:29:30Got an easy way out.
0:29:30 > 0:29:33You don't have to risk life and limb on the roof this morning.
0:29:33 > 0:29:37The squatters' normal route in and out is perilous,
0:29:37 > 0:29:39but has to be checked and shut off.
0:29:39 > 0:29:40This is the door they were using
0:29:40 > 0:29:43and there's a ladder down there I believe they were using
0:29:43 > 0:29:46to drop down to the ground floor,
0:29:46 > 0:29:48then climb up the ladder and come in this window.
0:29:48 > 0:29:50It was open when I came up here.
0:29:50 > 0:29:52He's just been checking all around the roof
0:29:52 > 0:29:54just to make sure there's nobody out here,
0:29:54 > 0:29:56so then we can secure it
0:29:56 > 0:29:59and we're safe to say to the client that there's nobody on the roof,
0:29:59 > 0:30:01so we just have to check everywhere.
0:30:01 > 0:30:04Although some of the squatters are now out, many of those remaining
0:30:04 > 0:30:08have been here a while and have a lot of stuff.
0:30:15 > 0:30:18You've said you've got too much stuff to carry, which is fair comment,
0:30:18 > 0:30:21so take it out and come back in for the rest, yeah?
0:30:21 > 0:30:24We'll leave you a bit longer on this floor to get what you've got here.
0:30:24 > 0:30:28The procedure now is to empty and check off each area of the pub,
0:30:28 > 0:30:30and make sure no-one gets back in.
0:30:30 > 0:30:33- All out now, Law? - Yeah, everybody's out of there.
0:30:33 > 0:30:35Roof's clear.
0:30:36 > 0:30:40- Did you know that Bob Marley used to drink here?- Yeah, he did.- Wow.
0:30:40 > 0:30:43One of the squatters has a go at disrupting filming.
0:30:45 > 0:30:47Does that look cool?
0:30:47 > 0:30:50- Did you want your step machine, whoever it was?- Yeah!
0:30:50 > 0:30:52Just found it in the bar.
0:30:52 > 0:30:53Thank you.
0:30:57 > 0:30:59It looks like the squatters are all out.
0:30:59 > 0:31:03But the sheriffs know only too well that just one person left behind
0:31:03 > 0:31:05can let the rest back in.
0:31:05 > 0:31:09So every nook and cranny is checked, though Lawrence leaves the attic
0:31:09 > 0:31:11to the younger members of the team.
0:31:11 > 0:31:13Make sure you walk on the rafters.
0:31:13 > 0:31:16The ones that are here today, there are about 20 of them.
0:31:16 > 0:31:17They weren't too bad.
0:31:17 > 0:31:20You've got the odd one being a bit gobby
0:31:20 > 0:31:23and trying to provoke a reaction but generally speaking,
0:31:23 > 0:31:26they're outside whinging about that but they've not been too bad at all.
0:31:26 > 0:31:29We're all sort of done here. All the squatters are out.
0:31:29 > 0:31:32About 20 of them in total, they've been loitering round here
0:31:32 > 0:31:35for a little bit, so let them carry on with that.
0:31:35 > 0:31:38It's been a fairly smooth operation for the sheriffs.
0:31:38 > 0:31:41For the second time in just over a year,
0:31:41 > 0:31:44the Cross Keys pub has been cleared of squatters.
0:31:44 > 0:31:47It's a mess but not that badly damaged.
0:31:47 > 0:31:49Thank you, Richard. See you later.
0:31:49 > 0:31:52It's been handed back to the rightful owner,
0:31:52 > 0:31:54who can finally develop the building.
0:32:10 > 0:32:12On the road and heading for Norfolk this afternoon
0:32:12 > 0:32:16are enforcement officers Darryl Oreton and Marc Povey.
0:32:16 > 0:32:21They're heading to one of Britain's leading small hi-tech sports-car manufacturers.
0:32:21 > 0:32:23We're in Swaffham now,
0:32:23 > 0:32:25going to a company called Trident Vehicles Group Ltd.
0:32:25 > 0:32:29So we're looking at just under £6,500 we're there to collect today.
0:32:30 > 0:32:36Trident Vehicles Group sold a motorhome on behalf of a lady who had no use for it,
0:32:36 > 0:32:40as her husband, who used it for a catering business, had sadly died.
0:32:40 > 0:32:42The motorhome was successfully sold,
0:32:42 > 0:32:48but the woman in question was never paid a £5,000 non-refundable deposit
0:32:48 > 0:32:51she says a buyer had put down to purchase it.
0:32:51 > 0:32:55The case went to court, but despite turning up to one of the hearings,
0:32:55 > 0:32:57Trident never put forward a defence
0:32:57 > 0:33:00and a judgment was issued in the woman's favour.
0:33:00 > 0:33:04Despite this, the £5,000 is still outstanding.
0:33:04 > 0:33:07So now it's Darryl and Marc's job to get it paid.
0:33:16 > 0:33:19Arriving at Trident Vehicles Group headquarters,
0:33:19 > 0:33:23it's not long before they get chatting to one of the company directors.
0:33:23 > 0:33:26We've got a High Court writ to execute against yourselves.
0:33:26 > 0:33:29- It's quite an old case going back here to 2011.- Right.
0:33:29 > 0:33:32She's upgraded it now to the High Court so they've sent us out
0:33:32 > 0:33:36to get the full payment, which is just under 6,500,
0:33:36 > 0:33:39or to seize assets to the value of that debt.
0:33:39 > 0:33:42It's kind of come out of the blue, this. Yeah.
0:33:42 > 0:33:44- Take a seat a minute.- Yeah?
0:33:44 > 0:33:47- I'll see if there's something here. - OK.
0:33:47 > 0:33:49More than a little surprised to see
0:33:49 > 0:33:52two High Court enforcement officers on his premises,
0:33:52 > 0:33:55Dan turns to his fellow director for help.
0:33:55 > 0:33:58The new man doesn't want to be on camera,
0:33:58 > 0:34:00but is happy for us to hear his side of the story.
0:34:00 > 0:34:05He says they kept the outstanding £5,000 to cover additional work
0:34:05 > 0:34:09they'd had to carry out on the motorhome to make it sellable.
0:34:09 > 0:34:12He also says he didn't know about the second court hearing.
0:34:12 > 0:34:17For whatever reason, she's put the case through High Court.
0:34:17 > 0:34:21But Darryl doesn't need to worry about the whys and wherefores.
0:34:21 > 0:34:25He's got a High Court writ and needs to collect it in full today.
0:34:25 > 0:34:27Because we've got a live writ,
0:34:27 > 0:34:33we're actually commanded by the High Courts to seize goods today,
0:34:33 > 0:34:35effectively putting you out of business.
0:34:35 > 0:34:40The director asks for more time to raise the £6,000,
0:34:40 > 0:34:42but the sheriffs need to settle this today.
0:34:42 > 0:34:46He asks if they will accept a smaller down payment.
0:34:46 > 0:34:49You're probably going to be looking at about 50%.
0:34:49 > 0:34:54The director thinks they could manage 30%, about £2,000.
0:34:54 > 0:34:58Marc gets on to the office to see if they can strike a deal.
0:34:58 > 0:35:03They're not disputing the debt. They just said they're going to need seven days to pay it.
0:35:03 > 0:35:06See if they can raise 40 to 50% of it.
0:35:06 > 0:35:072,500.
0:35:09 > 0:35:13And then seven days for the remainder. Cheers, mate. Ta.
0:35:14 > 0:35:17Marc heads back inside to pitch the new offer.
0:35:17 > 0:35:21He also gets listing assets which he can seize
0:35:21 > 0:35:24and potentially remove to sell if the debt's not paid.
0:35:25 > 0:35:28The company asks our camera to leave.
0:35:29 > 0:35:32The director takes a moment to weigh up his options.
0:35:32 > 0:35:35Faced with losing hi-tech equipment,
0:35:35 > 0:35:40he agrees to a £2,000 part payment today, with the rest to follow.
0:35:41 > 0:35:45And with the money in the bank, it's job done for Darryl and Marc.
0:35:47 > 0:35:49We could've gone in there heavier
0:35:49 > 0:35:54but there's three different companies trading from that same address
0:35:54 > 0:35:57so it would've been a case of ascertaining who owned what.
0:35:57 > 0:35:58It just would've been a bit messy.
0:35:58 > 0:36:03They were fairly co-operative although they didn't think they owed the money.
0:36:03 > 0:36:06It had been going on for a few years.
0:36:06 > 0:36:08But they were happy to pay us £2,000 now.
0:36:08 > 0:36:11They're going to pay another 500 on Monday,
0:36:11 > 0:36:14and then the remainder of the balance seven days from then.
0:36:15 > 0:36:17It's been a successful trip,
0:36:17 > 0:36:22with a substantial chunk of the debt paid and the rest to follow.
0:36:22 > 0:36:26It means the woman whose motorhome it was, finally getting the money she was owed.
0:36:26 > 0:36:29Trident Vehicles Group told us
0:36:29 > 0:36:32they had agreed to help the claimant...
0:36:42 > 0:36:44..including an advance deposit.
0:36:44 > 0:36:47The other vehicle was returned unsold.
0:36:47 > 0:36:51They said the claimant then claimed further payments through the courts,
0:36:51 > 0:36:54leading to the judgment which they applied to have set aside.
0:36:54 > 0:36:56They said they heard nothing more
0:36:56 > 0:37:00until the visit of the sheriffs some 18 months later.
0:37:00 > 0:37:01They said...
0:37:20 > 0:37:24Enforcement officers Lawrence and Kev are heading into the aftermath
0:37:24 > 0:37:27of a building job that went very wrong indeed.
0:37:28 > 0:37:32We are heading to High Wycombe looking for a Mr Schreiber.
0:37:33 > 0:37:37The amount we're looking for is £11,649.
0:37:37 > 0:37:39Ta-da.
0:37:39 > 0:37:41That's who we're looking for.
0:37:41 > 0:37:46In 2009, the man in the picture, Kevin Schreiber, built an extension
0:37:46 > 0:37:47for a local couple.
0:37:47 > 0:37:51When the main build was done, the couple still had a number of problems,
0:37:51 > 0:37:56including a leaking roof, leaking bathroom, and a badly done terrace.
0:37:56 > 0:37:59Mr Schreiber didn't put them right.
0:37:59 > 0:38:01The couple say it was very stressful,
0:38:01 > 0:38:05and they spent £10,000 with other builders to correct the faults.
0:38:05 > 0:38:09Now they've been to court to get the money from Kevin Schreiber.
0:38:09 > 0:38:11So far, he hasn't paid,
0:38:11 > 0:38:14so Lawrence and Kev are going to his house
0:38:14 > 0:38:16to get the couple their money.
0:38:22 > 0:38:25Mr Schreiber is not at home,
0:38:25 > 0:38:28and neither is his wife, though she is soon on the phone.
0:38:28 > 0:38:32Hello there. Are you able to get Mr Schreiber on the phone?
0:38:32 > 0:38:34She says she's coming back to the house,
0:38:34 > 0:38:36and will then call her husband.
0:38:36 > 0:38:40All right, no problem. I'll hand the phone back to your friend.
0:38:40 > 0:38:41Cheers, bye-bye.
0:38:43 > 0:38:45Mrs Schreiber arrives home
0:38:45 > 0:38:49and is joined by a relative, but they do not want to be on camera.
0:38:49 > 0:38:53Lawrence can't give out details because they're not named on the writ.
0:38:53 > 0:38:55But Mr Schreiber is soon on the phone.
0:38:55 > 0:38:59We're enforcement officers. We've got a High Court writ to execute against you.
0:39:01 > 0:39:05They've chosen to transfer it up to the High Court for enforcement purposes.
0:39:05 > 0:39:08You don't, sir. You've got a County Court judgment against you
0:39:08 > 0:39:11and you don't get any notification that it's going to be enforced.
0:39:11 > 0:39:17We're ordered here to seize goods today to the value of £11,649.11.
0:39:17 > 0:39:21Once you've got a County Court judgment against you, you were obliged to pay it.
0:39:21 > 0:39:22End of story.
0:39:22 > 0:39:25Mr Schreiber thought the story had a way to go.
0:39:25 > 0:39:28He says he has made an appeal.
0:39:28 > 0:39:31You've made various appeals which have all been thrown out.
0:39:31 > 0:39:35I've got copies of all the court orders with me.
0:39:36 > 0:39:39So, there's... So, there's nowhere to go with it.
0:39:39 > 0:39:43He then reveals that he had been planning to settle the debt.
0:39:43 > 0:39:47He's been saving up and has more than half the money.
0:39:47 > 0:39:50You say you've got - was it 6,000 or 7,000?
0:39:52 > 0:39:53Erm...
0:39:56 > 0:39:59That would probably do for today, to be fair.
0:39:59 > 0:40:03And what I would suggest you do is put in a payment proposal to pay the balance off.
0:40:04 > 0:40:05Yep, OK, no worries.
0:40:05 > 0:40:07See you shortly.
0:40:07 > 0:40:10Mr Schreiber is on his way with the money.
0:40:10 > 0:40:14While they wait, Mrs Schreiber explains to Lawrence and Kev
0:40:14 > 0:40:17that originally THEY took the couple who they did the work for to court
0:40:17 > 0:40:19for not paying in full.
0:40:19 > 0:40:23But their case failed and the couple mounted a counter-claim
0:40:23 > 0:40:27for the faults, which is the debt Kevin has been saving to pay off.
0:40:28 > 0:40:32Kevin Schreiber has slipped into the house through the back door.
0:40:32 > 0:40:36Before he talks to the sheriffs, he wants a family conference.
0:40:40 > 0:40:43Can you just go and see if you can find the reg of his van, mate?
0:40:43 > 0:40:46It's a red van, innit? So it'll be round that way somewhere.
0:40:47 > 0:40:50The Schreibers want to check where they stand.
0:40:50 > 0:40:52We're going to leave today, yeah.
0:40:52 > 0:40:55Satisfied their plan will rid them of the sheriffs today,
0:40:55 > 0:40:58they invite Lawrence and Kev in.
0:40:58 > 0:41:00As promised, he's come with cash.
0:41:00 > 0:41:03- So, we've got seven, yeah? - Fair play to you.
0:41:03 > 0:41:06There's not a lot of people would have any money at all.
0:41:06 > 0:41:09But with the end in sight, there's a problem.
0:41:09 > 0:41:13This is £100 light. It's from seven.
0:41:13 > 0:41:16- What've we got there? 6,900?- Yeah. - I'm not going to quibble over £100.
0:41:16 > 0:41:19Keep your bit of money by you.
0:41:19 > 0:41:25The £6,900 that's been paid is well over half of the £11,000 debt.
0:41:25 > 0:41:30Mr Schreiber now has to submit a plan for paying off the rest.
0:41:30 > 0:41:32Come and sign your receipt, Mr Schreiber.
0:41:32 > 0:41:36OK, so I've got that you've paid your 6,900, leaves you 4,749.11.
0:41:36 > 0:41:38That's yours.
0:41:40 > 0:41:43Mr Schreiber had been saving to pay off the debt,
0:41:43 > 0:41:45so Lawrence trusts he'll pay off the rest.
0:41:45 > 0:41:47With part of his debt paid off,
0:41:47 > 0:41:50now Mr Schreiber wants to put his side of the story.
0:41:52 > 0:41:54It was very good quality work. I mean, I never...
0:41:54 > 0:41:57Through every step of the build,
0:41:57 > 0:42:00from fittings all the way up to the finish,
0:42:00 > 0:42:04there was never a problem with any of the work that I'd done,
0:42:04 > 0:42:06and if there was something they didn't like,
0:42:06 > 0:42:08we changed it there and then.
0:42:08 > 0:42:11They themselves said the work was fantastic.
0:42:11 > 0:42:14Mr Schreiber says he will pursue his appeal.
0:42:14 > 0:42:18But so far the courts have found in favour of the couple he did the work for.
0:42:18 > 0:42:22- Right, we'll leave you in peace but as I say, just submit your proposal.- Bye-bye.
0:42:24 > 0:42:27Mr Schreiber and the sheriffs part on good terms.
0:42:28 > 0:42:32So, there's £6,900 there, which we've got here.
0:42:32 > 0:42:35Their side of the story was fair enough.
0:42:35 > 0:42:37They had intention from the start to settle the debt.
0:42:37 > 0:42:41They were in the process of saving the money and paying it off.
0:42:41 > 0:42:44The gentleman's going to write in a proposal to the office,
0:42:44 > 0:42:47and really we've got no option other than to recommend
0:42:47 > 0:42:50that the client accepts it because there's just no goods worth removing.
0:42:50 > 0:42:54Whatever happens in the next stage of the legal process,
0:42:54 > 0:42:56a large cash payment has been made,
0:42:56 > 0:43:00and now there's every chance the couple who had the work done
0:43:00 > 0:43:01will be paid in full.
0:43:01 > 0:43:05It's been a good, if tiring, day for the sheriffs.