0:00:02 > 0:00:05If you're owed money but aren't getting paid, it's time to call the sheriffs.
0:00:05 > 0:00:08My name's Mr Grix. My colleague and I are enforcement agents.
0:00:08 > 0:00:09I'm here to issue a High Court Writ.
0:00:09 > 0:00:11I've got to do what I'm instructed to by the courts.
0:00:11 > 0:00:15They're Enforcement Agents of the High Court
0:00:15 > 0:00:20and, if a court's ruled in your favour, they're on your side.
0:00:20 > 0:00:22If the debtor doesn't want to pay...
0:00:22 > 0:00:25You currently owe £9,461.80.
0:00:25 > 0:00:28..the law says the sheriffs can get you what you're owed.
0:00:28 > 0:00:31If you don't come to the door, we HAVE to remove the vehicle off the drive.
0:00:31 > 0:00:34You'll have a week to pay in full before it gets sold at auction.
0:00:34 > 0:00:36Whether it's a small company...
0:00:36 > 0:00:37Can I speak to the person in charge, please?
0:00:37 > 0:00:39..or a household name...
0:00:39 > 0:00:40We're here to see someone from G4S.
0:00:40 > 0:00:44..if they owe you money - the sheriffs get it paid.
0:00:44 > 0:00:46I'm not going anywhere. You get him to come in here.
0:00:46 > 0:00:49We're not going to be waiting around like that. It needs to be done now.
0:00:49 > 0:00:51I just collected 42 grand.
0:00:53 > 0:00:55Coming up,
0:00:55 > 0:00:58dental hygienist Paula Ball didn't get paid for working with
0:00:58 > 0:01:00one of the UK's biggest security firms.
0:01:00 > 0:01:02I really couldn't believe it.
0:01:02 > 0:01:04I thought, "What on earth are they playing at?"
0:01:04 > 0:01:07This is a huge company - why didn't they just pay?
0:01:07 > 0:01:11So what will happen when Lawrence and Kev arrive on the company's doorstep?
0:01:11 > 0:01:15We have a High Court Writ, so we don't have to take any notice of your security protocol, I'm afraid.
0:01:15 > 0:01:20The gold and silver are just out of reach when Sheriff Ken Warby tries
0:01:20 > 0:01:22to recover a debt owed by a jeweller.
0:01:22 > 0:01:24Can you come to the door, please?
0:01:24 > 0:01:27I can't shout through the letterbox - that's ridiculous.
0:01:27 > 0:01:29Unfortunately, she's not letting us in.
0:01:29 > 0:01:31But can he get the company to pay?
0:01:32 > 0:01:34Steve Lee was let down by a customer
0:01:34 > 0:01:37who'd booked one of his motor homes.
0:01:37 > 0:01:39I lost income as result of them suddenly
0:01:39 > 0:01:41cancelling at the last moment
0:01:41 > 0:01:43and I thought it was most unfair. Most unreasonable.
0:01:43 > 0:01:46Will the sheriffs be able to get what he's owed?
0:01:46 > 0:01:48We sent out a notice of enforcement.
0:01:48 > 0:01:51We've had no contact, so that's why we're here.
0:01:55 > 0:02:00Central London, and enforcement agents Lawrence Grix and Kev McNally are battling
0:02:00 > 0:02:02their way through the morning traffic.
0:02:02 > 0:02:07They've got a High Court Writ against one of the country's biggest security firms.
0:02:07 > 0:02:11We're actually going to G4S. We're going to their main building.
0:02:11 > 0:02:16Obviously sort of famous for providing the security for the Olympics.
0:02:16 > 0:02:20Often, smaller debts can be missed by large corporations,
0:02:20 > 0:02:23but that's not an excuse the sheriffs will accept
0:02:23 > 0:02:27and G4S owes £1,100 to a contractor.
0:02:27 > 0:02:31A dental hygienist that did work for them in a prison
0:02:31 > 0:02:34in East Yorkshire.
0:02:34 > 0:02:38She did five sessions and hasn't been paid for them.
0:02:40 > 0:02:42Would you like to open really wide?
0:02:42 > 0:02:45That dental hygienist is Paula Ball.
0:02:45 > 0:02:48For nine years, she worked regular sessions in the Wolds Prison
0:02:48 > 0:02:52near Hull, where G4S had the contract to provide health care.
0:02:52 > 0:02:55It was work which Paula loved.
0:02:55 > 0:02:58It was very, very rewarding.
0:02:58 > 0:03:04Most of the patients hadn't seen a dentist for many years.
0:03:04 > 0:03:08Their teeth were not in the best condition.
0:03:08 > 0:03:13They were very, very pleased at seeing a hygienist.
0:03:13 > 0:03:17It changed my perception of prison life, to be quite honest.
0:03:17 > 0:03:21But when G4S lost the contract, the new health care providers
0:03:21 > 0:03:25didn't want to hire a hygienist, so the work dried up.
0:03:25 > 0:03:30To make matters worse, G4S never paid Paula for her final sessions.
0:03:30 > 0:03:32This became beyond a joke.
0:03:32 > 0:03:37Money from March still hadn't been paid by July.
0:03:37 > 0:03:40Paula was owed nearly £1,400
0:03:40 > 0:03:42and despite repeatedly chasing up the payments,
0:03:42 > 0:03:44the money never arrived.
0:03:44 > 0:03:46I sent e-mails.
0:03:46 > 0:03:49I spoke to people on the phone. Difficult to speak to
0:03:49 > 0:03:52people on the phone cos you get a different person each time.
0:03:52 > 0:03:56Whether I just got lost in the system, I don't know.
0:03:56 > 0:03:58Paula had assumed that, if she persisted,
0:03:58 > 0:04:01then sooner or later, G4S would pay up.
0:04:01 > 0:04:04But as the months went by, her patience ran out.
0:04:04 > 0:04:08She began to realise the only way she was going to get paid
0:04:08 > 0:04:10was if she took some kind of legal action.
0:04:10 > 0:04:13I think I just got the bit between my teeth
0:04:13 > 0:04:15that this really was unfair.
0:04:15 > 0:04:18I still have bills to pay, like everybody else.
0:04:18 > 0:04:23It was quite scary, taking on a company as big as them,
0:04:23 > 0:04:25so I was talking to a friend one evening
0:04:25 > 0:04:27and she said, "Oh, you should try Money Claims Online."
0:04:27 > 0:04:31Money Claims Online is a government website which allows
0:04:31 > 0:04:34consumers to lodge their case with the County Court.
0:04:34 > 0:04:36Paula filed her claim against G4S
0:04:36 > 0:04:40and while the company initially said they'd defend it, they didn't.
0:04:40 > 0:04:43Paula was awarded a judgment in her favour,
0:04:43 > 0:04:45ordering the company to settle the debt.
0:04:46 > 0:04:49I then thought that they would pay up...
0:04:52 > 0:04:55..but they didn't. I really couldn't believe it.
0:04:55 > 0:04:58I thought, "What on earth are they playing at?"
0:04:58 > 0:04:59This is a huge company.
0:04:59 > 0:05:02It's just unbelievable.
0:05:02 > 0:05:05Just when Paula had given up hope, she received an e-mail
0:05:05 > 0:05:11out of the blue from G4S to say they'd made a payment of £825.
0:05:11 > 0:05:14They never explained why it was less than what she was owed
0:05:14 > 0:05:17and Paula didn't appear to have received it.
0:05:17 > 0:05:19They said they'd paid it
0:05:19 > 0:05:23and there was no record of it going into my account.
0:05:23 > 0:05:26And then they discovered they'd tried to pay it into the wrong
0:05:26 > 0:05:29account - an account that doesn't exist.
0:05:29 > 0:05:33Eventually they did pay £825 into my bank account.
0:05:33 > 0:05:39Whether it was to shut me up, or to stop the process, I don't know.
0:05:39 > 0:05:42Paula's still been left hundreds of pounds out of pocket
0:05:42 > 0:05:47and, having had to fight to get this far, she's not about to give up.
0:05:47 > 0:05:49I have worked for that money and I've earned it...
0:05:51 > 0:05:54..so I will go after the remaining balance.
0:05:56 > 0:06:00And left with no other alternative, that means turning to the sheriffs.
0:06:00 > 0:06:03I can think of no other way of retrieving the money.
0:06:03 > 0:06:07I'm a bit at a loss and this is the last hope.
0:06:07 > 0:06:09It's now up to them to see what they can do.
0:06:15 > 0:06:19In the capital, Lawrence and Kev are on their way to see G4S.
0:06:19 > 0:06:23They're confident of getting paid, though they are expecting
0:06:23 > 0:06:26that the sheer size of the company might complicate matters.
0:06:28 > 0:06:31Just getting them to recognise the claimant and find the claimant
0:06:31 > 0:06:36in their system is normally half the battle with big companies like this.
0:06:36 > 0:06:39Another challenge is parking in Central London.
0:06:39 > 0:06:41This time, Lawrence thinks he's got lucky
0:06:41 > 0:06:44but he might be getting ideas above his station.
0:06:44 > 0:06:47"Diplomatic cars only"?
0:06:47 > 0:06:48That's handy.
0:06:51 > 0:06:54The G4S office is in a shared block and the first challenge for Lawrence
0:06:54 > 0:06:58and Kev will be getting past reception.
0:06:58 > 0:06:59Morning. My name's Mr Grix.
0:06:59 > 0:07:05- My colleague and I are enforcement agents. We're here to see somebody from G4S.- Mr?- Grix.
0:07:07 > 0:07:08We're not meeting with anybody.
0:07:08 > 0:07:11We're here to execute a High Court Writ against G4S.
0:07:11 > 0:07:14- What are they on, floor five?- Yeah. - We'll just go up. It's all right.
0:07:14 > 0:07:17But the reception staff have other ideas.
0:07:19 > 0:07:21No, we'll just go up.
0:07:21 > 0:07:24- The thing is...- We have to call them.- We have a High Court Writ,
0:07:24 > 0:07:28so we don't have to take any notice of your security protocol, I'm afraid.
0:07:28 > 0:07:30If you want to phone them and your phone call gets
0:07:30 > 0:07:33through before we do, that's fair enough.
0:07:33 > 0:07:38Lawrence and Kev have got past the security firm's security with ease.
0:07:38 > 0:07:41Upstairs, and it's reception number two.
0:07:41 > 0:07:44Morning, my name's Mr Grix.
0:07:44 > 0:07:46My colleague and I are enforcement agents.
0:07:46 > 0:07:48We've got a High Court Writ to execute against G4S,
0:07:48 > 0:07:52so I'd imagine we need to speak to someone either in your accounts or your legal department, please.
0:07:55 > 0:07:56Yeah.
0:07:56 > 0:08:00The sheriffs are asked to wait while the staff make enquiries.
0:08:01 > 0:08:04I think this is about the biggest security company
0:08:04 > 0:08:05in the country, isn't it?
0:08:05 > 0:08:07Turnover - nearly seven billion.
0:08:07 > 0:08:09That's a few quid.
0:08:09 > 0:08:13So they should be able to cover the £1,100 they owe today -
0:08:13 > 0:08:17provided they can find the right person to deal with it.
0:08:17 > 0:08:18Hello.
0:08:20 > 0:08:22No, we've just got G4S.
0:08:22 > 0:08:26We don't...we haven't got a division, specifically.
0:08:28 > 0:08:32As Lawrence predicted, no-one seems quite sure who the right person
0:08:32 > 0:08:35is to deal with the sheriffs' unannounced arrival,
0:08:35 > 0:08:37let alone finding details of the claimant.
0:08:39 > 0:08:42But within a few minutes, someone more senior arrives.
0:08:45 > 0:08:46Hello.
0:08:50 > 0:08:52Our cameraman's told to leave the building, while Lawrence and
0:08:52 > 0:08:58Kev stay inside, trying to persuade G4S to pay Paula's missing wages.
0:09:04 > 0:09:06An hour and a half later, they emerge.
0:09:08 > 0:09:11I don't think they actually managed to find out what it was about.
0:09:11 > 0:09:13They're such a big organisation,
0:09:13 > 0:09:16with so many different branches and so many sub-contractors,
0:09:16 > 0:09:21they didn't actually bother to try to find our claimant on the system.
0:09:21 > 0:09:24Basically, they just went away and arranged the transfer,
0:09:24 > 0:09:27and they're going to look into where it went wrong later on
0:09:27 > 0:09:32and kick the appropriate person up the posterior, probably.
0:09:32 > 0:09:35Bit boring, sitting there for the best part of two hours
0:09:35 > 0:09:37waiting for someone to manage to do a bank transfer,
0:09:37 > 0:09:40but a success is a success.
0:09:40 > 0:09:43The sheriffs have been paid in full
0:09:43 > 0:09:46and, back in Yorkshire, Paula Ball is delighted.
0:09:46 > 0:09:48I would like to thank the sheriffs.
0:09:48 > 0:09:51They've done a very good job. Very relieved that it's all over now and
0:09:51 > 0:09:56that the money's actually in my bank account. And I would like to say to
0:09:56 > 0:10:00people - don't be intimidated by doing something like this
0:10:00 > 0:10:02and taking on a large company.
0:10:02 > 0:10:06It can work out and you can get your money back.
0:10:06 > 0:10:08G4S told us that they...
0:10:11 > 0:10:13..for her services.
0:10:13 > 0:10:17The company has been making...
0:10:21 > 0:10:22However, they say the...
0:10:27 > 0:10:29If you've been ripped off,
0:10:29 > 0:10:32and the person or company responsible refuses
0:10:32 > 0:10:36to pay you back, the first step is to make a claim in the County Court.
0:10:36 > 0:10:38It's simple to do this online,
0:10:38 > 0:10:41for a small fee, depending on the size of the claim.
0:10:41 > 0:10:42The court will review the evidence
0:10:42 > 0:10:47and, if it finds in your favour, the debtor will be ordered to pay up.
0:10:47 > 0:10:51If they don't, then for a further £60, the High Court will grant
0:10:51 > 0:10:55a Writ, authorising the sheriffs to act on your behalf.
0:10:55 > 0:10:58If they're successful - you get all your money back.
0:11:01 > 0:11:04While Lawrence and Kev are chasing the big fish,
0:11:04 > 0:11:06sheriff Ken Warby is in Finchley,
0:11:06 > 0:11:09looking for a very different kind of business.
0:11:09 > 0:11:12He's pursuing a debt owed by a small shop.
0:11:12 > 0:11:15We're off to a place called Gina Jewellers.
0:11:15 > 0:11:17The debt is £1,600.
0:11:17 > 0:11:20The only thing I know about it is
0:11:20 > 0:11:24it's unpaid invoices to a jewellery wholesaler's.
0:11:24 > 0:11:28The wholesaler is a family firm called Jenny Brown Ltd.
0:11:28 > 0:11:31After Gina Jewellers ran up an unpaid bill of over £1,000,
0:11:31 > 0:11:34they took the matter to the County Court
0:11:34 > 0:11:36and won a judgment in their favour.
0:11:36 > 0:11:40It's not been settled and now Ken is on his way to chase the debt.
0:11:40 > 0:11:42Ken's looking forward to the job.
0:11:42 > 0:11:45It's not just diamonds that are a sheriff's best friend -
0:11:45 > 0:11:49he'd settle for gold or silver if it comes to it.
0:11:49 > 0:11:52They're very easy to remove - goods from jewellery shops.
0:11:52 > 0:11:56You can usually demand the full amount straight away.
0:11:57 > 0:12:00So, yeah, pretty confident we can get a result on this one.
0:12:02 > 0:12:06Oh, there it is. And it is Gina Jewellers, yes.
0:12:12 > 0:12:15Ken parks up and heads for the door,
0:12:15 > 0:12:18but it turns out he's not the only one aware of how easily
0:12:18 > 0:12:20the shop's stock can be removed.
0:12:20 > 0:12:24They've got a button entry system, so Ken won't be just striding in.
0:12:24 > 0:12:26The lady's seen me standing here.
0:12:29 > 0:12:31Hello!
0:12:31 > 0:12:32See if they'll come.
0:12:34 > 0:12:38Hello? Sorry, can you come to the door, please?
0:12:38 > 0:12:41The staff have decided they don't like the look of Ken
0:12:41 > 0:12:44and our camera, and they're not opening up.
0:12:44 > 0:12:46Instead, they're battening down the hatches.
0:12:46 > 0:12:49It's an intercom to get into the door.
0:12:49 > 0:12:53Now they're behind the protective screen and they're on the phone to someone now.
0:12:53 > 0:12:56It could be the police or anyone - I don't know.
0:12:56 > 0:12:59Ken can't do anything unless he can get inside the shop,
0:12:59 > 0:13:02or at least speak to the staff.
0:13:02 > 0:13:06With no leverage, he's got to try and be diplomatic.
0:13:06 > 0:13:10I'll explain what this is about. I've got identification on me.
0:13:10 > 0:13:13Can you not come to the door?
0:13:13 > 0:13:17I can't shout through the letterbox - that's ridiculous.
0:13:17 > 0:13:20That is, however, EXACTLY what he'll have to do.
0:13:20 > 0:13:25Right. It's regarding a debt owed to someone called Jenny Brown Ltd.
0:13:25 > 0:13:26Is that making any sense?
0:13:27 > 0:13:34Right, OK. You've got an amount outstanding as at today's date of £1,668.88.
0:13:36 > 0:13:39The staff member says the shop has recently changed hands
0:13:39 > 0:13:42and that the debt dates back to the previous owners.
0:13:42 > 0:13:45What Ken will need to find out is whether any of the assets
0:13:45 > 0:13:49inside actually belong to the company named on the Writ,
0:13:49 > 0:13:53but that's going to be tricky as the woman still won't open the door.
0:13:53 > 0:13:58Unfortunately, she's not letting us in and the owner isn't back
0:13:58 > 0:14:00until later on this afternoon.
0:14:00 > 0:14:03She's told me to wait for now, so I'm wondering what she's
0:14:03 > 0:14:06going to come back to the door and talk about,
0:14:06 > 0:14:09but at the moment she's only talking to me through the other side.
0:14:09 > 0:14:13Bit of a shame because there's certainly plenty of assets in there.
0:14:13 > 0:14:16But unless the woman is willing to open the door,
0:14:16 > 0:14:20he won't be getting his hands on any of those assets today.
0:14:20 > 0:14:25Faced with little alternative, Ken decides to call it quits for now.
0:14:25 > 0:14:27Will you take this? All right?
0:14:27 > 0:14:30This just explains what the debt is about. That's the breakdown.
0:14:31 > 0:14:36All I will suggest, OK, because this is our first attendance,
0:14:36 > 0:14:40is that this gets paid today because, failing that,
0:14:40 > 0:14:44we will be back again and, when we come back,
0:14:44 > 0:14:47there will be extra charges on there.
0:14:48 > 0:14:51All right. Thank you.
0:14:51 > 0:14:52Cheers.
0:14:52 > 0:14:56Ken's hoping the threat of a growing bill will prompt the company
0:14:56 > 0:14:59to respond and that's best he can do.
0:14:59 > 0:15:01I'm hoping that she's going to give me a call
0:15:01 > 0:15:03later on today or get the debt paid.
0:15:03 > 0:15:07We'll be back another day. It doesn't bother me that much.
0:15:07 > 0:15:09Ken heads off to the next job
0:15:09 > 0:15:12but, a couple of hours later, he gets a phone call.
0:15:12 > 0:15:14PHONE RINGS
0:15:14 > 0:15:15Hello.
0:15:15 > 0:15:18Two ways you can pay that - you can either go online
0:15:18 > 0:15:22and pay it by card or you can do a bank transfer.
0:15:22 > 0:15:26Ken's presence at the shop earlier clearly had an effect.
0:15:26 > 0:15:29Even though the shop's being taken over by a different company,
0:15:29 > 0:15:31the sale hasn't yet completed
0:15:31 > 0:15:33and, in the meantime, the new boss is willing to settle
0:15:33 > 0:15:36the debt on the previous owner's behalf.
0:15:36 > 0:15:38Thank you. Bye-bye.
0:15:38 > 0:15:40Apparently they're under new ownership,
0:15:40 > 0:15:45but the guy that's bought the jewellers still wants to clear
0:15:45 > 0:15:51the debts. The debt outstanding is £1,668 as at today's date.
0:15:53 > 0:15:55He said he can pay the £600.
0:15:55 > 0:15:58I said, if he can pay the £1,000 today,
0:15:58 > 0:16:01I'll give him two weeks to pay the balance.
0:16:01 > 0:16:03He's going to give me a call back,
0:16:03 > 0:16:05so hopefully that will get sorted soon as well.
0:16:08 > 0:16:11Later that day, the boss did pay the £1,000
0:16:11 > 0:16:14and cleared the remaining balance within two weeks.
0:16:14 > 0:16:18Jenny Brown Ltd have now got their money back.
0:16:28 > 0:16:32Sheriffs are now officially known as High Court Enforcement Agents
0:16:32 > 0:16:34and they'll collect the money you're owed.
0:16:34 > 0:16:38My job is to collect in full or remove goods.
0:16:38 > 0:16:40They've got more powers of entry than bailiffs.
0:16:40 > 0:16:44We don't have to take any notice of your security protocol, I'm afraid.
0:16:44 > 0:16:48And there's no limit on the size of the debts they can pursue.
0:16:48 > 0:16:49£1.6m.
0:16:49 > 0:16:52Their fees are set by the government,
0:16:52 > 0:16:55which debtors have to pay on top of what they already owe.
0:16:55 > 0:16:58Thank you very much. See you later.
0:16:58 > 0:17:01If the sheriffs can't recover any of your money,
0:17:01 > 0:17:03there's a fee of £75 plus VAT.
0:17:09 > 0:17:11After a disappointing start to the day,
0:17:11 > 0:17:15Lawrence and Kev are now heading for the south coast,
0:17:15 > 0:17:17where they're hoping to have better luck chasing a debt
0:17:17 > 0:17:21owed by a company specialising in some kind of motorsport.
0:17:21 > 0:17:23Bit of a dreary morning.
0:17:23 > 0:17:26Apart from that, we're going to Sam Thomas Racing Ltd.
0:17:26 > 0:17:30We are looking for £3,075.
0:17:30 > 0:17:33Sam Thomas Racing Ltd was taken to court after cancelling
0:17:33 > 0:17:38a booking to hire a motorhome from a company called Jumbocruiser.
0:17:38 > 0:17:40Jumbocruiser is based in Newport in Wales
0:17:40 > 0:17:45and was set up by its MD Steve Lee just over ten years ago.
0:17:45 > 0:17:50The company specialises in renting out plush motorhomes for events.
0:17:50 > 0:17:53It's been quite an interesting business to go into.
0:17:53 > 0:17:57We've been renting out vehicles to motor racing drivers,
0:17:57 > 0:17:59for production crew,
0:17:59 > 0:18:03even for private families to go to a music festival like Glastonbury.
0:18:04 > 0:18:08Here we have a sofa which turns into a double bed.
0:18:08 > 0:18:12Lovely American fridge-freezer with ice-making machine.
0:18:14 > 0:18:18Don't know which one, but I can tell you that One Direction
0:18:18 > 0:18:19even slept in this bed.
0:18:19 > 0:18:22It's taken longer than I expected to become profitable,
0:18:22 > 0:18:24but we are profitable now.
0:18:24 > 0:18:27But Steve doesn't want anything to jeopardise the success he's
0:18:27 > 0:18:31worked hard for and, as Sam Thomas Racing are about to discover,
0:18:31 > 0:18:34that includes unpaid bills.
0:18:34 > 0:18:37Sam Thomas contacted me about a month before a major
0:18:37 > 0:18:40event at Silverstone, asking for a motorhome.
0:18:40 > 0:18:47I sent him pricing and links to photographs of example vehicles.
0:18:47 > 0:18:49This motor home was available
0:18:49 > 0:18:53and, as Mr Thomas liked the look of it, he booked it for four days.
0:18:53 > 0:18:56The paperwork he signed spelt out the cancellation policy
0:18:56 > 0:18:58and what money had to be paid upfront.
0:19:00 > 0:19:05It's normal to take a deposit up to 25% immediately
0:19:05 > 0:19:07and, then, the balance usually a month before.
0:19:07 > 0:19:11The cost of the hire was just under £2,400
0:19:11 > 0:19:14and Steve expected the payment to arrive shortly.
0:19:14 > 0:19:17After about a week, I noticed we hadn't received the money,
0:19:17 > 0:19:20so I contacted Mr Thomas. He said he was away at the moment,
0:19:20 > 0:19:22but his secretary should have done it.
0:19:22 > 0:19:25But when he gets back, he'll get it sorted.
0:19:25 > 0:19:27And then a week later, I still hadn't received it
0:19:27 > 0:19:32and I had got another customer wanting that particular vehicle.
0:19:32 > 0:19:36And asked him if he want to come out of the contract and that's OK
0:19:36 > 0:19:38because I've got another customer. He said, "No, no, no, no.
0:19:38 > 0:19:40"I really do want the motor home.
0:19:40 > 0:19:42"I'll get it sorted."
0:19:42 > 0:19:45Reassured that Mr Thomas was committed to his booking,
0:19:45 > 0:19:48Steve turned the other customer away.
0:19:49 > 0:19:52But as the date of the hire approached, the money still
0:19:52 > 0:19:57hadn't been forthcoming and then Steve received a call.
0:19:57 > 0:20:00A few days before the event, Mr Thomas contacted me
0:20:00 > 0:20:04to say that his partner has got a brand-new motorhome,
0:20:04 > 0:20:06it's being delivered now, and they won't need our one.
0:20:06 > 0:20:10I thought that it was most unfair, most unreasonable.
0:20:10 > 0:20:13Steve wasn't about to take that lying down.
0:20:13 > 0:20:17So, I said, "Well, I'm sorry, you've left it rather late now
0:20:17 > 0:20:19"and I have been chasing you over this.
0:20:19 > 0:20:22"I'm sorry but I have to hold you to the contract now because
0:20:22 > 0:20:25"it's very unlikely I'm going to be able to get another hirer.
0:20:25 > 0:20:26"If I do, that's fine,
0:20:26 > 0:20:30"but otherwise you'll be liable for the full amount."
0:20:30 > 0:20:32He said, "No, no. There was no contract.
0:20:32 > 0:20:34"I'm sorry, I don't want to know."
0:20:34 > 0:20:37Mr Thomas wasn't willing to pay it
0:20:37 > 0:20:40but, as he'd electronically signed up to the terms and conditions,
0:20:40 > 0:20:42Steve sent him the bill anyway.
0:20:42 > 0:20:44I lost income as a result of them suddenly
0:20:44 > 0:20:48cancelling at the last moment and I wasn't prepared to accept that.
0:20:48 > 0:20:52As a business owner, I just feel I have to do the right thing
0:20:52 > 0:20:55for my company and for my employees, by definition,
0:20:55 > 0:21:02and make sure that any money I feel is fairly owed to us is collected.
0:21:02 > 0:21:05And with Sam Thomas Racing still refusing to pay,
0:21:05 > 0:21:08Steve decided there was only one way to go.
0:21:08 > 0:21:12I had no choice really, at the end of the day, so I took him to court.
0:21:12 > 0:21:16The strange this is he didn't respond to the summons,
0:21:16 > 0:21:18so I was able to get a default judgment.
0:21:19 > 0:21:23Steve assumed that, once he had a court judgment in his pocket,
0:21:23 > 0:21:26Sam Thomas Racing would admit defeat and make the payment.
0:21:26 > 0:21:29When they didn't, Steve turned to the sheriffs.
0:21:29 > 0:21:32I've tried the county court bailiffs in the past
0:21:32 > 0:21:35and, to be honest, I don't think they've really got the powers
0:21:35 > 0:21:39to do what I need. I've not really found them very satisfactory.
0:21:39 > 0:21:43So, you know, I thought I'd give the sheriffs, the High Court enforcement
0:21:43 > 0:21:48guys a go because they've got more powers. We'll see how it goes.
0:21:54 > 0:21:55Back on the south coast,
0:21:55 > 0:21:59Lawrence and Kev are about to pay Sam Thomas Racing a visit,
0:21:59 > 0:22:02but it's hard to tell how this one's going to go as they don't
0:22:02 > 0:22:04really know what the company does.
0:22:04 > 0:22:07If it's a motor racing team or something like that,
0:22:07 > 0:22:09then you'd expect there to be assets for sure.
0:22:09 > 0:22:11The obvious thing to look for is the cars,
0:22:11 > 0:22:13but it all comes down to who owns them.
0:22:13 > 0:22:15As for car buff Lawrence, he's hoping for something
0:22:15 > 0:22:19a cut above the typical car garage that the sheriffs visit.
0:22:19 > 0:22:21We don't know a lot about it,
0:22:21 > 0:22:24but they may manufacture cars for a certain class of racing.
0:22:25 > 0:22:28The mystery is about to be solved.
0:22:28 > 0:22:32- We're here.- Yeah, we're here. - Sam Thomas Racing.
0:22:32 > 0:22:36- There's lights on. - There's someone in there.
0:22:36 > 0:22:39- Morning. Sam Thomas Racing Ltd? - Morning.
0:22:39 > 0:22:42My name's Mr Grix. My colleague and I are enforcement agents.
0:22:42 > 0:22:44- All right, yeah.- We've got a High Court Writ against
0:22:44 > 0:22:49Sam Thomas Racing Ltd on behalf of Jumbocruiser Ltd.
0:22:50 > 0:22:53You're not the boss, I take it.
0:22:53 > 0:22:55Are you able to get him on the phone?
0:22:55 > 0:22:58While the man tries to contact the boss,
0:22:58 > 0:23:02Lawrence and Kev look for clues as to precisely what the company does
0:23:02 > 0:23:04and whether there are any assets.
0:23:07 > 0:23:09- Is it going to voicemail or...? - Yeah, it does, yeah.
0:23:11 > 0:23:14Yeah, £3,075.98.
0:23:16 > 0:23:18It sounds like they may have to wait
0:23:18 > 0:23:19and, in the meantime,
0:23:19 > 0:23:22they're itching to find out what's out the back.
0:23:22 > 0:23:24Right, we need to have a little look round, just to see what
0:23:24 > 0:23:27you've got here in case we end up having to remove.
0:23:27 > 0:23:28Basically, we're ordered here by the courts
0:23:28 > 0:23:31to take goods into control to clear the debt.
0:23:31 > 0:23:34- What sort of racing do you do, anyway?- I'll show you what there is.
0:23:35 > 0:23:36Have a look.
0:23:36 > 0:23:38Oh.
0:23:38 > 0:23:40- Don't touch. - HE LAUGHS
0:23:40 > 0:23:41That's lovely.
0:23:41 > 0:23:44Lawrence can't believe his luck -
0:23:44 > 0:23:47the garage is full of classic racing cars.
0:23:47 > 0:23:50These are amazing, aren't they?
0:23:50 > 0:23:52I'm in heaven.
0:23:52 > 0:23:53That Mustang's lovely.
0:23:53 > 0:23:56- Proper old Batmobile there, as well. - What we looking at?
0:23:56 > 0:23:59- The multi-coloured BMW.- Oh, right.
0:23:59 > 0:24:00Why's it called a Batmobile?
0:24:00 > 0:24:03I suppose because it looks a bit like the Batmobile, doesn't it?
0:24:03 > 0:24:05If you say so, Lawrence.
0:24:05 > 0:24:07This is just awesome.
0:24:07 > 0:24:10Problem is, though, they're going to belong to other people.
0:24:10 > 0:24:12They're not going to be their own cars, I wouldn't think.
0:24:12 > 0:24:16So, these are all customers' cars, I take it, are they?
0:24:16 > 0:24:20They are and so they can't be removed to cover the debt.
0:24:20 > 0:24:23Meanwhile, the man has managed to get hold of the boss,
0:24:23 > 0:24:25but only by text message,
0:24:25 > 0:24:27and he says the case is in dispute.
0:24:35 > 0:24:36We don't take cheques, anyway,
0:24:36 > 0:24:38but it needs to be the full amount.
0:24:38 > 0:24:41It doesn't matter really what negotiations the solicitors are in.
0:24:41 > 0:24:43- Yeah.- Just because they want to get it sorted
0:24:43 > 0:24:45doesn't mean that anything's happening.
0:24:45 > 0:24:48And once that judgment went into place and didn't get paid,
0:24:48 > 0:24:50the claimant is perfectly within their rights
0:24:50 > 0:24:53to transfer it up to the High Court.
0:24:53 > 0:24:55But the boss has been taken by surprise
0:24:55 > 0:24:58and wants a bit more time to look into the matter.
0:25:03 > 0:25:05No.
0:25:05 > 0:25:07We're not going to be waiting around like that.
0:25:07 > 0:25:08We sent out a notice of enforcement.
0:25:08 > 0:25:10We've had no contact,
0:25:10 > 0:25:12- so that's why we're here.- OK.
0:25:12 > 0:25:14The debtor has been given notice
0:25:14 > 0:25:15and, as time's run out,
0:25:15 > 0:25:19the sheriffs can insist on immediate payment in full.
0:25:19 > 0:25:22Any legal challenge will have to come later.
0:25:22 > 0:25:26We hold the money for 14 days anyway and then he's got breathing
0:25:26 > 0:25:29space to speak to his solicitors, do whatever he needs to do.
0:25:29 > 0:25:31OK, yeah. No worries, yeah. So...
0:25:33 > 0:25:36- It needs to be done now, before we leave.- It needs to be done now? OK.
0:25:36 > 0:25:40The boss is stalling for time, but the sheriffs are standing firm
0:25:40 > 0:25:42and Lawrence is in his element...
0:25:42 > 0:25:45- Proper Le Mans Silk Cut Jaguar. - Isn't it?
0:25:47 > 0:25:50..whilst Kev looks increasingly bored.
0:25:50 > 0:25:53That one there, dark blue one, Sunbeam Tiger.
0:25:53 > 0:25:56Remember Dr No, James Bond's in a little Sunbeam,
0:25:56 > 0:25:59when he goes up to the top of the mountain, that's the Tiger.
0:25:59 > 0:26:00That's a V8.
0:26:01 > 0:26:03Is he wrong on any of that?
0:26:03 > 0:26:05- That's annoying. - THEY LAUGH
0:26:06 > 0:26:10But on the plus side, it looks like the sheriffs are making progress.
0:26:10 > 0:26:13The man is now asking how he can pay - in full.
0:26:16 > 0:26:18It can be cash, it can be done by bank transfer.
0:26:18 > 0:26:20Yeah. It needs to be immediate, as well.
0:26:20 > 0:26:23We need to be able to see it hit our bank account before we can
0:26:23 > 0:26:25issue a receipt and leave.
0:26:25 > 0:26:27The company opts to do a bank transfer,
0:26:27 > 0:26:30but there seems to be a problem.
0:26:33 > 0:26:37I don't know what it is, so I said to him I'll do it again.
0:26:37 > 0:26:39Then when payment does go through,
0:26:39 > 0:26:43the sheriffs can't find it in their bank.
0:26:43 > 0:26:44Hmm. That's bizarre.
0:26:45 > 0:26:49After half and hour of toing and froing, frustration is growing.
0:26:53 > 0:26:55- No.- No, we have to wait on the premises.
0:26:55 > 0:27:00- We have to wait here until the payment's gone through.- No worries.
0:27:00 > 0:27:03Just when the atmosphere in the room is getting tense...
0:27:05 > 0:27:06..it's all sorted.
0:27:08 > 0:27:10It's there.
0:27:10 > 0:27:12And it's case closed for the sheriffs.
0:27:12 > 0:27:15Yeah, that's it. It's dropped in.
0:27:15 > 0:27:17Right, we'll leave you in peace. Thank you very much.
0:27:17 > 0:27:20- See you later. Bye-bye. - See you later.
0:27:20 > 0:27:23The debtor's solicitor apparently had been trying to
0:27:23 > 0:27:26communicate with the claimant's solicitor to get things resolved
0:27:26 > 0:27:28but it hadn't happened...
0:27:28 > 0:27:30certainly not enough to stop the Writ.
0:27:30 > 0:27:33It was one of the better places we visit, to be fair.
0:27:33 > 0:27:35It was good, there were some nice motors in there.
0:27:35 > 0:27:39Lots of old historic cars, so I was in my element, really.
0:27:39 > 0:27:42And we got paid as well, so can't complain at that.
0:27:43 > 0:27:47Back in Wales, Steve Lee has got the news he was hoping for.
0:27:47 > 0:27:51Well it's actually amazing. They acted really quickly, the sheriffs.
0:27:51 > 0:27:53They've managed to get my money in already.
0:27:53 > 0:27:55I think it's absolutely brilliant.
0:27:55 > 0:27:58Sam Thomas told us that he and his team were...
0:28:03 > 0:28:04As a result, he was...
0:28:08 > 0:28:09He says it...