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 > 0:00:08I'm 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 > 0:00:12I've got to do what I'm instructed to by the courts.
0:00:12 > 0:00:14They're enforcement agents of the High Court,
0:00:14 > 0:00:18and if a court's ruled in your favour, they're on your side.
0:00:19 > 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 that the sheriffs can get you what you're owed.
0:00:28 > 0:00:29If you don't come to the door,
0:00:29 > 0:00:31we have to remove the vehicle off the drive.
0:00:31 > 0:00:34You're allowed a week to pay in full before it gets sold at auction.
0:00:34 > 0:00:35Whether it's a small company...
0:00:35 > 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 here.
0:00:46 > 0:00:49We'll not be waiting around like that. It needs to be done now.
0:00:49 > 0:00:50Just collected 42 grand.
0:00:53 > 0:00:55Coming up...
0:00:55 > 0:00:58things get tense at a car dealer's in east London.
0:00:58 > 0:01:01- Move.- Oi, oi, oi, oi, oi.
0:01:01 > 0:01:03You think you can come in here and start bullying people.
0:01:03 > 0:01:06I'll get my pals here and we'll see who's going to bully who.
0:01:06 > 0:01:10But can sheriff Ken Warby get them to pay the five grand they owe?
0:01:10 > 0:01:11The value of the goods is here.
0:01:11 > 0:01:13Did I not warn you earlier that this would happen?
0:01:13 > 0:01:16In Leeds, Michael Redmond's house
0:01:16 > 0:01:18was left exposed to the elements after an insulation job
0:01:18 > 0:01:21was abandoned halfway through.
0:01:21 > 0:01:23It leaked, it were draughty, it were an eyesore.
0:01:23 > 0:01:28Sheriff Chris Pearson pays a visit but can the company take the heat?
0:01:28 > 0:01:31Is the boss in, mate? Can you get him on the phone for me?
0:01:31 > 0:01:34When the boss of a bag manufacturer refuses to pay,
0:01:34 > 0:01:37Lawrence has to take extreme measures.
0:01:37 > 0:01:39Is anybody here capable of backing up the computers?
0:01:39 > 0:01:41Because I will start unplugging them.
0:01:41 > 0:01:44And dental hygienist Paula Ball didn't get paid
0:01:44 > 0:01:46while working for G4S...
0:01:46 > 0:01:48It is a huge company.
0:01:48 > 0:01:49Why didn't they just pay?
0:01:49 > 0:01:54..so Lawrence and Kev visit one of Britain's biggest security firms.
0:01:54 > 0:01:56But can they get her money?
0:01:56 > 0:01:58We have a High Court writ so we don't have to take any notice
0:01:58 > 0:02:01of your security protocol, I'm afraid.
0:02:05 > 0:02:07It's a chilly winter's morning in London
0:02:07 > 0:02:09and enforcement agent Ken Warby
0:02:09 > 0:02:12is working his patch in the north of the city.
0:02:12 > 0:02:13His first job today is
0:02:13 > 0:02:17to pay a visit to a car dealership in Walthamstow.
0:02:17 > 0:02:22We're going to a place called BD Trade Sale Limited and it is an
0:02:22 > 0:02:26individual that has taken them to court for just over four grand.
0:02:26 > 0:02:30BD Trade Sales Limited were taken to court by Mr Tarsem Kainth.
0:02:30 > 0:02:33He bought a second-hand car, which broke down on the way home,
0:02:33 > 0:02:36and was refused a refund.
0:02:36 > 0:02:40The company didn't defend the case so Mr Kainth won a default judgment
0:02:40 > 0:02:42but he's never been paid.
0:02:42 > 0:02:46Now, including fees, the debt's just over £5,000.
0:02:46 > 0:02:51Ken knows that collecting money from car dealerships can be tricky.
0:02:51 > 0:02:54Different people owning different vehicles in the yard.
0:02:54 > 0:02:58Paperwork has to be got out and proof has to be shown.
0:02:58 > 0:03:01There's usually an argument there somewhere.
0:03:01 > 0:03:05What he doesn't know is that today's argument is going to involve not one
0:03:05 > 0:03:07but two car dealerships.
0:03:07 > 0:03:11Blue Diamond Garages, that could be the one.
0:03:11 > 0:03:14No. BD Trade Sales is different.
0:03:18 > 0:03:22- Thank you, bye.- Hello.
0:03:22 > 0:03:24- Hello.- BD Trade Sales Limited.
0:03:24 > 0:03:28I'm here regarding a High Court writ of control
0:03:28 > 0:03:34against BD Trade Sales from a Mr Tarsem Kainth.
0:03:34 > 0:03:37Why have you got the camera? The camera can move away.
0:03:37 > 0:03:40The man asks our camera to leave the forecourt before telling Ken
0:03:40 > 0:03:43that the case against the company is in dispute.
0:03:48 > 0:03:50It's to be set aside, is it?
0:03:50 > 0:03:53Is it? Have you got any paperwork I can see?
0:03:53 > 0:03:54Thank you.
0:03:54 > 0:03:58The man says the judgment against BD Trade Sales has already
0:03:58 > 0:04:00been overturned by the courts.
0:04:00 > 0:04:04But when he shows Ken the paperwork, it instead seems to show
0:04:04 > 0:04:08their application for a set aside hasn't yet been successful.
0:04:08 > 0:04:11But then he comes up with a different reason not to pay -
0:04:11 > 0:04:12it's not his company.
0:04:12 > 0:04:15This debt is against BD Trade Sales
0:04:15 > 0:04:20and he is the MD of a company called Blue Diamond.
0:04:20 > 0:04:24Blue Diamond is a different garage just down the road,
0:04:24 > 0:04:28but there's a reason why its boss is manning the BD Trade Sales office.
0:04:28 > 0:04:32They're brothers, and one owes the other one a debt.
0:04:32 > 0:04:35The man says that because his brother owes him money,
0:04:35 > 0:04:38he's given him all the cars on the BD Trade Sales forecourt,
0:04:38 > 0:04:42so now they belong to Blue Diamond Garages Limited.
0:04:42 > 0:04:44That would mean Ken can't remove them.
0:04:44 > 0:04:47But he is not just going to take his word for it.
0:04:47 > 0:04:51Unless they can provide money transfer proof that each vehicle
0:04:51 > 0:04:53on this site was sold from
0:04:53 > 0:04:56the defendant company to the brother's company,
0:04:56 > 0:04:58then we can remove the vehicles.
0:05:00 > 0:05:04Inside, the man does manage to provide invoices which appear
0:05:04 > 0:05:07to back up his story but, for Ken, it is still not enough.
0:05:07 > 0:05:11Because there are no actual bank transfers
0:05:11 > 0:05:16and no solicitor's undertaking for one company to satisfy
0:05:16 > 0:05:18the debt to another company,
0:05:18 > 0:05:23also that's not around, so it all looks a little bit iffy.
0:05:23 > 0:05:26The man in the office has now got hold of his brother on the phone,
0:05:26 > 0:05:30so Ken talks to him to try to clarify the situation.
0:05:31 > 0:05:34You are the MD of BD Trade Sales Limited, are you?
0:05:35 > 0:05:40My instructions are to remove a vehicle or two from here
0:05:40 > 0:05:41to cover this debt.
0:05:41 > 0:05:43The boss doesn't want to pay.
0:05:43 > 0:05:47He too is claiming the cars on the forecourt belong to Blue Diamond,
0:05:47 > 0:05:49but Ken disagrees.
0:05:49 > 0:05:53Because we don't have anything in concrete, from a solicitor
0:05:53 > 0:05:57for example, saying that this is a bona fide debt and it needs to
0:05:57 > 0:06:01be paid in a certain way, we can remove vehicles.
0:06:01 > 0:06:03Yeah, no, I understand that,
0:06:03 > 0:06:05but on the basis of you saying you owe him loads of money and him
0:06:05 > 0:06:07saying the same, that isn't good enough -
0:06:07 > 0:06:09we have to have it properly documented.
0:06:09 > 0:06:11Yeah.
0:06:11 > 0:06:13It's not good enough, mate. It's not good enough.
0:06:13 > 0:06:16Unfortunately you've got a stance there, I've got a stance as well
0:06:16 > 0:06:18and unfortunately we are at an impasse.
0:06:18 > 0:06:22I'll just make the phone call, get a transporter on its way down here,
0:06:22 > 0:06:24and obviously you do what you've got to do, my friend,
0:06:24 > 0:06:28and I've got to do what I'm instructed to by the courts.
0:06:28 > 0:06:30Yeah, you just said that. Thank you very much.
0:06:30 > 0:06:32Cheers for speaking to me.
0:06:32 > 0:06:37True to his word, Ken makes a call to book a tow truck to remove cars.
0:06:37 > 0:06:39If I need you in E17, how long?
0:06:41 > 0:06:44That's all right. I might need it, I might not.
0:06:44 > 0:06:47The truck's now on standby and Ken warns the man
0:06:47 > 0:06:50that if he has to call it then there'll be extra charges.
0:06:50 > 0:06:54It seems to have the desired effect as the man now says he'll try
0:06:54 > 0:06:57to get some money together on his brother's behalf.
0:06:57 > 0:06:59But not all of it.
0:06:59 > 0:07:01He does have the means to pay, I'm sure he does.
0:07:01 > 0:07:04He's saying, "I can pay part and part at the end of this month,"
0:07:04 > 0:07:07but considering the value of the vehicles here,
0:07:07 > 0:07:12we're only after around five grand, I want payment in one go.
0:07:12 > 0:07:15If it was a football match, it's like a 1-1 draw at the moment.
0:07:15 > 0:07:18Going into half-time, it's like 1-1 but I know we'll come out stronger
0:07:18 > 0:07:22in the second half and get full payment and win the game.
0:07:22 > 0:07:24Later in the programme...
0:07:24 > 0:07:27- Move that camera for me.- ..it all kicks off at BD Trade Sales...
0:07:27 > 0:07:29Why are you coming in here and start bullying the man?
0:07:29 > 0:07:31What are you doing that for?
0:07:31 > 0:07:33..and we find out whether Ken can get the money owed.
0:07:33 > 0:07:35- Did I not warn you earlier that this would happen?- No.
0:07:35 > 0:07:38The police would turn up, the transporter would turn up,
0:07:38 > 0:07:41it would be like a scene of Beadle's About, and here we are.
0:07:43 > 0:07:44If you've been ripped off
0:07:44 > 0:07:48and the person or company responsible refuses to pay you back,
0:07:48 > 0:07:52the first step is to make a claim in the County Court.
0:07:52 > 0:07:54It's simple to do this online,
0:07:54 > 0:07:57for a small fee depending on the size of the claim.
0:07:57 > 0:08:01The court will review the evidence and, if it finds in your favour,
0:08:01 > 0:08:03the debtor will be ordered to pay up.
0:08:03 > 0:08:06If they don't, then, for a further £60,
0:08:06 > 0:08:08the High Court will grant a writ
0:08:08 > 0:08:11authorising the sheriffs to act on your behalf.
0:08:11 > 0:08:14If they're successful, you get all your money back.
0:08:18 > 0:08:20Central London,
0:08:20 > 0:08:24and enforcement agents Lawrence Grix and Kev McNally are battling their
0:08:24 > 0:08:26way through the morning traffic.
0:08:26 > 0:08:27They've got a High Court writ
0:08:27 > 0:08:30against one of the country's biggest security firms.
0:08:30 > 0:08:34We're actually going to G4S, we're going to their main building.
0:08:34 > 0:08:39Obviously famous for providing the security for the Olympics.
0:08:39 > 0:08:43Often, smaller debts can be missed by large corporations,
0:08:43 > 0:08:47but that's not an excuse the sheriffs will accept
0:08:47 > 0:08:51and G4S owes £1,100 to a contractor.
0:08:51 > 0:08:57Dental hygienist that did work for them in a prison in East Yorkshire.
0:08:57 > 0:09:01She did five sessions and hasn't been paid for them.
0:09:03 > 0:09:05Open really wide.
0:09:05 > 0:09:08That dental hygienist is Paula Ball.
0:09:08 > 0:09:10For nine years, she worked regular sessions
0:09:10 > 0:09:12in the Wolds Prison near Hull,
0:09:12 > 0:09:16where G4S had the contract to provide health care.
0:09:16 > 0:09:18It was work which Paula loved.
0:09:18 > 0:09:20It was very, very rewarding.
0:09:22 > 0:09:27Most of the patients hadn't seen a dentist for many years.
0:09:27 > 0:09:31Their teeth were not in the best condition.
0:09:31 > 0:09:36They were very, very pleased at seeing a hygienist.
0:09:36 > 0:09:41It changed my perception of prison life, to be quite honest.
0:09:41 > 0:09:43But when G4S lost the contract,
0:09:43 > 0:09:46the new health-care providers didn't want to hire a hygienist,
0:09:46 > 0:09:48so the work dried up.
0:09:48 > 0:09:54To make matters worse, G4S never paid Paula for her final sessions.
0:09:54 > 0:09:56This became beyond a joke.
0:09:56 > 0:09:59Money from March still hadn't been paid by July.
0:10:00 > 0:10:02Paula was owed nearly £1,400
0:10:02 > 0:10:05and, despite repeatedly chasing up the payments,
0:10:05 > 0:10:07the money never arrived.
0:10:07 > 0:10:11I sent e-mails, I spoke to people on the phone.
0:10:11 > 0:10:13Difficult to speak to people on the phone
0:10:13 > 0:10:15cos you get a different person each time.
0:10:15 > 0:10:19Whether I just got lost in the system I don't know.
0:10:19 > 0:10:22Paula had assumed that if she persisted, then,
0:10:22 > 0:10:24sooner or later, G4S would pay up
0:10:24 > 0:10:28but, as the months went by, her patience ran out.
0:10:28 > 0:10:31She began to realise the only way she was going to get paid was if she
0:10:31 > 0:10:34took some kind of legal action.
0:10:34 > 0:10:36I think I just got the bit between my teeth
0:10:36 > 0:10:38that this really was unfair.
0:10:38 > 0:10:42I still have bills to pay, like everybody else.
0:10:42 > 0:10:46It was quite scary taking on a company as big as them.
0:10:46 > 0:10:48So I was talking to a friend one evening and she said,
0:10:48 > 0:10:51"Oh, you should try Money Claims Online."
0:10:51 > 0:10:54Money Claims Online is a government website that allows consumers
0:10:54 > 0:10:57to lodge their case with the County Court.
0:10:57 > 0:10:59Paula filed her claim against G4S
0:10:59 > 0:11:04and, while the company initially said they'd defend it, they didn't.
0:11:04 > 0:11:06Paula was awarded a judgment in her favour, ordering
0:11:06 > 0:11:08the company to settle the debt.
0:11:10 > 0:11:13I then thought that they would pay up...
0:11:15 > 0:11:17..but they didn't.
0:11:17 > 0:11:18I really couldn't believe it.
0:11:18 > 0:11:21I thought, "What on earth are they playing at?"
0:11:21 > 0:11:23This is a huge company!
0:11:23 > 0:11:25It's just unbelievable.
0:11:25 > 0:11:27Just when Paula had given up hope,
0:11:27 > 0:11:29she received an e-mail out of the blue from G4S
0:11:29 > 0:11:34to say they'd made a payment of £825.
0:11:34 > 0:11:37They never explained why it was less than what she was owed
0:11:37 > 0:11:40and Paula didn't appear to have received it.
0:11:40 > 0:11:42They said they'd paid it,
0:11:42 > 0:11:46and there was no record of it going into my account.
0:11:46 > 0:11:49And then they discovered they'd tried to pay it into the wrong
0:11:49 > 0:11:52account, an account that doesn't exist.
0:11:52 > 0:11:57Eventually, they did pay £825 into my bank account.
0:11:57 > 0:12:02Whether it was to shut me up or to stop the process I don't know.
0:12:02 > 0:12:06Paula's still been left hundreds of pounds out of pocket
0:12:06 > 0:12:10and, having had to fight to get this far, she's not about to give up.
0:12:10 > 0:12:13I have worked for that money and I've earned it
0:12:13 > 0:12:17so I will go after the remaining balance.
0:12:19 > 0:12:23And, left with no other alternative, that means turning to the sheriffs.
0:12:23 > 0:12:26I can think of no other way of retrieving the money.
0:12:26 > 0:12:30I'm a bit at a loss and this is the last hope.
0:12:30 > 0:12:33It's now up to them to see what they can do.
0:12:38 > 0:12:42In the capital, Lawrence and Kev are on their way to see G4S.
0:12:42 > 0:12:45They're confident of getting paid...
0:12:45 > 0:12:48though they are expecting that the sheer size of the company
0:12:48 > 0:12:49might complicate matters.
0:12:51 > 0:12:55Just getting them to recognise the claimant and find the claimant in
0:12:55 > 0:12:59their system is normally half the battle with big companies like this.
0:12:59 > 0:13:02Another challenge is parking in Central London.
0:13:02 > 0:13:05This time Lawrence thinks he's got lucky,
0:13:05 > 0:13:08but he might be getting ideas above his station.
0:13:08 > 0:13:09Diplomatic cars only?
0:13:10 > 0:13:12That's handy.
0:13:13 > 0:13:18The G4S office is in a shared block and the first challenge for Lawrence
0:13:18 > 0:13:21and Kev will be getting past reception.
0:13:21 > 0:13:22Morning. My name is Mr Grix.
0:13:22 > 0:13:24My colleague and I are enforcement agents.
0:13:24 > 0:13:26We're here to see somebody from G4S.
0:13:27 > 0:13:28Grix.
0:13:30 > 0:13:32We're not meeting with anybody,
0:13:32 > 0:13:34we're here to execute a High Court writ against G4S.
0:13:34 > 0:13:37- Are they on floor five, yeah? - We'll just go up.
0:13:37 > 0:13:40But the reception staff have other ideas.
0:13:42 > 0:13:43No, we just go up.
0:13:46 > 0:13:49We have a High Court writ so we don't have to take any notice of
0:13:49 > 0:13:51your security protocol, I'm afraid.
0:13:51 > 0:13:52If you want to phone them
0:13:52 > 0:13:56and your phone call gets through before we do, that's fair enough.
0:13:56 > 0:14:01Lawrence and Kev have got past the security firm's security with ease.
0:14:01 > 0:14:04Upstairs, and it's reception number two.
0:14:04 > 0:14:06Morning. My name is Mr Grix.
0:14:06 > 0:14:08My colleague and I are enforcement agents.
0:14:08 > 0:14:11We've got a High Court writ to execute against G4S,
0:14:11 > 0:14:15so I'd imagine we need to speak to someone either in your accounts
0:14:15 > 0:14:16or your legal department, please.
0:14:18 > 0:14:19Yeah.
0:14:19 > 0:14:24The sheriffs are asked to wait while staff make inquiries.
0:14:24 > 0:14:27This is about the biggest security company in the country, isn't it?
0:14:27 > 0:14:31- Yeah, turnover of nearly seven billion.- That's a few quid.
0:14:33 > 0:14:37So, they should be able to cover the £1,100 they owe today,
0:14:37 > 0:14:41provided they can find the right person to deal with that.
0:14:41 > 0:14:42Hello.
0:14:43 > 0:14:45No. We've just got G4S.
0:14:45 > 0:14:47We haven't got a division specifically.
0:14:52 > 0:14:55As Lawrence predicted, no-one seems quite sure who the right person is
0:14:55 > 0:14:58to deal with the sheriffs' unannounced arrival,
0:14:58 > 0:15:01let alone finding details of the claimant.
0:15:03 > 0:15:06But, within a few minutes, someone more senior arrives.
0:15:08 > 0:15:09Oh, hello.
0:15:13 > 0:15:15Our cameraman's told to leave the building
0:15:15 > 0:15:17while Lawrence and Kev stay inside,
0:15:17 > 0:15:21trying to persuade G4S to pay Paula's missing wages.
0:15:27 > 0:15:29An hour and a half later, they emerge.
0:15:31 > 0:15:34I don't think they actually managed to find out what it was about.
0:15:34 > 0:15:38They're such a big organisation with so many different branches
0:15:38 > 0:15:40and so many subcontractors,
0:15:40 > 0:15:44they didn't actually bother to try and find our claimant on the system.
0:15:44 > 0:15:46Basically, they just went away and arranged the transfer
0:15:46 > 0:15:51and they're going to look into where it went wrong later on and
0:15:51 > 0:15:55kick the appropriate person up the posterior, probably.
0:15:55 > 0:15:58Bit boring sitting there for sort of the best part of two hours waiting
0:15:58 > 0:16:01for somebody to manage to do a bank transfer,
0:16:01 > 0:16:04but a success is a success.
0:16:04 > 0:16:06The sheriffs have been paid in full
0:16:06 > 0:16:09and, back in Yorkshire, Paula Ball is delighted.
0:16:09 > 0:16:11I would like to thank the sheriffs.
0:16:11 > 0:16:13They've done a very good job.
0:16:13 > 0:16:15Very relieved that it's all over now
0:16:15 > 0:16:17and that the money's actually in my bank account.
0:16:17 > 0:16:19And I would like to say to people,
0:16:19 > 0:16:23don't be intimidated by doing something like this
0:16:23 > 0:16:26and taking on a large company.
0:16:26 > 0:16:29It can work out and you can get your money back.
0:16:29 > 0:16:31G4S told us that they...
0:16:35 > 0:16:36..for her services.
0:16:36 > 0:16:38The company has been making...
0:16:44 > 0:16:45However, they say the...
0:16:52 > 0:16:55Sheriff Ken Warby is at a car dealer's in Walthamstow
0:16:55 > 0:16:59where he's chasing a debt of £5,000.
0:16:59 > 0:17:03BD Trade Sales Ltd sold a car to Tarsem Kainth
0:17:03 > 0:17:06and, when it broke down, didn't give him a refund.
0:17:06 > 0:17:08Ken is dealing with the director's brother,
0:17:08 > 0:17:10who says he's trying to raise the money.
0:17:10 > 0:17:14But after a lot of waiting around, Ken has run out of patience.
0:17:15 > 0:17:18I've just been kept waiting and fed a load of rubbish at the moment.
0:17:18 > 0:17:20Saying, "Give me five minutes, give me five minutes,
0:17:20 > 0:17:22"I need to make a few phone calls."
0:17:22 > 0:17:24Nothing's happened. Going to phone the office now,
0:17:24 > 0:17:29organise a transporter to come down, remove one or two of these vehicles.
0:17:29 > 0:17:32As Ken gets ready to make the call, the director's brother
0:17:32 > 0:17:35makes a last-ditch attempt to put on the brakes.
0:17:38 > 0:17:39Sorry, mate.
0:17:43 > 0:17:44Mate...
0:17:44 > 0:17:47But Ken's heard enough of this argument already.
0:17:47 > 0:17:49Hello, Wayne? It's Ken Warby.
0:17:49 > 0:17:51Look, I need a transporter down in Walthamstow.
0:17:51 > 0:17:54If you could get down here as soon as possible.
0:17:54 > 0:17:58About 40 minutes. Nice one, mate. Appreciate it. Cheers. Bye.
0:17:58 > 0:18:01All the stalling has cost the debtor dearly.
0:18:01 > 0:18:04The fees sheriffs charge are set by the Government
0:18:04 > 0:18:08and, now that the transporter is on its way, the final bill has shot up.
0:18:09 > 0:18:13£5,075 to a...
0:18:13 > 0:18:16a whopping £6,700...
0:18:18 > 0:18:20..and counting.
0:18:20 > 0:18:22But no sooner than the call is made,
0:18:22 > 0:18:26the boss's brother says a friend is on his way with the cash.
0:18:26 > 0:18:28It is the larger amount now, unfortunately.
0:18:28 > 0:18:30I've called the transport, mate. It's on its way.
0:18:30 > 0:18:32Just left the yard.
0:18:33 > 0:18:34Mate, it's not. It's been, like,
0:18:34 > 0:18:37an hour and a half since that first five minutes. Do you remember?
0:18:40 > 0:18:43I did warn you. I had a coffee, we chatted,
0:18:43 > 0:18:45still nothing happened.
0:18:45 > 0:18:47The five minutes became an hour and a half.
0:18:47 > 0:18:48Enough's enough.
0:18:54 > 0:18:58Yeah... That's not enough now. It needs to be the full amount.
0:18:59 > 0:19:02It makes no difference. As soon as I tell the office,
0:19:02 > 0:19:06"They're not paying and I need a transporter," these fees go on.
0:19:08 > 0:19:09No.
0:19:09 > 0:19:13The man said a friend was coming and, sure enough, one soon turns up,
0:19:13 > 0:19:18only it doesn't look like this guy's in the mood to hand over any cash.
0:19:18 > 0:19:20- Move your camera from here. - I'm on the street.
0:19:20 > 0:19:24- Move your camera from here! Move! - Oi, oi, oi, oi, oi, pal!
0:19:24 > 0:19:26Think you can come in here and start bullying people?
0:19:26 > 0:19:28I'll get my people here right now.
0:19:28 > 0:19:30- BLEEP- come here and try and bully the man?
0:19:30 > 0:19:32- Huh?- I'm not trying to bully him.
0:19:32 > 0:19:34- You came here to bully the man. - I'm not trying to bully anybody.
0:19:34 > 0:19:37- Get my- BLEEP- pals here. Move that camera from here.
0:19:37 > 0:19:38Move that camera from here.
0:19:38 > 0:19:40I'm on the public street.
0:19:40 > 0:19:42I'm on the public street!
0:19:42 > 0:19:44Move away from my premises.
0:19:44 > 0:19:45Ken has seen enough.
0:19:45 > 0:19:47Police, please.
0:19:47 > 0:19:50Someone has been physically threatening.
0:19:50 > 0:19:52He's just suddenly come into the car yard.
0:19:52 > 0:19:54I would like someone here to prevent a breach of the peace.
0:19:54 > 0:19:57I think they knew I was on the phone to the police and they've sort of
0:19:57 > 0:19:59disappeared so I'm in the car yard on my own at the moment.
0:19:59 > 0:20:02But not for long, as the men soon return.
0:20:02 > 0:20:06Move that camera away from me. Move that camera away from me.
0:20:06 > 0:20:09Yeah, that's it. Good boy. Yes, sir(!)
0:20:09 > 0:20:11Why are you coming in here and starting bullying the man?
0:20:11 > 0:20:12What are you doing that for?
0:20:12 > 0:20:15I'll get my pals here and we'll see who's going to bully who.
0:20:15 > 0:20:16If that's the way you want to do it.
0:20:16 > 0:20:18Has this gentleman just told you I was bullying him?
0:20:18 > 0:20:20Well, that's the approach. You've come along,
0:20:20 > 0:20:23"Oh, we're going to do that, we're going to remove cars..."
0:20:23 > 0:20:25- Come on, mate. - Can I just ask who you are?
0:20:25 > 0:20:27- Khan, Mr Khan.- Mr Khan.- Mr Khan.
0:20:27 > 0:20:29And what involvement...?
0:20:29 > 0:20:31Listen, forget that. Forget that involvement.
0:20:31 > 0:20:33Tell him to switch that camera off or he'll be in a lot of trouble.
0:20:33 > 0:20:35- Listen.- Tell him to switch that camera off.
0:20:35 > 0:20:37If you want, I can go talk to him personally.
0:20:37 > 0:20:39Mate, switch that off or I'll take that off you.
0:20:39 > 0:20:41- I will take that off you. - Mate, you won't be doing that.
0:20:41 > 0:20:43No, no, no, don't tell me that.
0:20:43 > 0:20:46Just as the situation is spiralling out of control,
0:20:46 > 0:20:48the police arrive
0:20:48 > 0:20:50and Mr Khan makes himself scarce.
0:20:51 > 0:20:55Meanwhile, the director's father has also arrived
0:20:55 > 0:20:56and he's brought cash.
0:20:59 > 0:21:00Yeah.
0:21:04 > 0:21:08OK. OK. I understand what you're saying.
0:21:08 > 0:21:10The father is willing to pay his son's original bill,
0:21:10 > 0:21:12but not the extra fees
0:21:12 > 0:21:14which were added when the transporter was called.
0:21:14 > 0:21:16But, as far as Ken's concerned,
0:21:16 > 0:21:19this is a situation entirely of their own making.
0:21:19 > 0:21:22I did explain to this person loads of times that
0:21:22 > 0:21:25if I had to call the transporter, a lot of fees go on there.
0:21:25 > 0:21:28- Yeah.- I was patient over two hours but, in the end, enough's enough,
0:21:28 > 0:21:30I've called the transporter, a load of fees have gone on there.
0:21:30 > 0:21:33I can't reverse that. Did I not warn you earlier this would happen?
0:21:33 > 0:21:36- No.- The police would turn up, the transporter would turn up,
0:21:36 > 0:21:39it'd be like a scene out of Beadle's About, and here we are.
0:21:39 > 0:21:42- You're happy to settle it? - The full amount?- The full amount?
0:21:43 > 0:21:45The father isn't budging.
0:21:48 > 0:21:49OK.
0:21:49 > 0:21:52He is not willing to accept that, that is what he's saying.
0:21:56 > 0:21:57But it will be here soon
0:21:57 > 0:22:00and you've got sufficient goods in the yard to cover the debt.
0:22:00 > 0:22:03But the son still thinks these cars can't be taken
0:22:03 > 0:22:05and, now with the police in attendance,
0:22:05 > 0:22:08he's hoping he can convince them of his side of the story.
0:22:08 > 0:22:10You've got a High Court writ for BD Trade Sales?
0:22:10 > 0:22:12- Yes.- But these cars, they belong to me.
0:22:12 > 0:22:14They belong to Blue Diamond Garages.
0:22:14 > 0:22:17That's what I was trying to explain to you and you weren't listening.
0:22:17 > 0:22:20I hear what you're saying and so does this gentleman,
0:22:20 > 0:22:24but what happens is he has been issued with a court writ
0:22:24 > 0:22:26- for these premises. - For BD Trade Sales.
0:22:26 > 0:22:29OK. I hear what you're saying,
0:22:29 > 0:22:33but these cars are here on this premises,
0:22:33 > 0:22:34you've got a big sign up there.
0:22:34 > 0:22:40If you've got 6,600 and whatever it is then I would suggest you pay it.
0:22:40 > 0:22:42Then you can go to court.
0:22:42 > 0:22:46If it is proved in your favour, you will get reimbursed.
0:22:46 > 0:22:52If you choose not to pay it back today, these guys can take the cars.
0:22:52 > 0:22:55With the policewoman delivering the final verdict,
0:22:55 > 0:22:58father and son realise the game is up.
0:22:58 > 0:23:00- What are we at?- 6-7-0-8.
0:23:00 > 0:23:02Just shy of seven grand...
0:23:02 > 0:23:06is what we said earlier on we needed to avoid.
0:23:06 > 0:23:09The father reluctantly agrees to pay
0:23:09 > 0:23:12and hands over the full total in cash.
0:23:12 > 0:23:16At the same time, the transporter arrives and is sent on its way.
0:23:18 > 0:23:21They think it's all over - it is now.
0:23:21 > 0:23:25Well, I did tell you earlier on, it was like 1-1 at half-time,
0:23:25 > 0:23:26but, erm...
0:23:26 > 0:23:30- 2-1 to the sheriffs. - Much to the father's disapproval.
0:23:30 > 0:23:32This is a very unfair system here
0:23:32 > 0:23:36because the case is still in the court but, nevertheless,
0:23:36 > 0:23:39to finish this matter off, I didn't want any aggravation with no-one,
0:23:39 > 0:23:41I paid the sheriffs.
0:23:41 > 0:23:43Now we will claim it back.
0:23:44 > 0:23:47The case never went back to court
0:23:47 > 0:23:51and Tarsem Kainth has got back the money he was rightfully owed.
0:24:02 > 0:24:06Sheriff Chris Pearson is chasing a debt owed by a businessman
0:24:06 > 0:24:09specialising in green home improvements.
0:24:09 > 0:24:13We're in Leeds. Today, we're off to see a Mr James Khan.
0:24:13 > 0:24:20It's a sum of £1,587 owed for, which I believe is insulation,
0:24:20 > 0:24:24which was either incorrectly fitted or it wasn't fitted at all.
0:24:24 > 0:24:28Mr Khan runs a company called the Green Deal Warehouse.
0:24:28 > 0:24:32It sold the insulation to pensioner Michael Redmond, who lives in the
0:24:32 > 0:24:35Cookridge area of Leeds, a place where, to stay warm,
0:24:35 > 0:24:37you need all the help you can get.
0:24:37 > 0:24:40We're one of the highest points in Leeds.
0:24:40 > 0:24:43We get a lot of fog, get a lot of wind.
0:24:43 > 0:24:45It's horrendous up here when winter comes.
0:24:45 > 0:24:51We can have snow up here when you can go a mile down the road
0:24:51 > 0:24:54and people are walking around in T-shirts.
0:24:54 > 0:24:57It is so cold in winter.
0:24:57 > 0:25:01And it's not just the elements which the residents have to contend with.
0:25:01 > 0:25:03Much of the post-war housing here
0:25:03 > 0:25:07is poorly insulated and can't easily be improved.
0:25:07 > 0:25:09Houses are solid wall.
0:25:09 > 0:25:14There is no cavity, so you can't put insulation inside.
0:25:14 > 0:25:17Which is where a special type of insulation
0:25:17 > 0:25:19called thermal cladding comes in.
0:25:19 > 0:25:24It involves adding a whole new shell to the outside of the house.
0:25:24 > 0:25:29It's like wrapping your house in a rather large blanket.
0:25:29 > 0:25:31Hoping to keep his house warm and cut down his bills,
0:25:31 > 0:25:35Michael decided to buy thermal cladding from local company
0:25:35 > 0:25:36the Green Deal Warehouse.
0:25:36 > 0:25:40We had a choice of two firms that we could have gone with and
0:25:40 > 0:25:43we just decided to go with the first telephone number,
0:25:43 > 0:25:45which happened to be Green Deal.
0:25:45 > 0:25:48Now we wish we hadn't.
0:25:48 > 0:25:52The job meant also replacing his doors and windows,
0:25:52 > 0:25:54and the work got off to a good start,
0:25:54 > 0:25:57but the progress would prove to be short-lived.
0:25:57 > 0:25:59We had paid £1,000 deposit.
0:25:59 > 0:26:04They came out within a week to fit the new windows and doors.
0:26:04 > 0:26:07They said, "We're coming back to do the insulation,
0:26:07 > 0:26:13"the scaffolding and everything within the next fortnight,"
0:26:13 > 0:26:16and that was the last time we saw Green Deal Warehouse...
0:26:18 > 0:26:20..for five months.
0:26:20 > 0:26:22And it wasn't for lack of trying.
0:26:22 > 0:26:23Michael called time and again
0:26:23 > 0:26:26to try and arrange for the main work to begin.
0:26:26 > 0:26:27They kept telling us that
0:26:27 > 0:26:31the scaffolding was going to be coming next week.
0:26:32 > 0:26:35Never came. Ring up again.
0:26:35 > 0:26:37"Coming in another week's time."
0:26:37 > 0:26:40Never came. And it went on and on.
0:26:40 > 0:26:44In the meantime, the windows and doors had been left half-finished.
0:26:44 > 0:26:49So, far from keeping the heat in, the house was colder than ever.
0:26:49 > 0:26:54You could actually look through the window frames, not the glass,
0:26:54 > 0:26:59out into the street cos there were rather large holes
0:26:59 > 0:27:01and a lot of expanding foam.
0:27:01 > 0:27:03It leaked if it rained.
0:27:03 > 0:27:06It were draughty. It were an eyesore.
0:27:07 > 0:27:10After months of phone calls and missed appointments,
0:27:10 > 0:27:12Michael finally had enough
0:27:12 > 0:27:18and made one last call to the boss of Green Deal Warehouse, James Khan.
0:27:18 > 0:27:19I said, "I'm cancelling it,"
0:27:19 > 0:27:25and straightaway, Mr Khan says, "You'll not get your deposit back."
0:27:25 > 0:27:28I says, "I'm not going to argue with you.
0:27:28 > 0:27:32"I'll see you in court," and put the phone down on him.
0:27:32 > 0:27:34I think Mr Khan thought I was joking.
0:27:34 > 0:27:36But after spending £1,000
0:27:36 > 0:27:39and five months exposed to the elements,
0:27:39 > 0:27:41this was no laughing matter.
0:27:41 > 0:27:43Michael got another company to complete the work
0:27:43 > 0:27:47and took the Green Deal Warehouse to the County Court.
0:27:47 > 0:27:49Although Mr Khan did offer a defence,
0:27:49 > 0:27:53he missed the hearing and judgment was found against him.
0:27:53 > 0:27:56He was ordered to pay Michael back his deposit plus costs...
0:27:56 > 0:27:59not that it seemed to make any difference.
0:27:59 > 0:28:01He just wouldn't pay.
0:28:01 > 0:28:03Never saw a penny.
0:28:03 > 0:28:05He just...
0:28:05 > 0:28:07totally ignored it.
0:28:07 > 0:28:11Which left Michael with few options other than to turn to the sheriffs,
0:28:11 > 0:28:14something which he had no qualms about doing.
0:28:16 > 0:28:20It's the right thing to do, and I'm not...
0:28:20 > 0:28:21I'm not that type of person...
0:28:23 > 0:28:28..what's going to sit back and let him get away with it.
0:28:33 > 0:28:37Sheriff Chris Pearson is on his way to the Green Deal Warehouse
0:28:37 > 0:28:39to try and get Michael his money back.
0:28:39 > 0:28:41And, as a fellow northerner,
0:28:41 > 0:28:44he has every sympathy with Michael's insulation nightmare.
0:28:44 > 0:28:48Where I live, it's on the coast. It's not too bad.
0:28:48 > 0:28:49Come to the hilly districts,
0:28:49 > 0:28:52you can get the snow up to two to three feet deep.
0:28:52 > 0:28:54It can get a bit cold as well, to say the least,
0:28:54 > 0:28:57so if you're looking to get your property, your home insulated,
0:28:57 > 0:28:59it's got to be done correctly, I would say.
0:29:01 > 0:29:04As Chris arrives, the business is open
0:29:04 > 0:29:06and production seems to be in full swing.
0:29:06 > 0:29:09But is Mr Khan here?
0:29:09 > 0:29:11Hello, mate.
0:29:11 > 0:29:13Hello?
0:29:13 > 0:29:16Is the boss in, mate, please?
0:29:16 > 0:29:18Just up here? Cheers.
0:29:18 > 0:29:19Is Mr Khan in, please?
0:29:19 > 0:29:22Can you get him on the phone for me? From the High Court.
0:29:24 > 0:29:26Can you get him on the phone for us, mate?
0:29:26 > 0:29:31Upstairs in the office, Chris explains the purpose of his visit.
0:29:31 > 0:29:33There's been a writ issued looking to seize company assets.
0:29:33 > 0:29:35It's not for a great deal of money.
0:29:35 > 0:29:38I'm sure he'll resolve it straightaway.
0:29:38 > 0:29:40The staff offer to contact the boss,
0:29:40 > 0:29:42but they don't want our camera in the office.
0:29:42 > 0:29:45Could you all just go downstairs five minutes?
0:29:45 > 0:29:47- Absolutely. I'll wait down here. - Cheers for that.
0:29:50 > 0:29:54But once downstairs, our cameraman's asked to leave altogether.
0:30:02 > 0:30:04Chris remains inside to negotiate
0:30:04 > 0:30:07and soon emerges to fill us in on what's going on.
0:30:07 > 0:30:09The actual debtor himself is not there. Apparently he's away on
0:30:09 > 0:30:12holiday but they are trying to get in touch with him at the minute.
0:30:12 > 0:30:14So hopefully, within a couple of minutes,
0:30:14 > 0:30:16we'll get in touch with him and get this paid.
0:30:16 > 0:30:18Until they can get hold of him,
0:30:18 > 0:30:21there's no guarantee he'll agree to pay up.
0:30:21 > 0:30:23But if he doesn't, Chris is confident
0:30:23 > 0:30:25he's got plenty to fall back on.
0:30:25 > 0:30:28Forklifts, windows, cars - there's all sorts in there.
0:30:28 > 0:30:31Hopefully they'll pay, but if they don't
0:30:31 > 0:30:33there seems to be more than enough to cover the debt.
0:30:33 > 0:30:38Back inside, the staff manage to make contact with Mr Khan abroad and
0:30:38 > 0:30:41break the news that a High Court sheriff is on the doorstep.
0:30:41 > 0:30:44Mr Khan says that the case is still in dispute,
0:30:44 > 0:30:47but Chris explains that he's got a High Court writ
0:30:47 > 0:30:50and so the debt to Mr Redmond needs to be paid now.
0:30:53 > 0:30:57Soon enough, Chris is heading back to his car. So what's the news?
0:30:57 > 0:31:02Mr Khan was away on holiday but we managed to contact him by phone
0:31:02 > 0:31:03and he's agreed to pay the full amount.
0:31:03 > 0:31:06It's a textbook job for the sheriffs.
0:31:06 > 0:31:07That was one of the better ones.
0:31:07 > 0:31:10Yeah, if they could all go like that, it would be fantastic.
0:31:10 > 0:31:11Unfortunately, they don't.
0:31:11 > 0:31:16Michael Redmond will now get his lost deposit back.
0:31:16 > 0:31:22We've received a cheque for the total of £1,246.73.
0:31:22 > 0:31:25I think they've done a superb job for us.
0:31:25 > 0:31:27The Green Deal Warehouse told us...
0:31:33 > 0:31:35..in processing the applications.
0:31:35 > 0:31:38Mr Redmond was offered a number of start dates, which he...
0:31:40 > 0:31:44The company says it was unable to attend the court hearing
0:31:44 > 0:31:47due to work commitments and the reason they didn't pay the debt
0:31:47 > 0:31:50is that they never received the letter from the court.
0:31:55 > 0:31:56In the capital, Lawrence and Kev
0:31:56 > 0:31:59are heading into the heart of the West End.
0:31:59 > 0:32:01They're on their way to a job
0:32:01 > 0:32:04that's going to turn out to be trickier than expected.
0:32:04 > 0:32:08We're in the middle of town today, going into Soho.
0:32:08 > 0:32:11We're actually going to Soho Restaurants Limited
0:32:11 > 0:32:13and it is a restaurant we're going to.
0:32:13 > 0:32:17They owe £5,259 for cleaning services that have been
0:32:17 > 0:32:20provided to the restaurant that haven't been paid for.
0:32:20 > 0:32:22To recover the money it's owed,
0:32:22 > 0:32:25the cleaning company has taken the restaurant to court
0:32:25 > 0:32:26and won a default judgment
0:32:26 > 0:32:28when the case wasn't defended.
0:32:28 > 0:32:31The sheriffs are eager to try and get it paid
0:32:31 > 0:32:35and the snail-paced traffic en route to the job is trying their patience.
0:32:35 > 0:32:37Absolutely abysmal.
0:32:37 > 0:32:40I detest driving in Central London.
0:32:40 > 0:32:43Eventually, they pull into the right road.
0:32:43 > 0:32:47- Parking suspended. - Can't park here.
0:32:47 > 0:32:49- It's that one on the corner. - Oh, yeah, I'll just wait here.
0:32:49 > 0:32:53Cos we're not getting a ticket as well as sitting in traffic all day.
0:32:55 > 0:32:58The company they're looking for is based at a restaurant
0:32:58 > 0:33:02called Maison Touareg. Lawrence makes his introductions.
0:33:02 > 0:33:03- Hello there.- Hi.
0:33:05 > 0:33:06I'll show you some ID.
0:33:06 > 0:33:08My name's Mr Grix.
0:33:08 > 0:33:09I'm an enforcement agent.
0:33:09 > 0:33:11Are you the boss at all?
0:33:11 > 0:33:14Are you able to get him on the phone?
0:33:14 > 0:33:16I'm here with a High Court writ.
0:33:16 > 0:33:19I'll explain it to your boss on the phone.
0:33:19 > 0:33:22Moments later, the staff member returns with the phone
0:33:22 > 0:33:25and Lawrence gets straight to the point.
0:33:25 > 0:33:27Hello, sir. I'm here today with a High Court writ
0:33:27 > 0:33:29against Soho Restaurants Limited.
0:33:29 > 0:33:35I'm ordered to take control of goods to the value of £5,259.59.
0:33:35 > 0:33:38But he's not expecting the boss's response.
0:33:38 > 0:33:40Right...
0:33:40 > 0:33:43The boss says he owes thousands for unpaid business rates.
0:33:43 > 0:33:47Another debt collection company has already executed a writ and taken
0:33:47 > 0:33:49control of all the goods here.
0:33:49 > 0:33:52It would be one of the more inventive excuses Lawrence has heard
0:33:52 > 0:33:56if it's not true, but he needs to make sure.
0:33:56 > 0:33:58Right. Have you got a copy of that here?
0:33:58 > 0:34:01As it stands at the moment, unless I see copies of this paperwork,
0:34:01 > 0:34:03then I'm going to take control of the goods.
0:34:03 > 0:34:05The man says it's obvious he can't pay.
0:34:05 > 0:34:07Lawrence isn't so sure.
0:34:07 > 0:34:09If you're telling me you can't pay today,
0:34:09 > 0:34:10that's what you're telling me,
0:34:10 > 0:34:14but it's not obvious to me that you can't pay today.
0:34:14 > 0:34:18If the goods have already been taken into control by someone else,
0:34:18 > 0:34:20Lawrence can't touch them.
0:34:20 > 0:34:24That means he won't have much leverage to get the debt paid,
0:34:24 > 0:34:27and he might have to walk out empty-handed.
0:34:27 > 0:34:31While the staff member goes to see if he can find the paperwork,
0:34:31 > 0:34:33Lawrence makes some inquiries of his own.
0:34:33 > 0:34:36I'm going to make a phone call.
0:34:36 > 0:34:39The world of High Court enforcement is a small one,
0:34:39 > 0:34:42and Lawrence knows just about everyone in the business.
0:34:42 > 0:34:45All right, Dave. How are you? I was just phoning
0:34:45 > 0:34:47cos I think I'm on your... Well, I am on your patch.
0:34:47 > 0:34:49The other agent confirms
0:34:49 > 0:34:51his company's already been to the restaurant,
0:34:51 > 0:34:54just as the staff member brings through the paperwork.
0:34:54 > 0:34:58Lawrence can only hope they've left something valuable off the list.
0:35:00 > 0:35:01Right, OK.
0:35:01 > 0:35:04It basically lists everything that's in here.
0:35:04 > 0:35:07All the tables, chairs, cookers, fridges - everything, really.
0:35:07 > 0:35:10So nothing left for me, unfortunately, on this occasion.
0:35:12 > 0:35:15Lawrence gets back on the phone to the restaurant's boss.
0:35:15 > 0:35:17Right, I've seen all the paperwork,
0:35:17 > 0:35:20so what I'll do, I'll leave paperwork here
0:35:20 > 0:35:21with the amount that's owing
0:35:21 > 0:35:25and contact details for me and an e-mail address for the office.
0:35:25 > 0:35:26He's hoping that the boss
0:35:26 > 0:35:29will come to an arrangement to pay at least something...
0:35:29 > 0:35:31Give me a buzz with how much you want to pay.
0:35:31 > 0:35:33..but he's not optimistic...
0:35:33 > 0:35:37Thank you. Bye-bye. There you go.
0:35:37 > 0:35:39..and with good reason.
0:35:39 > 0:35:41The outstanding debt on the other one for business rates
0:35:41 > 0:35:45is enormous compared to ours, so obviously he's paying that off.
0:35:45 > 0:35:47He wants to pay ours off so I've left paperwork there
0:35:47 > 0:35:50and he said he'll give me a ring later today
0:35:50 > 0:35:52with what he proposes to pay.
0:35:52 > 0:35:56Unfortunately, with no goods to take control of, your hands are tied.
0:35:56 > 0:36:00The restaurant boss didn't enter into a payment agreement
0:36:00 > 0:36:02later that day and, to date,
0:36:02 > 0:36:05the debt with the cleaning company has not been settled.
0:36:07 > 0:36:11Sheriffs are now officially known as High Court enforcement agents
0:36:11 > 0:36:13and they'll collect the money you're owed.
0:36:13 > 0:36:17My job is to collect in full or remove goods.
0:36:17 > 0:36:19They've got more powers of entry than bailiffs...
0:36:19 > 0:36:22We don't have to take any notice of your security protocol, I'm afraid.
0:36:22 > 0:36:26..and there's no limit on the size of the debts they can pursue.
0:36:26 > 0:36:28£1.6 million.
0:36:28 > 0:36:31Every year, sheriffs enforce more than 70,000 writs
0:36:31 > 0:36:33across England and Wales
0:36:33 > 0:36:36and recover more than £75 million.
0:36:36 > 0:36:41I'm here today to take control of goods to the value of £41,086.
0:36:41 > 0:36:43We have to insist on full payment.
0:36:43 > 0:36:45Their fees are set by the Government,
0:36:45 > 0:36:48which debtors have to pay on top of what they already owe.
0:36:48 > 0:36:50Thank you very much. See you later.
0:36:50 > 0:36:53If the sheriffs can't recover any of your money,
0:36:53 > 0:36:57there's a fee of £75 plus VAT.
0:37:03 > 0:37:08Many of the sheriffs' cases arise from the sale of second-hand cars
0:37:08 > 0:37:10and, just outside Stockport,
0:37:10 > 0:37:14sheriff Alan Pennington is about to enforce a typical case
0:37:14 > 0:37:18against a company called Cheadle Car Sales Limited.
0:37:18 > 0:37:22The premises we're going to is on a retail estate.
0:37:22 > 0:37:27I'm not really sure who I'm going to meet, what assets they've got.
0:37:27 > 0:37:31Cheadle Car Sales was taken to the County Court by a customer
0:37:31 > 0:37:34who had bought a car they weren't happy with.
0:37:34 > 0:37:36They won the case and the company was ordered
0:37:36 > 0:37:38to give them a refund plus costs.
0:37:38 > 0:37:41Eight weeks later, it still hasn't.
0:37:41 > 0:37:44So now, with a High Court writ in his hand,
0:37:44 > 0:37:47Alan is going to try to get the customer's money back.
0:37:49 > 0:37:50Cheadle Car Sales, here we are.
0:37:53 > 0:37:56Hello, fellas. Hello. I'm an enforcement agent.
0:37:56 > 0:37:59I'm here to issue a High Court writ.
0:37:59 > 0:38:01Is there anyone I can speak to?
0:38:01 > 0:38:04- Is that camera on? Going on telly, isn't it?- Yeah.
0:38:04 > 0:38:06At the sight of Alan and our camera,
0:38:06 > 0:38:10the boss of Cheadle Car Sales, Mr Cawley, makes an appearance.
0:38:10 > 0:38:12Yeah, what's it about?
0:38:12 > 0:38:13Can I come and have a chat with you in the office?
0:38:13 > 0:38:15Yeah, without the camera, yeah.
0:38:18 > 0:38:20Our camera's asked to leave
0:38:20 > 0:38:24and, while Alan talks to Mr Cawley in his office,
0:38:24 > 0:38:28the staff of Cheadle Car Sales start to show us a bit of cheek.
0:38:30 > 0:38:32In fact, a lot of it.
0:38:35 > 0:38:38Inside the garage, the boss is refusing to pay...
0:38:38 > 0:38:42unless, that is, a certain condition is met,
0:38:42 > 0:38:45as Alan explains to his office.
0:38:45 > 0:38:48Basically, he wants to know what vehicle it is
0:38:48 > 0:38:52and he's not going to pay until he gets that vehicle back.
0:38:52 > 0:38:54I told him, "I'm not here to give you your vehicle back,
0:38:54 > 0:38:56"I'm here to issue a High Court writ."
0:38:56 > 0:38:58Anticipating a standoff,
0:38:58 > 0:39:01Alan tells the office he might need some backup.
0:39:01 > 0:39:05There's about eight of them here and, unless the police arrived,
0:39:05 > 0:39:10I don't really want to get involved unless the police are here.
0:39:10 > 0:39:11OK, thanks a lot.
0:39:11 > 0:39:13All right, cheers.
0:39:13 > 0:39:19And while the boss leaves to run an errand, Alan mulls over his options.
0:39:19 > 0:39:22He's only going to pay if the car's returned.
0:39:22 > 0:39:24He's going to come back and then we'll go through
0:39:24 > 0:39:28the process of either having to call the police to assist me...
0:39:29 > 0:39:35..and a low-loader to take vehicles away,
0:39:35 > 0:39:38so we'll find out in the next 10 or 15 minutes
0:39:38 > 0:39:40when the gentleman comes back.
0:39:41 > 0:39:45But when Mr Cawley returns, he hasn't changed his stance.
0:39:45 > 0:39:48He now says he offered to fix the customer's car
0:39:48 > 0:39:51when it first went wrong and he still wants the vehicle returned
0:39:51 > 0:39:54as a point of principle before he'll pay a penny.
0:39:56 > 0:39:58As this isn't covered by the court order,
0:39:58 > 0:40:00he's got no right to demand this
0:40:00 > 0:40:03but, as it could be a way of avoiding an ugly showdown,
0:40:03 > 0:40:09Alan thinks it's worth a shot and gets the claimant on the phone.
0:40:09 > 0:40:12He's happy to pay out the full amount of money on the claim
0:40:12 > 0:40:14if the car comes back.
0:40:14 > 0:40:15What do you think?
0:40:15 > 0:40:20The claimant says the car is undriveable and won't return it
0:40:20 > 0:40:23but, as it's currently abandoned on their driveway,
0:40:23 > 0:40:26they're willing for it to be picked up at the garage's expense.
0:40:26 > 0:40:30All right. No problem. Thanks. Bye-bye.
0:40:30 > 0:40:33Alan heads in to tell Mr Cawley that's the best he can do.
0:40:34 > 0:40:37All right, do you want to come...?
0:40:37 > 0:40:39He'll either have to pay his debt
0:40:39 > 0:40:41and collect the claimant's vehicle himself
0:40:41 > 0:40:45or else lose another car from his forecourt.
0:40:45 > 0:40:47It has the desired effect.
0:40:47 > 0:40:52Mr Cawley agrees to the deal but, yet again, there's a catch.
0:40:52 > 0:40:57His partner is in hospital and she has the bank details and apparently
0:40:57 > 0:40:59runs the admin side of the business.
0:41:01 > 0:41:05So he can't pay today and is asking Alan to come back tomorrow.
0:41:05 > 0:41:10It sounds like another excuse but, given the situation,
0:41:10 > 0:41:11Alan thinks, on this occasion,
0:41:11 > 0:41:14it's worth giving him the benefit of the doubt.
0:41:15 > 0:41:17The gentleman is happy to pay.
0:41:17 > 0:41:21I didn't see the point of any further confrontation
0:41:21 > 0:41:25so we've agreed to meet and, if that's the case tomorrow,
0:41:25 > 0:41:29all will be well and done and the case will be closed.
0:41:29 > 0:41:33Leaving without payment today might look like another bum deal
0:41:33 > 0:41:36from the garage, but Alan's pragmatism pays off.
0:41:36 > 0:41:40The following morning, Mr Cawley settled in full as promised.
0:41:40 > 0:41:43The car was picked up from the customer
0:41:43 > 0:41:44and they got their money back.
0:41:55 > 0:41:59This morning, sheriffs Tommy Coyle and Craig Wild
0:41:59 > 0:42:01are in the Black Country.
0:42:01 > 0:42:05We're off to West Bromwich this morning with regards to
0:42:05 > 0:42:09two employment tribunal cases against the same company.
0:42:09 > 0:42:12The company itself is Enable UK Midlands Limited.
0:42:12 > 0:42:15The director of the company is an Amjad Mahmood.
0:42:15 > 0:42:19One is for £5,100 and the other one is for £11,700.
0:42:25 > 0:42:30Enable UK Midlands Limited provides supported living services for
0:42:30 > 0:42:32the disabled and elderly.
0:42:32 > 0:42:34In 2015, the Care Quality Commission
0:42:34 > 0:42:38described its services as "not always safe"
0:42:38 > 0:42:40and the leadership as "inadequate".
0:42:41 > 0:42:45Now, two former staff members have won employment tribunal cases
0:42:45 > 0:42:48for breaches of contract and unpaid wages.
0:42:48 > 0:42:51Today, the sheriffs are instructed
0:42:51 > 0:42:53to collect a total of nearly £17,000.
0:42:55 > 0:42:59Whatever amount we collect today, we will split the money equally
0:42:59 > 0:43:01to each case so they will both get a share
0:43:01 > 0:43:06and hopefully also an arrangement in place to pay the rest off for them.
0:43:06 > 0:43:10The job is the same with two writs as with one
0:43:10 > 0:43:14and the first step, as always, is to find the boss.
0:43:14 > 0:43:17- Hello.- Hi.- I'm trying to get in contact with Enable UK Limited.
0:43:19 > 0:43:23- Can I help you? Take a seat. - In the waiting room? OK.
0:43:23 > 0:43:25They said can we just wait in the waiting room for a minute.
0:43:25 > 0:43:28A bit of courtesy, we will do that.
0:43:28 > 0:43:30But once we've explained the situation to them,
0:43:30 > 0:43:32they need to pay it or we'll carry on and do our job,
0:43:32 > 0:43:33which is take control of goods.
0:43:33 > 0:43:36After a minute's wait, a man comes in to talk to them.
0:43:39 > 0:43:40Hello, sir.
0:43:44 > 0:43:45You what, sorry?
0:43:47 > 0:43:49Is Amjad about?
0:43:49 > 0:43:51My name is Mr Wild.
0:43:51 > 0:43:53We're here today with two High Court writs
0:43:53 > 0:43:56for employment tribunal liabilities.
0:43:56 > 0:44:01The total outstanding is £16,962.03.
0:44:03 > 0:44:05Well, we're not leaving until we're paid.
0:44:05 > 0:44:06That's the order from the court.
0:44:06 > 0:44:10We can do you some account details to pay now, if you want them.
0:44:10 > 0:44:13Speak to Amjad first and I'll have a chat with him.
0:44:15 > 0:44:19- They ain't got the money. - They ain't got the money, no.
0:44:19 > 0:44:23Although happy to wait if it looks like they're going to get paid,
0:44:23 > 0:44:26Craig's patience isn't going to last long.
0:44:26 > 0:44:28I think his attitude was that
0:44:28 > 0:44:30we're going to leave some letters and walk away, but we don't,
0:44:30 > 0:44:32not when it gets to this stage.
0:44:32 > 0:44:35We have the power and the authority to walk around this premises
0:44:35 > 0:44:37and that's what we'll be doing.
0:44:37 > 0:44:40The man comes back, but he's not been able to get through
0:44:40 > 0:44:43to the director Amjad Mahmood.
0:44:48 > 0:44:49Well, we'll come up anyway
0:44:49 > 0:44:51cos we need to see where you're trading from.
0:44:54 > 0:44:55No, we're not going to sit here.
0:44:58 > 0:44:59Where are you trading from, office-wise?
0:44:59 > 0:45:02- We'll come and have a look, cos obviously...- We can.- We can,
0:45:02 > 0:45:04we have the authority to do so.
0:45:04 > 0:45:06I've shown you my identification.
0:45:06 > 0:45:08I've showed you mine and I can show you it again.
0:45:08 > 0:45:12- We're not waiting here now. - We can't wait here, sir.
0:45:12 > 0:45:14While Craig investigates what's upstairs,
0:45:14 > 0:45:16Tommy heads into the office.
0:45:16 > 0:45:18Before he can do anything, however,
0:45:18 > 0:45:21our camera attracts the attention of the men present.
0:45:26 > 0:45:27I'm going to go outside, OK?
0:45:35 > 0:45:38We leave and continue filming from the road.
0:45:38 > 0:45:40Inside, staff tell Craig and Tommy
0:45:40 > 0:45:44that they haven't seen Amjad Mahmood for three weeks
0:45:44 > 0:45:47and that there are three other companies in the building who,
0:45:47 > 0:45:50between them, own all the goods.
0:45:50 > 0:45:52Sheriffs are entitled to carry out
0:45:52 > 0:45:55a diligent search for information pertaining to their writ
0:45:55 > 0:45:57and, as they hunt through paperwork in the office,
0:45:57 > 0:46:01Craig and Tommy discover that not only is Mr Mahmood director
0:46:01 > 0:46:04of at least one of the other companies in the building,
0:46:04 > 0:46:08but they also find a document listing many of the office goods
0:46:08 > 0:46:10as the property of Enable UK Midlands Limited.
0:46:13 > 0:46:14Tommy comes out to fill us in.
0:46:16 > 0:46:20Yeah, it got a bit heated initially inside the building.
0:46:20 > 0:46:22There's four separate companies operating within there,
0:46:22 > 0:46:25all claiming not to know the director of our company,
0:46:25 > 0:46:28which we started to find out is not true.
0:46:28 > 0:46:31We started finding more and more paperwork of our company.
0:46:31 > 0:46:32Obviously got them a bit irate.
0:46:32 > 0:46:35They started to realise we're not just going to go away.
0:46:35 > 0:46:39With Tommy confident at least some of the goods belong to the company
0:46:39 > 0:46:43on their writ, the staff in the office were out of options.
0:46:43 > 0:46:45So, the game's more or less up at this point.
0:46:45 > 0:46:47The more of that information we gather, you see them breaking down
0:46:47 > 0:46:50and they've come to a deal, which is they're going to pay 6,900.
0:46:50 > 0:46:53We're going to do a controlled goods agreement until the rest of
0:46:53 > 0:46:55the balance is paid on both orders.
0:46:55 > 0:46:58Tommy heads back inside with the card machine
0:46:58 > 0:47:02and he and Craig take payment. It's not long before they're back.
0:47:02 > 0:47:04We've got a part payment today of £6,900
0:47:04 > 0:47:08which brought the balance down to £10,000 exactly.
0:47:08 > 0:47:12As time went by, we just kept finding more and more information
0:47:12 > 0:47:14sort of contradicting what they were telling us.
0:47:14 > 0:47:17They just ended up looking a bit silly in the end and I think
0:47:17 > 0:47:19they realised that and we got the result we did.
0:47:19 > 0:47:22They haven't seen Amjad since Christmas.
0:47:22 > 0:47:25They don't know where he is, he's uncontactable and, ultimately,
0:47:25 > 0:47:29Mr Amjad has got 48 hours to get in contact with our office,
0:47:29 > 0:47:32otherwise we'll be back to obviously execute and complete the execution
0:47:32 > 0:47:34of the court order.
0:47:35 > 0:47:38Following the sheriffs' visit, Enable UK Midlands Limited
0:47:38 > 0:47:41entered into a payment plan to clear the outstanding balance.
0:47:42 > 0:47:44Further money was received.
0:47:44 > 0:47:48However, two months later, the company was wound up,
0:47:48 > 0:47:51leaving its debt to its former workers part paid.
0:48:02 > 0:48:05It's half past 12 and, on the orders of the court,
0:48:05 > 0:48:09Lawrence and Kev are on their way to collect another unpaid debt.
0:48:10 > 0:48:13We're in London, we're going up to NW10.
0:48:13 > 0:48:17We're going to go and find Supreme London Limited.
0:48:17 > 0:48:23They owe £13,869, so a big debt on this one.
0:48:27 > 0:48:29The address on the writ
0:48:29 > 0:48:31leads them to a trading estate.
0:48:31 > 0:48:33Is it in here? Is this where we're going?
0:48:33 > 0:48:36Yeah. In here, 11 and 12, Supreme.
0:48:36 > 0:48:39There's a sign on the wall but no clue as to what goes on inside.
0:48:39 > 0:48:45For Lawrence, forewarned is forearmed and he checks the file.
0:48:45 > 0:48:48"Involved in the sale of textiles, clothing, fur, footwear
0:48:48 > 0:48:51"and leather goods, manufacture, importing and distribution
0:48:51 > 0:48:54"of eco-friendly bags." It's not my bag.
0:48:56 > 0:48:58The unit door is locked.
0:48:58 > 0:49:00Lawrence rings the bell.
0:49:00 > 0:49:04Hello? Supreme London Limited?
0:49:04 > 0:49:07My name is Mr Grix. My colleague and I are enforcement agents.
0:49:07 > 0:49:10We need to speak to somebody about a High Court writ.
0:49:10 > 0:49:11OK.
0:49:11 > 0:49:13The sheriffs are asked to wait.
0:49:13 > 0:49:16Lawrence has already got a feeling about this job.
0:49:16 > 0:49:20Always suspicious of businesses that don't have an open door.
0:49:22 > 0:49:27He might be right, as five minutes later, no-one's let them in.
0:49:27 > 0:49:31Becoming of the opinion that there's nobody rushing down to see us.
0:49:31 > 0:49:34Lawrence doesn't take kindly to being made to hang around.
0:49:35 > 0:49:40He's got the Supreme London office phone number in the file.
0:49:40 > 0:49:43Good afternoon. My name's Mr Grix. I'm an enforcement agent.
0:49:43 > 0:49:46I've just buzzed up outside about five minutes ago
0:49:46 > 0:49:47and spoke to a young man,
0:49:47 > 0:49:49who I believe was going to try and contact somebody.
0:49:49 > 0:49:52Somebody needs to come to the door and speak to me now
0:49:52 > 0:49:55because I have the power to force entry to commercial premises.
0:49:55 > 0:49:59I know somebody's in there. If nobody comes out and speaks to me,
0:49:59 > 0:50:02I will be getting a locksmith and I will affect entry into the building.
0:50:02 > 0:50:05No, I won't be waiting out here that long.
0:50:05 > 0:50:08Apparently they're on the phone to directors and somebody will call me
0:50:08 > 0:50:11in about 10 or 15 minutes, and I'm not happy about that.
0:50:11 > 0:50:14Debtors don't always know the sheriffs
0:50:14 > 0:50:16will let themselves in if need be.
0:50:16 > 0:50:19It's a powerful bargaining tool against anyone who hopes
0:50:19 > 0:50:21they might just go away if ignored.
0:50:22 > 0:50:25We've confirmed that the company we're looking for is here
0:50:25 > 0:50:27and there are people from that company inside
0:50:27 > 0:50:30and they're not coming to the door so, if necessary,
0:50:30 > 0:50:34I will call out a locksmith and we'll force entry to the building.
0:50:34 > 0:50:38This time, however, his threat seems to have fallen on deaf ears.
0:50:38 > 0:50:41Then, just when it's looking like they really might need to force
0:50:41 > 0:50:45the door, an employee has arrived...
0:50:45 > 0:50:47How you doing, mate?
0:50:47 > 0:50:49You all right, buddy?
0:50:49 > 0:50:51..and Lawrence and Kev follow him in.
0:50:55 > 0:50:58They head upstairs to Supreme London's office,
0:50:58 > 0:51:02which is a vast improvement on what Kev had expected.
0:51:02 > 0:51:05Different to the outside. The outside looks pretty run-down,
0:51:05 > 0:51:08not much is going on but, yeah, it's all happening up here.
0:51:10 > 0:51:12A note pinned to the wall gives a hint of
0:51:12 > 0:51:16why they've had so much trouble getting in the door.
0:51:16 > 0:51:19But even now he's appeared unannounced in their office,
0:51:19 > 0:51:22Lawrence is struggling to get anyone's attention.
0:51:24 > 0:51:26Sorry, who is it that's actually in charge?
0:51:30 > 0:51:31So who's in charge?
0:51:33 > 0:51:35Somebody must be in charge at the moment.
0:51:38 > 0:51:41None of the people present seem sure what to do.
0:51:45 > 0:51:48So there's no managers here at all?
0:51:48 > 0:51:52Right, so who's been trying to contact the director on the phone?
0:51:52 > 0:51:54Who did I speak to from outside on the intercom?
0:52:01 > 0:52:04But someone does get the company director on the phone.
0:52:10 > 0:52:11Hello?
0:52:11 > 0:52:15Lawrence is hoping that finally the message will sink in.
0:52:15 > 0:52:19I have a High Court writ of control, which orders me to come here today
0:52:19 > 0:52:25and take control of goods to the value of £13,869.92,
0:52:25 > 0:52:28goods that can be sold at auction to clear this debt.
0:52:28 > 0:52:30But even he doesn't seem to understand
0:52:30 > 0:52:32the importance of the writ.
0:52:32 > 0:52:34No, I don't want to come back at all.
0:52:34 > 0:52:36I will be executing the writ today.
0:52:36 > 0:52:39The only way to prevent further action is to pay in full.
0:52:39 > 0:52:42The man doesn't want to come to the office.
0:52:42 > 0:52:44You don't have to be here to pay.
0:52:44 > 0:52:48You can log on to your bank and pay by online transfer or...
0:52:50 > 0:52:53He doesn't want to do that either.
0:52:53 > 0:52:55OK, then. OK, I'll carry on executing the writ
0:52:55 > 0:52:57and call some lorries.
0:52:57 > 0:52:59OK, I'll take things. Thank you. Bye-bye.
0:53:02 > 0:53:04Not going to pay.
0:53:04 > 0:53:08Having been locked outside the front door and kept waiting by the staff
0:53:08 > 0:53:11in the office, Lawrence isn't in the mood to waste any more time,
0:53:11 > 0:53:13and gets straight on the phone.
0:53:13 > 0:53:15Can you see if Rob's available
0:53:15 > 0:53:18with his 7.5-tonner with the tail lift, please?
0:53:18 > 0:53:22Kev, meanwhile, is on the hunt for goods they could remove.
0:53:22 > 0:53:26Unfortunately, there's not a great deal of assets here.
0:53:26 > 0:53:27There's a lot going on in the office,
0:53:27 > 0:53:29a lot of computers and furniture
0:53:29 > 0:53:33but value-wise it's not particularly great.
0:53:33 > 0:53:37A removal isn't ideal, so Kev tries to make the staff realise
0:53:37 > 0:53:39they really do mean business,
0:53:39 > 0:53:42in the hope the director will reconsider.
0:53:42 > 0:53:46Everything you see will be gone, from stock to this, everything.
0:53:46 > 0:53:49Literally. I mean, the whole place will be cleaned out
0:53:49 > 0:53:50for the amount it is.
0:53:52 > 0:53:54Yeah. Yeah, right now.
0:53:54 > 0:53:57Lawrence adds his weight to the argument.
0:53:57 > 0:54:00Is anybody here capable of backing up the computers?
0:54:00 > 0:54:02Because I'm going to start unplugging them
0:54:02 > 0:54:04because we're going to have to take them
0:54:04 > 0:54:07because your boss isn't going to pay this.
0:54:07 > 0:54:13With over 13,000 owed, they really will need to remove everything.
0:54:13 > 0:54:16It's not the sheriffs' intent to stop a business trading
0:54:16 > 0:54:19but sometimes there's no other option.
0:54:19 > 0:54:24If it's all the company's got...
0:54:24 > 0:54:26and they're not willing to pay
0:54:26 > 0:54:29then you have to take what they have got and if it shuts them down,
0:54:29 > 0:54:32it shuts them down. He was adamant he wasn't going to pay,
0:54:32 > 0:54:34so you have to do what you have to do.
0:54:34 > 0:54:37Removal of office goods is the last resort for the sheriffs
0:54:37 > 0:54:39and the worst option for a debtor.
0:54:39 > 0:54:43On top of the low value, they're bulky and expensive to remove
0:54:43 > 0:54:44and will cost far more to replace
0:54:44 > 0:54:46than they will ever sell for at auction.
0:54:50 > 0:54:52Lawrence's growing pile by the doorway
0:54:52 > 0:54:56seems to have finally had the effect he wanted.
0:54:56 > 0:54:59Yeah, so we've been told there's a director on his way down now,
0:54:59 > 0:55:02not far away.
0:55:02 > 0:55:05But this belated move doesn't put him off his stride.
0:55:08 > 0:55:09No, we're going to carry on to save time.
0:55:09 > 0:55:11He said on the phone he wasn't going to pay,
0:55:11 > 0:55:16so I'm not stopping what I'm doing just because he's turning up.
0:55:16 > 0:55:18If he turns up and deals with it properly
0:55:18 > 0:55:21then obviously there'll be no need for us to remove.
0:55:21 > 0:55:23Moments later, the director arrives.
0:55:26 > 0:55:28Are you the gentleman I spoke to on the phone?
0:55:28 > 0:55:30My name is Mr Grix.
0:55:30 > 0:55:32Where are we going to, sir?
0:55:34 > 0:55:36Oh, right.
0:55:36 > 0:55:38Lawrence is led into a meeting room
0:55:38 > 0:55:41while our cameraman is asked to wait outside.
0:55:43 > 0:55:46The director seems to now realise that the removal of
0:55:46 > 0:55:50the entire contents of his office really is imminent
0:55:50 > 0:55:53and that he'll need to find some money today to prevent it.
0:55:55 > 0:55:5945 minutes later, the sheriffs reappear.
0:55:59 > 0:56:00Despite keeping him waiting,
0:56:00 > 0:56:03the director's managed to appease Lawrence.
0:56:03 > 0:56:06As it happens, he was quite a nice chap.
0:56:06 > 0:56:09There was photos of him with David Cameron,
0:56:09 > 0:56:12Prince Charles, the Queen,
0:56:12 > 0:56:16so obviously quite a well-to-do businessman
0:56:16 > 0:56:18who mixes in the right circles.
0:56:18 > 0:56:24He might have famous friends but he didn't have the full £13,869
0:56:24 > 0:56:26that the sheriffs came for.
0:56:26 > 0:56:30He did manage to pay £3,300
0:56:30 > 0:56:33and he's got money clearing into his account tomorrow,
0:56:33 > 0:56:36which he's going to do by Bacs over to us,
0:56:36 > 0:56:39so we'll have the balance by Friday.
0:56:39 > 0:56:42I think he'll probably do it but, either way,
0:56:42 > 0:56:47the £3,300 we got was more than the value of anything in there.
0:56:47 > 0:56:52It was fairly old computers, which go for nothing at auction,
0:56:52 > 0:56:54and, other than that, there really wasn't much at all.
0:56:54 > 0:56:56Bits and pieces of furniture,
0:56:56 > 0:56:59but it certainly wouldn't have raised £3,300 at auction,
0:56:59 > 0:57:02plus you'd have had the cost of removing it etc etc,
0:57:02 > 0:57:04so it's best today just to get a controlled goods agreement,
0:57:04 > 0:57:08get a partial payment and wait for the balance to come in on Friday.
0:57:12 > 0:57:15In the end, it's a good result in difficult circumstances.
0:57:15 > 0:57:18Supreme London Limited later cleared the balance
0:57:18 > 0:57:20and the claimant has got their money back.