0:00:02 > 0:00:03If you're owed money but aren't getting paid,
0:00:03 > 0:00:05it's time to call the sheriffs.
0:00:05 > 0:00:07My name's Mr Grix, my colleague and I are Enforcement Agents.
0:00:07 > 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 > 0:00:14They're Enforcement Agents of the High Court.
0:00:14 > 0:00:15DOORBELL RINGS
0:00:15 > 0:00:19And 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 > 0:00:24You currently owe £9,461.80.
0:00:24 > 0:00:27..the law says the sheriffs can get you what you're owed.
0:00:27 > 0:00:29If you don't come to the door,
0:00:29 > 0:00:31we'll 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 > 0:00:35Whether it's a small company...
0:00:35 > 0:00:38- Can I speak to the person in charge please?- ..or a household name...
0:00:38 > 0:00:40We're here to see someone from G4S.
0:00:40 > 0:00:43..if they owe you money, the sheriffs get it paid.
0:00:43 > 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 > 0:00:50I just collected 42 grand.
0:00:53 > 0:00:58Coming up, Claire Yew wasn't paid her rent by a lettings agent.
0:00:58 > 0:01:00He owed me about six months rent.
0:01:00 > 0:01:03That was quite hard for me and my family because
0:01:03 > 0:01:05I still had to pay the mortgage.
0:01:05 > 0:01:08The sheriffs have an ultimatum for the manager.
0:01:08 > 0:01:12I'm going to have to insist on half payment or I remove the goods.
0:01:12 > 0:01:16Lawrence and Kev visit a technology company...
0:01:16 > 0:01:18We are High Court Enforcement Agents.
0:01:18 > 0:01:21We've got a High Court writ against SBE Ltd.
0:01:21 > 0:01:23..which sets the alarm bells ringing.
0:01:23 > 0:01:26ALARM BLARES
0:01:26 > 0:01:29Mandy Springer was sold a car with a dangerous flaw.
0:01:29 > 0:01:32This was the one where the wheel came off.
0:01:32 > 0:01:35My grandson and I definitely could have been killed that day.
0:01:35 > 0:01:38But the car dealers who sold it to her
0:01:38 > 0:01:40aren't keen to pay for the repairs.
0:01:40 > 0:01:43£1,140.62 pays us, gets her paid, and we're gone.
0:01:43 > 0:01:45Uh, no.
0:01:45 > 0:01:50And Ken is made to wait at the Post Office's headquarters.
0:01:50 > 0:01:51I'm starting to lose my patience now.
0:01:51 > 0:01:54I'm just going to dig my heels in and insist on full payment.
0:02:02 > 0:02:05Sheriff Ken Warby is in east London
0:02:05 > 0:02:08on his way to a lettings agent in Whitechapel.
0:02:08 > 0:02:11Our claimant was letting a property through them
0:02:11 > 0:02:15and the debtor has not released the money to our claimant.
0:02:16 > 0:02:22We're going for approximately £8,500, including sheriff fees.
0:02:23 > 0:02:26The lettings agent is called Hometrader Properties.
0:02:26 > 0:02:29They owe money to full-time mum Claire Yew,
0:02:29 > 0:02:31who found herself in dispute with the company
0:02:31 > 0:02:35after deciding to buy a house to rent out.
0:02:35 > 0:02:38I was looking for a house for a buy-to-let investment,
0:02:38 > 0:02:43so I wanted somewhere as close to London as possible.
0:02:43 > 0:02:46She managed to find what she thought would be
0:02:46 > 0:02:48an ideal property in Plaistow -
0:02:48 > 0:02:51not too far from Central London, but still affordable.
0:02:51 > 0:02:53It is actually a three-bed terraced house
0:02:53 > 0:02:55with two receptions and a basement,
0:02:55 > 0:02:58so one reception can be used as a bedroom as well.
0:02:58 > 0:03:03And it's close to all the amenities, the hospital and public transport.
0:03:03 > 0:03:05Her offer on the property was accepted
0:03:05 > 0:03:07and the sale went through quickly.
0:03:07 > 0:03:09As there was already a tenant living there,
0:03:09 > 0:03:11the seller made a suggestion.
0:03:11 > 0:03:13The vendor discussed with me and said,
0:03:13 > 0:03:15"Well, they have been good tenants," and he said,
0:03:15 > 0:03:18"Currently, I've got a guaranteed rent contract
0:03:18 > 0:03:23"with the managing agent and they pay me every month no problem,
0:03:23 > 0:03:27"so why don't we just keep the tenant and save all the hassle?"
0:03:27 > 0:03:30The tenancy had been managed by Hometrader Properties,
0:03:30 > 0:03:33and its agent confirmed they'd be willing for Claire
0:03:33 > 0:03:36to keep the existing tenant on the same terms.
0:03:36 > 0:03:39They would get the guaranteed rent of 1,300 every month,
0:03:39 > 0:03:43so it doesn't matter whether the tenants pay or not.
0:03:43 > 0:03:46Since they organised everything for me and made it easy for me
0:03:46 > 0:03:48and they told me that we don't have to pay anything,
0:03:48 > 0:03:50I thought, "Well, why not?"
0:03:51 > 0:03:55For the first few months, the rent was paid as promised,
0:03:55 > 0:03:57but then payments began to be delayed,
0:03:57 > 0:04:00with the man at Hometraders saying there were problems
0:04:00 > 0:04:02with tenants' housing benefit.
0:04:02 > 0:04:06He told me that because the tenant is on housing benefits,
0:04:06 > 0:04:09the tenant's rent is actually paid by the council,
0:04:09 > 0:04:15and apparently, the tenant did some part-time job over December
0:04:15 > 0:04:18and she didn't put in some paperwork and, I don't know, some red tape.
0:04:18 > 0:04:20So, anyway, they claimed that
0:04:20 > 0:04:23the council had stopped giving them the rent.
0:04:23 > 0:04:27And despite Claire's contract saying the rent would be guaranteed
0:04:27 > 0:04:30no matter what, payments continued to lag behind.
0:04:30 > 0:04:32It just dragged on and on and on,
0:04:32 > 0:04:34and they kept telling me the same thing -
0:04:34 > 0:04:36that it's not sorted out yet and,
0:04:36 > 0:04:39"We're actually paying you out of my own money."
0:04:39 > 0:04:40That's what he told me.
0:04:40 > 0:04:43Although Hometrader Properties did make some payments,
0:04:43 > 0:04:46the arrears continued to mount up.
0:04:46 > 0:04:49He owed me about 9,000, which is about six months' rent.
0:04:49 > 0:04:52That was quite hard for me and my family because
0:04:52 > 0:04:56I still had to pay the mortgage that was going on all this time,
0:04:56 > 0:05:00so I had to save up and stinge on certain aspects of our life
0:05:00 > 0:05:03so that I would be able to pay for the mortgage
0:05:03 > 0:05:05in order not to have the house repossessed.
0:05:07 > 0:05:10Claire decided the only way to stop the situation getting worse
0:05:10 > 0:05:13was to get the problem tenant evicted.
0:05:13 > 0:05:16In the meantime, the agents made occasional payments,
0:05:16 > 0:05:18but nowhere near what she was owed.
0:05:18 > 0:05:21He told me, "Don't worry. I'm not going to cheat your money."
0:05:21 > 0:05:23Then the tenant leaves.
0:05:23 > 0:05:25"It'll be sorted out once the tenant leaves, right?"
0:05:25 > 0:05:27So, the tenant left.
0:05:27 > 0:05:29I went to see him and said, "OK, now the tenant has left,
0:05:29 > 0:05:31"can I have my payment, please?"
0:05:31 > 0:05:34And he started to give me more excuses.
0:05:34 > 0:05:36"Just give me two weeks, I promise. Three weeks.
0:05:36 > 0:05:38"We'll give you a payment in three weeks' time."
0:05:38 > 0:05:40So, I tried calling him so many times.
0:05:40 > 0:05:43Just to speak to him, I have to call, like, ten times a day
0:05:43 > 0:05:45just to catch him, and then he'll say,
0:05:45 > 0:05:47"Oh, I'll call you back tomorrow. I'll check this out."
0:05:47 > 0:05:48And he never calls me back,
0:05:48 > 0:05:51so that's when I decided to take him to court.
0:05:51 > 0:05:54But while she was going through the court process,
0:05:54 > 0:05:56Claire received some surprising news.
0:05:56 > 0:06:01The council called me up to find out why I evicted the tenant
0:06:01 > 0:06:04because the tenant was a bit upset,
0:06:04 > 0:06:09and I told her it's because the agent hasn't paid the rent
0:06:09 > 0:06:11for six months.
0:06:11 > 0:06:12That's when I found out
0:06:12 > 0:06:15that the council had been paying the rent
0:06:15 > 0:06:19but it's just that, every month, they just deducted a little bit,
0:06:19 > 0:06:21so that's when I found out
0:06:21 > 0:06:23that he actually had the money all this time.
0:06:23 > 0:06:25Claire won her case in court
0:06:25 > 0:06:27after the agents didn't enter a defence.
0:06:27 > 0:06:31The judge ordered them to pay back the money they owed to Claire.
0:06:31 > 0:06:34He still didn't do anything. There was no response from him.
0:06:34 > 0:06:37That's when I decided to escalate the case to the sheriffs
0:06:37 > 0:06:39cos I've seen them on TV and they do really well.
0:06:39 > 0:06:43They are my only hope of recovering the money for me.
0:06:51 > 0:06:54In east London, Ken is on his way to Hometrader Properties
0:06:54 > 0:06:56to get Claire's money back.
0:06:56 > 0:07:00It's a large sum, but will there be enough assets to cover it?
0:07:00 > 0:07:03There can be assets to seize at an estate agents, yeah.
0:07:03 > 0:07:06Computers, printers. There's not usually a great deal,
0:07:06 > 0:07:09but there's still usually a bit of office equipment there.
0:07:11 > 0:07:14Right, I've found the place - it's there - but there's no parking,
0:07:14 > 0:07:16surprise, surprise. You've got to watch the wardens.
0:07:16 > 0:07:19They come out of the cracks of the pavement and do you.
0:07:19 > 0:07:21I usually have it on me Bromleys pretty quick,
0:07:21 > 0:07:24and get to my car before I get a ticket.
0:07:24 > 0:07:25On your what, Ken?
0:07:25 > 0:07:27Bromley-by-Bows - toes.
0:07:27 > 0:07:29Spoken like a true Cockney.
0:07:29 > 0:07:33The next rhyming slang we'll need is the one for pay up.
0:07:35 > 0:07:37- Knock-knock. Hello.- Hello.
0:07:37 > 0:07:41Hi there. Can I speak to the person in charge, please?
0:07:41 > 0:07:43Is that yourself, sir?
0:07:43 > 0:07:48My name's Mr Warby from the Court's Sheriffs Office.
0:07:48 > 0:07:53This is regarding a judgment against Hometrader Properties.
0:07:53 > 0:07:56The man doesn't seem to recognise the details of the case,
0:07:56 > 0:07:58but another staff member does.
0:08:02 > 0:08:04Well, we're here as a result of
0:08:04 > 0:08:07a writ of control from the High Court.
0:08:09 > 0:08:11Ken shows his writ,
0:08:11 > 0:08:13but the man says the matter is still in dispute
0:08:13 > 0:08:16and he asks our cameraman to leave.
0:08:19 > 0:08:20Inside, the boss tells Ken
0:08:20 > 0:08:23that he is contesting the court's decision
0:08:23 > 0:08:24and so he doesn't want to pay.
0:08:24 > 0:08:26He says the matter is being dealt with
0:08:26 > 0:08:28by his solicitor, Mr Haque,
0:08:28 > 0:08:33and as his office is only next door, he asks Ken to come and see him,
0:08:33 > 0:08:35but they don't get very far.
0:08:35 > 0:08:37After you. After you.
0:08:37 > 0:08:39After you, I insist.
0:08:39 > 0:08:41I'll tell you what, I'm not going anywhere.
0:08:41 > 0:08:44- You get him to come in here. - The boss refused to leave first,
0:08:44 > 0:08:48making Ken suspicious it's a ruse to lock him out of the shop.
0:08:48 > 0:08:51I've changed my mind. I want to see him in here.
0:08:51 > 0:08:53Mr Haque does come to the agents.
0:08:53 > 0:08:58Our camera is invited back in to record the conversation.
0:08:58 > 0:09:01Ken's now had a chance to survey the assets in the office,
0:09:01 > 0:09:05and there's not much, so he offers a deal.
0:09:05 > 0:09:09Total stands at 8,496.60.
0:09:09 > 0:09:13What I'm prepared to do today is accept half this payment
0:09:13 > 0:09:18from your client and give 14 days to pay the balance.
0:09:19 > 0:09:20OK?
0:09:20 > 0:09:24What I've done is I've taken a list, an inventory,
0:09:24 > 0:09:26of assets at this address,
0:09:26 > 0:09:30and providing I get a signed writ of control,
0:09:30 > 0:09:31I'll give you that 14 days.
0:09:52 > 0:09:55Mr Haque says the court lost his client's paperwork,
0:09:55 > 0:09:59so he wants 14 days to make a new application
0:09:59 > 0:10:00to challenge the judgment.
0:10:00 > 0:10:03But the courts have issued Ken with a live writ,
0:10:03 > 0:10:06which needs to be paid and no excuses.
0:10:06 > 0:10:10As it stands at the moment, I'm here with this writ of control
0:10:10 > 0:10:12and I'm going to have to insist on half payment.
0:10:25 > 0:10:27I think I'm being more than reasonable.
0:10:27 > 0:10:30The choice is your client either pays half of it
0:10:30 > 0:10:32or I call up a removal van
0:10:32 > 0:10:34and remove the goods on my list.
0:10:36 > 0:10:38You can make a complaint, sir, if that's what you want to do.
0:10:40 > 0:10:42Mr Haque's refusing to back down.
0:10:42 > 0:10:44Instead, he wants to make a complaint.
0:10:44 > 0:10:49Ken gets the office on the phone, but it's his turn to speak first.
0:10:49 > 0:10:51- Hello, Jack. It's Ken. - OVER PHONE:- 'Hello.'
0:10:51 > 0:10:55Require a removal van, if possible. It's general office equipment.
0:10:55 > 0:10:59Ken's ramped up the pressure, but Mr Haque's come out fighting.
0:10:59 > 0:11:02OK, this is Jackie.
0:11:19 > 0:11:22Mr Haque wrongly believes that Ken is exceeding his powers.
0:11:22 > 0:11:26The office asks him to put his concerns in writing.
0:11:42 > 0:11:43Thanks.
0:11:47 > 0:11:52Mr Haque leaves and our camera is again asked to step outside.
0:11:53 > 0:11:56While the boss mulls over the offer of half payment,
0:11:56 > 0:11:59Ken continues to list the assets in the office,
0:11:59 > 0:12:03but in the end, removing them isn't necessary.
0:12:03 > 0:12:05Realising that the sheriffs have the law on their side,
0:12:05 > 0:12:08the boss gives in.
0:12:08 > 0:12:11They paid me half after some argument,
0:12:11 > 0:12:13and I've got a controlled goods agreement
0:12:13 > 0:12:16for them to pay the balance within 14 days.
0:12:16 > 0:12:19The job went well. I listed the items in there.
0:12:19 > 0:12:20If they were to go at auction,
0:12:20 > 0:12:23you probably wouldn't get much more than a grand for them anyway.
0:12:23 > 0:12:26And as for their solicitor Mr Haque's objections,
0:12:26 > 0:12:28Ken isn't the least bit worried.
0:12:28 > 0:12:31He seems to think that they should have 14 days
0:12:31 > 0:12:35before they have to pay any money whatsoever.
0:12:35 > 0:12:37I did tell him it was down to my discretion
0:12:37 > 0:12:40and I wanted half payment there and then,
0:12:40 > 0:12:42which is what I got.
0:12:42 > 0:12:45Sure enough, Hometrader paid the final balance
0:12:45 > 0:12:48and Claire Yew has got back the money she was owed.
0:12:49 > 0:12:53I'm very happy about this cos I never expected anyone
0:12:53 > 0:12:56to be able to recover the money from him,
0:12:56 > 0:13:00but they managed to do it, so I'm very, very thankful to them.
0:13:01 > 0:13:04The manager of Hometrader Properties says that...
0:13:10 > 0:13:13He says he paid for maintenance work on the property
0:13:13 > 0:13:16for which Ms Yew has never been charged.
0:13:16 > 0:13:18And he says that the lettings agent
0:13:18 > 0:13:20covered the legal costs
0:13:20 > 0:13:23of the eviction totalling £1,280.
0:13:28 > 0:13:30If you've been ripped off
0:13:30 > 0:13:33and the person or company responsible refuses to pay you back,
0:13:33 > 0:13:37the first step is to make a claim in the County Court.
0:13:37 > 0:13:39It's simple to do this online.
0:13:39 > 0:13:42For a small fee, depending on the size of the claim,
0:13:42 > 0:13:45the court will review the evidence, and if it finds in your favour,
0:13:45 > 0:13:48the debtor will be ordered to pay up.
0:13:48 > 0:13:51If they don't, then for a further £60,
0:13:51 > 0:13:53the High Court will grant a writ
0:13:53 > 0:13:56authorising the sheriffs to act on your behalf.
0:13:56 > 0:13:59If they're successful, you get all your money back.
0:14:03 > 0:14:05Sheriffs Lawrence Grix and Kev McNally
0:14:05 > 0:14:08are heading to Ashford in Kent.
0:14:08 > 0:14:10We are going to SBE Ltd.
0:14:12 > 0:14:16We're looking for a total of £2,325 today.
0:14:16 > 0:14:19Our claimant is Extreme Clean Commercial Ltd.
0:14:21 > 0:14:24The cleaning company successfully took SBE Ltd to the County Court
0:14:24 > 0:14:27over an unpaid invoice.
0:14:27 > 0:14:29After the debt still wasn't settled,
0:14:29 > 0:14:33they've now transferred up to the High Court and got a writ.
0:14:33 > 0:14:36The sheriffs don't know much about the details of the case,
0:14:36 > 0:14:38but it does gives the pair the opportunity
0:14:38 > 0:14:41to reflect on their own cleaning abilities.
0:14:42 > 0:14:45I am quite tidy, actually, yeah.
0:14:45 > 0:14:50I'm afraid my cleaning doesn't come up to scratch at home.
0:14:50 > 0:14:54My garage is always tidy, everything's in its place.
0:14:54 > 0:14:56That's my domain and people aren't allowed in there.
0:14:58 > 0:15:01And it's not just Lawrence's garage that's spic-and-span.
0:15:01 > 0:15:06In the van, too, his orderliness has impressed Kev.
0:15:06 > 0:15:08We've got a first-aid kit, we've got a hammer around here
0:15:08 > 0:15:10just in case the van turns upside down
0:15:10 > 0:15:13and we need to smash a windscreen to get out.
0:15:13 > 0:15:15- Doesn't have to be my van, does it? - In case of a werewolf.
0:15:15 > 0:15:17Could come across an accident at the side of the road
0:15:17 > 0:15:19and somebody needs busting out their car.
0:15:21 > 0:15:22If the apocalypse was to hit now,
0:15:22 > 0:15:24we'd be all right in this van, that's all I'm saying.
0:15:24 > 0:15:27There's everything in here you'd ever need.
0:15:27 > 0:15:29LAWRENCE CHUCKLES
0:15:29 > 0:15:31Fortunately, the apocalypse hasn't arrived
0:15:31 > 0:15:34by the time they reach the business' premises.
0:15:34 > 0:15:36There it is.
0:15:36 > 0:15:38They don't know what SBE Ltd does,
0:15:38 > 0:15:41or whether there'll be any assets to take.
0:15:41 > 0:15:43The signs on the building don't give much away.
0:15:43 > 0:15:47"Global Electronic Service Logistics Management."
0:15:47 > 0:15:49Whatever that means.
0:15:49 > 0:15:51But they'll soon find out.
0:15:51 > 0:15:53- Oh, good morning.- Morning.
0:15:53 > 0:15:57Name's Mr Grix... My colleague and I are Enforcement Agents.
0:15:57 > 0:16:01We've got a High Court writ to execute against SBE Ltd,
0:16:01 > 0:16:05so we probably need to speak to somebody in legal or accounts.
0:16:05 > 0:16:08But before reception can call anyone,
0:16:08 > 0:16:10a woman comes down the stairs.
0:16:10 > 0:16:14- Hi, there.- Oh, hello.- We are High Court Enforcement Agents.
0:16:14 > 0:16:18We've got a High Court writ against SBE Ltd on behalf of
0:16:18 > 0:16:20Extreme Clean Commercial Ltd.
0:16:20 > 0:16:25We are here today to take control of goods to the value of £2,325.53.
0:16:27 > 0:16:30Unfortunately, the bottom line is we have a High Court writ which
0:16:30 > 0:16:33commands us to come here and take control of goods to clear the debt.
0:16:33 > 0:16:36And the only way to prevent further action is to pay in full.
0:16:37 > 0:16:39- Pay. Transfer.- Transfer.
0:16:41 > 0:16:43Yeah, sure.
0:16:46 > 0:16:49The woman takes them upstairs but our camera is asked to leave.
0:16:52 > 0:16:54Inside, things start to get complicated.
0:16:54 > 0:16:56They've been joined by the managing director
0:16:56 > 0:17:00and it seems the company isn't willing to just pay up after all.
0:17:02 > 0:17:04The sheriffs have also realised there's a factory
0:17:04 > 0:17:07at the back of the building, full of potential assets,
0:17:07 > 0:17:10only the MD won't let them in.
0:17:12 > 0:17:16When Lawrence demands access, the staff set off the alarms.
0:17:16 > 0:17:18ALARM BLARES
0:17:20 > 0:17:22Moments later, the police arrive.
0:17:22 > 0:17:24What should have been a simple job
0:17:24 > 0:17:26has turned into a headache for the sheriffs.
0:17:29 > 0:17:32After explaining themselves to the officers,
0:17:32 > 0:17:35Kev comes outside to fill us in on what's been happening.
0:17:35 > 0:17:37Yeah, it's a big old company.
0:17:37 > 0:17:40Out the back, the workings of the factory,
0:17:40 > 0:17:42they're repairing mobile phones.
0:17:43 > 0:17:46There are machines and other assets worth thousands.
0:17:46 > 0:17:49No wonder the managing director doesn't want to let the sheriffs in.
0:17:49 > 0:17:53But it seems light-footed Lawrence has managed to give the MD the slip.
0:17:55 > 0:17:58Lawrence, in his nimbleness, went through a door
0:17:58 > 0:18:00and we were into the workshop.
0:18:02 > 0:18:04With the sheriffs listing assets in the back,
0:18:04 > 0:18:07it was game over for SBE Ltd.
0:18:07 > 0:18:10We're back dealing with the lady we were initially dealing with.
0:18:10 > 0:18:14She's got her debit card and she's going to be paying.
0:18:14 > 0:18:17So, we've got the card machine here, going to go in there, get payment,
0:18:17 > 0:18:19full payment, and we should be on our way soon.
0:18:21 > 0:18:23Kev heads back in with the machine
0:18:23 > 0:18:26and true to their word, the company finally pay up.
0:18:26 > 0:18:29Debtor's assets are the leverage sheriffs need to get paid
0:18:29 > 0:18:33and they have the right to explore a premises to find them.
0:18:34 > 0:18:36We were dealing with it quite sensibly
0:18:36 > 0:18:39and calmly initially with the young lady,
0:18:39 > 0:18:43but then the managing director came down and started getting himself
0:18:43 > 0:18:46involved telling us we couldn't do this, we couldn't do that.
0:18:46 > 0:18:49We were required to stay in reception.
0:18:49 > 0:18:53We said we weren't going to so he instructed the receptionist to press
0:18:53 > 0:18:56the panic alarm but I managed to nip through a door
0:18:56 > 0:18:59when somebody went through it so the young lady came back
0:18:59 > 0:19:01and said she would pay it on her card.
0:19:01 > 0:19:04And that's what happened. So, we got paid in full.
0:19:04 > 0:19:07And with that, the sheriffs head off to the next job.
0:19:07 > 0:19:12The cleaning company will now get the £2,325 they were owed.
0:19:23 > 0:19:27It's 10am and Lawrence and Kev are in Windsor,
0:19:27 > 0:19:30on the trail of a second-hand car salesman with a debt.
0:19:32 > 0:19:35This morning, we are going to see a Mr Howard Brigman,
0:19:35 > 0:19:38trading as Primavera Cars.
0:19:38 > 0:19:41He owes £1,140.
0:19:41 > 0:19:44This is expenses incurred
0:19:44 > 0:19:47four days after the purchase of a Land Rover Freelander
0:19:47 > 0:19:50and the wheel fell off it.
0:19:50 > 0:19:51Not ideal.
0:19:51 > 0:19:54No, it's not good to have a wheel fall off any vehicle, really.
0:19:54 > 0:19:58So, yeah. That's who we're after now. We're a couple of miles away.
0:19:59 > 0:20:03Lawrence and Kev are working on behalf of Mandy Springer.
0:20:03 > 0:20:06She was driving with her grandchild Dante in the car
0:20:06 > 0:20:08when the incident happened.
0:20:08 > 0:20:12She'd only just bought the Land Rover from a local dealer
0:20:12 > 0:20:15she'd found on the internet called Primavera Cars.
0:20:15 > 0:20:19The salesman seemed fairly helpful, he was quite a friendly fellow
0:20:19 > 0:20:23and he didn't seem to know very much about the car, actually.
0:20:23 > 0:20:28When I was asking him, "Had the car been serviced?" He said, "Oh, no."
0:20:28 > 0:20:32Nevertheless, it seemed to be what she was looking for.
0:20:32 > 0:20:34My husband and I looked over the car,
0:20:34 > 0:20:37we did pop the bonnet as well, we looked underneath for any
0:20:37 > 0:20:39kind of mysterious rusting
0:20:39 > 0:20:43and you know, it seemed sound to look at.
0:20:46 > 0:20:50The Land Rover had a new MOT and Mandy negotiated a discount
0:20:50 > 0:20:53to pay for a service she'd arrange later.
0:20:55 > 0:21:00Thinking she had a good deal, she paid £3,600 and drove it away.
0:21:03 > 0:21:05Only a few days later, disaster struck.
0:21:07 > 0:21:11I'd come off the motorway and as I pressed the brake, the car shook,
0:21:11 > 0:21:13I just about held it...
0:21:14 > 0:21:16..and you could hear
0:21:16 > 0:21:18something, like, it snapped.
0:21:19 > 0:21:22I was very fortunate that the guy behind me
0:21:22 > 0:21:23didn't actually smash into me.
0:21:25 > 0:21:28Another guy came out and was knocking on the window,
0:21:28 > 0:21:31shouting, "Your wheel's come off the car!"
0:21:31 > 0:21:34The wheel had come almost completely detached
0:21:34 > 0:21:37and the car was stranded in the middle of the road.
0:21:37 > 0:21:41We're in two lanes of traffic because the car had slightly swerved
0:21:41 > 0:21:42into the other lane,
0:21:42 > 0:21:44so we could have been hit by any car coming down.
0:21:44 > 0:21:49I think my grandson and I definitely could have been killed that day.
0:21:49 > 0:21:51It wasn't safe to stay in the car,
0:21:51 > 0:21:55so Mandy took 22-month-old Dante onto the verge
0:21:55 > 0:21:57and called Primavera Cars.
0:21:57 > 0:22:01There was no footway to stand, so we were standing in brambles.
0:22:01 > 0:22:04I was trying to get help from the garage.
0:22:05 > 0:22:07In the end, it was kind of like I was just arguing
0:22:07 > 0:22:09and wasting my time. He refused to help me.
0:22:11 > 0:22:13He didn't care, he didn't care at all.
0:22:13 > 0:22:16So Mandy called the police who helped recover the car.
0:22:18 > 0:22:20But Primavera wouldn't take it back.
0:22:22 > 0:22:25They said, "No," they didn't want to help at all.
0:22:26 > 0:22:29Instead, it was delivered to a Land Rover specialist.
0:22:29 > 0:22:33When he examined it, Mandy was shocked by what he found.
0:22:34 > 0:22:38He gave me four of these, these are spacers.
0:22:38 > 0:22:40I didn't know anything about spacers until he told me.
0:22:40 > 0:22:43It's to make the wheels look bigger, make the car look bulkier,
0:22:43 > 0:22:47so maybe a boy racer might have stuff like this on their cars.
0:22:49 > 0:22:51The spacer sits between the hub and the wheel,
0:22:51 > 0:22:56and on this one, four of the five connecting bolts had failed.
0:22:56 > 0:22:59This was the one where the wheel came off,
0:22:59 > 0:23:02it was just by the grace of God that that one held on.
0:23:02 > 0:23:07Using wheel spacers isn't illegal in the UK, but should be declared
0:23:07 > 0:23:11to insurance companies as an after-market modification.
0:23:11 > 0:23:13Mandy feels she ought to have been warned.
0:23:13 > 0:23:17These should have been taken off the car prior to them selling it.
0:23:17 > 0:23:20They should have known about these.
0:23:20 > 0:23:23Mandy took Howard Brigman to court.
0:23:23 > 0:23:25He didn't defend the case and was ordered to pay her back
0:23:25 > 0:23:28the money she spent on fixing the car and her costs.
0:23:30 > 0:23:35Brigman offered to pay Mandy by bank transfer, but she was worried.
0:23:35 > 0:23:36I didn't trust their actions at all.
0:23:36 > 0:23:39There was no way I was going to give them my bank details.
0:23:39 > 0:23:43Wary of giving out her details, Mandy said she wanted a cheque,
0:23:43 > 0:23:46one of the other payment methods recommended by the court.
0:23:46 > 0:23:48But Brigman refused.
0:23:48 > 0:23:51At one point, they called me eight times in one day,
0:23:51 > 0:23:55kept calling and calling and saying, "We want your bank details.
0:23:55 > 0:23:57"If you don't give us your bank details,
0:23:57 > 0:24:00"we're going to issue a counter action against you."
0:24:00 > 0:24:04They could have made payment at any time and they refused to do it.
0:24:04 > 0:24:07And then there were the text messages.
0:24:07 > 0:24:10"I'm still not happy about the way this has played out
0:24:10 > 0:24:13"and I would suggest you receive adequate training in car mechanics
0:24:13 > 0:24:16"before checking the vehicle over yourself in future instances."
0:24:16 > 0:24:18So I thought...
0:24:20 > 0:24:23..at the end of the day, you sold a car to somebody,
0:24:23 > 0:24:25it could have killed them.
0:24:25 > 0:24:28In fact, the law makes it clear that the dealer is
0:24:28 > 0:24:31responsible for the vehicle being fit for purpose.
0:24:31 > 0:24:35With the garage apparently unwilling to send her the cheque she wanted,
0:24:35 > 0:24:38Mandy was left with little choice.
0:24:38 > 0:24:42I had seen The Sheriff on telly before.
0:24:43 > 0:24:46Never thought in a million years that I'd have to use them.
0:24:46 > 0:24:51I was angry enough and I did want something to be done.
0:24:51 > 0:24:53I did want my money back.
0:24:58 > 0:25:03And so now Lawrence and Kev are on their way to get it for her.
0:25:03 > 0:25:04Since Mandy bought her car,
0:25:04 > 0:25:08Howard Brigman has joined forces with a new business partner
0:25:08 > 0:25:12and they now trade as Primavera Cars Ltd,
0:25:12 > 0:25:15operating from the same address as before.
0:25:15 > 0:25:17Howard Brigman's partner is on site
0:25:17 > 0:25:20and he seems to know all about the case.
0:25:21 > 0:25:23Hello, there.
0:25:23 > 0:25:25Yeah, good thank you.
0:25:27 > 0:25:28- Yeah.- Yes.
0:25:32 > 0:25:35Right, well she's sent us out with a High Court writ.
0:25:35 > 0:25:39£1,140.62 pays us, gets her paid and we're gone.
0:25:45 > 0:25:48Lawrence isn't here to run messages around and it's now too late for
0:25:48 > 0:25:52the car dealer to make a payment directly to Mandy.
0:25:52 > 0:25:54Right, problem being she's now transferred it to the
0:25:54 > 0:25:56High Court for enforcement purposes.
0:25:59 > 0:26:01What you need to seek is independent legal advice, we're not here
0:26:01 > 0:26:05to advise you. We're here to obviously execute the writ
0:26:05 > 0:26:06on behalf of our claimant.
0:26:08 > 0:26:11The man doesn't want to pay the costs of the sheriffs' visit.
0:26:13 > 0:26:17But like it or not, the full amount is what he'll need to come up with.
0:26:17 > 0:26:19We hold the money for 14 days,
0:26:19 > 0:26:21it doesn't get disbursed straight away,
0:26:21 > 0:26:24so that gives you 14 days to get legal advice.
0:26:24 > 0:26:26Then if we're ordered to pay back the money,
0:26:26 > 0:26:28we pay back the money, simple as that.
0:26:28 > 0:26:30But at the moment, we've got a High Court writ
0:26:30 > 0:26:32that says this has got to be paid.
0:26:32 > 0:26:36The man doesn't want our camera in his office and we're asked to leave.
0:26:36 > 0:26:41He doesn't protest much longer however, and Kev soon comes out.
0:26:41 > 0:26:43Spoke to the guy. He knows all about it, to be fair.
0:26:43 > 0:26:45He's going to make payment now, so I've got the card machine,
0:26:45 > 0:26:48brought the van up and he's going to pay and off we go.
0:26:49 > 0:26:51The man does indeed pay
0:26:51 > 0:26:55and he invites our camera back in to tell his side of the story.
0:26:55 > 0:26:58He says he thought the accident might have happened
0:26:58 > 0:27:02because a friend of Mandy's had given the car a once over.
0:27:02 > 0:27:05She said that, "Two days ago, my brother-in-law, who's a mechanic,
0:27:05 > 0:27:10"was looking over the car," and all that, "and found some bits."
0:27:10 > 0:27:14Anyway, and then she said the wheel came off two days after that.
0:27:14 > 0:27:17I said, "Well, sounds like something that he's probably done, then."
0:27:17 > 0:27:21He says Primavera offered to look at the car, but Mandy refused.
0:27:21 > 0:27:25They didn't defend the case because they didn't receive the paperwork.
0:27:25 > 0:27:28And he says, following the judgment, they tried to pay
0:27:28 > 0:27:32but the disagreements over the payment method was the problem.
0:27:32 > 0:27:34She wanted a cheque.
0:27:34 > 0:27:37We kept asking for, e-mails asking her, for her sort code
0:27:37 > 0:27:38and account number, so we could pay it.
0:27:38 > 0:27:40Cos we want evidence to show that we've done it.
0:27:40 > 0:27:44So we know it's been paid, so we can go to the court and let them know
0:27:44 > 0:27:46that it's all been done. Cos we don't want this going any further.
0:27:46 > 0:27:50Mandy was under no obligation to give out her details
0:27:50 > 0:27:53and cheque is one of the payment methods recommended by the courts.
0:27:54 > 0:27:58Refusing to send one has now cost Primavera Cars,
0:27:58 > 0:28:00though the man has come up with a way to make sure
0:28:00 > 0:28:02he gets his money's worth.
0:28:02 > 0:28:03We'll do a selfie.
0:28:04 > 0:28:08That was about as easy a job as you'll ever get, to be honest.
0:28:08 > 0:28:13The gentleman saw us, recognised us, invited us into the office,
0:28:13 > 0:28:15he knew exactly what case it was about.
0:28:15 > 0:28:19He's not overly happy that he's got our fees on top now, but he was half
0:28:19 > 0:28:21expecting a visit from us anyway
0:28:21 > 0:28:25and just paid us straightaway on a card. So...
0:28:25 > 0:28:28all in all another successful case for our client.
0:28:28 > 0:28:32Back in Reading, it's the news Mandy's been waiting for.
0:28:32 > 0:28:34It's been a really good result.
0:28:34 > 0:28:37I'm pleased that I did get in contact with the sheriffs cos
0:28:37 > 0:28:41they've helped take the stress out of a stressful situation.
0:28:41 > 0:28:43So I'm really pleased.
0:28:43 > 0:28:46I just sincerely hope that doesn't happen again to somebody else.
0:28:57 > 0:29:00From multinationals to dodgy car dealers,
0:29:00 > 0:29:02for the sheriffs, it's all the same.
0:29:02 > 0:29:05And on the edge of London's financial district,
0:29:05 > 0:29:09Enforcement Agent Ken Warby is looking for a household name.
0:29:09 > 0:29:11We're going to see Post Office Ltd.
0:29:12 > 0:29:14They are the debtors.
0:29:14 > 0:29:16The claimant is a small-time landlord,
0:29:16 > 0:29:19who owns a shop which provided postal services.
0:29:19 > 0:29:23When the sub-postmaster left, fixtures and fittings
0:29:23 > 0:29:25belonging to the Post Office were left behind for months,
0:29:25 > 0:29:30which the landlord claims prevented him from renting the property out.
0:29:30 > 0:29:32He took the company to court for storage costs,
0:29:32 > 0:29:37and won a default judgment after the company didn't defend the case.
0:29:37 > 0:29:41Now it's down to Ken to get more than £11,000 owed.
0:29:41 > 0:29:44That's our building on the left there, I think,
0:29:44 > 0:29:47where the scaffolding is outside.
0:29:49 > 0:29:51But there's no parking outside -
0:29:51 > 0:29:54and a road closure sends him on a long detour.
0:29:54 > 0:29:56You couldn't make this up.
0:29:56 > 0:29:58By the time he's found somewhere to park,
0:29:58 > 0:30:01he's got a mile-long walk back to the Post Office.
0:30:01 > 0:30:03Just trying to find the job now!
0:30:06 > 0:30:09When he gets there, the offices look like a building site.
0:30:10 > 0:30:14Nevertheless, this is the address on the writ, so Ken heads in.
0:30:16 > 0:30:18Hi there, sorry to bother you,
0:30:18 > 0:30:20I want to speak to someone at the Post Office Ltd.
0:30:24 > 0:30:26They're not here any more?
0:30:28 > 0:30:32The man says the building is being converted into a hotel.
0:30:32 > 0:30:35It took us 20 minutes to walk from the car to here
0:30:35 > 0:30:38and they're not here. Wonderful.
0:30:40 > 0:30:44Satisfied that the Post Office Ltd have moved out, Ken leaves.
0:30:44 > 0:30:46And the claimant won't get their money today.
0:30:48 > 0:30:51There's nothing we can do there because it's totally empty.
0:30:51 > 0:30:53They've got no forwarding information on the company.
0:30:53 > 0:30:57They've set up somewhere else around here, I'm sure they will have.
0:30:57 > 0:31:00So we'll just have to find them and go from there.
0:31:00 > 0:31:03It's not quite as simple as finding the new office and marching in.
0:31:03 > 0:31:05The sheriffs are legally obliged
0:31:05 > 0:31:08to give debtors seven days' notice of their arrival.
0:31:08 > 0:31:10And it's now looking like the letter they sent
0:31:10 > 0:31:13would have gone to the wrong address.
0:31:13 > 0:31:17A couple of weeks later, though, and Ken is back on the hunt.
0:31:17 > 0:31:18Just like last time,
0:31:18 > 0:31:22there's been no response to the letter the sheriffs have sent.
0:31:22 > 0:31:23But Ken has a theory.
0:31:23 > 0:31:26Must have got lost in the post. Don't know.
0:31:29 > 0:31:33This time, he finds a spot nearby and heads straight in.
0:31:39 > 0:31:42But our cameraman isn't allowed to follow him.
0:31:48 > 0:31:50We continue filming from the street
0:31:50 > 0:31:54while Ken explains he's there to collect more than £11,000.
0:31:54 > 0:31:56He's then left to sit in reception
0:31:56 > 0:31:59while the staff try to figure out what's going on.
0:32:01 > 0:32:03A succession of different people come to talk to him,
0:32:03 > 0:32:06but so far none of them have offered any payment.
0:32:08 > 0:32:10The woman dealing with it in the legal department
0:32:10 > 0:32:13has left me sitting in reception for the best part of an hour.
0:32:13 > 0:32:16They are contacting other people at a different legal department,
0:32:16 > 0:32:18I believe somewhere in Bolton.
0:32:18 > 0:32:20I'm getting a bit bored.
0:32:25 > 0:32:28Ken goes back inside, where the waiting game continues.
0:32:29 > 0:32:32After more conversations with the staff,
0:32:32 > 0:32:35the Post Office still haven't agreed to pay up.
0:32:35 > 0:32:36Ken could demand to go upstairs
0:32:36 > 0:32:39and start making a list of assets to take away.
0:32:39 > 0:32:43He doesn't want to escalate the situation unless it's necessary,
0:32:43 > 0:32:46but after three hours, that moment's getting closer.
0:32:47 > 0:32:49I'm starting to lose my patience now.
0:32:49 > 0:32:52I'm just going to dig my heels in and insist on full payment.
0:32:52 > 0:32:55If they don't, then I'm just going to march around their offices,
0:32:55 > 0:32:58list their items, call up a van with a view to remove their goods.
0:32:58 > 0:33:00So that's where we are at the moment.
0:33:03 > 0:33:05The waiting might be getting on his nerves,
0:33:05 > 0:33:07but to recover 11 grand,
0:33:07 > 0:33:10Ken would have to remove a lot of office equipment.
0:33:10 > 0:33:12So, on this occasion, playing the long game
0:33:12 > 0:33:15is the best way to get a result.
0:33:15 > 0:33:18It's quite frustrating cos they've got about six magazines in there
0:33:18 > 0:33:21and I've read them cover to cover so far.
0:33:21 > 0:33:24But that's this job, sometimes -
0:33:24 > 0:33:27you have to wait around quite a long time for payments.
0:33:30 > 0:33:34Sure enough, the Mexican standoff soon reaches its finale.
0:33:34 > 0:33:38The Post Office Ltd appears to be on the brink of paying up.
0:33:38 > 0:33:40But before the deal is sealed,
0:33:40 > 0:33:44Ken has to evade some additional expenses of his own.
0:33:44 > 0:33:46Well, the fat lady hasn't sung yet...
0:33:48 > 0:33:51..but I'm about to take my seat and get in the audience.
0:33:51 > 0:33:55Payment is imminent, but I just need to relocate this car,
0:33:55 > 0:33:56otherwise I'll get a ticket.
0:34:01 > 0:34:03With his car safe from traffic wardens,
0:34:03 > 0:34:06Ken makes his way back to Post Office's HQ.
0:34:06 > 0:34:09This time, he only has to wait another ten minutes.
0:34:12 > 0:34:15Right, well, after just over four hours of waiting,
0:34:15 > 0:34:18the sheriff finally got his man.
0:34:18 > 0:34:22£11,947.42,
0:34:22 > 0:34:24exactly what I came for to begin with.
0:34:24 > 0:34:27Great result, and claimant has got his money.
0:34:27 > 0:34:30It's been a long day, but it was worth it.
0:34:30 > 0:34:32Ken's persistence and patience
0:34:32 > 0:34:35have got the claimant back the money they were owed.
0:34:35 > 0:34:37The Post Office Ltd subsequently applied
0:34:37 > 0:34:40to have the judgment against them set aside,
0:34:40 > 0:34:42but discontinued their appeal.
0:34:46 > 0:34:48The Post Office told us...
0:34:55 > 0:34:57And they...
0:35:04 > 0:35:08Sheriffs are now officially known as High Court Enforcement Agents,
0:35:08 > 0:35:10and they'll collect the money you're owed.
0:35:10 > 0:35:14My job is to collect in full or remove goods.
0:35:14 > 0:35:16They've got more powers of entry than bailiffs.
0:35:16 > 0:35:19We don't have to take any notice of your security protocols, I'm afraid.
0:35:19 > 0:35:22And there's no limit on the size of the debts they can pursue.
0:35:22 > 0:35:25£1.6 million.
0:35:25 > 0:35:27Their fees are set by the government,
0:35:27 > 0:35:30which debtors have to pay on top of what they already owe.
0:35:30 > 0:35:33Thank you very much. See you later.
0:35:33 > 0:35:35If the sheriffs can't recover any of your money,
0:35:35 > 0:35:38there's a fee of £75 plus VAT.
0:35:50 > 0:35:55It's just gone midday and Lawrence and Kev are in Putney, South London,
0:35:55 > 0:35:58looking to recoup another unpaid debt.
0:35:58 > 0:36:02We are going to WP&E Hospitality Ltd.
0:36:03 > 0:36:06Looking for £3,805.
0:36:07 > 0:36:10Our client is Fish! Kitchen Ltd.
0:36:10 > 0:36:13I believe this is for the supplying of fish.
0:36:17 > 0:36:18They didn't pay for their fish.
0:36:21 > 0:36:25WP&E Hospitality Ltd trade as The Lobster House,
0:36:25 > 0:36:27a fish and seafood restaurant on the Thames.
0:36:29 > 0:36:33Lawrence is always excited about going out for lunch.
0:36:33 > 0:36:35Well, I believe this fish restaurant we're going to
0:36:35 > 0:36:37is quite a nice PLAICE.
0:36:37 > 0:36:39Wah, wah, waaah.
0:36:41 > 0:36:44But don't CARP on about it, will you?
0:36:45 > 0:36:49It's not the first time the sheriffs have visited a restaurant.
0:36:49 > 0:36:52It's a business that's famously hard to make a success of,
0:36:52 > 0:36:56as the claimant in this case also knows all too well.
0:36:56 > 0:37:00Tony Allan is himself a chef with two restaurants
0:37:00 > 0:37:03going by the name of The Fish! Kitchen,
0:37:03 > 0:37:06but he originally built up his business as a fish supplier.
0:37:07 > 0:37:09I was so disillusioned with the fact...
0:37:09 > 0:37:11what I was getting in restaurants as a chef,
0:37:11 > 0:37:14and I thought I could do a lot better.
0:37:15 > 0:37:17Tony started buying better fish at the docks
0:37:17 > 0:37:20and selling it to chefs he knew.
0:37:20 > 0:37:23Within a few years, he was supplying 600 restaurants.
0:37:23 > 0:37:27And at one point, he had his own TV show with Giorgio Locatelli.
0:37:27 > 0:37:30But he's since scaled-down the wholesale side of the business,
0:37:30 > 0:37:34preferring instead to source fish just for his own restaurants
0:37:34 > 0:37:36and his fishmongers next door.
0:37:36 > 0:37:39I wasn't interested in supplying restaurants.
0:37:39 > 0:37:43For years, I was perhaps waiting anything from 30 to 90 days
0:37:43 > 0:37:45for our revenue to come back, our money to come in.
0:37:45 > 0:37:48We do a couple of local restaurants that pay
0:37:48 > 0:37:50when they come in and take their produce.
0:37:50 > 0:37:53But, really, we are a retail supplier.
0:37:53 > 0:37:57But he recently got reeled back in to the wholesale trade
0:37:57 > 0:38:01when WP&E Hospitality Ltd came knocking on his door.
0:38:01 > 0:38:05When they opened The Lobster House, the director, Mr Ling,
0:38:05 > 0:38:10decided he wanted Tony to supply him and to pick his brains for advice.
0:38:10 > 0:38:12The owner of the restaurant came in to see me.
0:38:12 > 0:38:14I could see that he needed help.
0:38:14 > 0:38:17We're not just fishmongers, I have restaurants of my own.
0:38:17 > 0:38:21I've had a lot of experience in planning menus, balancing menus.
0:38:21 > 0:38:22He appealed to my better nature.
0:38:22 > 0:38:25You know, he met me next-door, he really wanted to buy off us.
0:38:25 > 0:38:27I looked at this as a one-off,
0:38:27 > 0:38:30and I wanted him to succeed, because we would've carried
0:38:30 > 0:38:33on supplying him, we would've had a good business relationship.
0:38:33 > 0:38:35And I thought I was helping him out, really.
0:38:37 > 0:38:41Initially, WP&E Hospitality Ltd paid in cash.
0:38:41 > 0:38:43But soon, they wanted credit.
0:38:43 > 0:38:46After three or four months, he then phoned me
0:38:46 > 0:38:48and said could he have an account,
0:38:48 > 0:38:50I think we've built up enough trust.
0:38:51 > 0:38:53At the same time, however,
0:38:53 > 0:38:58Tony noticed not everything was hunky-dory with the new restaurant.
0:38:58 > 0:39:01He was buying very sporadically.
0:39:01 > 0:39:03And then I had a look at the stuff they were buying,
0:39:03 > 0:39:05it didn't match the menu.
0:39:05 > 0:39:06I could see that the chefs were changing,
0:39:06 > 0:39:09the voices on the answerphone were completely different.
0:39:09 > 0:39:12And that sent the alarm bells ringing, really.
0:39:12 > 0:39:14Tony had seen the writing on the wall.
0:39:14 > 0:39:17And soon after, he was reminded why he didn't want to supply
0:39:17 > 0:39:19restaurants in the first place.
0:39:19 > 0:39:21We hadn't been paid for two months,
0:39:21 > 0:39:23and I asked him to come in to see me.
0:39:23 > 0:39:27I explained to him, "I can't really supply you any more."
0:39:27 > 0:39:31And he said, "OK, I'll send you a cheque." He never did.
0:39:31 > 0:39:32I phoned him two or three times,
0:39:32 > 0:39:35I even went over to the restaurant to see him.
0:39:35 > 0:39:37I spoke to Chris, my finance director,
0:39:37 > 0:39:40and I said to him that, "We've got to take legal action."
0:39:42 > 0:39:45Before that, Chris tried to sort the matter out himself,
0:39:45 > 0:39:48but he had no more luck than Tony.
0:39:48 > 0:39:49It was very frustrating.
0:39:49 > 0:39:52We had to make several phone calls, send e-mails,
0:39:52 > 0:39:55none of which were replied to.
0:39:55 > 0:40:01When I did actually finally get to speak to the defendant,
0:40:01 > 0:40:05he indicated that there wasn't any more money in the business
0:40:05 > 0:40:08and that he was looking for further funding from abroad,
0:40:08 > 0:40:11which was due within a month or two.
0:40:13 > 0:40:16At this point, The Lobster House owed over £2,500.
0:40:20 > 0:40:23Before the case went to court, WP&E Hospitality Ltd had
0:40:23 > 0:40:28one last chance to reach an agreement with Tony and Chris.
0:40:28 > 0:40:32We had mediation beforehand and he offered between £800, £900.
0:40:32 > 0:40:37£900, you know, I could've taken that. But it's not the money.
0:40:37 > 0:40:39Normally, it would be the money, not the principle.
0:40:39 > 0:40:40But this time it was the principle
0:40:40 > 0:40:44for the amount of time and effort I put in to help the man.
0:40:44 > 0:40:48After Tony declined the offer, the case was heard in court.
0:40:48 > 0:40:51Fish! Kitchen won and WP&E Hospitality
0:40:51 > 0:40:54was ordered to pay the full amount.
0:40:54 > 0:40:56Only Tony hasn't seen a penny.
0:40:57 > 0:40:59And now the best we can hope for
0:40:59 > 0:41:01is that the sheriffs actually produce.
0:41:01 > 0:41:04They've got a very difficult job on this one.
0:41:09 > 0:41:13But if anyone can get his money back, it's Lawrence and Kev,
0:41:13 > 0:41:15and they're headed to The Lobster House,
0:41:15 > 0:41:19hoping to meet its director Mr Ling.
0:41:19 > 0:41:21- That's it.- The Lobster House?- Yes.
0:41:25 > 0:41:27The building is unmistakable.
0:41:27 > 0:41:31But peering through the window, it doesn't look promising.
0:41:31 > 0:41:33- They're not open anyway. - It's being refurbed.
0:41:33 > 0:41:35The front entrance is locked.
0:41:35 > 0:41:38But around the back, someone comes to the door.
0:41:38 > 0:41:41Hello there. My name's Mr Grix.
0:41:41 > 0:41:43- My colleague and I are Enforcement Agents.- All right.
0:41:43 > 0:41:48We've got a High Court writ against WP&E Hospitality Ltd,
0:41:48 > 0:41:50trading as The Lobster House.
0:41:50 > 0:41:53The woman says The Lobster House have moved out.
0:41:53 > 0:41:57She's currently setting up a new Mediterranean restaurant.
0:41:57 > 0:41:58Have you not been here long?
0:42:00 > 0:42:03So are you a new company, are you?
0:42:03 > 0:42:04Yeah, sure, cheers.
0:42:04 > 0:42:08Given they only moved out recently, Lawrence needs to make sure that
0:42:08 > 0:42:13none of WP&E Hospitality Ltd's goods are still on the premises.
0:42:13 > 0:42:16You rent the building, but you've bought all the fixtures
0:42:16 > 0:42:18- and fittings, have you?- Yes.
0:42:18 > 0:42:20So who was that money to?
0:42:22 > 0:42:26So he's basically sold you the bits and pieces and moved out?
0:42:28 > 0:42:32The woman hasn't got paperwork to hand to prove what she's saying,
0:42:32 > 0:42:34but Lawrence is happy enough.
0:42:34 > 0:42:37I completely believe what you're saying.
0:42:37 > 0:42:39And you can see it is being refurbished.
0:42:41 > 0:42:44As he will still need to see proof, he asked the woman to send
0:42:44 > 0:42:46her paperwork through to the sheriffs' office
0:42:46 > 0:42:49and he has got some advice for the new restaurant.
0:42:50 > 0:42:53Once you've got this paperwork together,
0:42:53 > 0:42:55have them all to hand so that
0:42:55 > 0:42:58if you do get any more Enforcement Agents coming round for
0:42:58 > 0:43:01- whatever debt, you can say, "Look, this is us, we took over then."- OK.
0:43:01 > 0:43:04- And they'll be gone quicker than us.- OK.
0:43:04 > 0:43:06- OK?- See you later, have a good day.
0:43:08 > 0:43:10With no debtor and no assets,
0:43:10 > 0:43:13there is nothing more the sheriffs can do today.
0:43:13 > 0:43:15They don't give up easily, though.
0:43:15 > 0:43:20And six weeks later, Kev's been able to dredge up some new information.
0:43:20 > 0:43:24I did a bit of research, I've come up with this new address for them.
0:43:24 > 0:43:26So we'll go here today,
0:43:26 > 0:43:29see if we can have more luck here than we did before.
0:43:29 > 0:43:31It's another nibble on the line,
0:43:31 > 0:43:33but the sheriffs know from experience
0:43:33 > 0:43:35not to get their hopes up.
0:43:35 > 0:43:38If the restaurant has shut, the company could well
0:43:38 > 0:43:42be in financial trouble, and the new address might not bear any fruit.
0:43:42 > 0:43:46It's more likely to be a director's home address
0:43:46 > 0:43:47or a registered office.
0:43:47 > 0:43:50If they've gone from the trading address,
0:43:50 > 0:43:52it's unlikely you'll find assets anywhere else.
0:43:56 > 0:43:59They arrive at the address, but it is not obvious how to get in.
0:44:01 > 0:44:05Luckily, a man in a neighbouring unit has arrived at the same time.
0:44:05 > 0:44:08- Looking for 1B.- Oh, that's upstairs. - That's upstairs, is it?
0:44:08 > 0:44:10- Is that through that door there, is it?- It is.
0:44:10 > 0:44:14- Are you just about to open that? - I am.- Excellent news for us.
0:44:14 > 0:44:16Lovely. Cheers.
0:44:18 > 0:44:19Having charmed his way in,
0:44:19 > 0:44:22Lawrence makes his way to the 1B office.
0:44:23 > 0:44:27Morning. Hi there, I'm looking for WP&E Hospitality Ltd.
0:44:29 > 0:44:31You are an office acting for them?
0:44:31 > 0:44:32In what capacity?
0:44:36 > 0:44:38So, what's the name of your business, sir?
0:44:41 > 0:44:44The man says this is just WP&E Hospitality Ltd's
0:44:44 > 0:44:49registered address and that he runs a separate company.
0:44:49 > 0:44:53Lawrence isn't yet convinced that he has nothing to do with the debt.
0:44:53 > 0:44:55Are the two companies connected at all?
0:44:57 > 0:44:58So are you a director of both companies?
0:45:00 > 0:45:02Right. Now we're getting somewhere.
0:45:02 > 0:45:04It's Mr Ling,
0:45:04 > 0:45:07the man Tony said he helped with The Lobster House's menus.
0:45:08 > 0:45:11We are here today with a High Court writ
0:45:11 > 0:45:15- on behalf of Fish! Kitchen Ltd... - Yeah.
0:45:15 > 0:45:20..we are ordered to take control of goods to the value of £3,851.78.
0:45:20 > 0:45:23You're responsible, sir. So how would you like to pay?
0:45:23 > 0:45:25Have you got cash here or would you like to pay on a card?
0:45:25 > 0:45:28Bank transfer?
0:45:28 > 0:45:30But Mr Ling doesn't want to pay.
0:45:32 > 0:45:33Yes.
0:45:36 > 0:45:39So, you haven't had the money for the restaurant yet?
0:45:39 > 0:45:41Right, so you're telling me the company's got no money?
0:45:42 > 0:45:45Right, well, I'll have to take control of assets then.
0:45:45 > 0:45:47Just as Lawrence feared,
0:45:47 > 0:45:50Mr Ling says that WP&E Hospitality is broke.
0:45:51 > 0:45:55What's more, he claims it doesn't own anything in this office.
0:45:55 > 0:45:57Lawrence will need to see proof.
0:45:57 > 0:46:01If you can't prove today that it belongs to FM Europe Ltd,
0:46:01 > 0:46:02we will be taking it.
0:46:02 > 0:46:06Everything can go - cupboards, desks, chairs, computers...
0:46:08 > 0:46:11Mr Ling starts to look through his receipts.
0:46:11 > 0:46:13But the sheriffs don't really want the stuff here
0:46:13 > 0:46:17as its value wouldn't cover the cost of removing it.
0:46:17 > 0:46:20They're hoping the threat will convince him to pay up.
0:46:20 > 0:46:24It seems, however, that Mr Ling genuinely can't.
0:46:24 > 0:46:26He shows Lawrence the company's bank statement.
0:46:32 > 0:46:33All right, OK.
0:46:33 > 0:46:35So you can't come up with any funds today?
0:46:37 > 0:46:39Right. So now we come back...
0:46:39 > 0:46:41Mr Ling says he's expecting some money to come in
0:46:41 > 0:46:44from the sale of the restaurant in the next couple of weeks.
0:46:44 > 0:46:48Lawrence isn't going to waste his afternoon emptying this tiny office,
0:46:48 > 0:46:52so instead, he lists the goods and Mr Ling promises to pay
0:46:52 > 0:46:54when his money comes through.
0:46:54 > 0:46:57Right, this is your control goods agreement.
0:46:57 > 0:47:01OK, so the agreement is payment in full by the 14th of December.
0:47:01 > 0:47:05- Yeah, right.- OK? So you need to sign, print and date that.
0:47:05 > 0:47:07OK? Bye-bye.
0:47:10 > 0:47:12And with that, they head for home.
0:47:13 > 0:47:16There was no assets there, that's the biggest trouble you've got.
0:47:16 > 0:47:20It would never be worth removing for a job like that,
0:47:20 > 0:47:22so there's not a lot you can do.
0:47:22 > 0:47:24We saw his bank account.
0:47:24 > 0:47:26So it's sort of hitting your head
0:47:26 > 0:47:28against a brick wall on that one a little bit.
0:47:28 > 0:47:30The only thing we can hope for is that when he does get his money
0:47:30 > 0:47:33for the sale of the restaurant, that he pays then.
0:47:37 > 0:47:39What happened to the money from
0:47:39 > 0:47:41the sale of the restaurant though is unclear.
0:47:41 > 0:47:46Shortly after the sheriffs' visit, WP&E Hospitality Ltd went
0:47:46 > 0:47:50into liquidation and Mr Ling hasn't settled the debt to Fish! Kitchen.
0:47:54 > 0:47:58We won't be receiving our money. And, obviously, we're disappointed.
0:47:58 > 0:48:01But I think, myself and Chris,
0:48:01 > 0:48:04are resigning to the fact that we wasn't going to get paid.
0:48:04 > 0:48:08One of those things in business. These things happen all the time.
0:48:08 > 0:48:10Put a line under this now and move on.
0:48:24 > 0:48:27In the north-east, sheriff Chris Pearson
0:48:27 > 0:48:30is on his way to a very different kind of job.
0:48:30 > 0:48:32He's going to see a seller of upmarket bathrooms
0:48:32 > 0:48:35who's got a debt to pay.
0:48:35 > 0:48:38We're off to Stockton-on-Tees to see a company called Envy Homes.
0:48:38 > 0:48:42Envy Homes owes £2,286
0:48:42 > 0:48:43after falling behind
0:48:43 > 0:48:45with payments to a supplier -
0:48:45 > 0:48:47City Distribution Ltd.
0:48:47 > 0:48:49The company was taken to court.
0:48:49 > 0:48:52It didn't defend the case and judgment was found against it.
0:48:52 > 0:48:55Chris has been told it's a small, one-man company,
0:48:55 > 0:48:57and on arrival, is pleasantly surprised.
0:48:57 > 0:48:59Envy Homes.
0:48:59 > 0:49:02Ah, looks more than a one-man band to me.
0:49:02 > 0:49:04If it's a company, they normally have assets
0:49:04 > 0:49:06and it's normally straightforward.
0:49:06 > 0:49:09Fingers crossed that's how it's going to be here.
0:49:11 > 0:49:14It's a large showroom full of stock.
0:49:16 > 0:49:18But despite it being the middle of the day,
0:49:18 > 0:49:20there doesn't seem to be anyone in.
0:49:23 > 0:49:26Just as he's trying to reach the debtor by phone,
0:49:26 > 0:49:30- a man arrives.- How are you doing? Is this your premises, sir?
0:49:30 > 0:49:31- It is, yes.- Yeah, all right.
0:49:31 > 0:49:35I've got a High Court writ to do with City Distribution Ltd.
0:49:35 > 0:49:39You've got a balance at the minute of £2,285.61.
0:49:39 > 0:49:41I haven't got all that sort of money at the moment,
0:49:41 > 0:49:44but I dare say I could have, like, half of it within a couple of days.
0:49:44 > 0:49:46Yeah, you need to get it right now.
0:49:46 > 0:49:48We're actually here to take control of your goods.
0:49:48 > 0:49:51- I'll see what I can do.- No problem, I'll hang fire. No problem.
0:49:51 > 0:49:54The man goes inside to see if he can raise the money,
0:49:54 > 0:49:58and for the time being at least, Chris is happy to wait.
0:49:58 > 0:50:00I'll give him time to make a few phone calls.
0:50:00 > 0:50:03I'm sure the threat of us going in there
0:50:03 > 0:50:05and taking his stock, I think that's going to be more than enough
0:50:05 > 0:50:08to get him to get the funds for us.
0:50:09 > 0:50:12And while the boss does what he has to do,
0:50:12 > 0:50:14Chris is doing a bit of window-shopping.
0:50:14 > 0:50:17I like that mirror. See the mirror? I know it's just a standard mirror,
0:50:17 > 0:50:20but the effect of it's nice, isn't it?
0:50:20 > 0:50:23The boss has called some friends to try to borrow the money,
0:50:23 > 0:50:27and while he waits to hear back, tells Chris what's gone on.
0:50:27 > 0:50:28I always paid them.
0:50:28 > 0:50:31I had problems before, but I always cleared my debts OK.
0:50:31 > 0:50:33- But just this year, it's just killed it.- Right.
0:50:33 > 0:50:35It's just dead and so I couldn't pay the first month.
0:50:35 > 0:50:37Then the second month hit and I just said,
0:50:37 > 0:50:39"Look, I'm sorry, I'm still struggling."
0:50:39 > 0:50:42I just assumed they'd realise business would be bad
0:50:42 > 0:50:43and they would just take it easy.
0:50:43 > 0:50:47I didn't expect you guys to turn up, put it that way.
0:50:47 > 0:50:50But the County judgment was issued against the business
0:50:50 > 0:50:53more than two months ago and it should have been settled.
0:50:53 > 0:50:56Now faced with a demand for immediate payment,
0:50:56 > 0:50:58it's not clear whether he's going to be able
0:50:58 > 0:51:00to get the money together.
0:51:00 > 0:51:02I don't know who he's phoning, what's happening, to be honest.
0:51:02 > 0:51:05If he can't get the money, there's plenty of assets for us
0:51:05 > 0:51:06to take control of, so we're fine there.
0:51:06 > 0:51:08I can give him as long as he needs, really.
0:51:08 > 0:51:11He seems a genuine guy, he's trying to sort things out,
0:51:11 > 0:51:13so try and give him a bit of extra time.
0:51:15 > 0:51:19Time to check out the bathtubs.
0:51:19 > 0:51:20Very nice.
0:51:20 > 0:51:23I don't think I can afford these prices, though.
0:51:23 > 0:51:25Bit expensive in here.
0:51:25 > 0:51:28We're more B&Q type people, to be honest.
0:51:29 > 0:51:31Meanwhile...
0:51:34 > 0:51:36..the boss has called in a couple of favours
0:51:36 > 0:51:40and some friends have dropped by with the cash.
0:51:40 > 0:51:42It looks like Chris is home and dry,
0:51:42 > 0:51:45but when he counts the money, there seems to be a problem.
0:51:46 > 0:51:50- How much did you say was there? - It should be exactly...
0:51:50 > 0:51:52Well, the exact amount. Is it off, is it?
0:51:52 > 0:51:54Absolutely. It's quite a way off.
0:51:54 > 0:51:57You're 520 short, by the looks of it.
0:51:57 > 0:52:00The man had told Chris it was the right amount to the penny,
0:52:00 > 0:52:04yet more than £500 seems to be missing.
0:52:04 > 0:52:06- Could you give me five minutes? - Yeah, yeah.
0:52:06 > 0:52:08I'll see what I can sort out cos I don't know why...
0:52:08 > 0:52:11Just when it looked like the job was in the bag,
0:52:11 > 0:52:13everything's been thrown into doubt.
0:52:13 > 0:52:15If the man doesn't have the cash,
0:52:15 > 0:52:17then Chris might have to take goods after all.
0:52:18 > 0:52:22But luckily, it turns out to be a simple mistake.
0:52:22 > 0:52:23Right, located, mate.
0:52:23 > 0:52:25There was some in the back of the drawer.
0:52:25 > 0:52:28Check it over, but it's definitely right now.
0:52:28 > 0:52:29Yeah, that's right there.
0:52:29 > 0:52:32- Well done, mate. Brilliant. Thank you.- OK.- Thanks for your help.
0:52:32 > 0:52:34Cheers. Appreciate that.
0:52:34 > 0:52:37At the end of the day, I wasn't planning on going anywhere.
0:52:37 > 0:52:39As you can see, my showroom's still here,
0:52:39 > 0:52:42but the company decided to basically go forward
0:52:42 > 0:52:45and put a County Court Judgment against the company
0:52:45 > 0:52:47to get the money back.
0:52:47 > 0:52:50But, as I said, you can only pay it if you've got it.
0:52:50 > 0:52:51Until you guys turned up today,
0:52:51 > 0:52:54I thought they'd just given me a bit of a breathing space
0:52:54 > 0:52:56to try and get some money together.
0:52:56 > 0:52:59The man's supplier has finally got the money they were owed,
0:52:59 > 0:53:02and Chris is just glad to see the matter resolved
0:53:02 > 0:53:04in the best way possible.
0:53:04 > 0:53:06He's a genuine guy, pretty nice guy,
0:53:06 > 0:53:09so I'm happy for him that he got the money together,
0:53:09 > 0:53:11rather than having to tip him out, take all the gear.
0:53:22 > 0:53:26Home improvement businesses often end up with sheriffs at their doors.
0:53:26 > 0:53:29And while Chris has been checking out bathrooms in Stockton,
0:53:29 > 0:53:33Ken's now on his way to a kitchen fitters in London.
0:53:34 > 0:53:38His destination is Daler Kitchens Ltd, who were taken to court
0:53:38 > 0:53:40by an unhappy customer.
0:53:40 > 0:53:44The company contested the case, but judgment was awarded against them
0:53:44 > 0:53:48and they were ordered to pay the customer back. They haven't.
0:53:48 > 0:53:53So it's now down to Ken to try to collect nearly £11,000.
0:53:53 > 0:53:56Here we are. Daler Kitchens and Bedrooms.
0:54:00 > 0:54:03Writ in hand, Ken heads inside.
0:54:05 > 0:54:07Hello.
0:54:07 > 0:54:08- Daler Kitchens Ltd.- Yeah.
0:54:08 > 0:54:11Are you the person in charge?
0:54:11 > 0:54:14The woman in the shop is just a junior member of staff.
0:54:14 > 0:54:16She gets the manager on the phone
0:54:16 > 0:54:19and Ken explains the purpose of his visit.
0:54:19 > 0:54:22Hello. Yes, Mr Warby speaking. I'm here regarding
0:54:22 > 0:54:26a writ of control against Daler Kitchens Ltd.
0:54:26 > 0:54:28Is that your company, sir?
0:54:28 > 0:54:30You got the name over your shop front.
0:54:32 > 0:54:36Ken explains that he's here to collect nearly £11,000,
0:54:36 > 0:54:38including costs.
0:54:38 > 0:54:42We're here to collect in full, or remove goods.
0:54:44 > 0:54:46This is your solicitor saying...
0:54:46 > 0:54:49Do you mind getting your solicitor to give me a call?
0:54:49 > 0:54:53The man says he's applying to appeal the court's decision.
0:54:53 > 0:54:54This hasn't been stopped because
0:54:54 > 0:54:59I'm here with a writ of control from the High Court, so...
0:54:59 > 0:55:01Let me speak to your solicitor.
0:55:01 > 0:55:04In the meantime, I'll be getting on with my inventory.
0:55:04 > 0:55:05All right.
0:55:06 > 0:55:08He clearly doesn't want to pay,
0:55:08 > 0:55:11so Ken begins making a list of the assets in the building.
0:55:11 > 0:55:14If the manager doesn't change his tune,
0:55:14 > 0:55:17then Ken will have no choice but to remove it.
0:55:17 > 0:55:20And when Daler Kitchens' solicitor soon calls,
0:55:20 > 0:55:23it's Ken that's giving him a lesson in the law.
0:55:23 > 0:55:26We've got a stamped in the High Court, writ of control.
0:55:26 > 0:55:28So, unfortunately for your client,
0:55:28 > 0:55:33this kind of trumps any application that might have been made thus far.
0:55:35 > 0:55:37The solicitor wants more time,
0:55:37 > 0:55:39but Ken thinks they've had long enough already.
0:55:39 > 0:55:43I can't give these people any time.
0:55:43 > 0:55:47A notice of enforcement was sent to this address
0:55:47 > 0:55:51and it's gone unanswered, and that's why we're here now.
0:55:51 > 0:55:56But with the goods in the shop not worth much to Ken, he offers a deal.
0:55:56 > 0:55:59Providing they pay the balance within 14 days,
0:55:59 > 0:56:04I would be willing to get a signed control goods agreement,
0:56:04 > 0:56:08but I am going to need at least 50% of this debt paid now.
0:56:11 > 0:56:14We're talking £5,500.
0:56:16 > 0:56:19The solicitor agrees to put the offer to the shop's owner.
0:56:19 > 0:56:21If he doesn't accept the deal,
0:56:21 > 0:56:25then Ken's next call will be to the removals company.
0:56:25 > 0:56:28He's still waiting to hear back when another woman involved in
0:56:28 > 0:56:31the business arrives at the scene and takes over.
0:56:32 > 0:56:36She asks our camera to leave, while Ken stays inside to try to get her
0:56:36 > 0:56:39to pay at least half of the 11 grand owed.
0:56:41 > 0:56:4445 minutes later, he's on his way.
0:56:46 > 0:56:47See you later.
0:56:49 > 0:56:53After much deliberation, they have now paid me £1,000 in cash,
0:56:53 > 0:56:56and £4,500 by card
0:56:56 > 0:56:59and signed a controlled goods agreement to pay
0:56:59 > 0:57:02the balance within 14 days.
0:57:02 > 0:57:04The total goods in there...
0:57:04 > 0:57:07would fetch, I would imagine,
0:57:07 > 0:57:09less than £2,000,
0:57:09 > 0:57:12so that is a good result.
0:57:13 > 0:57:17Daler Kitchens Ltd later paid the other £5,500,
0:57:17 > 0:57:19and the customer who had been refused a refund
0:57:19 > 0:57:22finally got their money back.