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 > 0:00:09- My colleague and I are enforcement agents.- I'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 court.
0:00:11 > 0:00:14They're enforcement agents at the High Court
0:00:14 > 0:00:18and if a court's ruled in your favour, they're on your side.
0:00:20 > 0:00:24- If the debtor doesn't want to pay... - You currently owe £9,461.90.
0:00:24 > 0:00:27..the law says the sheriffs can get you what you're owed.
0:00:27 > 0:00:31If you don't open the door, we 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 > 0:00:41- ..or a household name... - We're here to see somebody from G4S.
0:00:41 > 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 > 0:00:48We're not going to be waiting round like that.
0:00:48 > 0:00:50- It needs to be done now. - Just collected 42 grand.
0:00:54 > 0:00:58Coming up, Swikruti Soni was left more than £1,000 out of pocket
0:00:58 > 0:01:01after being denied a refund by a dress shop.
0:01:01 > 0:01:04That's like near enough a month's wages for me,
0:01:04 > 0:01:07so it's a lot of money. I was really, really annoyed.
0:01:09 > 0:01:12When Ken goes to meet the boss, it all kicks off.
0:01:12 > 0:01:14Whoa, whoa, whoa!
0:01:14 > 0:01:17- God punish you.- BLEEP.- Right.
0:01:17 > 0:01:19All your dresses are now on the floor, OK?
0:01:19 > 0:01:22Turn my back on the debtor and the debtor has just punched me
0:01:22 > 0:01:24in the head.
0:01:24 > 0:01:27A landlord owes money to a former tenant after hanging on to
0:01:27 > 0:01:29some of their goods.
0:01:29 > 0:01:31Lawrence and Kev go to collect, but will they find him?
0:01:31 > 0:01:34Quite a bit of post there for him.
0:01:34 > 0:01:36Hold up.
0:01:36 > 0:01:38Hello, sir.
0:01:38 > 0:01:41A Soho restaurant hasn't settled a bill for its cleaning,
0:01:41 > 0:01:44but do they have the money to pay?
0:01:44 > 0:01:46If you're telling me you can't pay it today,
0:01:46 > 0:01:47that's what you're telling me.
0:01:47 > 0:01:50But it's not obvious to me that you can't pay it today.
0:01:50 > 0:01:53And the sheriffs visit a car dealer's on behalf of a customer.
0:01:53 > 0:01:56Are you the guv'nor by any chance?
0:01:56 > 0:01:58But the story isn't as straightforward as it seems.
0:01:58 > 0:02:01The car has been returned, but it's got 8,000 miles on it,
0:02:01 > 0:02:03more than when they sold it.
0:02:08 > 0:02:12This morning, Sheriff Ken Warby is in his home patch, in north London.
0:02:12 > 0:02:14He's heading to Hendon
0:02:14 > 0:02:18to visit a clothing business with an unpaid debt.
0:02:18 > 0:02:22We're going to visit a high street dress shop.
0:02:22 > 0:02:24The claimant is an individual.
0:02:27 > 0:02:30The shop is called Beautiful Dresses
0:02:30 > 0:02:34and is not to be confused with any other company of a similar name.
0:02:34 > 0:02:37It was taken to court by Swikruti Soni,
0:02:37 > 0:02:40a child carer and mum with an eye for a bit of sparkle.
0:02:40 > 0:02:44She came across the shop when she was looking for something
0:02:44 > 0:02:47special to wear for some important social occasions.
0:02:47 > 0:02:49I had a friend's christening coming up
0:02:49 > 0:02:52and a friend's wedding coming up, both best friends of mine,
0:02:52 > 0:02:55and I wanted to make the effort, so I wanted to get something nice,
0:02:55 > 0:02:59so I went on the internet, I found a company called Beautiful Dresses.
0:02:59 > 0:03:02It seemed to be just what she was looking for.
0:03:02 > 0:03:04They were lovely, they were gorgeous dresses.
0:03:04 > 0:03:07They were like embellished nice dresses, which I love.
0:03:07 > 0:03:11You can't just get them in, like, an everyday shop, really.
0:03:11 > 0:03:13So I thought I'd order from them.
0:03:13 > 0:03:16In fact, she ordered three, telling the store owner that she
0:03:16 > 0:03:19planned to return one, once she tried them on.
0:03:19 > 0:03:21They didn't come cheap.
0:03:21 > 0:03:26The dresses were over £1,000 for three dresses.
0:03:26 > 0:03:30They were about £300 each, just over £300 each.
0:03:31 > 0:03:34The owner of Beautiful Dresses requested that she
0:03:34 > 0:03:36paid by bank transfer.
0:03:36 > 0:03:38As Swikruti's events were coming up soon,
0:03:38 > 0:03:41she paid extra for next day delivery.
0:03:41 > 0:03:43She didn't send them next day delivery.
0:03:43 > 0:03:45Over a week, I was waiting.
0:03:47 > 0:03:51With the events rapidly approaching, Swikruti decided to cancel
0:03:51 > 0:03:55and had to go last-minute shopping for some replacement outfits.
0:03:55 > 0:03:59It was a panic to get it all done. I was fretting.
0:03:59 > 0:04:02As well as having at the back of my mind about this money, trying to get
0:04:02 > 0:04:05this money back as well as trying to find two different outfits.
0:04:05 > 0:04:08So it was a lot of stress.
0:04:08 > 0:04:10She managed to buy the clothes she needed.
0:04:10 > 0:04:13But when it came to cancelling her order with Beautiful Dresses,
0:04:13 > 0:04:15that was a different story.
0:04:15 > 0:04:18When I asked to cancel them, she just refused to cancel them and sent
0:04:18 > 0:04:20me them anyway, even though the christening
0:04:20 > 0:04:22and the wedding had both gone.
0:04:22 > 0:04:24In fact, only two of the three dresses
0:04:24 > 0:04:28she had paid for ever arrived and they were the wrong size.
0:04:28 > 0:04:33So I was obviously really upset and I was really, really annoyed.
0:04:33 > 0:04:36The shop initially agreed to take the dresses back,
0:04:36 > 0:04:38so Swikruti put them in the post.
0:04:38 > 0:04:42But getting the refund she'd been promised turned out not to be
0:04:42 > 0:04:46that simple. First the owner claimed she'd never received them,
0:04:46 > 0:04:48but then appeared to back down.
0:04:48 > 0:04:51At one point, she did say - give me your bank details
0:04:51 > 0:04:53and I'll put the money in, then nothing.
0:04:53 > 0:04:56I constantly rang her, she put the phone down on me.
0:04:56 > 0:04:58That's like near enough a month's wages for me,
0:04:58 > 0:05:01so it's a lot of money to be spending
0:05:01 > 0:05:04for her not to send me the money back.
0:05:04 > 0:05:09In the end, Swikruti had no choice but to take further action.
0:05:09 > 0:05:14I went to Citizens Advice, who recommended Money Claims.
0:05:14 > 0:05:18Swikruti used Money Claims online to file a case in the county courts.
0:05:18 > 0:05:20Beautiful Dresses didn't defend it,
0:05:20 > 0:05:23so Swikruti won a judgment in her favour.
0:05:23 > 0:05:25But she's still not got her money back
0:05:25 > 0:05:28and has turned to the sheriffs.
0:05:28 > 0:05:31It's definitely my last hope, otherwise the money's just gone.
0:05:31 > 0:05:34There's nothing I can do about it. The money's just gone.
0:05:40 > 0:05:42In London, Ken's approaching the shop
0:05:42 > 0:05:47and is determined to get that money back for her.
0:05:47 > 0:05:50I'm assuming that there's going to be stock in the shop.
0:05:50 > 0:05:52A proper dress shop.
0:05:52 > 0:05:57There should be enough in there for me to get payment in full, I'd say.
0:05:57 > 0:06:00I'm pretty confident before I even get there.
0:06:00 > 0:06:04Ken's confidence seems justified as he enters the shop.
0:06:04 > 0:06:07There's clearly value on the rails here.
0:06:08 > 0:06:14Hello. My name's Mr Warby. Are you the owner of the shop?
0:06:14 > 0:06:16Is the owner around?
0:06:16 > 0:06:20She isn't, but the staff member calls her on speakerphone.
0:06:24 > 0:06:25Is it Lili?
0:06:28 > 0:06:30That's the name I've got down here.
0:06:30 > 0:06:33The boss, Lilian Chidoka, isn't picking up.
0:06:35 > 0:06:37You hang up, let me have a go.
0:06:38 > 0:06:40Never know.
0:06:42 > 0:06:46The staff member says her shift ends after lunch and whether or not
0:06:46 > 0:06:50they can reach her, Lillian should be arriving later.
0:06:50 > 0:06:54She's not due here for another hour and a half,
0:06:54 > 0:06:57when she's due to take over from this lady,
0:06:57 > 0:06:59so we're just going to have to wait.
0:07:02 > 0:07:06In the meantime, Ken starts looking through the shop's assets.
0:07:06 > 0:07:07They're certainly not cheap.
0:07:09 > 0:07:11£1,200.
0:07:11 > 0:07:14550.
0:07:14 > 0:07:16420.
0:07:16 > 0:07:18Excuse me, madam!
0:07:18 > 0:07:22High value, easily removable goods are ideal
0:07:22 > 0:07:26for the sheriffs. Ken's in a strong position to demand full payment.
0:07:27 > 0:07:30They're all good quality dresses and there's
0:07:30 > 0:07:35a couple of dozen of them as well, so yeah, all good gear.
0:07:35 > 0:07:39The staff member, meanwhile, has got the boss on the phone.
0:07:39 > 0:07:42Hello.
0:07:42 > 0:07:47I'm here because we have a judgment against Beautiful Dresses
0:07:47 > 0:07:50from Swikruti Soni.
0:07:50 > 0:07:54Our company sent a notice of enforcement to this
0:07:54 > 0:07:57address on the 10th of March.
0:07:57 > 0:08:01Because we haven't had a response from you, I'm here now to
0:08:01 > 0:08:06collect in full and the total I'm looking to collect is £1,658.08.
0:08:07 > 0:08:13Lilian Chidoka says she hasn't got the money to pay.
0:08:13 > 0:08:16Yeah, that is unfortunate. If you haven't got it, I'm going
0:08:16 > 0:08:20to have to list the items in the shop and remove them.
0:08:23 > 0:08:25That is the normal procedure, yes.
0:08:25 > 0:08:29The boss tells him that he can't remove her goods.
0:08:29 > 0:08:32Ken is entitled to but doesn't need to
0:08:32 > 0:08:35if he can secure a reasonable payment plan.
0:08:35 > 0:08:39Can I just ask you a question? How much do you have to pay now?
0:08:39 > 0:08:42If we have to make the phone call and get goods removed,
0:08:42 > 0:08:44then obviously the costs are going to go up
0:08:44 > 0:08:47and that's what we need to try and avoid.
0:08:47 > 0:08:49What do you have now?
0:08:49 > 0:08:53She says she won't make a part payment of anything.
0:08:53 > 0:08:56There doesn't seem much to be chance of negotiation on the phone
0:08:56 > 0:08:59so Ken lets her know where he stands.
0:08:59 > 0:09:01What I'll do is, I'm going to wait here
0:09:01 > 0:09:03until one o'clock for you to turn up.
0:09:03 > 0:09:07However, I am going to require full payment now, OK?
0:09:07 > 0:09:09I am not walking out of here without this payment.
0:09:09 > 0:09:14Or removement of goods. So that's what you need to sort out.
0:09:14 > 0:09:18I'm sorry I can't help you, but we do require payment in full,
0:09:18 > 0:09:21so what I would suggest you do is get payment in full
0:09:21 > 0:09:23and meet me here at one o'clock.
0:09:23 > 0:09:27Otherwise, I'll be listing items and we'll be removing them.
0:09:27 > 0:09:30She seems convinced that isn't going to happen.
0:09:31 > 0:09:34We can remove goods.
0:09:34 > 0:09:37Yes, first visit, we can remove goods.
0:09:37 > 0:09:39Thank you.
0:09:39 > 0:09:43It hasn't been a very encouraging conversation.
0:09:43 > 0:09:46What she's saying is she wants to enter into an arrangement
0:09:46 > 0:09:49with me and she has nothing at all to pay me today.
0:09:49 > 0:09:51That's not good enough.
0:09:51 > 0:09:55We've got goods in the shop that will fetch the value of the debt,
0:09:55 > 0:09:58so I'm going to start listing the items here.
0:09:58 > 0:10:01She's not due in the shop for another hour.
0:10:01 > 0:10:03By the time she gets here,
0:10:03 > 0:10:07if she hasn't got the payment, then goods listed will be removed.
0:10:10 > 0:10:14Later, we find out what happens when Ken gets to meet the boss.
0:10:14 > 0:10:17- I don't want you here. - I wouldn't do that, if I were you.
0:10:25 > 0:10:28If you've been ripped off and the person or company responsible
0:10:28 > 0:10:30refuses to pay you back,
0:10:30 > 0:10:33the first step is to make a claim in the county court.
0:10:33 > 0:10:37It's simple to do this online, for a small fee,
0:10:37 > 0:10:39depending on the size of the claim.
0:10:39 > 0:10:42The court will review the evidence and if it finds in your favour,
0:10:42 > 0:10:45the debtor will be ordered to pay up.
0:10:45 > 0:10:49If they don't, then for a further £60, the High Court will
0:10:49 > 0:10:53grant a writ, authorising the sheriffs to act on your behalf.
0:10:53 > 0:10:56If they're successful, you get all your money back.
0:11:02 > 0:11:03Disputes between landlords
0:11:03 > 0:11:06and tenants are an all too common occurrence.
0:11:06 > 0:11:09This morning, Sheriffs Kev McNally
0:11:09 > 0:11:13and Lawrence Grix are about to enforce a case,
0:11:13 > 0:11:17where a disagreement over a property ended up being decided by a court.
0:11:17 > 0:11:21Ten o'clock in the morning. Romford, we're heading to.
0:11:21 > 0:11:25We're going to go and find Dr Souymo Gorai.
0:11:25 > 0:11:30Dr Gorai was taken to court by a former tenant who claims
0:11:30 > 0:11:33they were unfairly evicted from the property.
0:11:33 > 0:11:36And according to the information we have,
0:11:36 > 0:11:39he proceeded to rent the property out to someone else,
0:11:39 > 0:11:44with all our client's property and personal belongings still in there.
0:11:44 > 0:11:47The tenant claims they never got their stuff back
0:11:47 > 0:11:50and took the case to court to recover their costs.
0:11:50 > 0:11:54They won a default judgment in their favour for £5,000, some
0:11:54 > 0:11:59of which has now been paid, but Kev and Lawrence are here for the rest.
0:11:59 > 0:12:02He owes £1,670.
0:12:06 > 0:12:10The sheriffs are arriving at what they believe is Dr Gorai's
0:12:10 > 0:12:13home address and they've spotted a black BMW they think is his.
0:12:15 > 0:12:17Yeah, that's it, yeah.
0:12:17 > 0:12:20The sheriffs have already done checks on a licence plate
0:12:20 > 0:12:22number they've been supplied,
0:12:22 > 0:12:25to confirm the BMW is free from finance and so could be removed.
0:12:25 > 0:12:28- But there's a problem. - We have got it slightly wrong.
0:12:28 > 0:12:30We were given the wrong number, were we?
0:12:30 > 0:12:34One of the digits is different from what the sheriffs have been told.
0:12:34 > 0:12:38Right, so we haven't got a result on it, have we?
0:12:38 > 0:12:41That means they don't know
0:12:41 > 0:12:44whether this car is clear of finance after all.
0:12:44 > 0:12:47Lawrence heads to the house to see if the doctor is home.
0:12:50 > 0:12:54They try the bell, but there's no answer.
0:12:54 > 0:12:56Lawrence looks for any sign of life.
0:12:56 > 0:13:00Anything in the letterbox that could confirm that he lives here.
0:13:00 > 0:13:03There, there's one for him.
0:13:03 > 0:13:07- It's addressed here, is it? - And another one. And another one.
0:13:07 > 0:13:11- And another one.- So, the sheriffs are in the right place.
0:13:11 > 0:13:15But is the debtor here today? KNOCKS ON DOOR
0:13:16 > 0:13:21With barbed wire on top of the wall, they won't be climbing over.
0:13:21 > 0:13:24While Lawrence takes a closer look at the car,
0:13:24 > 0:13:26- Kev tries the neighbours. - I wonder if you could help me.
0:13:26 > 0:13:30Do you know if it's Dr Gorai living next door?
0:13:30 > 0:13:33- But they don't seem to know. - All right, no worries.
0:13:33 > 0:13:35It looks like this could be a wasted trip.
0:13:37 > 0:13:40Just had to leave paperwork. It's unfortunate,
0:13:40 > 0:13:43but we were given the wrong registration for the vehicle.
0:13:43 > 0:13:46It wouldn't have mattered whether they were in or not,
0:13:46 > 0:13:48we'd have taken the car.
0:13:48 > 0:13:53So we have to hope now that either he gets in touch and pays,
0:13:53 > 0:13:56or the car's still here when we come back if he doesn't get in touch.
0:13:56 > 0:14:00- Hold up.- But I have my suspicions about that. Aha.
0:14:00 > 0:14:04But just as hope of getting the debt paid is fading,
0:14:04 > 0:14:06a car pulls in to the drive.
0:14:06 > 0:14:09It's Dr Gorai.
0:14:09 > 0:14:11Once he's stepped out of the car,
0:14:11 > 0:14:15Lawrence takes the opportunity to acquire his car keys.
0:14:15 > 0:14:19It won't be worth as much as the BMW, but it's something.
0:14:19 > 0:14:21My name's Mr Grix, my colleague and I are enforcement agents.
0:14:21 > 0:14:25We're here today with a High Court writ.
0:14:25 > 0:14:28- The total outstanding is £1,670.16. - Yes.
0:14:28 > 0:14:31We're ordered here today by the High Court to take control of goods
0:14:31 > 0:14:34to clear that debt, unless you pay in full.
0:14:34 > 0:14:35Yes, I can pay in full.
0:14:35 > 0:14:38If you give me account details, I will transfer it straightaway.
0:14:38 > 0:14:40OK.
0:14:40 > 0:14:43Dr Gorai has immediately offered to settle the bill,
0:14:43 > 0:14:46so why didn't he pay earlier?
0:14:46 > 0:14:48Your letters don't give us any account details.
0:14:48 > 0:14:51No, but it gives you details of how you can get in touch
0:14:51 > 0:14:53with us to make the payment, doesn't it?
0:14:53 > 0:14:55But without the account details, how can I make a payment?
0:14:55 > 0:14:58That's something you need to take up with the Ministry of Justice, sir,
0:14:58 > 0:15:01because the forms are prescribed forms by the Ministry of Justice.
0:15:01 > 0:15:02Yeah.
0:15:02 > 0:15:07And Lawrence is happy to provide all the details Dr Gorai needs.
0:15:07 > 0:15:10It's that sort code, that account number,
0:15:10 > 0:15:12it needs to be done as an immediate payment.
0:15:12 > 0:15:15If you do that, then I'll check with my office
0:15:15 > 0:15:18and providing the money's gone into the account, we'll issue you
0:15:18 > 0:15:21a receipt, you can have your keys back and we'll be on our way.
0:15:21 > 0:15:25- Without my keys, I can't get into my property.- That's a car key, sir.
0:15:25 > 0:15:28My house key is in the boot of the car.
0:15:28 > 0:15:31Lawrence doesn't want to give the car keys back,
0:15:31 > 0:15:33but opens the boot for him.
0:15:36 > 0:15:38Dr Gorai unlocks the house
0:15:38 > 0:15:40and starts to get some things from the car.
0:15:40 > 0:15:42But he's left the front door open,
0:15:42 > 0:15:46so Kev steps in, closely followed by Lawrence.
0:15:46 > 0:15:49- Would you wait outside? - No, my colleague's already inside,
0:15:49 > 0:15:52so we'll come in while you make the payment.
0:15:52 > 0:15:54- Is he?- Yeah.- Is that what you...?
0:15:54 > 0:15:57The sheriffs are legally allowed to walk through an open door
0:15:57 > 0:15:59into a residential premises.
0:15:59 > 0:16:02Once inside, they can't be told to leave.
0:16:04 > 0:16:07But ten minutes later, the sheriffs are back out of their own
0:16:07 > 0:16:11accord, with their every move filmed by the debtor,
0:16:11 > 0:16:15who is also willing to volunteer his side of the story.
0:16:15 > 0:16:18This was regarding a tenant of mine
0:16:18 > 0:16:22who stayed in my property for seven
0:16:22 > 0:16:25months without paying rent,
0:16:25 > 0:16:28trashed my property, kept a snake in the property,
0:16:28 > 0:16:32kept rats in the property, completely trashed my garden.
0:16:32 > 0:16:36Dr Gorai claims the tenants left of their own accord
0:16:36 > 0:16:39when he chased them for the rent.
0:16:39 > 0:16:42Then, I used my keys to get into the property
0:16:42 > 0:16:45and there were some goods left in the property.
0:16:45 > 0:16:48When we changed the locks for the front door,
0:16:48 > 0:16:52they then went to the court and tried to get money back for the
0:16:52 > 0:16:55£5,000 goods that they thought that I had stolen from them, which
0:16:55 > 0:16:58we had kept for them for some time, but they didn't come to collect it,
0:16:58 > 0:17:01and when they didn't come to collect it, we had to
0:17:01 > 0:17:05dispose of the goods because we didn't want to touch their goods.
0:17:05 > 0:17:08But the court ruled in the tenants' favour
0:17:08 > 0:17:13and ordered Dr Gorai to pay them £5,000, which he hasn't done.
0:17:13 > 0:17:17Dr Gorai admits he received a demand for payment from the sheriffs,
0:17:17 > 0:17:21but didn't think he'd been given enough information.
0:17:21 > 0:17:23There was no bank account, there was
0:17:23 > 0:17:26no address to where the payment had to be made, there was just a
0:17:26 > 0:17:32telephone number and our experience of telephone numbers is very bad.
0:17:32 > 0:17:37He gave me the details today and I paid within ten minutes.
0:17:37 > 0:17:41It's a much better outcome than the sheriffs anticipated.
0:17:43 > 0:17:45That went very well.
0:17:45 > 0:17:47We were basically about to leave
0:17:47 > 0:17:52because we couldn't get an answer, but he did pay fairly quickly.
0:17:52 > 0:17:54He was a bit awkward, as some people tend to be.
0:17:54 > 0:17:57We showed him ID when he pulled up on his driveway.
0:17:57 > 0:17:59Then he was wanting to see it again,
0:17:59 > 0:18:02didn't want to sign the receipt either.
0:18:02 > 0:18:05It doesn't matter to us. We got the payment.
0:18:05 > 0:18:07So, job done.
0:18:07 > 0:18:10And that means the tenant whose property went missing will
0:18:10 > 0:18:13get the money the court said they were owed.
0:18:21 > 0:18:23Back in north London,
0:18:23 > 0:18:27Ken's in a shop in Hendon called Beautiful Dresses.
0:18:27 > 0:18:29He's spoken to the owner, who told him
0:18:29 > 0:18:32she isn't going to pay the £1,658
0:18:32 > 0:18:36owed to former customer Swikruti Soni.
0:18:36 > 0:18:40While he waits for her to arrive, he's checking out what's
0:18:40 > 0:18:43available if he needs to take control of goods.
0:18:46 > 0:18:51Well, I'm struggling between pink, cerise, beige and salmon.
0:18:51 > 0:18:54But we're getting there.
0:18:54 > 0:18:57I used to work in a paint shop, so I know the range of colours.
0:18:57 > 0:19:00A skill he's keen to demonstrate.
0:19:00 > 0:19:03We're getting there. Arsenal red.
0:19:03 > 0:19:05A nice turquoise one for a change.
0:19:07 > 0:19:11Where was I? In the middle of turquoise, red and plum.
0:19:15 > 0:19:20But he's not quite so au fait with the specifics of ladies' fashion.
0:19:20 > 0:19:22What would you call that?
0:19:24 > 0:19:26That's not a dress. What would you call...?
0:19:28 > 0:19:30A cape.
0:19:30 > 0:19:31Thank you.
0:19:32 > 0:19:34OK.
0:19:34 > 0:19:36Cape.
0:19:36 > 0:19:4135-40 dresses, ranging retail
0:19:41 > 0:19:46price from £1,200
0:19:46 > 0:19:48to £350.
0:19:50 > 0:19:53As they won't fetch anything like that at auction,
0:19:53 > 0:19:54Ken is listing enough of them
0:19:54 > 0:19:58to guarantee they'd raise a sum which would cover the full debt.
0:19:58 > 0:20:00He's hoping it won't come to that
0:20:00 > 0:20:04and the shop will make an offer of payment instead.
0:20:04 > 0:20:08Have to see what the lady can come up with when she turns up.
0:20:08 > 0:20:12She previously told me she had no money, so that's not good.
0:20:12 > 0:20:14Hopefully, we'll get it resolved.
0:20:17 > 0:20:21Ken's been in the shop for a little over an hour when the boss arrives.
0:20:21 > 0:20:23Hello.
0:20:23 > 0:20:27She immediately asks our camera to leave and the shutters come down.
0:20:30 > 0:20:34Inside, Ken explains he really is going to remove her dresses
0:20:34 > 0:20:36if she can't come up with some money.
0:20:38 > 0:20:40She doesn't think he can.
0:20:41 > 0:20:44And invites us back in to explain.
0:20:44 > 0:20:47What he's trying to do is remove goods first visit.
0:20:47 > 0:20:51He's not supposed to remove goods first visit, it's never done.
0:20:51 > 0:20:53That's what he's trying to do.
0:20:53 > 0:20:56In fact, enforcement agents ARE entitled to remove
0:20:56 > 0:20:58goods on a first visit.
0:20:58 > 0:21:01The debtor didn't make an arrangement within the seven
0:21:01 > 0:21:04days after the notice of enforcement,
0:21:04 > 0:21:07so now it's down to the sheriff's discretion to decide the best
0:21:07 > 0:21:10course of action to get their claimant's money back.
0:21:13 > 0:21:17Ken, meanwhile, has made the mistake of nipping out to his car.
0:21:17 > 0:21:19Ms Chidoka tries to shut him out.
0:21:19 > 0:21:21You're not locking me out.
0:21:21 > 0:21:23Call the police, first.
0:21:23 > 0:21:27With Ken back safely inside the shop, Lilian continues.
0:21:27 > 0:21:29You make an arrangement, OK?
0:21:29 > 0:21:32And then if you breach the arrangement, you come back the first
0:21:32 > 0:21:35time, if you breach the arrangement, you come back the second time.
0:21:35 > 0:21:38The third time, that's when you remove goods.
0:21:38 > 0:21:40He doesn't know his job. Film him.
0:21:40 > 0:21:42Look at him. He doesn't know what he's doing.
0:21:42 > 0:21:45You don't remove goods first visit.
0:21:45 > 0:21:47You don't. It's never done.
0:21:53 > 0:21:58But Ken isn't on the phone to one of his wives or girlfriends.
0:21:58 > 0:22:01I'm executing a High Court writ of control at a shop.
0:22:01 > 0:22:05I just need a police officer here to prevent a breach of the peace.
0:22:05 > 0:22:07The woman is already agitated
0:22:07 > 0:22:11and Ken doesn't want to see the situation deteriorate further.
0:22:11 > 0:22:13They will be here within the hour.
0:22:13 > 0:22:16They are going to turn up here, just to prevent a breach of the peace,
0:22:16 > 0:22:19so I'm able to remove these dresses myself.
0:22:22 > 0:22:24I understand that. That's fine.
0:22:27 > 0:22:29Convinced she's right,
0:22:29 > 0:22:32the shop owner has decided to start filming herself.
0:22:32 > 0:22:34The third time, that's when they remove goods.
0:22:34 > 0:22:37They are here for the first time and he's planning to remove goods.
0:22:37 > 0:22:39It's never done. It's against the law.
0:22:39 > 0:22:42I watched... What do you call that programme again?
0:22:42 > 0:22:45- The Sheriffs Are Coming.- ..The Sheriffs Are Coming, I watch it too.
0:22:45 > 0:22:48And what the bailiffs normally say - OK, they list the items and make
0:22:48 > 0:22:51an arrangement with the debtor, I am putting this on YouTube, I will send
0:22:51 > 0:22:56a copy to you, BBC, and I will send a copy to David Cameron's office.
0:22:58 > 0:23:02Once again, Ken's taken the opportunity to pop out
0:23:02 > 0:23:04to his car to pick up some more paperwork.
0:23:04 > 0:23:07The shop owner thinks she sees a second chance to lock him out.
0:23:18 > 0:23:21- I don't want you here. - I wouldn't do that if I were you.
0:23:21 > 0:23:22What will you do?
0:23:26 > 0:23:29I don't want you here, you have to leave.
0:23:29 > 0:23:32Ms Chidoka has no right to lock Ken out of the shop
0:23:32 > 0:23:35and it's an arrestable offence to obstruct him in his work.
0:23:38 > 0:23:41With the atmosphere fragile, he's now just
0:23:41 > 0:23:43waiting for the police.
0:23:43 > 0:23:46Later, we see what happens when they arrive.
0:23:46 > 0:23:51You've just assaulted him, in front of two police officers.
0:23:51 > 0:23:53All your dresses are now on the floor, OK?
0:24:02 > 0:24:04Elsewhere in the capital,
0:24:04 > 0:24:08Lawrence and Kev are heading into the heart of the West End.
0:24:08 > 0:24:10They're on their way to a job that's going to turn out
0:24:10 > 0:24:12trickier than expected.
0:24:12 > 0:24:16We're in the middle of town today. Going in to Soho.
0:24:16 > 0:24:18We're actually going to Soho Restaurants Ltd
0:24:18 > 0:24:20and it is a restaurant we're going to.
0:24:20 > 0:24:25They owe £5,259 for cleaning services that have been provided
0:24:25 > 0:24:28to the restaurant that haven't been paid for.
0:24:28 > 0:24:30To recover the money it's owed,
0:24:30 > 0:24:33the cleaning company has taken the restaurant to court
0:24:33 > 0:24:36and won a default judgment when the case wasn't defended.
0:24:36 > 0:24:39The sheriffs are eager to try to get it paid
0:24:39 > 0:24:44and the snail pace traffic en route to the job is trying their patience.
0:24:44 > 0:24:48Absolutely abysmal. I detest driving in central London.
0:24:48 > 0:24:53We've been sitting in the van for so long now and not getting anywhere.
0:24:53 > 0:24:55- It does take its toll. - It's only there.
0:24:55 > 0:24:58It doesn't help that when they finally
0:24:58 > 0:25:01approach their destination, Lawrence misses the turning.
0:25:01 > 0:25:03Oh, dear.
0:25:03 > 0:25:05What did I say? 22-24.
0:25:05 > 0:25:09- Eventually, they pull into the right road.- Parking suspended.
0:25:09 > 0:25:13- Can't park here, but... - It's that one on the corner.
0:25:13 > 0:25:14I'll just wait here.
0:25:14 > 0:25:17We're not getting a ticket, as well as sitting in traffic all day.
0:25:17 > 0:25:19No, that's it.
0:25:19 > 0:25:22After complaining about sitting in the van for the last two hours,
0:25:22 > 0:25:25Kev's helpfully volunteered to stay put.
0:25:27 > 0:25:30The company they're looking for is based at a restaurant called
0:25:30 > 0:25:34Maison Touareg. Lawrence makes his introductions.
0:25:34 > 0:25:35- Hello there.- Hi.
0:25:38 > 0:25:41I'll show you some ID. My name's Mr Grix.
0:25:41 > 0:25:42I'm an enforcement agent.
0:25:42 > 0:25:44Are you the boss at all?
0:25:44 > 0:25:47Are you able to get him on the phone?
0:25:47 > 0:25:49I'm here with a High Court writ.
0:25:49 > 0:25:52I'll explain it to your boss on the phone.
0:25:52 > 0:25:55Moments later, the staff member returns with the phone
0:25:55 > 0:25:57and Lawrence gets straight to the point.
0:25:57 > 0:25:59Hello, sir.
0:25:59 > 0:26:04I'm here today with a High Court writ against Soho Restaurants Ltd.
0:26:04 > 0:26:08I'm ordered to take control of goods to the value of £5,259.51.
0:26:08 > 0:26:10But he's not expecting the boss's response.
0:26:10 > 0:26:12Right.
0:26:12 > 0:26:16The boss says he owes thousands for unpaid business rates.
0:26:16 > 0:26:19Another debt collection company has already executed a writ
0:26:19 > 0:26:22and taken control of all the goods here.
0:26:22 > 0:26:25It would be one of the more inventive excuses Lawrence
0:26:25 > 0:26:27has heard if it's not true.
0:26:27 > 0:26:30- But he needs to make sure.- Right. Have you got a copy of that here?
0:26:30 > 0:26:33As it stands at the moment, unless I see copies of this paperwork,
0:26:33 > 0:26:36then I'm going to take control of the goods.
0:26:36 > 0:26:39The man says it's obvious he can't pay. Lawrence isn't so sure.
0:26:39 > 0:26:42If you're telling me you can't pay today, that's what you're
0:26:42 > 0:26:47telling me, but it's not obvious to me that you can't pay today.
0:26:47 > 0:26:50If the goods have already been taken into control by someone else,
0:26:50 > 0:26:52Lawrence can't touch them.
0:26:52 > 0:26:56That means he won't have much leverage to get the debt paid.
0:26:56 > 0:27:00And he might have to walk out empty-handed.
0:27:00 > 0:27:03While the staff member goes to see if he can find the paperwork,
0:27:03 > 0:27:06Lawrence makes some enquiries of his own.
0:27:07 > 0:27:09I'm going to make a phone call.
0:27:09 > 0:27:12The world of High Court enforcement is a small one
0:27:12 > 0:27:15and Lawrence knows just about everyone in the business.
0:27:15 > 0:27:17All right, Dave? How are you?
0:27:17 > 0:27:20I was just phoning cos I think I'm... Well, I am on your patch.
0:27:20 > 0:27:23The other agent confirms his company's already been to the
0:27:23 > 0:27:27restaurant, just as the staff member brings through the paperwork.
0:27:27 > 0:27:31Lawrence can only hope they've left something valuable off the list.
0:27:33 > 0:27:34Right, OK.
0:27:34 > 0:27:37He basically lists all that's in here, the tables, chairs,
0:27:37 > 0:27:40cookers, fridges, everything really.
0:27:40 > 0:27:43So, nothing left for me, unfortunately, on this occasion.
0:27:45 > 0:27:48Lawrence gets back on the phone to the restaurant's boss.
0:27:48 > 0:27:51Right, I've seen all the paperwork, so what I'll do,
0:27:51 > 0:27:54I'll leave paperwork here with the amount that's owing
0:27:54 > 0:27:58and contact details for me and an e-mail address for the office.
0:27:58 > 0:28:01He's hoping that the boss will come to an arrangement to
0:28:01 > 0:28:04- pay at least something.- Give me a buzz with how much you want to pay.
0:28:04 > 0:28:08- But he's not optimistic. - Thank you. Bye-bye.
0:28:08 > 0:28:11- There you go.- And with good reason.
0:28:11 > 0:28:14The outstanding debt on the other one for business rates is
0:28:14 > 0:28:17enormous, compared to ours, so obviously, he's paying that off.
0:28:17 > 0:28:20He wants to pay ours off, so I've left paperwork there and
0:28:20 > 0:28:24he said he'll give me a ring later today with what he proposes to pay.
0:28:24 > 0:28:29Unfortunately, with no goods to take control of, your hands are tied.
0:28:29 > 0:28:32The restaurant boss didn't enter into a payment agreement
0:28:32 > 0:28:34later that day and to date,
0:28:34 > 0:28:37the debt with the cleaning company has not been settled.
0:28:40 > 0:28:43Sheriffs are now officially known as High Court enforcement agents
0:28:43 > 0:28:46and they'll collect the money you're owed.
0:28:46 > 0:28:50My job is to collect in full or remove goods.
0:28:50 > 0:28:52They've got more powers of entry than bailiffs.
0:28:52 > 0:28:55We don't have to take any notice of your security protocol, I'm afraid.
0:28:55 > 0:28:58And there's no limit on the size of the debts they can pursue.
0:28:58 > 0:29:01£1.6 million.
0:29:01 > 0:29:05Every year, sheriffs enforce more than 70,000 writs across England
0:29:05 > 0:29:08and Wales and recover more than £75 million.
0:29:08 > 0:29:13I'm here today to take control of goods to the value of £41,086.
0:29:13 > 0:29:15We have to insist on full payment.
0:29:15 > 0:29:18Their fees are set by the Government,
0:29:18 > 0:29:21which debtors have to pay, on top of what they already owe.
0:29:21 > 0:29:23Thank you very much. See you later.
0:29:23 > 0:29:26If the sheriffs can't recover any of your money,
0:29:26 > 0:29:29there's a fee of £75 plus VAT.
0:29:38 > 0:29:41Sheriff Ken Warby is still in Beautiful Dresses,
0:29:41 > 0:29:47a north London clothes shop which owes £1,658 to Swikruti Soni,
0:29:47 > 0:29:51who never received a refund for three outfits she bought.
0:29:51 > 0:29:55The owner, Lilian Chidoka, has already tried to lock him out of the
0:29:55 > 0:30:00shop twice, and Ken's been forced to call for police backup to continue.
0:30:00 > 0:30:04I just need a police officer here to prevent a breach of the peace.
0:30:04 > 0:30:08They've already tried to shut the door on me.
0:30:08 > 0:30:12Lilian, meanwhile, has decided she'd like an officer of her own.
0:30:12 > 0:30:14I need a police officer,
0:30:14 > 0:30:18but I want someone that actually knows the law on bailiffs.
0:30:18 > 0:30:20Have you got a warrant?
0:30:20 > 0:30:22Can I see?
0:30:24 > 0:30:27It says writ of control. Is that a warrant?
0:30:27 > 0:30:32It's not, but it does command Ken to attend the premises and demand
0:30:32 > 0:30:36payment, or remove goods with the authority of the High Court.
0:30:36 > 0:30:41It's to his considerable relief when the police arrive.
0:30:41 > 0:30:44The lady owes some money. I've got a High Court writ of control.
0:30:44 > 0:30:46She's unable to pay any money.
0:30:46 > 0:30:50That's the actual copy of the order, court order.
0:30:50 > 0:30:53Gives us authority to remove goods.
0:30:53 > 0:30:57It's the duty of a police officer to assist an enforcement
0:30:57 > 0:30:59agent in the execution of a writ.
0:30:59 > 0:31:02Ken explains what he's going to do.
0:31:02 > 0:31:05My job is I'm going to remove these dresses,
0:31:05 > 0:31:09some of the dresses over there, into the boot of my car,
0:31:09 > 0:31:11leave the lady a receipt for everything.
0:31:11 > 0:31:13Then my job here is done.
0:31:13 > 0:31:16You will go one by one listing, which is done, understand?
0:31:16 > 0:31:19The woman is still complaining about procedure.
0:31:19 > 0:31:24She is convinced that Ken isn't allowed to take her goods
0:31:24 > 0:31:25away today.
0:31:28 > 0:31:30I want somebody that knows the law,
0:31:30 > 0:31:33a police officer that knows the law and knows where I'm coming from.
0:31:33 > 0:31:36This is the first visit. You give the person writ of control,
0:31:36 > 0:31:39which means the control of those goods.
0:31:39 > 0:31:42And then I make an arrangement with them to pay. You understand?
0:31:42 > 0:31:45A writ of control, however, is a civil matter
0:31:45 > 0:31:48and the police officer's only role is to prevent anything
0:31:48 > 0:31:51stopping Ken from carrying out his duty.
0:31:51 > 0:31:53For all her talk of an arrangement,
0:31:53 > 0:31:58she's refusing to offer any payment and Ken is left with little choice.
0:31:58 > 0:32:02The lady's been told a long time ago this stuff is going to go.
0:32:02 > 0:32:05She's still not come up with anything, not a penny.
0:32:05 > 0:32:09I was hoping she was going to come up with something, but she hasn't.
0:32:09 > 0:32:13So, you know, she's already tried to lock me out of the shop as well.
0:32:13 > 0:32:16So as far as I'm concerned, the stuff's going in the back
0:32:16 > 0:32:19of the vehicle and it's being taken to an auction house.
0:32:19 > 0:32:21Going to get that done now.
0:32:27 > 0:32:30Is this the door you tried to slam in my face?
0:32:30 > 0:32:32You were forcing it.
0:32:32 > 0:32:35Ken's not in the mood for further arguments.
0:32:35 > 0:32:38He wants her goods and he wants to get out of here.
0:32:38 > 0:32:41It's amazing what you can get in these estate cars.
0:32:41 > 0:32:44Start getting these dresses out now.
0:32:44 > 0:32:47No sooner has he got the first few in the boot
0:32:47 > 0:32:50and the shop owner is trying to take them back.
0:33:00 > 0:33:03Ken puts the second load in the back seat.
0:33:10 > 0:33:13Removed goods are sold at public auction
0:33:13 > 0:33:16and rarely reach anything like their retail value.
0:33:16 > 0:33:21So Ken is having to take dresses worth far more than the debt.
0:33:21 > 0:33:25But first, Ken has to find an auction house which would take them.
0:33:25 > 0:33:27It sounds like the office has found one.
0:33:29 > 0:33:31Perfect.
0:33:31 > 0:33:33Right.
0:33:33 > 0:33:35Hampstead? Even closer, yeah.
0:33:35 > 0:33:38These will all be hanging up in about half an hour.
0:33:41 > 0:33:44Ken heads back in to remove the last of the dresses.
0:33:44 > 0:33:47But Ms Chidoka has other ideas.
0:33:47 > 0:33:49Whoa, whoa, whoa!
0:33:51 > 0:33:53BLEEP
0:33:56 > 0:33:59You just assaulted him in front of two police officers.
0:33:59 > 0:34:02You have done exactly what we're here to prevent.
0:34:02 > 0:34:05All your dresses are now on the floor, OK?
0:34:09 > 0:34:11Ken's pretty taken aback.
0:34:11 > 0:34:15I was just grabbing some dresses, turned my back on the debtor
0:34:15 > 0:34:18and the debtor has just punched me in the head.
0:34:18 > 0:34:22From behind. So, she's just locked herself in a room at the back now.
0:34:22 > 0:34:25My job here is done.
0:34:25 > 0:34:27But she's just assaulted me.
0:34:27 > 0:34:29The officers have had to arrest her.
0:34:29 > 0:34:32One calls for transport to take her away.
0:34:32 > 0:34:34She returns from the back room.
0:34:39 > 0:34:43SIREN BLARES
0:34:43 > 0:34:47Ms Chidoka was later given a caution for common assault.
0:34:47 > 0:34:50Unsurprisingly, Ken's relieved this job is nearly over.
0:34:51 > 0:34:54Never been assaulted before on a job.
0:34:54 > 0:34:55Not like that.
0:34:55 > 0:35:00Loads of verbal, but I've never been physically attacked before.
0:35:00 > 0:35:04That's in 26 years, so I've done well, I guess.
0:35:11 > 0:35:13It really surprised me.
0:35:13 > 0:35:15She was moaning,
0:35:15 > 0:35:19but you didn't think for one minute she would punch me in the ear.
0:35:19 > 0:35:21There's just one last thing to do
0:35:21 > 0:35:24and it's considerably less stressful.
0:35:24 > 0:35:27Delivering the day's haul to the auction house.
0:35:27 > 0:35:30All I need is to be able to hang them up
0:35:30 > 0:35:32cos they can't just be left in a heap.
0:35:32 > 0:35:36- Have you got coat hangers? - I've got coat hangers.
0:35:38 > 0:35:4113, 14...
0:35:41 > 0:35:45If I don't see another dress in my life, it will be too soon.
0:35:45 > 0:35:47I think they're hung up OK.
0:35:47 > 0:35:50Yeah, as they were in the shop.
0:35:50 > 0:35:52Yeah, all good.
0:35:52 > 0:35:54Ken might have had enough of the dresses,
0:35:54 > 0:35:57but the auction house manager is delighted with them.
0:35:57 > 0:36:00We've never had dresses in, as far as I know, so it's going to
0:36:00 > 0:36:04be very, very interesting to have a collection of...
0:36:04 > 0:36:08How will we call them...? Evening gowns?
0:36:08 > 0:36:09Or ballgowns?
0:36:09 > 0:36:12Of various shapes, sizes and colours.
0:36:14 > 0:36:18Nothing will be sold for seven days, giving Ms Chidoka a chance to
0:36:18 > 0:36:21settle her debt instead and get her stock back.
0:36:21 > 0:36:25If she doesn't, then the dresses will be auctioned to pay off her
0:36:25 > 0:36:28debt and costs, with any additional proceeds paid back to her.
0:36:30 > 0:36:34For Ken, it's been a tough day, so while he's here,
0:36:34 > 0:36:36he decides he deserves a treat to cheer himself up.
0:36:37 > 0:36:40My dog is a Hungarian Vizsla
0:36:40 > 0:36:44and these are basically two stone effigies of my dog.
0:36:44 > 0:36:46Front of the house, they'd look nice.
0:36:46 > 0:36:49I might stick a cheeky reserve bid on them,
0:36:49 > 0:36:51while I'm here.
0:36:53 > 0:36:55It's been an extraordinary ordeal,
0:36:55 > 0:36:58but it goes to show the lengths the sheriffs will go to in order
0:36:58 > 0:37:02to get back the money their clients are owed.
0:37:02 > 0:37:05It's been a long old day, from the start of us walking into the shop.
0:37:05 > 0:37:06I'm shattered, to tell the truth.
0:37:06 > 0:37:09I'm absolutely shattered cos it's been a hard day,
0:37:09 > 0:37:12but it's been a successful day, I think.
0:37:12 > 0:37:16Those dresses, I think they will fetch the value
0:37:16 > 0:37:18and our clients get paid.
0:37:20 > 0:37:22Ms Chidoka failed to pay within seven days
0:37:22 > 0:37:26so several weeks later, the dresses were sold at auction.
0:37:26 > 0:37:29Swikruti can now finally expect to get some of her money back.
0:37:29 > 0:37:33It feels like a weight lifted off my shoulders.
0:37:33 > 0:37:35It's a complete relief, really.
0:37:35 > 0:37:37I was a bit worried when I heard that one of the sheriffs,
0:37:37 > 0:37:40Ken, got assaulted.
0:37:40 > 0:37:43I hope he's OK.
0:37:43 > 0:37:46The knock to Ken's ear has left no lasting damage.
0:37:46 > 0:37:49He's also now the proud owner of a pair of stone
0:37:49 > 0:37:52Hungarian Vizslas, pictured here with Gunner.
0:37:56 > 0:37:59Ms Chidoka said that...
0:38:09 > 0:38:10As a result...
0:38:18 > 0:38:22On a cold morning near the coast in Essex, Sheriffs Kev McNally
0:38:22 > 0:38:25and Lawrence Grix are looking for money on behalf of a client
0:38:25 > 0:38:28who's had a bit of car trouble.
0:38:28 > 0:38:31He bought a second-hand motor that went wrong.
0:38:31 > 0:38:35It's eight o'clock in the morning. We are in Leigh-on-Sea.
0:38:35 > 0:38:39We're going to The Car Company. It's a car garage.
0:38:39 > 0:38:41Our claimant is a Mr Don Merrifield.
0:38:41 > 0:38:44He bought a car from here and the words are -
0:38:44 > 0:38:47the car wasn't fit for purpose.
0:38:47 > 0:38:50We'll head over there and see what we can do.
0:38:50 > 0:38:52We are looking for £3,684.
0:38:59 > 0:39:02Mr Merrifield took The Car Company to court.
0:39:02 > 0:39:05They defended the case and the court arrived at a decision which
0:39:05 > 0:39:08should have been the end of the matter.
0:39:08 > 0:39:11The order was that our claimant deliver the car back to them
0:39:11 > 0:39:15and on delivery of the vehicle, they would pay the money.
0:39:17 > 0:39:19That clearly didn't happen.
0:39:19 > 0:39:22Now, whether it was a case of our claimant didn't take the car
0:39:22 > 0:39:26back, so they didn't pay him, or he took the car back,
0:39:26 > 0:39:30they refused to pay him, so he drove off in the car again, I don't know.
0:39:30 > 0:39:34Either way, Mr Merrifield has escalated the matter to the
0:39:34 > 0:39:36High Court and Lawrence
0:39:36 > 0:39:40and Kev's writ says The Car Company now needs to come up with the money.
0:39:40 > 0:39:44And a quick look at the dealership reveals plenty of potential
0:39:44 > 0:39:46assets parked up.
0:39:46 > 0:39:49Yeah, there's cars on the front there.
0:39:49 > 0:39:52All indications are at the moment that it's good.
0:39:52 > 0:39:55But as they prepare to go to work,
0:39:55 > 0:39:58it's the sheriffs' own vehicle that's giving Lawrence concerns.
0:39:58 > 0:40:00He's spotted a traffic warden
0:40:00 > 0:40:04and unsure of how long the job's going to take, turns on the charm.
0:40:04 > 0:40:07- Morning. It's just we've got a High Court writ to execute...- Yeah.
0:40:07 > 0:40:10..on the car dealer just up the road there.
0:40:10 > 0:40:12We don't know how long we're going to be.
0:40:12 > 0:40:14Would you be able to cut us a bit of slack?
0:40:14 > 0:40:16Give us a shout if you need us to move and we will do.
0:40:16 > 0:40:18- OK, mate.- Thanks very much, mate.
0:40:20 > 0:40:23With the warden placated, the sheriffs head to the business.
0:40:23 > 0:40:25They've got there before the staff have arrived,
0:40:25 > 0:40:28so they use the time to have a look around.
0:40:28 > 0:40:32- There's a few cars out the back. - There's a fence there.
0:40:32 > 0:40:35So this is ours. I would guess he probably parks in there, yeah.
0:40:35 > 0:40:39There's tyre tracks. So I'm guessing they use the back gate.
0:40:39 > 0:40:44But the sheriffs aren't going to get paid by hanging around outside,
0:40:44 > 0:40:47so as soon as the staff arrive, they head in.
0:40:47 > 0:40:50- You all right there, mate? - Hello there.
0:40:50 > 0:40:52- Are you the guv'nor, by any chance? - No, I'm the manager.
0:40:52 > 0:40:55- You're a manager?- Yeah.
0:40:55 > 0:40:59- My name's Mr Grix. My colleague and I are enforcement agents.- Right.
0:40:59 > 0:41:02We've got a High Court writ to execute against The Car Company,
0:41:02 > 0:41:06- on behalf of a Don Merrifield. - Right.
0:41:06 > 0:41:11And we're here today to take control of goods to the value of £3,684.57.
0:41:11 > 0:41:13Right.
0:41:13 > 0:41:16The only way to prevent further action basically is to pay in full.
0:41:16 > 0:41:19- Right.- Do you have the authority to deal with this?
0:41:19 > 0:41:23I've got the owner, who is going to be about half an hour.
0:41:23 > 0:41:26Are you able to get him on the phone and see if you can
0:41:26 > 0:41:28gee him up at all?
0:41:30 > 0:41:35He does, but once the owner is geed up, our camera is asked to leave.
0:41:38 > 0:41:40The owner arrives shortly afterwards
0:41:40 > 0:41:46and the sheriffs negotiate to get the claimant his nearly £3,700 back.
0:41:46 > 0:41:49They also get to discover a bit more about what's gone on.
0:41:49 > 0:41:52Basically, the car has been returned,
0:41:52 > 0:41:57but it's got 8,000 miles on it more than when they sold it,
0:41:57 > 0:42:00so they're saying - look, we were willing to accept the car back,
0:42:00 > 0:42:03but we didn't know it had 8,000 miles on it. That's a bit much.
0:42:03 > 0:42:06And when they pulled all their paperwork out,
0:42:06 > 0:42:09they've got the cheque that they had ready for the guy for the amount.
0:42:09 > 0:42:13But with the extra mileage on the clock, they refused to hand it over.
0:42:13 > 0:42:16Court's ordered them to pay the money, they haven't paid the money.
0:42:16 > 0:42:18Our claimant had to return the car, which he's done.
0:42:18 > 0:42:21Albeit with 8,000 miles more on it.
0:42:21 > 0:42:25They haven't lived up to their side of the bargain.
0:42:25 > 0:42:29The garage says they're going to appeal the court's decision
0:42:29 > 0:42:31to reduce the amount they have to pay.
0:42:31 > 0:42:35And they're not best pleased to have a visit from the sheriffs today.
0:42:35 > 0:42:39But for the claimant, Mr Merrifield,
0:42:39 > 0:42:42will the dark clouds over Essex today have a silver lining?
0:42:44 > 0:42:46That went very well, really.
0:42:46 > 0:42:49They believe there should be some discount on what they're paying.
0:42:49 > 0:42:53They've put in an application to set the judgment aside.
0:42:53 > 0:42:55They haven't got a hearing date yet or anything,
0:42:55 > 0:42:58so obviously that doesn't stop us from enforcing.
0:42:58 > 0:43:00We had a High Court writ, we explained the situation to them
0:43:00 > 0:43:04and they paid. They're now going to go and seek legal advice as to what
0:43:04 > 0:43:06they can do next.
0:43:06 > 0:43:10The Car Company didn't manage to get the judgment set aside
0:43:10 > 0:43:14and Mr Merrifield has got the money the court says he was owed.