0:00:02 > 0:00:04If you're owed money but aren't getting paid,
0:00:04 > 0:00:05it's time to call the sheriffs.
0:00:05 > 0:00:08My name's Mr Grix, my collegaue and I are enforcement agents.
0:00:08 > 0:00:09I'm here to issue a High Court writ.
0:00:09 > 0:00:12I've got to do what I'm instructed to by the courts.
0:00:12 > 0:00:14They're enforcement agents of the High Court.
0:00:14 > 0:00:15HE RINGS DOORBELL
0:00:15 > 0:00:18And if a court's ruled in your favour, they're on your side.
0:00:20 > 0:00:22If the debtor doesn't want to pay...
0:00:22 > 0:00:25You currently owe £9,461.80.
0:00:25 > 0:00:28..the law says the sheriffs can get you what you're owed.
0:00:28 > 0:00:29If 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 > 0:00:36Whether it's a small company...
0:00:36 > 0:00:39- Can I speak to the person in charge please?- ..or a household name...
0:00:39 > 0:00:41We're here to see someone from G4S.
0:00:41 > 0:00:44..if they owe you money, the sheriffs get it paid.
0:00:44 > 0:00:46I'm not going anywhere, you get him to come in here.
0:00:46 > 0:00:49We're not going to be waiting around like that, it needs to be done now.
0:00:49 > 0:00:51I just collected 42 grand.
0:00:54 > 0:00:58Coming up, Kevin Emmerson was left financially crippled
0:00:58 > 0:01:00after he was sold an unroadworthy car.
0:01:00 > 0:01:03I was mad. I was mad because I'm going to be stuck with this now
0:01:03 > 0:01:04for the rest of my life.
0:01:04 > 0:01:08You just can't just pick £4,500 up.
0:01:08 > 0:01:10The sheriffs pay the dealer a visit...
0:01:10 > 0:01:12- How are you? Is the boss about? - He's not here yet.
0:01:12 > 0:01:15But will they be able to get Kevin's money back?
0:01:15 > 0:01:18The yard is quite fully stocked with motors.
0:01:18 > 0:01:21Sheriff Ken Warby is playing the waiting game
0:01:21 > 0:01:23at the Post Office HQ.
0:01:23 > 0:01:25I'm starting to lose my patience now.
0:01:25 > 0:01:27I'm just going to dig my heels in and insist on full payment.
0:01:27 > 0:01:30If they don't, then I'm going to just march around their offices,
0:01:30 > 0:01:32list their items with a view to remove their goods.
0:01:32 > 0:01:36The air turns blue when we visit a car dealers in Wales.
0:01:43 > 0:01:45definitely an angry man.
0:01:45 > 0:01:47- Go, go, go... - And the sheriffs are called on
0:01:47 > 0:01:49to remove a group of squatters...
0:01:49 > 0:01:52- Wake up!- Wakey-wakey! You're being evicted.
0:01:52 > 0:01:53Hard night?
0:01:53 > 0:01:57..but will they be able to save a valuable and unusual artwork?
0:01:59 > 0:02:03Definitely the dearest and valuable door I've had to deal with.
0:02:09 > 0:02:12It's a wet and windy winter's morning.
0:02:12 > 0:02:17Enforcement Agents Craig Wild and Tommy Coyle are heading to Derby.
0:02:17 > 0:02:20They've got a writ to enforce against a car dealership
0:02:20 > 0:02:22with a bit of a reputation.
0:02:22 > 0:02:24It's called Derby Car Centre Ltd.
0:02:24 > 0:02:28We're here on behalf of Mr Kevin Emmerson.
0:02:28 > 0:02:32He bought a car from this company, it wasn't fit for purpose.
0:02:32 > 0:02:35Mr Emmerson took the company to court,
0:02:35 > 0:02:38and despite winning a judgement in his favour, he's not been paid.
0:02:38 > 0:02:41We're here now to enforce that order,
0:02:41 > 0:02:43which is just short of £5,500.
0:02:48 > 0:02:50The claimant, Kevin Emmerson, is a farm worker.
0:02:50 > 0:02:53And his troubles with the car dealers began
0:02:53 > 0:02:56when he needed to buy a new vehicle for work.
0:02:56 > 0:02:59I wanted a 4x4, because I need to be able to
0:02:59 > 0:03:02get up and down fields and that,
0:03:02 > 0:03:04even with my job at the farm.
0:03:04 > 0:03:07After seeing an advert, Kevin went to Derby Car Centre.
0:03:07 > 0:03:09His first impressions were good,
0:03:09 > 0:03:13and on the forecourt he saw a Hyundai which he liked the look of.
0:03:13 > 0:03:17He started the car up, it sounded all right and it looked all right.
0:03:17 > 0:03:19And I told him I'd have the car,
0:03:19 > 0:03:22providing they delivered it to Bolsover, to my house. I paid...
0:03:24 > 0:03:28..£2,995,
0:03:28 > 0:03:31but they took my car in part exchange.
0:03:31 > 0:03:34The car was delivered to Kevin's house as promised.
0:03:34 > 0:03:37But when he drove it, he immediately found problems.
0:03:37 > 0:03:41There was a noise coming from the gearbox, the clutch was slipping.
0:03:41 > 0:03:44Another problem with the car was the light
0:03:44 > 0:03:47on the dashboard from the airbag.
0:03:47 > 0:03:50Kevin was worried, so he took the car to a local garage
0:03:50 > 0:03:52to have it properly checked over.
0:03:52 > 0:03:56And what they found was worse than he had feared.
0:03:56 > 0:03:58There was oil coming out from under the gearbox.
0:03:58 > 0:04:01The clutch was about worn out,
0:04:01 > 0:04:05plus the car was pulling to the middle of the road.
0:04:05 > 0:04:07The garage told me,
0:04:07 > 0:04:10"It's not roadworthy, don't drive it."
0:04:10 > 0:04:12Kevin couldn't believe it.
0:04:12 > 0:04:15I was mad. I was mad.
0:04:15 > 0:04:21I'd just spent £2,500 on a car which I couldn't drive.
0:04:21 > 0:04:24Kevin contacted Derby Car Centre to complain.
0:04:24 > 0:04:27They offered to look at the car if he returned it.
0:04:27 > 0:04:31He told them it couldn't be driven, but that fell on deaf ears.
0:04:31 > 0:04:34And all they kept saying was, "I'll have a word with the gaffer
0:04:34 > 0:04:37"and get back to you." And they never got back.
0:04:37 > 0:04:40No matter how many times I rung, they just didn't want to know.
0:04:42 > 0:04:45As he needed a car for work, Kevin had to borrow money
0:04:45 > 0:04:46to buy another one,
0:04:46 > 0:04:49while also paying to have the unroadworthy Hyundai
0:04:49 > 0:04:51stored at the local garage.
0:04:53 > 0:04:56His sister-in-law Sue decided enough was enough,
0:04:56 > 0:04:59and began to intervene on his behalf.
0:04:59 > 0:05:03I just thought it would be a simple matter of writing a letter
0:05:03 > 0:05:06to Derby Car Centre and they'd play ball.
0:05:06 > 0:05:07So that's what I did.
0:05:07 > 0:05:10I sent a letter, no response.
0:05:10 > 0:05:13So we followed it up with a second letter, "letter before action",
0:05:13 > 0:05:17all advised by Trading Standards.
0:05:17 > 0:05:18Still no response.
0:05:18 > 0:05:22In the end, Sue managed to get hold of the company boss,
0:05:22 > 0:05:23Mark Whitfield, by e-mail.
0:05:23 > 0:05:27He offered to collect the car, but then didn't turn up.
0:05:27 > 0:05:30He kept promising dates he'd come and collect the vehicle,
0:05:30 > 0:05:33he let the garage down, the storage garage,
0:05:33 > 0:05:36then he started with different excuses,
0:05:36 > 0:05:39"I can't come and collect it, you didn't tell me it was unroadworthy."
0:05:39 > 0:05:42I said, "Of course we did, you had the report from the garage."
0:05:42 > 0:05:45Eventually, the car was collected from the garage,
0:05:45 > 0:05:47but it had been there so long,
0:05:47 > 0:05:49Kevin had to pay a massive bill.
0:05:49 > 0:05:54Price of the storage by the time they fetched the car was £1,620.
0:05:55 > 0:05:58Now that Derby Car Centre had the vehicle back,
0:05:58 > 0:06:01Sue rang up to demand a refund.
0:06:01 > 0:06:04But it seems the company had other ideas.
0:06:04 > 0:06:07And he said they're going to repair it
0:06:07 > 0:06:12and sell it, then we'll get the proceeds of what's left,
0:06:12 > 0:06:14minus the depreciation of the vehicle,
0:06:14 > 0:06:16because it's been stood a long while.
0:06:16 > 0:06:18The Emmersons weren't happy.
0:06:18 > 0:06:21Even if they did get some proceeds from the sale,
0:06:21 > 0:06:24Kevin was going to be substantially out of pocket.
0:06:24 > 0:06:27I'd bought the car with money that I've saved.
0:06:27 > 0:06:30And then I find myself in a position where then I had to go
0:06:30 > 0:06:32and borrow some money to buy another car.
0:06:32 > 0:06:34I'm going to be stuck with this now for the rest of my life,
0:06:34 > 0:06:38because you just can't pick £4,500 up.
0:06:40 > 0:06:44And the stress was starting to take its toll on his health.
0:06:44 > 0:06:47I'd never had no problems with sleeping or anything
0:06:47 > 0:06:49until I bought that car.
0:06:49 > 0:06:51And, you see, after that...
0:06:53 > 0:06:55..my head was just filling up with it.
0:06:55 > 0:06:57There was only one thing for it.
0:06:57 > 0:06:59Sue helped Kevin to file a claim
0:06:59 > 0:07:02against Derby Car Centre in the county court.
0:07:02 > 0:07:05And after doing some reseach, she discovered this wouldn't be
0:07:05 > 0:07:07the first time the business was in court.
0:07:07 > 0:07:11I thought, "They're not a very good company."
0:07:11 > 0:07:13So I started looking into them.
0:07:13 > 0:07:19And I found out Mark Whitfield had got a court order from 2013.
0:07:19 > 0:07:22Derby Car Centre had been the subject of 181 complaints
0:07:22 > 0:07:26to the city council over a two-and-a-half-year period.
0:07:26 > 0:07:30Mark Whitlfield was served with an order under the Enterprise Act,
0:07:30 > 0:07:32compelling him to play by the rules or face jail.
0:07:34 > 0:07:37As for the Emmersons, Kevin won a judgement by default,
0:07:37 > 0:07:41after Derby Car Centre didn't offer a defence.
0:07:41 > 0:07:43They were ordered to pay him back the price of the car,
0:07:43 > 0:07:46as well as costs incurred.
0:07:46 > 0:07:49Naively, I thought they'd do the right thing.
0:07:49 > 0:07:51You know, I thought I'd just give him his money back.
0:07:51 > 0:07:53They'd do anything but that.
0:07:53 > 0:07:57Derby Car Centre later applied to have the judgement set aside,
0:07:57 > 0:07:59only then missed the hearing.
0:07:59 > 0:08:01Kevin and Sue still haven't seen a penny
0:08:01 > 0:08:04and now they're turning to the sheriffs.
0:08:04 > 0:08:08I think the last resort, it's the High Court sheriffs.
0:08:08 > 0:08:10I've seen how they go about their business.
0:08:10 > 0:08:12I think they're the people you need
0:08:12 > 0:08:14to be assured of getting your money back.
0:08:21 > 0:08:23Tommy and Craig are on their way to Derby Car Centre.
0:08:23 > 0:08:25Keep it on the left, left, left.
0:08:25 > 0:08:26From the sheriffs' research,
0:08:26 > 0:08:30it sounds like not only is Kevin one of many unhappy customers,
0:08:30 > 0:08:34but the manager is no stranger to the occasional TV appearance.
0:08:34 > 0:08:36He was on Rogue Traders.
0:08:36 > 0:08:38So he's quite familiar with the cameras...
0:08:40 > 0:08:43..and obviously having people coming to see him with a complaint or two.
0:08:43 > 0:08:47But what will Mr Whitfield make of the sheriffs?
0:08:47 > 0:08:50Derby Car Centre. Nice big sign there on the left.
0:08:53 > 0:08:54Let's get it done.
0:08:54 > 0:08:57The sheriffs head for the office, and are met at the door.
0:08:57 > 0:08:58You all right?
0:08:58 > 0:09:01How are you? Is the boss about?
0:09:01 > 0:09:05Is he not? Can you get him on the phone? Cheers.
0:09:05 > 0:09:09Mark Whitfield isn't here, so the sheriffs explain to the staff member
0:09:09 > 0:09:10they're here to collect a debt.
0:09:10 > 0:09:12We need that paid today.
0:09:12 > 0:09:15- Fine.- Obviously, the quicker it's paid, we'll be out of here.
0:09:15 > 0:09:19- The man goes to get the boss on the phone...- No problem.
0:09:19 > 0:09:21..while Craig eyes up the assets.
0:09:21 > 0:09:23The yard is quite fully stocked with motors.
0:09:24 > 0:09:26Doesn't mean to say that all these vehicles
0:09:26 > 0:09:28are all bought and paid for outright.
0:09:28 > 0:09:32A lot of these businesses tend to work on a finance deal.
0:09:32 > 0:09:35But all the sheriffs would need to find is one or two cars
0:09:35 > 0:09:38owned by Derby Car Centre that they could remove,
0:09:38 > 0:09:42and that'd be enough to cover the debt if it came to it.
0:09:42 > 0:09:46- I can see you in that, Wild. - The Boxster?- Yeah.
0:09:46 > 0:09:49- I can't afford cars like that.- It's got you all over it, that, though. - HE LAUGHS
0:09:49 > 0:09:51The white one looks nice, actually, to be fair though.
0:09:51 > 0:09:53- The soft-top one.- What is that?
0:09:53 > 0:09:55- A Beemer, or something? - Is it a Beemer or an Audi?
0:09:57 > 0:09:59Craig goes for a closer look,
0:09:59 > 0:10:02just to check whether he can afford an upgrade.
0:10:02 > 0:10:04Quite like the Audi. The Audi there.
0:10:04 > 0:10:07But at £23,000, it's well out of my league.
0:10:08 > 0:10:11I'll stick to my old, little banger.
0:10:12 > 0:10:16Back in the office, the employee's got someone on the phone.
0:10:16 > 0:10:20But it's not the boss, Mark Whitfield, it's his solicitor.
0:10:20 > 0:10:22She says she's appealing the judgement
0:10:22 > 0:10:25and doesn't think they have to pay today.
0:10:25 > 0:10:27Tommy tries to convince her that they do.
0:10:27 > 0:10:32Until you actually go to court, and have the hearing and win,
0:10:32 > 0:10:36it's still a live High Court order, and we'll have to execute it today.
0:10:36 > 0:10:40The solicitor is now talking about making a last-minute application
0:10:40 > 0:10:42to the court to grant a stay of execution -
0:10:42 > 0:10:45which would postpone any enforcement action.
0:10:45 > 0:10:49But Tommy isn't planning to leave today without the money.
0:10:49 > 0:10:52The money is held for 14 days by the Sheriffs Office
0:10:52 > 0:10:54before it goes to the claimant.
0:10:54 > 0:10:58So if you could get a hearing in that time, and you do win the case,
0:10:58 > 0:11:01then obviously the money wouldn't go over.
0:11:01 > 0:11:03I will, I'll put you back onto him now.
0:11:03 > 0:11:06Derby Car Centre has now got a choice -
0:11:06 > 0:11:08pay the sheriffs the full amount owed,
0:11:08 > 0:11:12or else they could see one of the cars on the forecourt removed.
0:11:12 > 0:11:15It only takes ten minutes to decide.
0:11:15 > 0:11:18The director of the company has authorised somebody
0:11:18 > 0:11:21to come down here with the money. In cash.
0:11:21 > 0:11:23But will they be true to their word?
0:11:23 > 0:11:26After everything they'd heard about Derby Car Centre,
0:11:26 > 0:11:29the sheriffs had expected to have a battle on their hands.
0:11:29 > 0:11:33Now it looks like the company's about to pay up without a whimper.
0:11:33 > 0:11:37And, just as promised, a bundle of cash soon arrives.
0:11:39 > 0:11:45Tommy and Craig count it out - £5,478.
0:11:45 > 0:11:48After months of the Emmersons trying to get their money back,
0:11:48 > 0:11:51a visit from the sheriffs has sealed the deal.
0:11:51 > 0:11:53Though that may not be the end of the story.
0:11:53 > 0:11:55They're going to try in challenge this order,
0:11:55 > 0:11:57which is their legal right to do so.
0:11:57 > 0:11:59But that won't happen today, so, in order for us
0:11:59 > 0:12:02to stop our action, they've paid the money in cash today.
0:12:02 > 0:12:04This gives them then the legal time
0:12:04 > 0:12:06to go back to court and challenge the order.
0:12:06 > 0:12:08And if they win the case, then quite clearly,
0:12:08 > 0:12:10the money will get returned to them.
0:12:10 > 0:12:11But that doesn't happen.
0:12:11 > 0:12:13Derby Car Centre Ltd's application
0:12:13 > 0:12:16to have the judgement set aside was rejected.
0:12:17 > 0:12:19Received a letter from the sheriffs.
0:12:19 > 0:12:22They've been and fetched the money in full.
0:12:22 > 0:12:26Which is a big relief, because now I can pay the storage fee for the car.
0:12:26 > 0:12:28That's something off me mind.
0:12:28 > 0:12:30I can also give my friend his money back,
0:12:30 > 0:12:33which I borrowed to buy this new car.
0:12:33 > 0:12:35So, hopefully now, I'm done.
0:12:37 > 0:12:39The director of Derby Car Centre told us...
0:13:02 > 0:13:03If you've been ripped off,
0:13:03 > 0:13:06and the person or company responsible refuses to pay
0:13:06 > 0:13:10you back, the first step is to make a claim in the county court.
0:13:10 > 0:13:13It's simple to do this online for a small fee,
0:13:13 > 0:13:15depending on the size of the claim.
0:13:15 > 0:13:17The court will review the evidence,
0:13:17 > 0:13:21and if it finds in your favour, the debtor will be ordered to pay up.
0:13:21 > 0:13:25If they don't, then for a further £60, the High Court will grant
0:13:25 > 0:13:29a writ, authorising the sheriffs to act on your behalf.
0:13:29 > 0:13:32If they're successful - you get all your money back.
0:13:37 > 0:13:40From multinationals to dodgy car dealers,
0:13:40 > 0:13:42for the sheriffs, it's all the same.
0:13:42 > 0:13:45And on the edge of London's financial district
0:13:45 > 0:13:49enforcement agent Ken Warby is looking for a household name.
0:13:49 > 0:13:51We're going to see Post Office Ltd.
0:13:52 > 0:13:54They are the debtors.
0:13:54 > 0:13:56The claimant is a small-time landlord,
0:13:56 > 0:14:00who owns a shop which provided postal services.
0:14:00 > 0:14:03When the sub-postmaster left, fixtures and fittings
0:14:03 > 0:14:05belonging to the Post Office were left behind for months,
0:14:05 > 0:14:10which the landlord claims prevented him from renting the property out.
0:14:10 > 0:14:12He took the company to court for storage costs,
0:14:12 > 0:14:17and won a default judgement after the company didn't defend the case.
0:14:17 > 0:14:20Now it's down to Ken to get more than £11,000 owed.
0:14:21 > 0:14:24I'm a London boy, born in Finsbury Park,
0:14:24 > 0:14:26but I'm not a fan of central London.
0:14:27 > 0:14:30Courier riders on bikes,
0:14:30 > 0:14:32mad pedestrians...
0:14:32 > 0:14:34smog.
0:14:35 > 0:14:37All hazards of the job.
0:14:37 > 0:14:40And after some skilful negotiation of them,
0:14:40 > 0:14:44Ken's tantalisingly close to his destination.
0:14:44 > 0:14:47That's our building on the left there, I think,
0:14:47 > 0:14:49where the scaffolding is outside.
0:14:51 > 0:14:53But there's no parking outside -
0:14:53 > 0:14:57and a road closure sends him on a long detour.
0:14:57 > 0:14:59You couldn't make this up.
0:14:59 > 0:15:01By the time he's found somewhere to park,
0:15:01 > 0:15:04he's got a mile-long walk back to the Post Office.
0:15:04 > 0:15:06Just trying to find the job now!
0:15:08 > 0:15:12When he gets there, the offices look like a building site.
0:15:13 > 0:15:17Nevertheless, this is the address on the writ, so Ken heads in.
0:15:19 > 0:15:21Hi there, sorry to bother you,
0:15:21 > 0:15:23I want to speak to someone at the Post Office Ltd.
0:15:27 > 0:15:28They're not here any more?
0:15:31 > 0:15:34Completely gone? The whole place is empty?
0:15:35 > 0:15:39The man says the building is being converted into a hotel.
0:15:39 > 0:15:43It took us 20 minutes to walk from the car to here
0:15:43 > 0:15:44and they're not here.
0:15:44 > 0:15:45Wonderful.
0:15:47 > 0:15:51Satisfied that the Post Office Ltd have moved out, Ken leaves.
0:15:51 > 0:15:55And the claimant won't get their money today.
0:15:55 > 0:15:58There's nothing we can do there because it's totally empty.
0:15:58 > 0:16:00They've got no forwarding information on the company.
0:16:00 > 0:16:03They've set up somewhere else around here, I'm sure they will have.
0:16:03 > 0:16:07So we'll just have to find them and go from there.
0:16:07 > 0:16:10It's not quite as simple as finding the new office and marching in.
0:16:10 > 0:16:12The sheriffs are legally obliged
0:16:12 > 0:16:15to give debtors seven days' notice of their arrival.
0:16:15 > 0:16:17And it's now looking like the letter they sent
0:16:17 > 0:16:21would have gone to the wrong address.
0:16:21 > 0:16:24A couple of weeks later though, and Ken is back on the hunt.
0:16:24 > 0:16:27A new notice has been sent out
0:16:27 > 0:16:30to this revised address we've got for them.
0:16:30 > 0:16:34Finsbury Square - land of the tall, grey buildings.
0:16:36 > 0:16:39And land of the red lights.
0:16:39 > 0:16:40Just like last time,
0:16:40 > 0:16:43there's been no response to the letter the sheriffs have sent.
0:16:43 > 0:16:45But Ken has a theory.
0:16:45 > 0:16:48Must have got lost in the post(!) Don't know.
0:16:51 > 0:16:54This time, he finds a spot nearby and heads straight in.
0:17:01 > 0:17:04But our cameraman isn't allowed to follow him.
0:17:09 > 0:17:12We continue filming from the street
0:17:12 > 0:17:16while Ken explains he's there to collect more than £11,000.
0:17:16 > 0:17:18He's then left to sit in reception
0:17:18 > 0:17:21while the staff try to figure out what's going on.
0:17:22 > 0:17:25A succession of different people come to talk to him,
0:17:25 > 0:17:28but so far none of them have offered any payment.
0:17:29 > 0:17:32The woman in there dealing with it in the legal department
0:17:32 > 0:17:34has left me sitting in reception for the best part of an hour,
0:17:34 > 0:17:38they are contacting other people at a different legal department,
0:17:38 > 0:17:40I believe somewhere in Bolton.
0:17:40 > 0:17:41I'm getting a bit bored.
0:17:46 > 0:17:50Ken goes back inside, where the waiting game continues.
0:17:51 > 0:17:53After more conversations with the staff,
0:17:53 > 0:17:56the Post Office still haven't agreed to pay up.
0:17:56 > 0:17:58Ken could demand to go upstairs
0:17:58 > 0:18:01and start making a list of assets to take away.
0:18:01 > 0:18:05He doesn't want to escalate the situation unless it's necessary,
0:18:05 > 0:18:08but after three hours, that moment's getting closer.
0:18:09 > 0:18:11'I'm starting to lose my patience now.'
0:18:11 > 0:18:13I'm just going to dig my heels in and insist on full payment.
0:18:13 > 0:18:16If they don't, then I'm just going to march around their offices,
0:18:16 > 0:18:20list their items, call up a van with a view to remove their goods.
0:18:20 > 0:18:23I don't think it'll come to that.
0:18:23 > 0:18:27It's just they're asking for more time. I've told them no.
0:18:27 > 0:18:30So that's where we are at the moment.
0:18:31 > 0:18:33The waiting might be getting on his nerves,
0:18:33 > 0:18:35but to recover 11 grand,
0:18:35 > 0:18:38Ken would have to remove a lot of office equipment.
0:18:38 > 0:18:40So, on this occasion, playing the long game
0:18:40 > 0:18:43is the best way to get a result.
0:18:43 > 0:18:47It's quite frustrating. They've got about six magazines in there
0:18:47 > 0:18:50and I've read them cover to cover so far.
0:18:50 > 0:18:52But that's this job, sometimes -
0:18:52 > 0:18:55you have to wait around quite a long time for payments.
0:18:59 > 0:19:03Sure enough, the Mexican standoff soon reaches its finale.
0:19:03 > 0:19:06The Post Office Ltd appears to be on the brink of paying up.
0:19:06 > 0:19:08But before the deal is sealed,
0:19:08 > 0:19:12Ken has to evade some additional expenses of his own.
0:19:12 > 0:19:14Well, the fat lady hasn't sung yet...
0:19:16 > 0:19:20..but I'm about to take my seat and get in the audience.
0:19:20 > 0:19:23Payment is imminent, but I just need to relocate this car,
0:19:23 > 0:19:25otherwise I'll get a ticket.
0:19:29 > 0:19:32With his car safe from traffic wardens,
0:19:32 > 0:19:35Ken makes his way back to Post Office's HQ.
0:19:35 > 0:19:38This time, he only has to wait another ten minutes.
0:19:42 > 0:19:45Right, well, after just over four hours of waiting,
0:19:45 > 0:19:47the sheriff finally got his man.
0:19:47 > 0:19:50£11,947.42,
0:19:50 > 0:19:52exactly what I came for to begin with.
0:19:52 > 0:19:56Great result. Claimant has got his money.
0:19:56 > 0:19:58It's been a long day, but it was worth it.
0:19:58 > 0:20:01Ken's persistence and patience
0:20:01 > 0:20:03have got the claimant back the money they were owed.
0:20:03 > 0:20:06The Post Office Ltd subsequently applied
0:20:06 > 0:20:08to have the judgement against them set aside,
0:20:08 > 0:20:10but discontinued their appeal.
0:20:14 > 0:20:16The Post Office told us...
0:20:24 > 0:20:25And they...
0:20:39 > 0:20:42Lawrence and Kev are racking up the motorway miles.
0:20:42 > 0:20:45Writ in hand, they're heading for Wales.
0:20:45 > 0:20:47I don't mind a road trip, to be honest.
0:20:47 > 0:20:49It's, you know, it's just part of the job.
0:20:49 > 0:20:51The debt stems from the purchase
0:20:51 > 0:20:54of a second-hand car from a dealsership.
0:20:54 > 0:20:59We are going to Cars R Us on behalf of a Mr Gordon Desborough.
0:20:59 > 0:21:03£1,455.
0:21:03 > 0:21:05Car dealerships are usually OK to go to,
0:21:05 > 0:21:07because obviously they've got...
0:21:07 > 0:21:09You presume they've got cars on front,
0:21:09 > 0:21:10so they've got assets there.
0:21:10 > 0:21:12I've had a look at the website,
0:21:12 > 0:21:15and they seem to be decent enough cars that he's got there.
0:21:15 > 0:21:16They're not just old poopers.
0:21:18 > 0:21:20And sure enough, as they approach,
0:21:20 > 0:21:21it's looking good.
0:21:24 > 0:21:25Cars R Us, there you go.
0:21:25 > 0:21:27- There it is.- Down the end.
0:21:27 > 0:21:29It's a large dealership,
0:21:29 > 0:21:31and it soon becomes clear there are dozens and dozens
0:21:31 > 0:21:34of cars crammed onto the forecourt.
0:21:34 > 0:21:38See what I mean about decent level of stock and decent cars?
0:21:38 > 0:21:41The chances of getting paid this morning are already looking up.
0:21:41 > 0:21:43Now they just need to find the owner.
0:21:45 > 0:21:47- Hello?- Hello, mate.
0:21:47 > 0:21:49Cars R Us, yeah?
0:21:51 > 0:21:55My name is Mr Griggs. My colleague and I are enforcement agents.
0:21:55 > 0:21:57We've got a High Court writ against Cars R Us
0:21:57 > 0:22:01in favour of a Mr Gordon Desborough.
0:22:01 > 0:22:04He was a customer, I would imagine.
0:22:04 > 0:22:10We're here today to take control of goods to the value of £1,455.99.
0:22:10 > 0:22:12Is your office up there, is it?
0:22:13 > 0:22:17It's unwelcome news, but if the man's not happy about that,
0:22:17 > 0:22:20it's nothing compared to how he reacts to our camera.
0:22:24 > 0:22:25- All right.- He'll go out.
0:22:28 > 0:22:31The man has gone berserk at the sight of our cameraman,
0:22:31 > 0:22:33who retreats to the car park
0:22:33 > 0:22:36while Lawrence and Kev try to calm the situation down.
0:22:37 > 0:22:41Inside, they're told the case against the Cars R Us is in dispute,
0:22:41 > 0:22:44because the company were never told about the court hearing.
0:22:44 > 0:22:47They say they're due back in court in a week's time,
0:22:47 > 0:22:50when a judge will decide whether the case can be re-heard.
0:22:50 > 0:22:52But with a live writ in place,
0:22:52 > 0:22:55the sheriffs still need to get paid today.
0:22:55 > 0:22:58If that's not enough to get under the owner's skin,
0:22:58 > 0:23:01our camera's still proving like a red rag to a bull.
0:23:11 > 0:23:12BLEEPING
0:23:18 > 0:23:21Our cameraman is forced to retreat even further,
0:23:21 > 0:23:25while, inside, Lawrence and Kev continue negotiations.
0:23:25 > 0:23:28They explain that as the case hasn't yet been re-heard,
0:23:28 > 0:23:30the original judgement still stands,
0:23:30 > 0:23:34and they're here to collect in full or remove assets.
0:23:35 > 0:23:37It hasn't gone down well.
0:23:37 > 0:23:39Yet just 15 minutes after arriving,
0:23:39 > 0:23:43Lawrence and Kev are getting back in the van.
0:23:43 > 0:23:47Once they're on their way, they reveal what happened inside.
0:23:47 > 0:23:48Definitely an angry man.
0:23:48 > 0:23:50He had one of the shortest fuses,
0:23:50 > 0:23:52if not THE shortest fuse I've ever seen.
0:23:52 > 0:23:54I think within ten seconds
0:23:54 > 0:23:58he'd gone from zero to absolutely spitting feathers.
0:23:58 > 0:24:00Coffee cups went up in the air.
0:24:00 > 0:24:03He was effing and blinding and he was up in our faces.
0:24:03 > 0:24:06He wanted to go outside and fight.
0:24:06 > 0:24:09He was so enraged. He was spitting.
0:24:09 > 0:24:11It took a little bit to diffuse the situation,
0:24:11 > 0:24:14but it worked out all right in the end. We got paid.
0:24:14 > 0:24:16All's well that ends well.
0:24:16 > 0:24:18Cars R Us paid in full.
0:24:18 > 0:24:21The courts rejected the company's application for a set aside,
0:24:21 > 0:24:24and Mr Desborough has got his money back.
0:24:27 > 0:24:31Sheriffs are now officially known as High Court Enforcement Agents,
0:24:31 > 0:24:33and they'll collect the money you're owed.
0:24:33 > 0:24:37My job is to collect in full or remove goods.
0:24:37 > 0:24:39They've got more powers of entry than bailiffs.
0:24:39 > 0:24:42We don't have to take any notice of your security protocols, I'm afraid.
0:24:42 > 0:24:46And there's no limit on the size of the debts they can pursue.
0:24:46 > 0:24:48£1.6 million.
0:24:48 > 0:24:50Their fees are set by the government,
0:24:50 > 0:24:54which debtors have to pay on top of what they already owe.
0:24:54 > 0:24:56Thank you very much. See you later.
0:24:56 > 0:24:59If the sheriffs can't recover any of your money,
0:24:59 > 0:25:01there's a fee of £75 plus VAT.
0:25:14 > 0:25:17Sheriff Ken Warby is in Camden in North London.
0:25:17 > 0:25:19He's got a writ to execute against a company
0:25:19 > 0:25:24which provides security services for construction sites.
0:25:24 > 0:25:28We're going to a place called Permanex CCS Group Ltd.
0:25:28 > 0:25:34They've got an outstanding bill for 14.5 grand.
0:25:34 > 0:25:36The money's owed to a sub-contractor
0:25:36 > 0:25:38called Pro-Tex Security Solutions Ltd,
0:25:38 > 0:25:40who didn't get paid.
0:25:40 > 0:25:43They took the case to court and were awarded a judgement
0:25:43 > 0:25:47by default, as Permanex CCS Group Ltd didn't offer a defence.
0:25:47 > 0:25:50Today will be the sheriffs' second visit.
0:25:50 > 0:25:54We've previously been before and there was no response.
0:25:54 > 0:25:57So give it another whirl.
0:25:57 > 0:25:59Hopefully I'll be more successful.
0:26:04 > 0:26:08When Ken arrives, it looks much like it did last time.
0:26:08 > 0:26:10The shutters are down, but is anyone in?
0:26:14 > 0:26:17There's no response from the intercom.
0:26:17 > 0:26:19The gate, however, is unlocked.
0:26:23 > 0:26:27Ken has a nose around the yard, which is full of clutter and junk.
0:26:31 > 0:26:34A door into the unit's been left ajar.
0:26:34 > 0:26:36Hello?
0:26:36 > 0:26:38As no-one's answering, he goes in.
0:26:38 > 0:26:39Hello, anyone home?
0:26:41 > 0:26:44It's not what he was expecting to find.
0:26:44 > 0:26:46This is a weird one.
0:26:46 > 0:26:47The place is a complete mess.
0:26:47 > 0:26:49There's nothing around here.
0:26:52 > 0:26:54It's just been abandoned.
0:26:54 > 0:26:56Whoever was trading here has definitely gone,
0:26:56 > 0:26:59and fairly recently too.
0:26:59 > 0:27:02It's pretty obvious Ken isn't about to get the claimant's money,
0:27:02 > 0:27:04but he does have a look around
0:27:04 > 0:27:07to see if there are any clues to who was here.
0:27:07 > 0:27:11Certificate of registration for Clarke Construction Security.
0:27:15 > 0:27:19And there's another one, too, in the name of Permanex UK Ltd.
0:27:19 > 0:27:22That's their company certificate.
0:27:22 > 0:27:25Although none exactly match the name Ken's looking for,
0:27:25 > 0:27:27they sound like related companies,
0:27:27 > 0:27:30so it's likely the debtor was here until recently.
0:27:30 > 0:27:33While that's useful info for the file,
0:27:33 > 0:27:36there's not much more Ken can do today besides the formalities.
0:27:38 > 0:27:41I'll take some pictures of this place.
0:27:41 > 0:27:43Report this back to the office.
0:27:52 > 0:27:53Right.
0:27:53 > 0:27:56Ken finishes up and heads off.
0:27:56 > 0:28:00In his time as a sheriff, he's just about seen it all -
0:28:00 > 0:28:03even so, this strikes him as a bit odd.
0:28:03 > 0:28:04This is a weird one.
0:28:04 > 0:28:07Looking upstairs and downstairs, there's rubbish strewn everywhere.
0:28:07 > 0:28:08The gate is not locked.
0:28:08 > 0:28:11We've just come straight through the gate.
0:28:11 > 0:28:13We've gone straight into the unit.
0:28:13 > 0:28:15Prime candidate for a squat, actually,
0:28:15 > 0:28:16being in this part of London.
0:28:18 > 0:28:20He's not wrong.
0:28:20 > 0:28:22Every year, dozens of buildings across London
0:28:22 > 0:28:24are occupied by squatters.
0:28:26 > 0:28:29And just a few streets away from this abandoned unit,
0:28:29 > 0:28:33another empty building has recently been taken over.
0:28:33 > 0:28:36The sheriffs have been engaged by the landlord
0:28:36 > 0:28:39to help remove the squatters and get the office block back.
0:28:39 > 0:28:43Under cover of darkness, the team is gathering.
0:28:43 > 0:28:46I'll just give you a copy of the writ, so you've got one, yeah?
0:28:46 > 0:28:49Squatting in residential premises is a criminal offence
0:28:49 > 0:28:51and the police will take action.
0:28:51 > 0:28:54In commercial premises like this one, it's a civil matter,
0:28:54 > 0:28:58and landlords can get a writ and employ the sheriffs.
0:28:58 > 0:29:02Enforcement Agent Mark King is running today's operation.
0:29:02 > 0:29:05Possibly about 18 people in there,
0:29:05 > 0:29:08but that was last week, so that's going to change.
0:29:08 > 0:29:09There might not be anybody in there,
0:29:09 > 0:29:11there might be 50.
0:29:11 > 0:29:14There's only one way into the property,
0:29:14 > 0:29:17and he thinks the squatters have barricaded the door.
0:29:17 > 0:29:19We'll have a bit of trouble getting in, I think, this morning.
0:29:19 > 0:29:22It's got a couple of bolts across it, but there's...
0:29:22 > 0:29:27At the bottom, there's a metal bed frame laid on the floor.
0:29:27 > 0:29:29It is only an aluminium bed frame,
0:29:29 > 0:29:32but it stops the door from opening inwards.
0:29:33 > 0:29:35It's much easier for the sheriffs
0:29:35 > 0:29:37if they can surprise the building's inhabitants -
0:29:37 > 0:29:40they'll not have the time to add to the barricade
0:29:40 > 0:29:41or organise any resistance.
0:29:43 > 0:29:45Locksmith Andy Marsh has a pneumatic press
0:29:45 > 0:29:47to try and force the door quietly
0:29:47 > 0:29:49without resorting to smashing it down.
0:29:54 > 0:29:57Only someone inside is up early and comes to the door.
0:29:58 > 0:30:00- SQUATTER:- Hello, guys. - All right, mate?
0:30:00 > 0:30:03Do you wanna open the door, open her up?
0:30:03 > 0:30:04Cheers, mate.
0:30:04 > 0:30:07The squatters realise straightaway what's going on.
0:30:09 > 0:30:11Just open the door, mate, and we'll give you enough time
0:30:11 > 0:30:12to get your stuff ready,
0:30:12 > 0:30:15but you need to open the door straightaway.
0:30:15 > 0:30:17Go, go, go, go.
0:30:17 > 0:30:20As soon as the door opens, the sheriffs pile in.
0:30:20 > 0:30:22They can't take any risks,
0:30:22 > 0:30:25even if the early riser seems to be cooperating.
0:30:25 > 0:30:27Do you want a copy of the paperwork?
0:30:27 > 0:30:29You know the craic, get your stuff.
0:30:32 > 0:30:36Upstairs, they set about waking everyone up and moving them out.
0:30:36 > 0:30:39Wakey-wakey, you're being evicted.
0:30:39 > 0:30:41Come on, mate, wake up.
0:30:41 > 0:30:45We're just doing a quick headcount, find out exactly
0:30:45 > 0:30:49how many people we've got on the premises, give them the time
0:30:49 > 0:30:52to pack their stuff and, yeah, they can leave politely.
0:30:55 > 0:30:57There appear to be only a handful of squatters left,
0:30:57 > 0:31:00and so far, they seem happy to go quietly.
0:31:00 > 0:31:04The only resistance is from one man and he might just not like mornings.
0:31:06 > 0:31:08You need to get up and leave, mate.
0:31:10 > 0:31:11Hard night?
0:31:11 > 0:31:15Come on, then, you need to get up and leave.
0:31:15 > 0:31:16Where? Outside.
0:31:16 > 0:31:18Come on, get yourself up.
0:31:19 > 0:31:21- Thank you.- Thank you.
0:31:24 > 0:31:25Go and get it then, mate, quickly.
0:31:28 > 0:31:30The sheriffs want people to take as much of their stuff
0:31:30 > 0:31:34as possible with them. It avoids arguments over people wanting
0:31:34 > 0:31:36to re-enter the property once it's secure.
0:31:38 > 0:31:40You got all your stuff, sir?
0:31:40 > 0:31:41Have you got all your stuff, yeah?
0:31:41 > 0:31:42- Yeah.- OK, cool.
0:31:47 > 0:31:49But they won't wait forever.
0:31:49 > 0:31:51Right, come on, fella, stop looking at it.
0:31:51 > 0:31:53Pick it up and take it out, yeah?
0:31:58 > 0:32:02With most of the former squatters outside and their belongings
0:32:02 > 0:32:04piling up on the pavement, Mark has a chance to
0:32:04 > 0:32:06look around the building.
0:32:07 > 0:32:09This is a new lot, I've not seen this lot before.
0:32:09 > 0:32:12It's not too bad in here though, not a great deal of mess.
0:32:18 > 0:32:22It might look like a pigsty, but the mess is mostly superficial.
0:32:22 > 0:32:25Given the damage the sheriffs have seen in other squats,
0:32:25 > 0:32:28the landlord can count themselves relatively lucky.
0:32:29 > 0:32:31Outside, tempers are rising.
0:32:36 > 0:32:38OK.
0:32:38 > 0:32:40But it comes to nothing.
0:32:40 > 0:32:43The man, instead, offers the sheriffs his doughnuts.
0:32:49 > 0:32:52Meanwhile, Andy's turned his attention to the front door.
0:32:52 > 0:32:55Someone's obviously come along and spray-painted
0:32:55 > 0:32:56a picture of Nelson Mandela.
0:32:58 > 0:33:01They want to take the metal steel sheet off the front
0:33:01 > 0:33:04and keep it at home, I guess.
0:33:07 > 0:33:10The painting is by the street artist Bambi, and it appeared
0:33:10 > 0:33:14on the door when the building was still occupied by a courier company.
0:33:14 > 0:33:16Now that the building's set for redevelopment,
0:33:16 > 0:33:19the landlord has decided to keep it.
0:33:19 > 0:33:22Apparently, it's quite valuable.
0:33:22 > 0:33:23That's an understatement.
0:33:23 > 0:33:27Bambi's work has sold for over £100,000
0:33:27 > 0:33:30and this door alone's been valued at 25 grand.
0:33:30 > 0:33:34No wonder the landlord wants to hang on to it.
0:33:34 > 0:33:37Certainly is definitely the dearest and valuable door
0:33:37 > 0:33:39that I've had to deal with.
0:33:40 > 0:33:42There's no margin for error.
0:33:47 > 0:33:50But after half an hour of careful grinding and banging,
0:33:50 > 0:33:54Andy manages to separate it from the door in one piece.
0:33:58 > 0:34:00A lot easier than what I thought it would be.
0:34:00 > 0:34:02Completely different to what we're used to.
0:34:02 > 0:34:04Just had to take it a little bit steady.
0:34:04 > 0:34:06So, we've freed Nelson...
0:34:06 > 0:34:07again.
0:34:10 > 0:34:13Without it's front plate, the door needs a little work
0:34:13 > 0:34:14to make it secure.
0:34:14 > 0:34:19The last thing the sheriffs want is squatters getting back in.
0:34:19 > 0:34:22Everything's done, client's got possession back of the property,
0:34:22 > 0:34:25but we are leaving a guard here as well until further notice.
0:34:27 > 0:34:30And with the building secure, it's job done.
0:34:30 > 0:34:34No problems at all, nice and easy.
0:34:50 > 0:34:53Lawrence and Kev are on their way to Portsmouth
0:34:53 > 0:34:56to collect a debt owed by a company, which sounds like it's
0:34:56 > 0:34:59involved in environmentally-friendly building work.
0:35:00 > 0:35:05We are going to Low Carbon Construction Design And Build Ltd.
0:35:05 > 0:35:09They've got two separate writs for two different claimants
0:35:09 > 0:35:12who've both successfully taken the company to court.
0:35:12 > 0:35:17One is for £8,000 and the other is for £17,127.
0:35:18 > 0:35:22So, big amount of money we're looking for between the two of them.
0:35:22 > 0:35:25But the sheriffs are anticipating trouble.
0:35:25 > 0:35:27The debtor appears to belong to a group of companies
0:35:27 > 0:35:30all trading from the same address.
0:35:30 > 0:35:34We're actually after Low Carbon Construction Design And Build Ltd,
0:35:34 > 0:35:37we've also got Low Carbon Construction Worldwide Ltd,
0:35:37 > 0:35:39Low Carbon Construction Management Ltd here
0:35:39 > 0:35:42and Low Carbon Construction Projects Ltd.
0:35:42 > 0:35:45We're going to have to do a lot of digging in determining
0:35:45 > 0:35:47which company in the group owns what assets.
0:35:47 > 0:35:50But, despite the difficulties of the job ahead,
0:35:50 > 0:35:52the mood in the van is jovial,
0:35:52 > 0:35:56as Lawrence is on the eve of a rather significant birthday.
0:35:56 > 0:35:58Who's got the big 50 tomorrow?
0:35:58 > 0:36:0050, eh? How's 50 feel?
0:36:00 > 0:36:03I don't know, I haven't got there yet.
0:36:03 > 0:36:04I'll let you know in the morning.
0:36:06 > 0:36:09I'm pretty sure that once you get to 50,
0:36:09 > 0:36:11you're allowed to speak your mind all the time.
0:36:11 > 0:36:12No change there then.
0:36:14 > 0:36:16Soon, they arrive at their destination.
0:36:16 > 0:36:18Is that it? Trafalgar House, is it?
0:36:18 > 0:36:20Trafalgar House, yeah.
0:36:20 > 0:36:24It doesn't look much like a building company.
0:36:24 > 0:36:25First floor.
0:36:28 > 0:36:30That's not looking promising then, is it?
0:36:30 > 0:36:33Lawrence is worried it might just be the address
0:36:33 > 0:36:35for the company's accountant.
0:36:35 > 0:36:37But, in fact, the real problem will turn out
0:36:37 > 0:36:40to be something else entirely.
0:36:40 > 0:36:41Morning.
0:36:42 > 0:36:46I'm looking for Low Carbon Construction Design and Build Ltd.
0:36:47 > 0:36:51The man says the company was sold three months ago
0:36:51 > 0:36:53and goes to dig out some papers.
0:36:53 > 0:36:54Lawrence explains why he's here.
0:36:54 > 0:36:56We've got two High Court writs against
0:36:56 > 0:36:59Low Carbon Construction Design And Built Ltd.
0:36:59 > 0:37:01When you say sold, who were they sold to?
0:37:01 > 0:37:04The man hands Lawrence a card for the new owner.
0:37:04 > 0:37:06But just because the company's changed hands,
0:37:06 > 0:37:09it doesn't mean the writ can't be executed.
0:37:09 > 0:37:12That limited company is still trading, isn't it?
0:37:12 > 0:37:14Right, then it still has the debts.
0:37:21 > 0:37:25Right, so it's got a new trading address is what you're telling me?
0:37:25 > 0:37:27Now the sheriffs do have a problem.
0:37:27 > 0:37:30If the company's gone, then their only chance of getting paid here
0:37:30 > 0:37:32is if it's left assets behind.
0:37:32 > 0:37:35But the man is quashing any hopes of that.
0:37:45 > 0:37:46Can I take your name, sir?
0:37:48 > 0:37:49Simon?
0:37:51 > 0:37:53Mr Allso is a shareholder in the group,
0:37:53 > 0:37:55which has just sold the debtor company.
0:37:55 > 0:37:57He says it was sold with a clean sheet.
0:38:03 > 0:38:06And there were no judgements against it at the time?
0:38:06 > 0:38:08Have you got a copy of that paperwork, please?
0:38:08 > 0:38:11Mr Allso gives Lawrence the documents,
0:38:11 > 0:38:12which reveal the sale went through
0:38:12 > 0:38:15just before the first of the sheriffs' claimants
0:38:15 > 0:38:16won their case in court.
0:38:18 > 0:38:20Two days before judgement was entered.
0:38:20 > 0:38:22So, you knew judgement was coming.
0:38:25 > 0:38:26Right.
0:38:28 > 0:38:30The company was sold just in time
0:38:30 > 0:38:33and the sheriffs won't be getting any money here.
0:38:33 > 0:38:37But before they go, there's one more thing Lawrence wants to know.
0:38:37 > 0:38:41Any paperwork that's come here for Design And Build Ltd,
0:38:41 > 0:38:43that's been passed on, has it?
0:38:43 > 0:38:45And, with that, the sheriffs leave.
0:38:45 > 0:38:47- Bye-bye.- Thanks a lot.- Thank you.
0:38:47 > 0:38:50Lawrence reckons their prospects of getting any money
0:38:50 > 0:38:52for their claimants aren't looking good.
0:38:52 > 0:38:56The verdict on that one is it looks like they've got it all sewn up.
0:38:56 > 0:38:58I think they've just sold at the right time.
0:38:58 > 0:39:00It does mean the new owner's liable for the debts
0:39:00 > 0:39:03because it's still the same company.
0:39:03 > 0:39:05We've got what looks like a residential address
0:39:05 > 0:39:07for the new owner,
0:39:07 > 0:39:09so, technically, we can go there because we've confirmed
0:39:09 > 0:39:11with the people in here that all post gets passed on.
0:39:11 > 0:39:13But what we want to do is do a little bit more digging
0:39:13 > 0:39:16on the internet now, so we can see if they have got
0:39:16 > 0:39:19any trading premises, but I very much doubt it.
0:39:19 > 0:39:20Lawrence is right.
0:39:20 > 0:39:23Further research reveals the address they've been
0:39:23 > 0:39:26given for the company's new owner isn't a business address.
0:39:28 > 0:39:32As Low Carbon Design And Build Ltd doesn't seem to have any assets,
0:39:32 > 0:39:36there's nothing more the sheriffs can do to get the debt paid.
0:39:44 > 0:39:47In the northwest, Sheriff Alan Pennington has a debt to collect
0:39:47 > 0:39:49from a bathroom showroom.
0:39:49 > 0:39:55Right, this morning I'm off to issue a High Court writ
0:39:55 > 0:39:57at Seeley's Bathrooms in Rochdale.
0:39:57 > 0:40:01The businesses the sheriffs visit come in all shapes and sizes and,
0:40:01 > 0:40:05from Alan's research, it sounds like this one has a bit of a history.
0:40:05 > 0:40:08It's been established since 1935.
0:40:09 > 0:40:12So, they must have been doing some good business
0:40:12 > 0:40:16over the last 80 years or so to still be trading.
0:40:16 > 0:40:19But it looks like there's been a delivery of items
0:40:19 > 0:40:21that have not been paid for.
0:40:21 > 0:40:24Seeley's Bathrooms owes money to one of its suppliers,
0:40:24 > 0:40:28who's taken the matter to court, and gained a judgement by default
0:40:28 > 0:40:30after Seeley's didn't defend the case.
0:40:30 > 0:40:34Now Alan is heading there to collect £3,830.
0:40:36 > 0:40:40I'm not sure how big the premises is, or what assets they'll have,
0:40:40 > 0:40:43but I'm sure the assets will be bathroom items.
0:40:43 > 0:40:46Soon, the shop comes into view.
0:40:46 > 0:40:47It looks like we're here.
0:40:47 > 0:40:50Although Alan's not sure what to make of it.
0:40:50 > 0:40:54It looks a tidy premises,
0:40:54 > 0:40:57but I'm not sure if there's anybody there,
0:40:57 > 0:40:59so we'll go and have a look
0:40:59 > 0:41:02and see if we can get this judgement satisfied for the claimant.
0:41:03 > 0:41:05Alan heads in...
0:41:07 > 0:41:08..and it is open after all.
0:41:09 > 0:41:12The business owner, Mr Fitton, is there.
0:41:12 > 0:41:13Hello, sir.
0:41:13 > 0:41:16But he doesn't want our camera in the shop.
0:41:16 > 0:41:19No, thanks. Don't want the camera in here.
0:41:19 > 0:41:21We leave while Alan remains inside.
0:41:23 > 0:41:25Alan explains that he's here with a writ,
0:41:25 > 0:41:30and that just over £3,800 needs to be paid today.
0:41:30 > 0:41:33But the answer is not one that Alan was expecting,
0:41:33 > 0:41:34as he tells us outside.
0:41:34 > 0:41:37It's a little bit of an awkward case, to be honest,
0:41:37 > 0:41:39because he thought there was an agreement in place
0:41:39 > 0:41:42to pay this off over a period of time.
0:41:42 > 0:41:45And he has indeed been making some payments direct to the claimant,
0:41:45 > 0:41:47including one this morning.
0:41:47 > 0:41:49That puts Alan in a tricky position.
0:41:50 > 0:41:54Ultimately, I've been given a High Court writ with figures on,
0:41:54 > 0:41:58and so I'm asking for certain amounts of money,
0:41:58 > 0:42:00which some of it has been paid.
0:42:00 > 0:42:03But when Alan speaks to the claimant on the phone,
0:42:03 > 0:42:06he says the debt should have already been settled in full
0:42:06 > 0:42:10and he wants the sheriffs to carry on with their enforcement.
0:42:10 > 0:42:14In the end, Alan strikes a deal which he hopes will suit everyone.
0:42:14 > 0:42:18So, what's happened today is because it's been slightly awkward,
0:42:18 > 0:42:22the debtor has paid another £975.09.
0:42:23 > 0:42:28That leaves another £2,000, which he says he'll pay in the next month
0:42:28 > 0:42:30and Alan's got him to sign a controlled goods agreement,
0:42:30 > 0:42:32just in case.
0:42:32 > 0:42:35If it's not made on time, we will then come back
0:42:35 > 0:42:40and start taking goods to cover the balance that's outstanding.
0:42:41 > 0:42:43The case might not be resolved just yet,
0:42:43 > 0:42:46but bearing in mind the confusion over the payment agreement
0:42:46 > 0:42:49the two parties had, Alan's more than happy with the outcome.
0:42:49 > 0:42:53All in all good result. He understands he owes the money
0:42:53 > 0:42:55and he's assured me that he'll have the balance paid
0:42:55 > 0:42:57within the next four weeks.
0:42:57 > 0:43:00But the gentleman was cooperative and there
0:43:00 > 0:43:02seems to be a little bit of a relationship there
0:43:02 > 0:43:05with the claimant as well, so I think it's all going to be
0:43:05 > 0:43:07satisfied very quickly.
0:43:07 > 0:43:10Seeley's Bathrooms paid the remaining balance as promised
0:43:10 > 0:43:13and the supplier has got their money back.