0:00:03 > 0:00:05If you're owed money, but aren't getting paid,
0:00:05 > 0:00:07it's time to call the sheriffs.
0:00:07 > 0:00:09My name's Mr Grix. My colleague and I are enforcement agents.
0:00:09 > 0:00:11I'm here to issue a High Court writ.
0:00:11 > 0:00:13I've got to do what I'm instructed to by the courts.
0:00:13 > 0:00:15They're enforcement agents of the High Court.
0:00:15 > 0:00:16KNOCK ON DOOR
0:00:16 > 0:00:20And if a court's ruled in your favour, they're on your side.
0:00:21 > 0:00:23If the debtor doesn't want to pay...
0:00:23 > 0:00:26You currently owe ?9,461.80.
0:00:26 > 0:00:30..the law says the sheriffs can get you what you're owed.
0:00:30 > 0:00:33If you don't come to the door, we have to remove the vehicle off the drive.
0:00:33 > 0:00:36You're allowed a week to pay in full before it gets sold at auction.
0:00:36 > 0:00:37Whether it's a small company...
0:00:37 > 0:00:39Can I speak to the person in charge, please?
0:00:39 > 0:00:41..or a household name...
0:00:41 > 0:00:42We're here to see somebody from G4S.
0:00:42 > 0:00:45..if they owe you money, the sheriffs get it paid.
0:00:45 > 0:00:48I'm not going anywhere. You get him to come in here.
0:00:48 > 0:00:51We're not going to be waiting round like that. It needs to be done now.
0:00:51 > 0:00:52Just collected 42 grand.
0:00:55 > 0:00:56Coming up...
0:00:56 > 0:00:59Simon Pruce wasn't told the whole story
0:00:59 > 0:01:01when he bought a second-hand car.
0:01:01 > 0:01:06The fuse box was damaged and the instrument panel was also damaged.
0:01:06 > 0:01:08I wasn't prepared to drive a car that was unsafe.
0:01:08 > 0:01:11It was sold to him by a limo hire firm.
0:01:11 > 0:01:13Can Lawrence and Kev get them to pay?
0:01:13 > 0:01:15There's hundreds of thousands of pounds' worth here.
0:01:15 > 0:01:17If not going into the millions.
0:01:17 > 0:01:21Sheriff Chris Pearson visits a mattress company which owes
0:01:21 > 0:01:23compensation to a former worker.
0:01:25 > 0:01:27Not as far as I'm aware.
0:01:27 > 0:01:31And a clothing business is trying Lawrence's patience.
0:01:31 > 0:01:32No, I know somebody's in there.
0:01:32 > 0:01:36If nobody comes out and speaks to me, I will effect entry into the building.
0:01:36 > 0:01:38But can he get the owner's attention?
0:01:38 > 0:01:40Anybody here capable of backing up the computers?
0:01:40 > 0:01:42Because I'm going to start unplugging them.
0:01:47 > 0:01:51In the south-east, enforcement agents Lawrence Grix and Kev McNally
0:01:51 > 0:01:54are en route to their first job of the day.
0:01:54 > 0:01:57They're looking for a company specialising in limousine hire,
0:01:57 > 0:01:59which has an unpaid debt.
0:01:59 > 0:02:02This morning, we are in Northfleet, in Kent.
0:02:02 > 0:02:05We're going to Wild Stretch Limousines Limited.
0:02:05 > 0:02:09The amount we're looking for is ?1,982.
0:02:09 > 0:02:13So, we're getting there early-ish, eight o'clock.
0:02:13 > 0:02:15Should be open then, hopefully.
0:02:17 > 0:02:21The debt actually stems from a matter unrelated to the company's
0:02:21 > 0:02:23luxury transport fleet.
0:02:23 > 0:02:25Its boss sold a second-hand car,
0:02:25 > 0:02:27which later turned out to have problems.
0:02:27 > 0:02:29The buyer was Simon Pruce,
0:02:29 > 0:02:33a physiotherapist with a keen interest in motor racing.
0:02:33 > 0:02:36I started motor racing in karts.
0:02:36 > 0:02:38And I moved into Formula Ford racing.
0:02:41 > 0:02:44But I'm very fond of anything that has a motor in it.
0:02:44 > 0:02:49Motorbikes or cars, both on the track and off.
0:02:49 > 0:02:51Mr Pruce came across Wild Stretch Limousines
0:02:51 > 0:02:54when he was looking for a newer Ford C-Max car,
0:02:54 > 0:02:57to replace the one he'd been using to tow his racing car.
0:02:57 > 0:03:00He found one advertised on eBay,
0:03:00 > 0:03:02and went to see it at the home of the seller, a Mr Hunt.
0:03:04 > 0:03:06When I first saw the car, I had some misgivings.
0:03:06 > 0:03:11Erm...the first thing I noted was that the seat was wet,
0:03:11 > 0:03:14and that there certainly seemed to be water coming through the sunroof.
0:03:14 > 0:03:17I mentioned this, and it was explained that the car had
0:03:17 > 0:03:23been parked in Mr Hunt's garden over the winter, under the trees,
0:03:23 > 0:03:26and it had gathered a lot of leaves and crud on the roof,
0:03:26 > 0:03:29so they had jet-washed it prior to me looking at her.
0:03:29 > 0:03:31Which seemed perfectly reasonable.
0:03:31 > 0:03:33Satisfied with what he'd been told,
0:03:33 > 0:03:36Simon thought the car might be what he was looking for.
0:03:36 > 0:03:39We test-drove her for probably no more than five to ten minutes.
0:03:39 > 0:03:43The car wasn't perfect, but the price was reasonable.
0:03:43 > 0:03:45I made a deal with the guy and bought it.
0:03:47 > 0:03:50He gave me an invoice from a company called Wild Stretch Limousines,
0:03:50 > 0:03:52and gave me a three-month warranty.
0:03:54 > 0:04:00The car cost ?1,800 and, at first, Simon was pleased with his purchase.
0:04:00 > 0:04:03But after only a few days he began to notice problems.
0:04:05 > 0:04:08The handbrake warning light would either not go off
0:04:08 > 0:04:09or wouldn't come on.
0:04:09 > 0:04:12The radio worked when it felt like it.
0:04:12 > 0:04:15I was concerned with the road safety element,
0:04:15 > 0:04:18because the indicators didn't seem to work when I wanted them to.
0:04:18 > 0:04:22It subsequently turned out that the sunroof leaked very badly
0:04:22 > 0:04:25and the inside of the car was very wet
0:04:25 > 0:04:27and had clearly affected the electrics.
0:04:27 > 0:04:31The car needed a lot of work, and Simon wasn't best pleased.
0:04:31 > 0:04:33This made me fairly angry
0:04:33 > 0:04:37because I wasn't prepared to drive a car that was unsafe and dangerous
0:04:37 > 0:04:41on the roads, both to myself and my family and to other road users.
0:04:41 > 0:04:45But, nevertheless, in the initial stages, Mr Hunt seemed responsive
0:04:45 > 0:04:48to my questions about the car and seemed willing to help.
0:04:48 > 0:04:52In fact, Mr Hunt offered to make the repairs at his expense.
0:04:52 > 0:04:55Only it wasn't that simple.
0:04:55 > 0:04:56He had the car back,
0:04:56 > 0:04:58returned it to me and said he'd fixed all the problems,
0:04:58 > 0:05:00but...nothing had changed.
0:05:00 > 0:05:03The sunroof still leaked and the electrics still worked
0:05:03 > 0:05:04when they felt like it.
0:05:04 > 0:05:07He had it back a second time.
0:05:07 > 0:05:10This time, he did fix the leaking sunroof,
0:05:10 > 0:05:13but the electrics were still faulty.
0:05:13 > 0:05:17He agreed with me to engage a professional auto electrician
0:05:17 > 0:05:20to look at the car, and he said he would pay for that.
0:05:20 > 0:05:22But I never heard from him again.
0:05:23 > 0:05:29It was only some time later that I suddenly realised that
0:05:29 > 0:05:34he stopped communicating with me the moment 12 weeks had passed.
0:05:34 > 0:05:37So, therefore, he obviously felt that he had complied
0:05:37 > 0:05:39with his three-month warranty.
0:05:39 > 0:05:44The auto electrician did inspect the car, although Simon paid for it.
0:05:44 > 0:05:47The findings were even worse than he had feared.
0:05:47 > 0:05:51The report stated that the fuse box was damaged
0:05:51 > 0:05:54and the instrument panel was also damaged
0:05:54 > 0:05:57and that both would need replacing.
0:05:57 > 0:06:01The car would cost in the region of ?1,200 to repair.
0:06:02 > 0:06:04With Mr Hunt no longer responding to
0:06:04 > 0:06:06any of Simon's attempts to contract him,
0:06:06 > 0:06:10the only way he could recover his costs was through legal action.
0:06:10 > 0:06:16I saw no reason why I shouldn't take him to court and recover the money
0:06:16 > 0:06:19that was going to need to be spent in order to put the car right.
0:06:19 > 0:06:23Simon found the process fairly simple, and made a claim against
0:06:23 > 0:06:27Wild Stretch Limousines Limited for the full cost of repairs.
0:06:27 > 0:06:30They responded by filing a defence to the court.
0:06:30 > 0:06:34But for Simon, its contents were rather surprising.
0:06:34 > 0:06:37It stated quite clearly that Wild Stretch Limousines
0:06:37 > 0:06:40are a limousine hire company, and do not sell cars.
0:06:40 > 0:06:45"We did not sell this car," and then he signed it at the bottom.
0:06:45 > 0:06:48The signature on that form was exactly the same signature
0:06:48 > 0:06:51as we'd got on the used car sales invoice.
0:06:51 > 0:06:55Simon wrote to Mr Hunt to point this out, but received no reply.
0:06:55 > 0:06:57When the court date came around,
0:06:57 > 0:07:00no-one from Wild Stretch Limousines attended.
0:07:00 > 0:07:07The judge simply awarded the sums required, plus the expenses, to me.
0:07:07 > 0:07:10And gave Wild Stretch Limousines ten days to pay.
0:07:10 > 0:07:15They didn't, and so Simon escalated the case to the High Court.
0:07:15 > 0:07:17We've watched the programmes on television.
0:07:17 > 0:07:19So I knew the process existed.
0:07:19 > 0:07:23And now it's down to the sheriffs to collect.
0:07:23 > 0:07:26The sheriffs are my last hope to get the money in order to fix the car.
0:07:31 > 0:07:35Lawrence and Kev are on their way to Wild Stretch Limousines.
0:07:35 > 0:07:37They've got a High Court writ,
0:07:37 > 0:07:40which empowers them to get Simon's money back.
0:07:40 > 0:07:44It turns out, Lawrence isn't normally a limousine kind of guy.
0:07:44 > 0:07:46I've never been in a limousine.
0:07:46 > 0:07:47Long, useless, cumbersome things.
0:07:47 > 0:07:49No appeal to me, to be honest.
0:07:49 > 0:07:51Though today might be different.
0:07:51 > 0:07:54They're worth quite a bit of money, and... HE LAUGHS
0:07:54 > 0:07:57..there might be some there for us to take control of,
0:07:57 > 0:07:59that's the appeal of 'em.
0:07:59 > 0:08:02The sheriffs are approaching the address on their writ.
0:08:02 > 0:08:03There it is.
0:08:03 > 0:08:06And it looks like Lawrence is right about the assets.
0:08:06 > 0:08:09He's got loads of limousines, hasn't he?
0:08:09 > 0:08:12Cars as long as trucks are parked all over the place.
0:08:12 > 0:08:14Looks like he's taken the opportunity to park
0:08:14 > 0:08:17the things everywhere, doesn't it? Anywhere and everywhere.
0:08:17 > 0:08:20He's got a lot of them, ain't there?
0:08:20 > 0:08:24The sheriffs park up and head for the unit named on the writ.
0:08:25 > 0:08:26Cheers, mate.
0:08:29 > 0:08:30Morning.
0:08:30 > 0:08:33Do you work here? Are you the owner, by any chance? No.
0:08:33 > 0:08:35No? Is he in? Not at the moment.
0:08:35 > 0:08:37I'll show you some ID. My name's Mr Grix.
0:08:37 > 0:08:39My colleague and I are enforcement agents.
0:08:39 > 0:08:42We've got a High Court writ to execute against
0:08:42 > 0:08:44Wild Stretch Limousines.
0:08:44 > 0:08:45The man's an employee,
0:08:45 > 0:08:48so gets the boss on the phone and breaks the bad news.
0:08:53 > 0:08:57I don't know. What's it for? The creditor is a Simon Pruce.
0:08:57 > 0:08:59Yeah, yeah, hang on. It's Paul.
0:08:59 > 0:09:03The man on the phone isn't Mr Hunt, but another of the company bosses.
0:09:03 > 0:09:06Lawrence gives him the lowdown.
0:09:06 > 0:09:12We're here today to take control of goods to the value of ?1,982.49.
0:09:12 > 0:09:15So, basically, to prevent that happening, somebody needs to pay in full.
0:09:17 > 0:09:19So, just under two grand.
0:09:19 > 0:09:21The boss asks for more time.
0:09:21 > 0:09:23Lawrence isn't having any of it.
0:09:23 > 0:09:25It needs to be today, sir.
0:09:25 > 0:09:27Unfortunately for you,
0:09:27 > 0:09:29you've got loads of goods here that we can take control of
0:09:29 > 0:09:31to sell to raise the money,
0:09:31 > 0:09:33which is what we're commanded to do by the writ.
0:09:33 > 0:09:37Faced with the threat of removal, the boss offers to pay,
0:09:37 > 0:09:39but only half of the amount owed.
0:09:39 > 0:09:42No, it needs to be all of it, sir.
0:09:42 > 0:09:45No, sorry, sir. Has to be payment in full.
0:09:45 > 0:09:47We're not bailiffs, sir. We're not bailiffs.
0:09:47 > 0:09:50We're here with a High Court writ that commands us to take control
0:09:50 > 0:09:53of goods that can be sold at auction to clear this debt,
0:09:53 > 0:09:56because it wasn't paid when the County Court were dealing with it,
0:09:56 > 0:09:58when the judge ordered it be paid.
0:09:58 > 0:10:00So, it's deemed that...
0:10:00 > 0:10:02It's deemed that you haven't got the money to pay,
0:10:02 > 0:10:05therefore you have to have your goods removed.
0:10:05 > 0:10:07It's got to be payment in full, sir.
0:10:07 > 0:10:09OK.
0:10:10 > 0:10:12All right. Bye-bye.
0:10:12 > 0:10:13Cheers.
0:10:13 > 0:10:16The gentleman, I believe, knows about the debt.
0:10:16 > 0:10:19But he wanted to pay half today and half next week,
0:10:19 > 0:10:21after his money's come in from next weekend.
0:10:21 > 0:10:23But we're only on Tuesday today,
0:10:23 > 0:10:26so he should have his money from last weekend, really.
0:10:26 > 0:10:29You know, when you've got this much money tied up in stretch limousines.
0:10:29 > 0:10:32The boss is apparently now on his way here,
0:10:32 > 0:10:34with a view to making the payment.
0:10:34 > 0:10:37In the meantime, Lawrence and Kev are counting limos.
0:10:37 > 0:10:40Hummers, to be precise.
0:10:40 > 0:10:4212 of 'em. 12 Hummers.
0:10:42 > 0:10:44These limo companies normally have, like, three or four.
0:10:44 > 0:10:47That's loads of money. Absolutely loads of money.
0:10:47 > 0:10:50It turns out Kev has some experience of Hummers,
0:10:50 > 0:10:52after hiring one in Las Vegas.
0:10:52 > 0:10:55We went and saw the Grand Canyon in it.
0:10:55 > 0:10:57But we didn't find the Grand Canyon.
0:10:57 > 0:10:59LAWRENCE LAUGHS
0:10:59 > 0:11:00Got lost.
0:11:00 > 0:11:02Grand Canyon's a long way from Vegas.
0:11:02 > 0:11:05Yeah, we left about midday and never found it. It was dark.
0:11:05 > 0:11:08Dark before we got anywhere near it.
0:11:08 > 0:11:10I was giving directions.
0:11:10 > 0:11:11THEY LAUGH
0:11:11 > 0:11:12That's about right, then.
0:11:14 > 0:11:17The Hummers aren't the only assets here.
0:11:17 > 0:11:19There are plenty of other limos, too.
0:11:19 > 0:11:23Not to mention the flashy motor Kev's just spotted.
0:11:23 > 0:11:25If you have a look at the back of the...
0:11:25 > 0:11:27back of the old garage in here,
0:11:27 > 0:11:30there's a pretty nice Ferrari sitting back there.
0:11:30 > 0:11:31Nice little asset.
0:11:31 > 0:11:34That could only be removed if it belonged to the company,
0:11:34 > 0:11:36which it probably doesn't.
0:11:36 > 0:11:41Still, it's worth bearing in mind, just in case they don't get paid.
0:11:41 > 0:11:44Lawrence is confident, with the boss on his way, that they will.
0:11:44 > 0:11:47If he hasn't got the money to pay in full, I'll be very surprised,
0:11:47 > 0:11:51despite the fact that he was wrangling for half now, half next week.
0:11:51 > 0:11:53There's hundreds of thousands of pounds' worth here,
0:11:53 > 0:11:55if not going into the millions.
0:11:55 > 0:11:58So, we'll just see if he comes up with the money,
0:11:58 > 0:12:00and if he doesn't then we'll...
0:12:00 > 0:12:04we'll start looking at what vehicle we're going to take.
0:12:04 > 0:12:06After a short wait, a car pulls up.
0:12:08 > 0:12:11Only it then turns around and drives off.
0:12:11 > 0:12:15It seems whoever was in it didn't like the look of our camera.
0:12:15 > 0:12:19Soon, the staff member comes out to say that it won't be the boss
0:12:19 > 0:12:21that's making the payment after all.
0:12:21 > 0:12:24Our transport manager's going to pay the bill off his card. OK.
0:12:24 > 0:12:26But he doesn't want the camera up there. OK.
0:12:26 > 0:12:29He's got a card here, has he? Yeah. In here?
0:12:29 > 0:12:32Our transport manager's going to do it off his private card.
0:12:32 > 0:12:34Then, obviously, the owner will pay him back.
0:12:36 > 0:12:39The sheriffs head in to seal the deal.
0:12:39 > 0:12:42All paid and on to the next job.
0:12:42 > 0:12:44Yeah, it's done now.
0:12:44 > 0:12:45So...happy days.
0:12:47 > 0:12:50Happy days, too, for Simon Pruce.
0:12:50 > 0:12:52The great news is that I've just heard from the sheriffs
0:12:52 > 0:12:55that they've been successful in recovering the money
0:12:55 > 0:12:58on the enforcement, and I'm going to receive all of it.
0:12:58 > 0:13:01I feel delighted that it's all over and done with now,
0:13:01 > 0:13:03and I can concentrate on my racing.
0:13:04 > 0:13:09And Simon's got a message for anyone thinking of using the courts.
0:13:09 > 0:13:13I'd advise anybody to go through this process if they need to.
0:13:13 > 0:13:16It isn't complicated and, in this case, it was very successful.
0:13:20 > 0:13:23If you've been ripped off and the person or company responsible
0:13:23 > 0:13:26refuses to pay you back,
0:13:26 > 0:13:29the first step is to make a claim in the County Court.
0:13:29 > 0:13:31It's simple to do this online
0:13:31 > 0:13:34for a small fee, depending on the size of the claim.
0:13:34 > 0:13:38The court will review the evidence, and if it finds in your favour,
0:13:38 > 0:13:40the debtor will be ordered to pay up.
0:13:40 > 0:13:44If they don't, then for a further ?60 the High Court will grant
0:13:44 > 0:13:48a writ, authorising the sheriffs to act on your behalf.
0:13:48 > 0:13:51If they're successful, you get all your money back.
0:13:55 > 0:13:59160 miles away, Sheriff Chris Pearson is in Huddersfield,
0:13:59 > 0:14:02on the road and chasing another unpaid debt.
0:14:03 > 0:14:05We're going to see a company, Kayflex Limited,
0:14:05 > 0:14:10for an amount of ?11,919.52.
0:14:11 > 0:14:13Kayflex Limited is a mattress supplier,
0:14:13 > 0:14:16which hired a sales agent called Karen Saunders.
0:14:16 > 0:14:18When the company terminated the relationship,
0:14:18 > 0:14:21under industry regulations she was due compensation,
0:14:21 > 0:14:24which hasn't been paid.
0:14:24 > 0:14:26She's taken them to court, she's won the case.
0:14:26 > 0:14:31It's been progressed to the High Court and they've asked us to attend today with a writ.
0:14:31 > 0:14:34But when Chris approaches the address he's been given
0:14:34 > 0:14:37for the company, it looks like there could be a problem.
0:14:37 > 0:14:38That's locked.
0:14:38 > 0:14:41It's not clear whether the business is even open.
0:14:41 > 0:14:42So Chris tries their number.
0:14:45 > 0:14:48Hello. I'm stood at the gates looking directly at your factory.
0:14:48 > 0:14:50I can't get in. They're all locked up.
0:14:52 > 0:14:56Someone's in and comes out to speak to him.
0:14:56 > 0:14:57I'm just here to come and speak to
0:14:57 > 0:14:59somebody at Kayflex, if I can, please.
0:14:59 > 0:15:01How do I get round?
0:15:01 > 0:15:05The man seems surprised Chris needs to ask - although there's a padlock
0:15:05 > 0:15:08hanging on the gate, it looks like it was open all along.
0:15:10 > 0:15:13Chris drives through
0:15:13 > 0:15:14and parks up.
0:15:15 > 0:15:20Are you an employee at Kayflex, are you, mate? Yeah. Yeah, it's to do with Karen Saunders.
0:15:20 > 0:15:21Yeah, yeah.
0:15:23 > 0:15:25Shall we go in and sort it out, yeah?
0:15:25 > 0:15:26Thank you very much.
0:15:26 > 0:15:30Chris explains he's come looking for nearly ?12,000.
0:15:30 > 0:15:31Although the man's cooperative,
0:15:31 > 0:15:35he says he doesn't think Chris should be enforcing today.
0:15:37 > 0:15:39Not as far as I'm aware.
0:15:41 > 0:15:42No problem. Yeah.
0:15:42 > 0:15:47The man says the matter's still in legal dispute and tries to get his solicitor on the phone.
0:15:47 > 0:15:50Meanwhile, Chris checks his file.
0:15:50 > 0:15:52Are you Mr Khan, are you, sir? Sorry?
0:15:52 > 0:15:54Are you Mr Khan? No, Iqbal.
0:15:54 > 0:15:56Mr Iqbal, yeah? Yeah.
0:15:57 > 0:16:02Far from being an employee, Mr Iqbal is one of the company directors and
0:16:02 > 0:16:06the file also reveals some unwelcome information about the business.
0:16:06 > 0:16:10They're trying to dissolve the old company, Kayflex Limited,
0:16:10 > 0:16:14and trying to set up a new company, Kayflex UK Limited.
0:16:14 > 0:16:19An application for a voluntary strike-off, a form of liquidation, has been made by the company.
0:16:19 > 0:16:25If it goes through, it will officially no longer exist and Chris won't be able to collect.
0:16:25 > 0:16:27He needs to finish the job today.
0:16:27 > 0:16:29It could be a messy one, this.
0:16:29 > 0:16:31They'll probably try and play for more time.
0:16:31 > 0:16:34Unfortunately, time's ran out today, so we're here to collect.
0:16:34 > 0:16:36A member of staff comes through a security door
0:16:36 > 0:16:39and Chris takes the opportunity to explore.
0:16:40 > 0:16:43There's a large warehouse full of mattress supplies.
0:16:43 > 0:16:45It would take all day to clear the place out
0:16:45 > 0:16:48but Chris has the bargaining chip he needs.
0:16:48 > 0:16:51He can now tell Mr Iqbal that time is up.
0:16:51 > 0:16:53PHONE RINGS
0:16:53 > 0:16:55Can you not?
0:16:55 > 0:16:59OK. Well, somebody needs to pay the outstanding debt, mate.
0:17:01 > 0:17:03Will you just wait in here?
0:17:03 > 0:17:06I appreciate your solicitor's probably dealing with it
0:17:06 > 0:17:07but the writ is still live,
0:17:07 > 0:17:10which means we need to continue with enforcement.
0:17:10 > 0:17:12So if we can't get the debt paid today,
0:17:12 > 0:17:15we need to take control and remove goods from the property.
0:17:18 > 0:17:19No problem.
0:17:19 > 0:17:22The man's off to make another phone call.
0:17:22 > 0:17:23But Chris has made his point.
0:17:23 > 0:17:26When Mr Iqbal comes back, he wants to pay up.
0:17:28 > 0:17:29Yeah.
0:17:29 > 0:17:33Do a bank transfer. That's fine, yeah.
0:17:33 > 0:17:35I'll give you the details. No problem.
0:17:38 > 0:17:42Mr Iqbal has had enough of being filmed and asks us to leave.
0:17:43 > 0:17:4620 minutes later, Chris is out, too.
0:17:46 > 0:17:49He decided quite easily, to be honest, to pay in full -
0:17:49 > 0:17:50clear the debt off
0:17:50 > 0:17:54and then speak to his solicitor at a later date.
0:17:54 > 0:17:57Kayflex Limited did go back to court to challenge the judgment
0:17:57 > 0:18:00but their application was dismissed.
0:18:00 > 0:18:06After a long legal fight, the sales agent Karen Saunders has finally got the money she was owed.
0:18:08 > 0:18:11Sheriffs are now officially known as High Court enforcement agents
0:18:11 > 0:18:14and they'll collect the money you're owed.
0:18:14 > 0:18:17My job is to collect in full or remove goods.
0:18:17 > 0:18:20They've got more powers of entry than bailiffs.
0:18:20 > 0:18:23We don't have to take any notice of your security protocol, I'm afraid.
0:18:23 > 0:18:26And there's no limit on the size of the debts they can pursue.
0:18:26 > 0:18:28?1.6 million.
0:18:28 > 0:18:30Their fees are set by the Government,
0:18:30 > 0:18:34which debtors have to pay on top of what they already owe.
0:18:34 > 0:18:37Thank you very much. See you later.
0:18:37 > 0:18:39If the sheriffs can't recover any of your money,
0:18:39 > 0:18:41there's a fee of ?75, plus VAT.
0:18:50 > 0:18:53It's half past 12, and on the orders of the court,
0:18:53 > 0:18:56Lawrence and Kev are on their way to collect another unpaid debt.
0:18:58 > 0:19:01We're in London, going up to NW10.
0:19:01 > 0:19:04We're going to go and find Supreme London Limited.
0:19:04 > 0:19:10They owe ?13,869.
0:19:10 > 0:19:11So, big debt on this one.
0:19:15 > 0:19:19The address on the writ leads them to a trading estate.
0:19:19 > 0:19:21Is it in here? Is this where we're going? Yeah. Down here.
0:19:21 > 0:19:2311 and 12, Supreme.
0:19:23 > 0:19:27There's a sign on the wall, but no clue as to what goes on inside.
0:19:27 > 0:19:32For Lawrence, forewarned is forearmed, and he checks the file.
0:19:32 > 0:19:35Involved in the sale of textiles, clothing, fur, footwear
0:19:35 > 0:19:37and leather goods.
0:19:37 > 0:19:40Manufacture, importing and distribution of eco-friendly bags.
0:19:40 > 0:19:42It's not my bag.
0:19:43 > 0:19:48The unit door is locked. Lawrence rings the bell.
0:19:48 > 0:19:51Hello, the Supreme London Limited?
0:19:51 > 0:19:54My name's Mr Grix, my colleague and I are enforcement agents.
0:19:54 > 0:19:57We need to speak to somebody about a High Court writ.
0:19:57 > 0:19:59OK.
0:19:59 > 0:20:01The sheriffs are asked to wait.
0:20:01 > 0:20:04Lawrence has already got a feeling about this job.
0:20:04 > 0:20:08Always suspicious of businesses that don't have an open door.
0:20:08 > 0:20:10Yeah.
0:20:10 > 0:20:15He might be right. As five minutes later, no-one's let them in.
0:20:15 > 0:20:18Becoming of the opinion that there's nobody rushing down to see us.
0:20:18 > 0:20:22Lawrence doesn't take kindly to being made to hang around.
0:20:24 > 0:20:28He's got the Supreme London office phone number in the file.
0:20:28 > 0:20:31Good afternoon, my name's Mr Grix, I'm an enforcement agent.
0:20:31 > 0:20:34I've just buzzed up outside about five minutes ago and spoke to
0:20:34 > 0:20:38a young man, who I believe was going to try and contact somebody.
0:20:38 > 0:20:40Nobody's come to speak to us at the door yet.
0:20:40 > 0:20:44I have a High Court writ to execute against Supreme London Limited.
0:20:44 > 0:20:47Somebody needs to come to the door and speak to me now,
0:20:47 > 0:20:50because I have the power to force entry to commercial premises.
0:20:50 > 0:20:53I know somebody's in there. If nobody comes out and speaks to me,
0:20:53 > 0:20:57I will be getting a locksmith and I will effect entry into the building.
0:20:57 > 0:21:00No, I won't be waiting out here that long.
0:21:00 > 0:21:02Apparently they're on the phone to directors,
0:21:02 > 0:21:04and somebody will call me in about ten or 15 minutes.
0:21:04 > 0:21:06I'm not happy about that.
0:21:06 > 0:21:09Debtors don't always know the sheriffs will let themselves in
0:21:09 > 0:21:10if need be.
0:21:10 > 0:21:13It's a powerful bargaining tool against anyone who hopes
0:21:13 > 0:21:16they might just go away if ignored.
0:21:16 > 0:21:20We've confirmed that the company we're looking for is here, and there
0:21:20 > 0:21:23are people from that company inside, and they're not coming to the door.
0:21:23 > 0:21:26So, if necessary, I will call out a locksmith
0:21:26 > 0:21:28and we'll force entry to the building.
0:21:28 > 0:21:33This time, however, his threat seems to have fallen on deaf ears.
0:21:33 > 0:21:35Then, just when it's looking like they really might need to
0:21:35 > 0:21:37force the door...
0:21:37 > 0:21:40an employee has arrived.
0:21:40 > 0:21:41How are you doing, mate?
0:21:41 > 0:21:43All right, buddy.
0:21:43 > 0:21:45And Lawrence and Kev follow him in.
0:21:49 > 0:21:52They head upstairs to Supreme London's office, which is
0:21:52 > 0:21:57a vast improvement on what Kev had expected.
0:21:57 > 0:21:58Different to the outside.
0:21:58 > 0:22:01The outside looks pretty run-down and not much is going on, but...
0:22:01 > 0:22:04yeah, it's all happening up here.
0:22:04 > 0:22:07A note pinned to the wall gives a hint of why they've had
0:22:07 > 0:22:09so much trouble getting in the door.
0:22:10 > 0:22:13But even now he's appeared unannounced in their office,
0:22:13 > 0:22:16Lawrence is struggling to get anyone's attention.
0:22:18 > 0:22:21Sorry, who is it that's actually in charge?
0:22:24 > 0:22:27So, who's in charge?
0:22:27 > 0:22:29Somebody must be in charge at the moment.
0:22:33 > 0:22:36None of the people present seem sure what to do.
0:22:40 > 0:22:43So there's no managers here at all?
0:22:43 > 0:22:46Right, so who's been trying to contact the director on the phone?
0:22:46 > 0:22:49Who did I speak to from outside on the intercom?
0:22:56 > 0:22:59But someone does get the company director on the phone.
0:23:05 > 0:23:06Hello?
0:23:06 > 0:23:09Lawrence is hoping that finally the message will sink in.
0:23:09 > 0:23:13I have a High Court writ of control, which orders me to come
0:23:13 > 0:23:16here today and take control of goods to the value of
0:23:16 > 0:23:19?13,869.92,
0:23:19 > 0:23:23goods that can be sold at auction to clear this debt.
0:23:23 > 0:23:26But even he doesn't seem to understand the importance of the writ.
0:23:26 > 0:23:28No, I don't want to come back at all.
0:23:28 > 0:23:30I will be executing the writ today.
0:23:30 > 0:23:33The only way to prevent further action is to pay in full.
0:23:33 > 0:23:36The man doesn't want to come to the office.
0:23:36 > 0:23:40You don't have to be here to pay, you can log on to your bank
0:23:40 > 0:23:42and pay by online transfer...or...
0:23:45 > 0:23:47He doesn't want to do that either.
0:23:47 > 0:23:48OK, then.
0:23:48 > 0:23:52OK, I will carry on executing the writ and call some lorries. OK.
0:23:52 > 0:23:54I'll take things. Thank you, bye-bye.
0:23:56 > 0:23:58Not going to pay.
0:23:58 > 0:24:02Having been locked outside the front door and kept waiting by the staff
0:24:02 > 0:24:05in the office, Lawrence isn't in the mood to waste any more time,
0:24:05 > 0:24:08and gets straight on the phone.
0:24:08 > 0:24:12Can you see if Rob's available with his 7.5-tonner with the tail lift, please?
0:24:12 > 0:24:17Kev, meanwhile, is on the hunt for goods they could remove.
0:24:17 > 0:24:20Unfortunately, there's not a great deal of assets here.
0:24:20 > 0:24:23There's a lot going on in the office and a lot of computers and
0:24:23 > 0:24:27sort of furniture, but value-wise it's not particularly great.
0:24:27 > 0:24:31Removal isn't ideal, so Kev tries to make the staff realise
0:24:31 > 0:24:36they really do mean business, in the hope the director will reconsider.
0:24:36 > 0:24:41Everything you see will be gone. From stock to this, everything.
0:24:41 > 0:24:42Literally, I mean,
0:24:42 > 0:24:46the whole place will be cleaned out for the amount it is.
0:24:46 > 0:24:49Yeah, yeah. Yeah, right now.
0:24:49 > 0:24:52Lawrence adds his weight to the argument.
0:24:52 > 0:24:54Is anybody here capable of backing up the computers?
0:24:54 > 0:24:56Because I'm going to start unplugging them.
0:24:56 > 0:24:58Because we're going to have to take them,
0:24:58 > 0:25:01because your boss isn't going to pay this.
0:25:02 > 0:25:07With over 13,000 owed, they really will need to remove everything.
0:25:07 > 0:25:10It's not the sheriffs' intent to stop a business trading,
0:25:10 > 0:25:13but sometimes there's no other option.
0:25:14 > 0:25:18If it's...if it's all the company has got,
0:25:18 > 0:25:20and they're not willing to pay,
0:25:20 > 0:25:22then you have to take what they have got.
0:25:22 > 0:25:25And if it shuts them down, it shuts them down.
0:25:25 > 0:25:27He was quite adamant he wasn't going to pay,
0:25:27 > 0:25:28so you have to do what you have to do.
0:25:28 > 0:25:32Removal of office goods is the last resort for the sheriffs,
0:25:32 > 0:25:34and the worst option for a debtor.
0:25:34 > 0:25:38On top of their low value, they are bulky and expensive to remove
0:25:38 > 0:25:39and will cost far more to replace
0:25:39 > 0:25:42than they will ever sell for at auction.
0:25:44 > 0:25:48Lawrence's growing pile by the doorway seems to have finally
0:25:48 > 0:25:49had the effect he wanted.
0:25:50 > 0:25:54Yeah, so we've been told there's a director on his way down now,
0:25:54 > 0:25:56not far away.
0:25:56 > 0:25:59But this belated move doesn't put him off his stride.
0:26:02 > 0:26:04No, we're going to carry on to save time.
0:26:04 > 0:26:06He said on the phone he wasn't going to pay,
0:26:06 > 0:26:10so I'm not stopping what I'm doing just because he's turning up.
0:26:10 > 0:26:12If he turns up and deals with it properly
0:26:12 > 0:26:16then obviously there'll be no need for us to remove.
0:26:16 > 0:26:18Moments later, the director arrives.
0:26:19 > 0:26:23Are you the gentleman I spoke to on the phone?
0:26:23 > 0:26:24My name's Mr Grix.
0:26:25 > 0:26:27Where are we going to, sir?
0:26:29 > 0:26:30All right.
0:26:30 > 0:26:33Lawrence is led into a meeting room,
0:26:33 > 0:26:35while our cameraman's asked to wait outside.
0:26:38 > 0:26:41The director seems to now realise that the removal of the entire
0:26:41 > 0:26:44contents of his office really is imminent
0:26:44 > 0:26:47and that he'll need to find some money today to prevent it.
0:26:49 > 0:26:5245 minutes later, the sheriffs reappear.
0:26:53 > 0:26:55Despite keeping him waiting,
0:26:55 > 0:26:58the director's managed to appease Lawrence.
0:26:58 > 0:27:00As it happens, he was quite a nice chap.
0:27:00 > 0:27:04Erm, there's photos of him with David Cameron,
0:27:04 > 0:27:06Prince Charles, the Queen.
0:27:06 > 0:27:10So obviously, he's quite a well-to-do businessman
0:27:10 > 0:27:13who mixes in the right circles.
0:27:13 > 0:27:15He might have famous friends
0:27:15 > 0:27:20but he didn't have the full ?13,869 that the sheriffs came for.
0:27:21 > 0:27:24He did manage to pay us ?3,300,
0:27:24 > 0:27:29and he's got money clearing into his account tomorrow, which he's going
0:27:29 > 0:27:32to do by BACS over to us, so we'll have the balance by Friday.
0:27:32 > 0:27:36I think he'll probably do it.
0:27:36 > 0:27:41But either way, the ?3,300 we got was more than the value of anything in there.
0:27:41 > 0:27:46It was fairly old computers, which go for nothing at auction,
0:27:46 > 0:27:49and other than that there really wasn't much at all.
0:27:49 > 0:27:50Bits and pieces of furniture,
0:27:50 > 0:27:54but it certainly wouldn't have raised ?3,300 at auction.
0:27:54 > 0:27:57Plus you'd have had the costs of removing it, et cetera, et cetera.
0:27:57 > 0:28:00So it was best today just to get a controlled goods agreement,
0:28:00 > 0:28:03get a partial payment and wait for the balance to come in on Friday.
0:28:06 > 0:28:10In the end, it's a good result in difficult circumstances.
0:28:10 > 0:28:12Supreme London Limited later cleared the balance
0:28:12 > 0:28:15and the claimant has got their money back.