0:00:02 > 0:00:05- Meet the sheriffs. - My name's Mr Grix, my colleague and I are enforcement agents.
0:00:05 > 0:00:06It's to do with a High Court order.
0:00:06 > 0:00:08They work for the High Court.
0:00:08 > 0:00:12And if it says you're owed money, it's their job to go and get it.
0:00:12 > 0:00:16I'm here for £6,072.18.
0:00:16 > 0:00:18They can demand payment on the spot...
0:00:18 > 0:00:20I'm here for the full balance.
0:00:20 > 0:00:24- How're you going to pay it? - ..or remove assets instead.
0:00:24 > 0:00:26The car will be going unless you can pay it.
0:00:26 > 0:00:30You'll have a week to pay in full before it gets sold at auction.
0:00:30 > 0:00:33Obstructing their work can be a criminal offence.
0:00:33 > 0:00:35I wouldn't do that if I were you.
0:00:35 > 0:00:37The door needs to stay open.
0:00:38 > 0:00:40Every year in England and Wales,
0:00:40 > 0:00:45unpaid debts totalling more than £80 million are recovered by the sheriffs.
0:00:48 > 0:00:55Coming up - Rob Gallon took his car in for a repair and hasn't seen it since.
0:00:55 > 0:00:56The car's very important.
0:00:56 > 0:00:59It's a big part of my life, it's a hell of a big part of my life.
0:00:59 > 0:01:02He's now owed thousands of pounds.
0:01:02 > 0:01:05But will the sheriffs be able to get it?
0:01:05 > 0:01:07- Can you keep it shut, please? - I've got every legal right.
0:01:07 > 0:01:10- Diligent search, they call it. - No, you can't.- Yes, I can.
0:01:10 > 0:01:15Lawrence puts the squeeze on a finance company which hasn't paid its rent.
0:01:15 > 0:01:19You had a turnover, last time you submitted books of 1.8 million,
0:01:19 > 0:01:22so I can't believe that you can't come up with £16,000.
0:01:22 > 0:01:26An airline hasn't paid compensation it owes to a passenger.
0:01:26 > 0:01:30His family were each entitled to 600 euros but, unfortunately, there was
0:01:30 > 0:01:32no response.
0:01:32 > 0:01:34Now the sheriffs are on the case.
0:01:35 > 0:01:37Are you going to come and open the door?
0:01:37 > 0:01:41And Ken tells a shop fitters it's time to pay.
0:01:41 > 0:01:45If you consider this a game of poker, this person is holding all the aces.
0:01:50 > 0:01:55Today, sheriff Craig Wild is flying solo without his trusted partner,
0:01:55 > 0:01:59Tommy Coyle. He's going to visit the director of a car garage,
0:01:59 > 0:02:02specialising in engine refurbishments.
0:02:02 > 0:02:06We're off to go and see Nitin Kareer
0:02:06 > 0:02:12in the centre of Birmingham. It's to do with a car, just over £6,000.
0:02:12 > 0:02:18It all stems from a dispute over the repair of a 4x4, a Mitsubishi L200
0:02:18 > 0:02:23owned by Rob Gallon, who needs an off-road vehicle for work.
0:02:23 > 0:02:26Good boy. We install water mains and water services,
0:02:26 > 0:02:29it's a family-run business
0:02:29 > 0:02:34and it does require going off onto sites where I have to go off road,
0:02:34 > 0:02:38across fields. My personal life, I do some shooting,
0:02:38 > 0:02:41so the Mitsubishi L200 was absolutely perfect.
0:02:41 > 0:02:44But when the turbo failed, causing piston damage,
0:02:44 > 0:02:49Rob decided to get the engine replaced and started looking for a garage to
0:02:49 > 0:02:52- do the work.- Quality Engine Services from Birmingham,
0:02:52 > 0:02:55sounded like a company that knew what they were doing.
0:02:55 > 0:03:00I did explain to the guy that I would prefer another engine in the
0:03:00 > 0:03:02car and not to rebuild the one that I've got.
0:03:02 > 0:03:07And he convinced me that he was the one to put this car right.
0:03:07 > 0:03:10The man he dealt with called himself Nick.
0:03:10 > 0:03:15A week later, the repair was complete and Rob went to take a look.
0:03:15 > 0:03:17Started it up and it didn't sound right.
0:03:17 > 0:03:20And he said, "Oh, it just needs running in."
0:03:20 > 0:03:23Anyway, I drove the car home down the motorway,
0:03:23 > 0:03:28half a mile away from home it broke down and spilt all the oil all over the road.
0:03:28 > 0:03:32After handing over £2,000, Rob wasn't best pleased,
0:03:32 > 0:03:36especially when he inspected the engine and found it was still the
0:03:36 > 0:03:41same one. Nick was apologetic and took the car back for a second time.
0:03:41 > 0:03:45The car, again, was supposed to be in the garage for no more than seven days.
0:03:46 > 0:03:51I contacted Nick after nine days and he said they were having a few
0:03:51 > 0:03:54problems with a few of the belts and the auxiliaries,
0:03:54 > 0:03:56it should be ready for the weekend.
0:03:58 > 0:04:02I rang again at the weekend and it was Monday it was going to be finished,
0:04:02 > 0:04:06and then I rang on Monday and it would be Wednesday, and it just continued
0:04:06 > 0:04:07on and on and on.
0:04:08 > 0:04:13For weeks, Rob chased it up, but still no car.
0:04:13 > 0:04:15He told me that he wasn't the big boss,
0:04:15 > 0:04:18that he'd have to speak to the big boss to get things sorted.
0:04:19 > 0:04:22He gave me three different names, with three different numbers,
0:04:22 > 0:04:26which, speaking to him on the phone, I know is the same guy,
0:04:26 > 0:04:27I know it's this Nick.
0:04:27 > 0:04:30But some of Nick's reasons for the delay were difficult to
0:04:30 > 0:04:32argue with.
0:04:32 > 0:04:34He can't do anything for me at the minute because his wife had
0:04:34 > 0:04:39died over the last two weeks and that's why the car hadn't been
0:04:39 > 0:04:41delivered back.
0:04:41 > 0:04:43So Rob gave him some time.
0:04:43 > 0:04:45But as weeks became months,
0:04:45 > 0:04:49he got increasingly worried he was never going to get the car back.
0:04:49 > 0:04:53And it wasn't just about the money. It also had sentimental value.
0:04:54 > 0:04:59I owned a Mitsubishi L200 prior to this one that I had
0:04:59 > 0:05:04an accident in, in 2008, and it saved my life.
0:05:04 > 0:05:07If I was in any other vehicle, I wouldn't be here today.
0:05:07 > 0:05:11And I didn't drive from 2008 to 2012,
0:05:11 > 0:05:15and my wife went and bought me this L200 to get me back out on the road,
0:05:15 > 0:05:19get me driving again. So the car is very important.
0:05:19 > 0:05:22It's a big part of my life, it's a hell of a big part of my life.
0:05:22 > 0:05:24That was the vehicle that got me back on track,
0:05:24 > 0:05:26it started getting our life back together.
0:05:26 > 0:05:30As Rob's hopes of ever seeing his beloved car again faded,
0:05:30 > 0:05:32he began to get desperate.
0:05:32 > 0:05:37I contacted Staffordshire Police and West Midlands Police a number of
0:05:37 > 0:05:40times to see if they would accompany me to the garage in Birmingham,
0:05:40 > 0:05:43so as I could recover my vehicle.
0:05:43 > 0:05:46At this point I was told by the police there was nothing they can do
0:05:46 > 0:05:49because this is a civil matter,
0:05:49 > 0:05:53and unless Nick hands over the keys to that
0:05:53 > 0:05:57car, I legally cannot take that car out of that garage, or else I'll be
0:05:57 > 0:05:59charged with theft.
0:05:59 > 0:06:03Eventually, the garage offered to sell his car on and Rob reluctantly agreed,
0:06:03 > 0:06:06thinking it was the only way out.
0:06:06 > 0:06:07But he never received any money,
0:06:07 > 0:06:12apart from a refund of the £2,000 he'd already spent on the repair.
0:06:13 > 0:06:16His bank statement revealed the money came from
0:06:16 > 0:06:18Rocco Motor Solutions Limited.
0:06:18 > 0:06:21Presuming this to be the company behind the trading name
0:06:21 > 0:06:22Quality Engine Services,
0:06:22 > 0:06:27Rob took its director, Nitin Kareer, to court for the value of the car.
0:06:27 > 0:06:31My initial thoughts were, "I can't wait to get this guy in court," but
0:06:31 > 0:06:35that never happened because he never responded to any letter or any
0:06:35 > 0:06:38correspondence from the courts at all.
0:06:38 > 0:06:43Rob was awarded a County Court judgment in his favour by default,
0:06:43 > 0:06:48and when Mr Kareer didn't pay it, put the matter in the hands of the sheriffs.
0:06:48 > 0:06:49They're most certainly my last hope.
0:06:49 > 0:06:55I don't think there's any other way that I can get this sorted.
0:06:55 > 0:06:57I don't know any other way that I can get it resolved.
0:06:57 > 0:07:01At the end of the day, you need back what's yours.
0:07:02 > 0:07:05I work hard to make that sort of money,
0:07:05 > 0:07:07it's not that I can just give it away.
0:07:14 > 0:07:17In Birmingham, Craig is approaching the garage.
0:07:17 > 0:07:23He's hopeful there'll be plenty of assets that can be removed if payment isn't forthcoming.
0:07:23 > 0:07:25There's going to be sort of other vehicles or,
0:07:25 > 0:07:29you know, lifts or mechanical tools of that nature.
0:07:33 > 0:07:34There it is, over there.
0:07:36 > 0:07:39Craig parks up opposite the premises and checks the paperwork.
0:07:41 > 0:07:44A potential pitfall catches his eye.
0:07:44 > 0:07:49The claimant has actually sued the actual individual, as opposed to a
0:07:49 > 0:07:53limited company, so if he does trade from here as a limited company,
0:07:53 > 0:07:56and he can provide evidence of that, then we're a bit stuffed.
0:07:56 > 0:07:58We'll go and find out now.
0:07:58 > 0:08:03There's no name above the door and no mention of Quality Engine Services.
0:08:03 > 0:08:05But that's no concern to Craig.
0:08:05 > 0:08:09There's only one name on his writ, a Mr Nitin Kareer,
0:08:09 > 0:08:11and that's who he needs to find.
0:08:11 > 0:08:13Hello. Is the boss about?
0:08:14 > 0:08:16Can he be contacted at all?
0:08:19 > 0:08:21Is it a Nitin Kareer or something?
0:08:23 > 0:08:26If you can get him on the phone, mate, I'll have a chat with him.
0:08:26 > 0:08:28I'm Mr Wild from the High Court.
0:08:29 > 0:08:32While the staff member goes off to phone the boss,
0:08:32 > 0:08:36Craig is pleased to have verification that this is indeed the
0:08:36 > 0:08:40- debtor's business.- He's confirmed that our guy is the boss.
0:08:41 > 0:08:44It just depends what, who owns the assets here,
0:08:44 > 0:08:48whether it's him personally or whether it's a limited company.
0:08:48 > 0:08:50- We'll see how it goes. - A few minutes later,
0:08:50 > 0:08:53the man returns and says the boss is on his way.
0:08:53 > 0:08:56- He's coming down. - Oh, he's coming down.
0:08:56 > 0:08:58Yeah, yeah, absolutely, yeah, yeah.
0:08:59 > 0:09:03There's so far no indication of whether Mr Kareer is planning to
0:09:03 > 0:09:08pay, but if he isn't, then Craig's best hope of persuading him to do so
0:09:08 > 0:09:11will be threatening to remove his assets.
0:09:11 > 0:09:14The problem is, anything here owned by his company, rather than by him
0:09:14 > 0:09:17personally, would be off limits.
0:09:17 > 0:09:21So while he waits for him to arrive, Craig turns detective.
0:09:21 > 0:09:23I'm still going to try and look around the place,
0:09:23 > 0:09:27try and get some evidence that our guy, as an individual, trades from
0:09:27 > 0:09:30here, as opposed to his company.
0:09:30 > 0:09:34And it doesn't take long before he stumbles across something of interest.
0:09:34 > 0:09:37Not one, not two, not three,
0:09:37 > 0:09:41not four, not five, not six,
0:09:41 > 0:09:43but seven,
0:09:43 > 0:09:45seven penalty charge notices.
0:09:45 > 0:09:50The evidence seems to suggest the director is not keen to pay his debts.
0:09:50 > 0:09:53Worse still, as Craig carries on searching,
0:09:53 > 0:09:56he discovers exactly what he was afraid of.
0:09:56 > 0:09:59I've located some of the invoices that they used for recent sort of
0:09:59 > 0:10:02parts and it's all in the name of his limited company.
0:10:04 > 0:10:06So, unfortunately, it's looking like our
0:10:06 > 0:10:12guy trades under a limited company here, so not as an individual.
0:10:12 > 0:10:13It's bad news for Craig,
0:10:13 > 0:10:17as it looks like he'll need to persuade the debtor to pay up
0:10:17 > 0:10:20without having any leverage to negotiate with.
0:10:20 > 0:10:23Mr Kareer hasn't shown up yet either, and soon,
0:10:23 > 0:10:26one of the mechanics hands Craig a phone.
0:10:26 > 0:10:28Who's this? Nitin, yeah?
0:10:30 > 0:10:32Yash?
0:10:32 > 0:10:35I'm trying to get in contact with Nitin.
0:10:35 > 0:10:37It's an outstanding High Court writ.
0:10:37 > 0:10:40It's not Mr Kareer on the phone,
0:10:40 > 0:10:44so Craig can't go into the case details unless they are authorised
0:10:44 > 0:10:46by the defendant to do so.
0:10:46 > 0:10:49Craig emphasises that someone, preferably Mr Nitin,
0:10:49 > 0:10:52needs to come to the garage to sort it out.
0:10:53 > 0:10:55And soon, a man arrives.
0:10:55 > 0:10:58- Can you come outside?- I'm not coming outside, I'm waiting here,
0:10:58 > 0:11:01- I'll have a discussion with you in the office, yeah.- Yeah, come inside my office.- Yeah, yeah.
0:11:01 > 0:11:04- What's up, mate?- I don't know, mate. I'll find out.
0:11:06 > 0:11:08- And what relation are you to Nitin? - I'm his friend.- You're his friend?
0:11:08 > 0:11:11- Yeah.- Right. My name's Mr Wild.
0:11:11 > 0:11:13Have you been sent down to sort this situation out?
0:11:13 > 0:11:16- Which situation? - Well, the one they phoned you about.
0:11:16 > 0:11:22- What?- I'm here under a High Court writ for a balance outstanding of £6,072.18.
0:11:22 > 0:11:26- The claimant is a Mr Robert Gallon. - Oh, he's took us to court?
0:11:26 > 0:11:28- That's right.- I don't know nothing about it.
0:11:28 > 0:11:31I have overtook from Nitin, and we are going to only just do parts,
0:11:31 > 0:11:34- we've got nothing else to do. - Right.- Or anything like that.
0:11:34 > 0:11:39Despite a staff member telling Craig that Nitin Kareer was the boss,
0:11:39 > 0:11:44this man is claiming he's in charge and Nitin no longer works here.
0:11:44 > 0:11:47If so, then Craig will have difficulty enforcing the debt.
0:11:47 > 0:11:52But later, he finds more clues which cast doubt on the man's story.
0:11:52 > 0:11:55I've got invoices proving that he's trading from here.
0:11:55 > 0:11:57I'll always try and help people out.
0:11:57 > 0:12:00But what I don't like being is being mugged off, do you know what I mean?
0:12:08 > 0:12:11Using the County Courts to try to recover money you're owed isn't
0:12:11 > 0:12:13difficult.
0:12:13 > 0:12:16One and a half million money claims are made every year in
0:12:16 > 0:12:19England and Wales, involving anything from faulty goods or poor
0:12:19 > 0:12:21workmanship, to unpaid invoices.
0:12:23 > 0:12:27Claims can be filed by post or online for a small fee.
0:12:27 > 0:12:31Both parties in the case will be asked to submit evidence, and you
0:12:31 > 0:12:34may have to attend a court hearing. If you're successful,
0:12:34 > 0:12:39a County Court judgment, or CCJ, will be issued against the debtor.
0:12:39 > 0:12:42And if they still don't pay, that's when you call the sheriffs.
0:12:47 > 0:12:50In the capital, Lawrence and Kev are slogging through the mid-morning
0:12:50 > 0:12:54traffic on their way to collect another unpaid debt.
0:12:54 > 0:12:57We're in central London actually, just near Earls Court.
0:12:57 > 0:13:00We're going to Berkeley Credit & Guarantee Limited.
0:13:00 > 0:13:03I think it's some sort of finance company.
0:13:03 > 0:13:07They owe £16,251.
0:13:11 > 0:13:14Berkeley Credit & Guarantee Limited was taken to court by their landlord
0:13:14 > 0:13:17for unpaid rent.
0:13:17 > 0:13:21The company defended the case in court, but lost and was ordered to
0:13:21 > 0:13:23pay their debt plus costs.
0:13:23 > 0:13:26Six months later, it still hasn't done so.
0:13:26 > 0:13:29Now it's down to the sheriffs to collect.
0:13:29 > 0:13:30It's tough one to call, this.
0:13:30 > 0:13:32It's going to be an office, we're in the middle of London.
0:13:32 > 0:13:36At a guess, you'd say they're not going to have too many assets.
0:13:36 > 0:13:39It's quite a lot of money we're after as well, but...
0:13:39 > 0:13:42ever hopeful.
0:13:42 > 0:13:43There it is, there.
0:13:43 > 0:13:47- Yeah.- It looks like one of these money express places.
0:13:47 > 0:13:50Well, at least there should be some cash on site.
0:13:50 > 0:13:54Whether it'll stretch to £16,000 is another matter.
0:13:54 > 0:13:56The sheriffs are about to find out.
0:14:05 > 0:14:08Morning, I'm looking for Berkeley Credit & Guarantee Limited.
0:14:10 > 0:14:12Berkeley Credit & Guarantee Limited.
0:14:12 > 0:14:16Bizarrely, despite branding everywhere which suggests they're in the right
0:14:16 > 0:14:20place, the cashier says that's not who he works for.
0:14:20 > 0:14:22Is there anyone here from them, then?
0:14:22 > 0:14:25No? This is their registered office.
0:14:25 > 0:14:28The man thinks it isn't, so Lawrence sets him straight.
0:14:28 > 0:14:30There you are, it says so on this door.
0:14:30 > 0:14:32It says there on the door.
0:14:33 > 0:14:35It does.
0:14:35 > 0:14:37So, have you got contact with them upstairs?
0:14:37 > 0:14:39There's no buzzer, no intercom?
0:14:39 > 0:14:42LOUD KNOCKING
0:14:42 > 0:14:47The cashier doesn't seem to know very much, but there is one thing he's sure of.
0:14:47 > 0:14:49- There's no-one there?- There's nobody there.
0:14:49 > 0:14:52How do you know? You've never seen it open.
0:14:52 > 0:14:55What time do you get here in the morning?
0:14:55 > 0:14:589:30, yeah. What time do you leave?
0:14:58 > 0:15:015:30. And you've never seen anybody come in or out the door?
0:15:01 > 0:15:06They are getting some answers at last, even if they're not very useful.
0:15:06 > 0:15:08Lawrence tries a different tack.
0:15:08 > 0:15:10I've got a number on the file...
0:15:11 > 0:15:14..so I'm going to give it a ring.
0:15:14 > 0:15:16See if it goes through to them.
0:15:16 > 0:15:19But that doesn't get him anywhere either.
0:15:19 > 0:15:22Sounds like it's a non-existent number.
0:15:22 > 0:15:24Do you want to just go and ask them next-door for us, mate?
0:15:26 > 0:15:28No, it's not looking good at the moment.
0:15:28 > 0:15:30This chap says he's only been here two months,
0:15:30 > 0:15:33but in all that time, he's never seen anybody in or out of the offices.
0:15:33 > 0:15:36I don't want to go through the rigmarole at the moment of calling
0:15:36 > 0:15:41out a locksmith and potentially forcing entry without making contact.
0:15:41 > 0:15:44As you look through the door, you can just see a mop and a bucket,
0:15:44 > 0:15:46and I very much doubt we'd actually find anything here.
0:15:46 > 0:15:49So if Kev comes back with a negative as well, I'll just leave paperwork,
0:15:49 > 0:15:53I'll just slide it under the door and we'll see what happens.
0:15:53 > 0:15:57But in fact, Kev comes back with a new lead.
0:15:57 > 0:15:59Give this number a ring, Lawrence.
0:15:59 > 0:16:01- Oh, you've got another number.- Yeah.
0:16:01 > 0:16:04This woman should be something to do with them, apparently.
0:16:06 > 0:16:08Hello there. My name's Mr Grix, I'm an enforcement agent.
0:16:08 > 0:16:11I'm looking for Berkeley Credit & Guarantee Limited.
0:16:11 > 0:16:13I've been told, been given your number.
0:16:14 > 0:16:17He is indeed through to someone who works for the debtor.
0:16:17 > 0:16:21So, what are you to do with the company?
0:16:21 > 0:16:22You're an administrator.
0:16:22 > 0:16:26Right, well, I'm basically here with a High Court writ,
0:16:26 > 0:16:29which orders me to take control of the goods of the company which can
0:16:29 > 0:16:30be sold at auction to clear a debt.
0:16:32 > 0:16:38The total outstanding at the moment is £16,251.96.
0:16:38 > 0:16:40And as this is commercial premises,
0:16:40 > 0:16:43I can force entry with a locksmith if necessary...
0:16:44 > 0:16:47..to search for company assets and remove them.
0:16:47 > 0:16:51The administrator says she'll need to talk to someone else, so Lawrence
0:16:51 > 0:16:54makes sure she understands the urgency of the situation.
0:16:54 > 0:16:57They need to ring me back within the next ten minutes or I'll be getting
0:16:57 > 0:16:59a locksmith and forcing entry.
0:16:59 > 0:17:01It seems to do the trick.
0:17:01 > 0:17:04Yeah, if somebody wants to come here and pay in cash, yes, that's fine.
0:17:06 > 0:17:07Right, bye-bye.
0:17:09 > 0:17:11She's asked for half an hour to get it sorted.
0:17:13 > 0:17:14So, who knows?
0:17:16 > 0:17:18From what had seemed like a bit of a dead-end,
0:17:18 > 0:17:20suddenly this job's looking up.
0:17:20 > 0:17:24A few minutes later, the cashier beckons Lawrence over.
0:17:24 > 0:17:28A call from head office and...
0:17:28 > 0:17:30have your number, please?
0:17:30 > 0:17:32Who's head office is this, yours?
0:17:32 > 0:17:35Or the company I'm looking for?
0:17:35 > 0:17:39Once again, communication is difficult.
0:17:39 > 0:17:42Oh, whatever. I don't know why you don't speak into that microphone, I might be able to hear you.
0:17:42 > 0:17:46One way or another, though, head office does get through.
0:17:46 > 0:17:48MOBILE RINGS
0:17:48 > 0:17:50Hello, Mr Grix speaking.
0:17:52 > 0:17:55Hello there. No, it needs to be full payment,
0:17:55 > 0:17:58I can't believe that a company such as yourselves can't rustle up £16,000,
0:17:58 > 0:18:00to be honest.
0:18:01 > 0:18:05Well, you had a turnover, last time you submitted books, of £1.8 million.
0:18:06 > 0:18:09So I can't believe that you can't come up with £16,000.
0:18:09 > 0:18:12I know what you're saying, it's short notice, but it's not short notice
0:18:12 > 0:18:15because it's been all through the County Court.
0:18:15 > 0:18:19We've sent a notice of enforcement, there's been plenty of paperwork to do with this, but somebody's either
0:18:19 > 0:18:25ignored it or buried their heads in the sand and it's now crunch day.
0:18:25 > 0:18:26OK.
0:18:26 > 0:18:28Bye-bye.
0:18:30 > 0:18:33She's spoken to somebody and they can pay half the money now
0:18:33 > 0:18:35and the balance on Friday.
0:18:35 > 0:18:38But at the moment, I've said no to that because they've managed to come
0:18:38 > 0:18:41up with half the money very, very quickly,
0:18:41 > 0:18:45so I don't see how a company with that sort of turnover could fail to
0:18:45 > 0:18:47come up with £16,000.
0:18:47 > 0:18:50So I'm playing hardball at the moment, I've said no,
0:18:50 > 0:18:53and we'll see what she comes back with in half an hour.
0:18:53 > 0:18:57In fact, he only has to wait a few minutes for an improved offer.
0:18:57 > 0:18:59MOBILE RINGS
0:18:59 > 0:19:00Hello, Mr Grix speaking.
0:19:02 > 0:19:04It's not for the full amount, but it's enough.
0:19:04 > 0:19:08Yeah, if you make that by immediate payment and just give me a buzz when
0:19:08 > 0:19:11it's done. And providing the balance hits the account by close of
0:19:11 > 0:19:13business Friday, then that will be the matter dealt with.
0:19:15 > 0:19:16OK, thanks. Bye-bye.
0:19:19 > 0:19:22They're going to make £10,000 payment in the next couple of minutes
0:19:22 > 0:19:24and then the balance on Friday.
0:19:24 > 0:19:26It's Wednesday, so I can live with that.
0:19:27 > 0:19:30Lawrence soon gets confirmation that the first payment's been made...
0:19:30 > 0:19:33- £10,000 is in. - ..leaves a receipt...
0:19:33 > 0:19:35They know I'm leaving it with you.
0:19:35 > 0:19:37I'm presuming somebody will come and collect it at some point.
0:19:37 > 0:19:40..and is on his way, pleasantly surprised.
0:19:40 > 0:19:42They offered half the debt initially.
0:19:42 > 0:19:45I insisted on full payment.
0:19:45 > 0:19:49They came back sort of ten minutes later with an offer of £10,000 and,
0:19:49 > 0:19:53really, in the situation where I hadn't even got into the office, and
0:19:53 > 0:19:55it looks like they don't even use the office,
0:19:55 > 0:19:58so I'd have to use locksmiths to get in,
0:19:58 > 0:20:00I think that's a pretty good result, really.
0:20:00 > 0:20:02So, £10,000 today by a transfer,
0:20:02 > 0:20:06which they did very quickly, and I've no doubt that the other just
0:20:06 > 0:20:09over £6,000 will be transferred in on Friday.
0:20:09 > 0:20:13Berkeley Credit & Guarantee Limited later made the second payment,
0:20:13 > 0:20:16and their landlord finally got the money they were owed.
0:20:20 > 0:20:22In the north-west,
0:20:22 > 0:20:25sheriff Alan Pennington is on his way to enforce a debt against a
0:20:25 > 0:20:27manufacturing business.
0:20:27 > 0:20:31We're off to Oldham today in this miserable, wonderful, wet weather.
0:20:31 > 0:20:33We're going to Oldham Precision.
0:20:33 > 0:20:36It's only a small bill, it's only about £1,800.
0:20:36 > 0:20:41Oldham Precision Limited has been taken to court by a supplier over an
0:20:41 > 0:20:42unpaid invoice.
0:20:42 > 0:20:46The company didn't defend the case in court and a judgment was issued
0:20:46 > 0:20:50by default. They now over £1,803.
0:20:55 > 0:20:59Alan is hoping that getting paid is going to be just a formality.
0:20:59 > 0:21:03It sounds like the company do know about the debt that's
0:21:03 > 0:21:06still outstanding, so I'm going to discuss it with them shortly.
0:21:06 > 0:21:10We're only around the corner and we'll get this paid for the client and move on.
0:21:12 > 0:21:15The business is on an industrial estate.
0:21:15 > 0:21:18- Closed.- The shutters are down.
0:21:18 > 0:21:21- Is that a door?- But Alan spies a side door.
0:21:27 > 0:21:29Hello, sir. Is there anyone I can speak to?
0:21:29 > 0:21:33- I don't know, I just do deliveries. - All right, is there an office here?
0:21:33 > 0:21:36There is, and Alan is shown the way in to meet a manager.
0:21:39 > 0:21:42- Hello.- Hi.- I'm an enforcement agent.
0:21:42 > 0:21:46- Right.- With a High Court writ for yourselves, Oldham Precision.
0:21:46 > 0:21:47What for?
0:21:47 > 0:21:50Alan explains the details of the writ,
0:21:50 > 0:21:53but the woman's response isn't what he's expecting.
0:21:53 > 0:21:56- I phoned up and paid it on the phone the other day.- To who?
0:21:56 > 0:21:59- They gave me a sort code and account number, I had to do it on the phone. - Who did?
0:21:59 > 0:22:02- When I phoned the...- The Sheriffs Office?- In the Sheriffs Office.
0:22:02 > 0:22:04I paid about £1,300.
0:22:04 > 0:22:09Alan checks his file again, but there's no record of any payment and
0:22:09 > 0:22:13the figure the woman says she's paid doesn't match the writ.
0:22:13 > 0:22:17Alan calls his office and gets them to check the bank account.
0:22:17 > 0:22:18It's not there?
0:22:20 > 0:22:22Nothing in the bank?
0:22:22 > 0:22:25- Is there any way you can go and have a look for us to give us proof? - Yeah.
0:22:25 > 0:22:27- How you paid it.- Do you want me to print, like, a bank statement?
0:22:27 > 0:22:30- Whatever you've got.- Yeah, give me two minutes.- Yeah, that's fine.
0:22:33 > 0:22:38The woman soon returns - and sure enough, she has the bank statement as promised.
0:22:38 > 0:22:41- There.- What have you got there?- It was on the 18th, bank statement,
0:22:41 > 0:22:44High Court Sheriff, £1,354.07.
0:22:47 > 0:22:52The statement does indeed show a payment made three days ago, marked
0:22:52 > 0:22:55- as High Court Sheriffs. - When was the 18th, is that Thursday, Thursday, Friday?
0:22:55 > 0:23:00It might not clear until tomorrow morning. When you pay someone for the first time, it is three days.
0:23:00 > 0:23:04In fact, bank payments usually go through within a matter of minutes,
0:23:04 > 0:23:07and most are guaranteed to be processed within two hours.
0:23:07 > 0:23:08Yet for some reason,
0:23:08 > 0:23:13the woman's money hasn't arrived, and so as far as the law's concerned,
0:23:13 > 0:23:14the writ still needs paying.
0:23:14 > 0:23:18What you'll need to do to satisfy this judgment for us today, because
0:23:18 > 0:23:22that money you've paid hasn't hit our account, is you'll need to pay that by card to
0:23:22 > 0:23:25me today with the machine, and then that money there that's gone in,
0:23:25 > 0:23:27if it's in the bank tomorrow or Wednesday, whenever it is,
0:23:27 > 0:23:29- you'll be refunded.- Can we not pay the difference?
0:23:29 > 0:23:31No, because it's not in our account yet.
0:23:31 > 0:23:33We've already checked the bank.
0:23:33 > 0:23:36- Right.- My manager's just checked the bank, it's not there.
0:23:36 > 0:23:40It's a bitter pill to swallow because, as far as the woman is concerned,
0:23:40 > 0:23:43the company doesn't even owe this debt in the first place.
0:23:43 > 0:23:47It's come from a company who did some work for us and invoiced us twice,
0:23:47 > 0:23:51so the original amount was paid and this is a debt that has already been
0:23:51 > 0:23:53paid, but they've invoiced twice.
0:23:53 > 0:23:57However, the time to make their case has passed.
0:23:57 > 0:24:00As Oldham Precision Limited didn't defend the claim in court,
0:24:00 > 0:24:05their supplier has obtained a CCJ and is legally entitled to the money.
0:24:05 > 0:24:07Despite her reservations,
0:24:07 > 0:24:11the woman agrees to make another payment without argument and Alan
0:24:11 > 0:24:13leaves with the debt paid in full.
0:24:13 > 0:24:17- All right, thanks very much, Emma. - Right, thank you so much. - OK, bye, love.
0:24:19 > 0:24:21Oh!
0:24:24 > 0:24:27We're satisfied the full judgment today of £1,800, and the
0:24:27 > 0:24:31money that they paid last week, when it reaches our account, will be
0:24:31 > 0:24:33refunded back to them.
0:24:33 > 0:24:37Very co-operative, no problems and the client will be paid in full.
0:24:38 > 0:24:42In fact, the money the woman thought she'd previously paid the
0:24:42 > 0:24:44Sheriffs Office never turned up.
0:24:44 > 0:24:48However, the company had a number of other outstanding CCJs and it's
0:24:48 > 0:24:52possible the payment was made towards a different debt.
0:24:52 > 0:24:56Oldham Precision Limited has since gone into administration.
0:25:05 > 0:25:09In Birmingham, Craig's chasing more than £6,000 at a garage.
0:25:09 > 0:25:13A customer, Rob Gallon, put his car in for repair but never got it back.
0:25:13 > 0:25:17When he first arrived, Craig thought he had confirmed that the man he's
0:25:17 > 0:25:19looking for is in charge here.
0:25:19 > 0:25:20Is the boss about?
0:25:21 > 0:25:23Is it a Nitin Kareer or something?
0:25:25 > 0:25:26- Come inside.- Yeah, yeah.
0:25:26 > 0:25:30But this man has since arrived, saying he's the boss and he's
0:25:30 > 0:25:32called Mr Ali.
0:25:32 > 0:25:37I have overtook from Nitin and we are just going to do parts.
0:25:37 > 0:25:40And now someone else is on the phone.
0:25:40 > 0:25:43- Is that Nitin?- It's Ash.
0:25:43 > 0:25:44This is Ash.
0:25:44 > 0:25:48Hello, Ash. You're taking over the premises, yeah, to sell parts?
0:25:49 > 0:25:54Ash says he's Nitin's cousin and, along with Mr Ali, took over the
0:25:54 > 0:25:55business six months ago.
0:25:56 > 0:25:59But as Craig flicks through the paperwork on the desk,
0:25:59 > 0:26:03he finds Nitin Kareer's name is all over it.
0:26:03 > 0:26:07- Those are old letters?- Old letters? - Yeah, old letters, they're old letters.
0:26:07 > 0:26:09- How many other letters have they got?- They are old letters.
0:26:09 > 0:26:11We haven't got any letters coming in.
0:26:11 > 0:26:14- That's for the water.- That's old.
0:26:14 > 0:26:16It's for the water, isn't it?
0:26:16 > 0:26:18Their story isn't adding up.
0:26:20 > 0:26:23Everything I'm looking at now at the moment is obviously
0:26:23 > 0:26:25your cousin's details on it.
0:26:26 > 0:26:29I know, I appreciate you're saying he's not, but if you're going to
0:26:29 > 0:26:32take over a premises, you'd change the water, you'd change the gas,
0:26:32 > 0:26:35you'd change the electric as a matter of course, wouldn't you?
0:26:35 > 0:26:41Ash, I'm looking at an invoice here, 27th of September, addressed to your cousin's company.
0:26:41 > 0:26:44That isn't April, is it? You took over in April,
0:26:44 > 0:26:47he shouldn't even be trading from here. Yet I've got invoices
0:26:47 > 0:26:49proving that he's trading from here.
0:26:49 > 0:26:53Although he still hasn't got any proof there are assets here in the
0:26:53 > 0:26:54debtor's name personally,
0:26:54 > 0:26:58he has at least got the people he's dealing with on the back foot.
0:26:58 > 0:27:02Perhaps that'll be enough to ramp up the pressure and get a payment.
0:27:02 > 0:27:04You need to get your cousin,
0:27:04 > 0:27:06talk to me and then hopefully I can try and help him out.
0:27:06 > 0:27:08I'll always try and help people out,
0:27:08 > 0:27:12but what I don't like being is being mugged off. Do you know what I mean?
0:27:12 > 0:27:14It appears without his right-hand man, Tommy, by his
0:27:14 > 0:27:19side, Craig's taking on both roles of good cop and bad cop.
0:27:20 > 0:27:21He's going to call me.
0:27:21 > 0:27:24While Craig waits to finally hear from Mr Kareer,
0:27:24 > 0:27:27he decides to do a bit more investigating.
0:27:29 > 0:27:30I've got every legal right.
0:27:30 > 0:27:32Legal rights for what?
0:27:32 > 0:27:35- Diligent search, they call it. - No, you can't.- Yes, I can.
0:27:35 > 0:27:38- No, you can't.- Yes, I can.- Can't. - Yes, I can.
0:27:38 > 0:27:42Craig does have the law on his side, and any attempts to stop his
0:27:42 > 0:27:46diligent search could quickly become a matter for the police.
0:27:46 > 0:27:49Luckily, the situation calms down,
0:27:49 > 0:27:53Mr Ali let's Craig carry on, before again handing him his phone.
0:27:53 > 0:27:55Is he on the phone, is he?
0:27:55 > 0:27:58But he is not the elusive Mr Kareer.
0:27:58 > 0:28:01Once more, it's his cousin, Ash.
0:28:01 > 0:28:03Hiya, Ash.
0:28:03 > 0:28:06He's still saying the debt's got nothing to do with him and he doesn't want
0:28:06 > 0:28:08to pay.
0:28:08 > 0:28:12As I explained, Ash, and as I explained to your business partner here, Mr Ali,
0:28:12 > 0:28:15I'm here with a court order for six grand, mate, and my job today is
0:28:15 > 0:28:18to collect that money under the terms of the High Court writ of control.
0:28:18 > 0:28:20Because money talks, that's the thing.
0:28:20 > 0:28:24Finally, Craig's persuasive techniques land on target.
0:28:24 > 0:28:27Perhaps realising that he isn't going to go away,
0:28:27 > 0:28:30Ash says he owes his cousin some money.
0:28:30 > 0:28:35He says he's willing to pay part of the debt for him and offers £1,000.
0:28:35 > 0:28:40Yeah, I'll make a phone call first, yeah, and I'll come back to you.
0:28:40 > 0:28:44If that's acceptable, then I'll leave a letter here for your cousin,
0:28:44 > 0:28:47but he has to deal with it. This is a personal liability.
0:28:47 > 0:28:50He needs to get in contact with our office and then he can sort an
0:28:50 > 0:28:54arrangement out to pay the balance off over a period of time, if he can't pay it in one go.
0:28:54 > 0:28:58Craig checks with his office, and the offer is accepted.
0:28:58 > 0:29:03Mr Ali makes the payment on a card, and Craig issues a receipt, along
0:29:03 > 0:29:06with the letter for Mr Kareer, asking him to contact the sheriffs
0:29:06 > 0:29:09to pay the remainder of the debt.
0:29:09 > 0:29:12- Thank you very much.- Sorry for your...- No problem at all.
0:29:12 > 0:29:15It's not the perfect outcome, but given that neither the
0:29:15 > 0:29:18debtor nor any sign of his assets were present,
0:29:18 > 0:29:21Craig's satisfied he's done the best he can.
0:29:21 > 0:29:24All in all, I think it's a good result for the claimant at the moment.
0:29:24 > 0:29:28I never met the debtor, claims not to be trading from here at all.
0:29:28 > 0:29:30Most of the assets there are in the limited company name,
0:29:30 > 0:29:33not personal to our guy.
0:29:33 > 0:29:37However, took the £1,000 and best result we could get out of that.
0:29:40 > 0:29:41Back in Staffordshire,
0:29:41 > 0:29:45Rob Gallon is disappointed that the sheriffs weren't able to recover the
0:29:45 > 0:29:49full amount. But is at least glad to see things moving in the right direction.
0:29:49 > 0:29:54It's something I've been fighting this guy for well over 12 months.
0:29:54 > 0:29:55We have had some luck.
0:29:55 > 0:29:59We've recovered £1,000, so we are getting somewhere with it.
0:30:00 > 0:30:04Mr Kareer did subsequently make contact with the sheriffs and offer
0:30:04 > 0:30:08to make payments of £40 a week to clear his debt.
0:30:08 > 0:30:11However, Mr Gallon rejected this,
0:30:11 > 0:30:15opting instead to hold out for a better offer or payment in full.
0:30:15 > 0:30:19So far, the sheriffs haven't been able to recover any more of his money.
0:30:21 > 0:30:24If you've won a County Court judgment and haven't been paid,
0:30:24 > 0:30:28for £66, you can get the case transferred up to the High Court,
0:30:28 > 0:30:32which will issue a writ for enforcement by the sheriffs.
0:30:32 > 0:30:36My job is to collect in full or remove goods.
0:30:36 > 0:30:39They've got special powers of entry.
0:30:39 > 0:30:42We don't have to take any notice of your security protocol, I'm afraid.
0:30:42 > 0:30:45And there's no limit on the size of the debts they can pursue.
0:30:45 > 0:30:47£1.6 million.
0:30:48 > 0:30:53If they're successful, they'll recover your money and costs from the debtor.
0:30:53 > 0:30:54Have you got the cash now, then?
0:30:54 > 0:30:57As well as their own fees, which are set by the government.
0:30:57 > 0:30:59She's paid, the judgment is settled.
0:30:59 > 0:31:01Thank you very much.
0:31:01 > 0:31:03If the sheriffs can't get your money,
0:31:03 > 0:31:07they'll ask you to pay a fee of £75 plus VAT.
0:31:12 > 0:31:18It's 10:30 in the morning and enforcement agents Lawrence Grix and Kev McNally are
0:31:18 > 0:31:21in West London. They're on their way to enforce an unpaid debt,
0:31:21 > 0:31:24owed by a large international company.
0:31:24 > 0:31:27We are in Brentford.
0:31:27 > 0:31:30We're going to Pakistan International Airlines Corporation.
0:31:32 > 0:31:37They owe us £1,088, this is relating to a delayed flight,
0:31:37 > 0:31:39so it's compensation.
0:31:39 > 0:31:43Since an EU ruling came into force in 2005,
0:31:43 > 0:31:47flight delay compensation has provided a steady stream of work for
0:31:47 > 0:31:49the sheriffs. Under the rules,
0:31:49 > 0:31:53passengers on delayed flights in and out of the UK could be entitled to
0:31:53 > 0:31:59compensation of up to 600 euros, and it's estimated around 900,000
0:31:59 > 0:32:02passengers are eligible every year.
0:32:02 > 0:32:05But all too often, airlines are reluctant to pay out.
0:32:05 > 0:32:10Nicholas Parkinson is the solicitor acting on behalf of today's claimant.
0:32:10 > 0:32:12There are some airlines that are good at paying claims.
0:32:12 > 0:32:15Unfortunately, with other airlines, it's very much the opposite.
0:32:15 > 0:32:19They've been fighting these claims voraciously for several years.
0:32:19 > 0:32:23They simply don't like the idea of paying people compensation.
0:32:23 > 0:32:27That means many eligible passengers end up having to take the airlines
0:32:27 > 0:32:31to court and ultimately engaging the sheriffs.
0:32:31 > 0:32:36Lawrence and Kev's job today is on behalf of a Mr Uzman Rafique.
0:32:36 > 0:32:41Mr Rafique and his family flew from London Heathrow to Lahore Airport in
0:32:41 > 0:32:46Pakistan. Their flight was delayed by over five hours, so Mr Rafique
0:32:46 > 0:32:50and his family were each entitled to 600 euros compensation.
0:32:50 > 0:32:54Several letters were sent chasing for payments,
0:32:54 > 0:32:56but, unfortunately, there was no response.
0:32:56 > 0:33:00So the solicitors went to court and won a CCJ,
0:33:00 > 0:33:02which still hasn't been paid.
0:33:02 > 0:33:07Now it's down to Lawrence and Kev to get the £1,088 Mr Rafique's owed.
0:33:12 > 0:33:14Kev is feeling confident.
0:33:14 > 0:33:19We're heading to their offices now, and I can't see this being a problem.
0:33:20 > 0:33:2220 minutes, paid,...
0:33:24 > 0:33:25..out we go.
0:33:26 > 0:33:30They locate the block where Pakistan International Airlines has its UK
0:33:30 > 0:33:32office and head in.
0:33:33 > 0:33:35Here we are, we're in anyway.
0:33:35 > 0:33:40- All right, mate.- But their attempt to breeze past security doesn't go unnoticed.
0:33:42 > 0:33:45- Go on, you go and sign in for us, then.- I'll sign in, yeah.
0:33:46 > 0:33:49Are you going to come and open the door?
0:33:49 > 0:33:51Our cameraman's also asked to leave.
0:33:55 > 0:34:00Inside, the sheriffs show the airline their writ and demand payment.
0:34:00 > 0:34:04Sadly, Kev's prediction of being out in 20 minutes doesn't come good.
0:34:04 > 0:34:07But when he does make an appearance after half an hour,
0:34:07 > 0:34:10it sounds like things are going more or less to plan.
0:34:10 > 0:34:13Literally come to get the card machine, they're going to pay.
0:34:13 > 0:34:16They're struggling to find the debt and the judgment, but they know they've got to
0:34:16 > 0:34:18pay it, so... It's such a minimal amount,
0:34:18 > 0:34:23they're going to get rid of us and pay that and then sort the details out later.
0:34:23 > 0:34:27That is exactly what happens, and the sheriffs are soon heading back to the van.
0:34:28 > 0:34:30That went as well as could be expected, really.
0:34:30 > 0:34:34Payment in less than an hour, walked straight past the security guard,
0:34:34 > 0:34:37who wasn't too happy and came and sort of chased us down.
0:34:37 > 0:34:39So Kev had to go and sign us in,
0:34:39 > 0:34:43but the airline company themselves just let me straight in.
0:34:43 > 0:34:45They phoned up their boss,
0:34:45 > 0:34:48who's not in the office today, and he got a bit shirty with me at one
0:34:48 > 0:34:51point, "I haven't had this, I haven't had that,"
0:34:51 > 0:34:54But, basically, I talked him down and they paid on a card.
0:34:54 > 0:34:58It's a scenario the sheriffs have seen time and time again.
0:34:58 > 0:35:02After months of fighting or brushing off a compensation claim,
0:35:02 > 0:35:05a brief visit by the sheriffs is suddenly enough to make them reach
0:35:05 > 0:35:09for their wallets. After years of jobs like these,
0:35:09 > 0:35:11Lawrence still can't get his head around it.
0:35:11 > 0:35:17I don't know why, if they know that a flight's been delayed and, under
0:35:17 > 0:35:20the legislation, they're obliged to pay compensation,
0:35:20 > 0:35:23I don't know why they don't just pay it.
0:35:23 > 0:35:24But they've paid now.
0:35:27 > 0:35:31Mr Rafique has finally got the money he's legally entitled to.
0:35:31 > 0:35:35His solicitor's delighted and hopes it sends out a clear message.
0:35:35 > 0:35:38We were pleased that we got the result we needed for ourselves,
0:35:38 > 0:35:41for our client and also to, you know,
0:35:41 > 0:35:45set an example as such to the airline to let them know, you know,
0:35:45 > 0:35:46there's nowhere to hide.
0:35:46 > 0:35:51These are court orders, you must pay these, and hopefully in the future,
0:35:51 > 0:35:53this won't be a repeat occurrence.
0:35:58 > 0:36:03Enforcement agent Ken Warby is on the road and heading to Northampton.
0:36:03 > 0:36:07Sheriffs can travel up to 3,000 miles every month in pursuit of
0:36:07 > 0:36:13unpaid debts, and for this Londoner, today's job is taking him into unfamiliar territory.
0:36:13 > 0:36:15I don't know Northampton well at all,
0:36:15 > 0:36:17this is a rare job for me to come up here.
0:36:17 > 0:36:21Though the footy mad sheriff has at least heard of the local team.
0:36:21 > 0:36:25Called the Cobblers. They used to make shoes and stuff up here.
0:36:25 > 0:36:29But it's unlikely such insights will help him with the task ahead,
0:36:29 > 0:36:31collecting money owed to a decorator.
0:36:32 > 0:36:36We're off to a place called PPS Shopfitters.
0:36:36 > 0:36:41An individual has taken them to court as he was employed by the
0:36:41 > 0:36:45debtor company. They had a signed ten-day contract
0:36:45 > 0:36:47to carry out some work on site.
0:36:49 > 0:36:52But the contract was broken when the decorator was told to leave after
0:36:52 > 0:36:56seven days, and he was only paid for half of the job.
0:36:56 > 0:36:59He took PPS Shopfitters Limited to court.
0:36:59 > 0:37:03They didn't defend the case and judgment was issued by default.
0:37:03 > 0:37:08The company now owes £3,347.
0:37:11 > 0:37:13After a couple of wrong turns...
0:37:13 > 0:37:16- End of the road.- ..Ken finds the industrial estate.
0:37:16 > 0:37:19Kings Thorpe Business Centre.
0:37:19 > 0:37:20And the unit.
0:37:20 > 0:37:23Oh, it's here, PPS Shopfitters, yeah.
0:37:23 > 0:37:27It's open and it looks like there's someone there.
0:37:27 > 0:37:29Ken heads in and make himself known.
0:37:31 > 0:37:35Hello, yeah, I'm looking for the person in charge, please.
0:37:37 > 0:37:40He's not in? Oh.
0:37:40 > 0:37:43The boss is apparently an hour's drive away on a site visit.
0:37:43 > 0:37:46I'm from the courts, there's my ID.
0:37:46 > 0:37:47Is there any chance you can get him on the phone,
0:37:47 > 0:37:50- it's quite important?- Ken is hoping that the mention of the courts
0:37:50 > 0:37:52will make it clear his visit is urgent.
0:37:52 > 0:37:56But it seems like the message hasn't sunk in.
0:37:58 > 0:38:01No, no, we don't make appointments.
0:38:01 > 0:38:04While the man tries to reach his boss by phone,
0:38:04 > 0:38:08Ken decides it's time to size up the assets.
0:38:08 > 0:38:13We've got machinery, but it's big machinery, and then raw materials.
0:38:13 > 0:38:18Wood, paint and some smaller hand tools as well.
0:38:19 > 0:38:23But the most promising and easily removable asset is out front.
0:38:23 > 0:38:26It's a van emblazoned with the company logo,
0:38:26 > 0:38:28which might belong to the business.
0:38:28 > 0:38:30Ken puts a call into his office.
0:38:30 > 0:38:35Could you do me an HPI check on a sign written van, please?
0:38:35 > 0:38:38The HPI check won't confirm the company owns it,
0:38:38 > 0:38:42but it will reveal whether it's free of finance and therefore could be
0:38:42 > 0:38:45removed if necessary. And it is.
0:38:45 > 0:38:48It's only a couple of years old and it is signed, written with
0:38:48 > 0:38:51the debtor's name on it, so should we not get anywhere on the phone,
0:38:51 > 0:38:55that could be a bit of leverage in getting our money back.
0:38:56 > 0:38:59I've got a clamp in the car, so we'll just wait and see.
0:38:59 > 0:39:03Meanwhile, a staff member's managed to reach the boss, Paul Houston.
0:39:03 > 0:39:05Thank you. Hello, is that Paul?
0:39:05 > 0:39:08Hello, my name's Ken Warby, I'm from...
0:39:08 > 0:39:10Ken explains he's here for the decorator's money.
0:39:10 > 0:39:14He's got a judgment against you, as I'm sure you're aware.
0:39:14 > 0:39:18- Oh, he hasn't?- Mr Houston seems to have a different understanding of
0:39:18 > 0:39:19the situation.
0:39:22 > 0:39:24He wants you to get something for him. Cheers.
0:39:24 > 0:39:27He's got one of his work colleagues here to get some paperwork,
0:39:27 > 0:39:31apparently suggesting why we shouldn't be here, so that's interesting.
0:39:34 > 0:39:35Thanks, mate, ta.
0:39:38 > 0:39:42But what the paperwork shows is exactly what Ken suspected it might.
0:39:42 > 0:39:44Can I speak to him again? Thank you.
0:39:46 > 0:39:48Hello, Paul.
0:39:48 > 0:39:50I can see what you've got here.
0:39:50 > 0:39:53What you've got is, you've got an application to get the judgment set aside.
0:39:53 > 0:39:55You've got a court date to appeal.
0:39:55 > 0:39:58Unfortunately, that's not enough.
0:39:58 > 0:40:00Mr Houston doesn't agree.
0:40:00 > 0:40:03He says the court's got it wrong and doesn't think he should have to pay
0:40:03 > 0:40:06anything until the case is re-heard.
0:40:06 > 0:40:08Only that's not how the law works.
0:40:08 > 0:40:12What you've got is literally what it says on the can.
0:40:12 > 0:40:17You've got an application to set the judgment aside and it doesn't trump
0:40:17 > 0:40:21this, unfortunately. If you consider this a game of poker,
0:40:21 > 0:40:24this person is holding all the aces because they've got a court judgment
0:40:24 > 0:40:26against PPS.
0:40:26 > 0:40:28Mr Houston doesn't like what he's hearing,
0:40:28 > 0:40:32so Ken tries to make him see it's in his best interests to pay.
0:40:32 > 0:40:35I'll give you an option and you can decide whether or not you're going
0:40:35 > 0:40:37to take it, OK?
0:40:37 > 0:40:42The total cost is £3,347.11.
0:40:42 > 0:40:48Now, the only way this is going to change is if you refuse to pay,
0:40:48 > 0:40:52because I then have to call up a removal van to remove goods and it all gets
0:40:52 > 0:40:57really messy. I would get it paid for now, because if you pay it,
0:40:57 > 0:41:01we can't do anything with the money for 14 days, we hold on to it.
0:41:01 > 0:41:02In that 14 days,
0:41:02 > 0:41:07what I would suggest you do is do your utmost in order to dispute it.
0:41:07 > 0:41:11If he isn't paid, Ken will be forced to remove goods.
0:41:11 > 0:41:14But Mr Houston's taking some convincing.
0:41:14 > 0:41:16I can't give you legal advice, sir, I'm not allowed to.
0:41:16 > 0:41:20But if in that 14 days you dispute it, you dispute it correctly,
0:41:20 > 0:41:23then obviously you have to be given that money back.
0:41:24 > 0:41:26Finally, after ten minutes on the phone,
0:41:26 > 0:41:31Mr Houston backs down and authorises a staff member to pay with a card.
0:41:31 > 0:41:35But just when it looks like the job's in the bag, there's a hitch.
0:41:35 > 0:41:38I've been up in the office trying to get some cards to go through a
0:41:38 > 0:41:42payment line and they've failed.
0:41:42 > 0:41:45The boss himself is now on his way back.
0:41:45 > 0:41:46Until he arrives,
0:41:46 > 0:41:51all Ken can do is wait and contemplate whether he'd make a good shop fitter.
0:41:51 > 0:41:53I can cut a piece of wood.
0:41:53 > 0:41:56I can cut a piece of metal, so, yeah.
0:41:56 > 0:42:00Just as Ken's mulling over an alternative career, Mr Houston arrives.
0:42:00 > 0:42:02Hello, I'm Ken, I spoke to you on the phone.
0:42:04 > 0:42:07As all the bank cards in the office have already been declined,
0:42:07 > 0:42:11hopes are resting on the boss being able to access some funds.
0:42:14 > 0:42:16Luckily, he is.
0:42:16 > 0:42:18I've tried several cards before he turned up.
0:42:19 > 0:42:24His one worked, and he's just paid £3,347.
0:42:24 > 0:42:28He is, however, going to contest it because he just feels that he
0:42:28 > 0:42:31shouldn't have to pay this money, according to him.
0:42:31 > 0:42:36But we've got the money, we've got what we come for, and job done.
0:42:38 > 0:42:43PPS Shopfitters Limited subsequently withdrew its application to appeal
0:42:43 > 0:42:47the case and the decorator finally got paid what he was owed.