0:00:02 > 0:00:03Meet the sheriffs.
0:00:03 > 0:00:05My name's Mr Grix. My colleague and I are enforcement agents.
0:00:05 > 0:00:06Here with a High Court order today.
0:00:06 > 0:00:08They work for the High Court,
0:00:08 > 0:00:10and if a judge says you're owed money,
0:00:10 > 0:00:12it's the sheriffs' job to go and get it.
0:00:12 > 0:00:14Hey, all the keys!
0:00:14 > 0:00:16I'm going to be calling a locksmith.
0:00:16 > 0:00:18They can demand payment on the spot...
0:00:18 > 0:00:20What can you pay us now?
0:00:20 > 0:00:22- You're going to get the cash, are you?- Are you paying the bill?
0:00:22 > 0:00:24..or remove assets instead.
0:00:24 > 0:00:25You've got 30 minutes to make the payment.
0:00:25 > 0:00:28Then we'll start removing stuff from the building.
0:00:28 > 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 > 0:00:38- I wouldn't do that, if I were you. - Don't lie to me.- No messing.
0:00:38 > 0:00:41Every year, sheriffs in England and Wales recover unpaid debts
0:00:41 > 0:00:44totalling more than £80 million.
0:00:48 > 0:00:52Coming up... Ben Anderson's two-year-old son narrowly escaped
0:00:52 > 0:00:55serious injury when a car drove into their vehicle.
0:00:55 > 0:00:59Luckily, he slept with his legs tucked up.
0:00:59 > 0:01:02If he hadn't, they would have got crushed.
0:01:02 > 0:01:04The insurance company didn't pay out,
0:01:04 > 0:01:07and the sheriffs are in no mood to stand in line.
0:01:07 > 0:01:09We're here to execute a High Court writ.
0:01:12 > 0:01:13OK, thank you.
0:01:16 > 0:01:19When a supermarket boss refuses to clear his debt,
0:01:19 > 0:01:22Tracy threatens to clear his shelves.
0:01:22 > 0:01:25And there's been an order issued for us to recover this money today.
0:01:25 > 0:01:28Otherwise, we will be removing goods.
0:01:28 > 0:01:31Mike lays down the law to a firm of solicitors.
0:01:31 > 0:01:33No, no, no, no,
0:01:33 > 0:01:36you've just said exactly the same to my colleague, OK?
0:01:36 > 0:01:40You have got 30 minutes to make payment in full.
0:01:40 > 0:01:45Susan Carolan spent thousands of pounds on a garden summerhouse.
0:01:45 > 0:01:50The first time it rained, the water just absolutely poured through.
0:01:50 > 0:01:53When the man who sold it says he can't pay her back,
0:01:53 > 0:01:55Tracy and Dave get the clamp out.
0:02:00 > 0:02:04It's seven o'clock in the morning, and enforcement agents Tracy Lee
0:02:04 > 0:02:09and Dave Steele are in Cheshire, heading to a debtor's home address.
0:02:09 > 0:02:11This morning, we're in Macclesfield,
0:02:11 > 0:02:13hoping to meet up with a Mr Richard Lovenbury.
0:02:13 > 0:02:17This debt is in relation to some faulty building works done.
0:02:17 > 0:02:21From looking at the notes, it seems to be in relation to a summerhouse
0:02:21 > 0:02:26that the defendant's fitted for the client,
0:02:26 > 0:02:28and it seems that the client's not been happy
0:02:28 > 0:02:29with the service provided.
0:02:31 > 0:02:35The money is owed to disabled pensioner Susan Carolan.
0:02:35 > 0:02:38She decided to have a 32-foot summerhouse built
0:02:38 > 0:02:39at the top of her garden
0:02:39 > 0:02:43to provide a comfortable retreat for her 92-year-old father.
0:02:45 > 0:02:49I got a few quotes, you know, from different people.
0:02:49 > 0:02:52I didn't really know anything about sheds.
0:02:52 > 0:02:55One of the people who came out to look at the job and quote for it
0:02:55 > 0:02:57was Richard Lovenbury.
0:02:57 > 0:03:02And as far as Susan was concerned, he made a good first impression.
0:03:02 > 0:03:04Oh, I thought he was lovely.
0:03:04 > 0:03:08Very nice, very presentable as well.
0:03:08 > 0:03:12He was talking about his children, family man sort of thing, you know,
0:03:12 > 0:03:15very trustworthy.
0:03:15 > 0:03:18Susan was also impressed with the quality of his work.
0:03:18 > 0:03:22He actually opened up in one of the garden centres,
0:03:22 > 0:03:26and he had buildings on display there.
0:03:26 > 0:03:27Richard Lovenbury quoted
0:03:27 > 0:03:30for the construction and painting of Susan's summerhouse.
0:03:30 > 0:03:33The total cost would be nearly £5,000.
0:03:35 > 0:03:39He said that he would give me a five-year guarantee,
0:03:39 > 0:03:42so it was all rather convincing, you know.
0:03:42 > 0:03:46The base was laid and construction of the summerhouse got underway.
0:03:46 > 0:03:50But Susan was unable to keep an eye on the work.
0:03:50 > 0:03:54I should have come up when they were putting the base down,
0:03:54 > 0:03:56but I was ill at the time.
0:03:56 > 0:03:58I am disabled.
0:03:58 > 0:04:00I have...
0:04:00 > 0:04:02..you know, bad arthritis.
0:04:02 > 0:04:07I have trouble walking sometimes, you know, with my legs and hips.
0:04:07 > 0:04:12When Susan did finally see the summerhouse, her heart sank.
0:04:12 > 0:04:14It had been painted pink,
0:04:14 > 0:04:17not the apricot crush colour she had asked for.
0:04:17 > 0:04:20It was dreadful, the painting on it.
0:04:20 > 0:04:24It looked like pink undercoat, to be quite honest.
0:04:24 > 0:04:25I was quite shocked.
0:04:25 > 0:04:28But Susan was even more upset by flaws in the way
0:04:28 > 0:04:30the summerhouse had been constructed.
0:04:30 > 0:04:33The base hadn't been laid properly.
0:04:33 > 0:04:35I said, "But that base is not level,
0:04:35 > 0:04:40"and the building's not level, and it's all out of sync, you know,
0:04:40 > 0:04:42"and it's leaning backwards."
0:04:42 > 0:04:46Susan could see the shed didn't line up to the fence,
0:04:46 > 0:04:49and the roof wasn't up to much either.
0:04:49 > 0:04:54The first time it rained, the water just absolutely poured through.
0:04:55 > 0:04:57And the materials were below the
0:04:57 > 0:05:00standard she and Mr Lovenbury had agreed to.
0:05:00 > 0:05:06I'd ordered 16mm wood and only got 11mm wood.
0:05:06 > 0:05:09It was upsetting to know that you'd been ripped off.
0:05:09 > 0:05:12It was embarrassing, really.
0:05:12 > 0:05:14It was not just my money,
0:05:14 > 0:05:17it was Dad's money as well, and it was something for him, you know,
0:05:17 > 0:05:19this disabled garden.
0:05:21 > 0:05:24She had an independent survey carried out
0:05:24 > 0:05:26which confirmed her fears.
0:05:26 > 0:05:29The summerhouse Mr Lovenbury had supplied
0:05:29 > 0:05:33was finished to a poor standard and wasn't fit for purpose.
0:05:33 > 0:05:37When I kept complaining, Lovenbury said, "It's not my responsibility,
0:05:37 > 0:05:38"it's the manufacturer's."
0:05:38 > 0:05:42They said, "It's not our responsibility, it's Lovenbury."
0:05:42 > 0:05:45So, for about a year, it just went backwards and forwards.
0:05:47 > 0:05:51Eventually, she decided to take both Mr Lovenbury and the manufacturers
0:05:51 > 0:05:55to the Small Claims Court in an attempt to get her money back.
0:05:56 > 0:05:58As proceedings got underway,
0:05:58 > 0:06:02Richard Lovenbury made an admission that took Susan by surprise.
0:06:04 > 0:06:08He just stood up in court and said, "I want to admit to everything.
0:06:08 > 0:06:10"It's all my responsibility."
0:06:12 > 0:06:16The claim against the manufacturers was dropped, and Mr Lovenbury was
0:06:16 > 0:06:20ordered to pay back the money Susan had spent on the summerhouse.
0:06:21 > 0:06:26But she still didn't receive it, so, in desperation, she transferred
0:06:26 > 0:06:29the case up to the High Court and called in the sheriffs.
0:06:31 > 0:06:35I thought, "There's no way I can deal with him,
0:06:35 > 0:06:37"trying to get money every month."
0:06:37 > 0:06:41So that's why I put it up to the sheriffs.
0:06:42 > 0:06:48With court costs and fees, Susan is now owed £6,168.
0:06:50 > 0:06:54It's now down to Tracy and Dave to get Susan what she's owed.
0:06:55 > 0:06:58As they get close to Mr Lovenbury's address,
0:06:58 > 0:07:01Tracy is on the lookout for one asset in particular.
0:07:01 > 0:07:05The file says Mr Lovenbury drives a BMW
0:07:05 > 0:07:07that should be worth enough to cover the debt.
0:07:07 > 0:07:09The RBM's tidy.
0:07:09 > 0:07:11'09 plate.
0:07:11 > 0:07:14Tracy makes sure it's not going anywhere.
0:07:16 > 0:07:19I'm just going to grab this clamp to try and get this on
0:07:19 > 0:07:21before we get a response at the door.
0:07:21 > 0:07:23Dave goes to introduce himself,
0:07:23 > 0:07:26but it looks like whoever's inside has seen him coming.
0:07:26 > 0:07:28Somebody just opened the curtains and had a look,
0:07:28 > 0:07:31possibly the defendant.
0:07:31 > 0:07:34So he's up and about, so I think he's seen us,
0:07:34 > 0:07:35he knows what's going on,
0:07:35 > 0:07:38so let's see if he's going to answer the door.
0:07:38 > 0:07:41By the time Tracy's finished with the clamp, the door opens.
0:07:41 > 0:07:44Good morning, it's Mr Steele from the Sheriffs Office.
0:07:44 > 0:07:47Would you ask Mr Lovenbury to come to the door, please?
0:07:47 > 0:07:48It's the debtor's partner.
0:07:48 > 0:07:52Moments later, Mr Lovenbury appears in the doorway.
0:07:52 > 0:07:55- Good morning, Mr Lovenbury... - Who's the camera?
0:07:55 > 0:07:56You'd better ask the gentleman, not me.
0:07:56 > 0:07:58We're filming for a BBC One documentary series
0:07:58 > 0:08:01- called The Sheriffs Are Coming. - Right. Can you go away?
0:08:01 > 0:08:03Tracy and Dave are invited in,
0:08:03 > 0:08:07but we leave Mr Lovenbury's property and film from the road.
0:08:07 > 0:08:11Inside, the sheriffs explain they've come to collect Susan's money.
0:08:11 > 0:08:14Right, obviously, you're aware of the debt for Susan Carolan.
0:08:14 > 0:08:17What is your position of getting it settled?
0:08:17 > 0:08:20Mr Lovenbury tells Dave he's tried to set up a payment plan,
0:08:20 > 0:08:22but the sheriffs can't agree to one
0:08:22 > 0:08:25without making sure it's a good deal for Susan.
0:08:25 > 0:08:27They need to view and assess his assets.
0:08:28 > 0:08:32The shed salesman says he's only recently back at work after a period
0:08:32 > 0:08:36of absence, and offers to pay just £100 a month.
0:08:36 > 0:08:39But, with £6,168 outstanding,
0:08:39 > 0:08:42it would take years to clear the debt at that rate.
0:08:43 > 0:08:46The sheriffs know Susan wants her money sooner than that
0:08:46 > 0:08:50and Tracy asks about the vehicle outside the property.
0:08:50 > 0:08:54There is a Ford car parked next to the BMW on their list
0:08:54 > 0:08:56that apparently belongs to the debtor,
0:08:56 > 0:09:00but it's 14 years old and probably worth less at auction
0:09:00 > 0:09:02than the cost of removing it.
0:09:02 > 0:09:05The BMW is worth considerably more,
0:09:05 > 0:09:09but his partner says it belongs to her and that it's on finance.
0:09:09 > 0:09:12She also tells Tracy the house is hers alone
0:09:12 > 0:09:14and so are all the goods inside it.
0:09:14 > 0:09:18Unfortunately, it looks like everything belongs to his partner.
0:09:18 > 0:09:20The tenancy agreement is in her name.
0:09:20 > 0:09:23We're just waiting to get the papers for the vehicle on finance.
0:09:23 > 0:09:25It's her car, and, sadly, he has
0:09:25 > 0:09:28been out of work for quite some time.
0:09:28 > 0:09:31He's stating that there is nothing at all available today,
0:09:31 > 0:09:34and he's looking to put forward a proposal on a monthly basis.
0:09:34 > 0:09:36The tenancy agreement checks out,
0:09:36 > 0:09:39so Dave calls the office to make sure what they've been told about
0:09:39 > 0:09:42the vehicle is correct.
0:09:42 > 0:09:45- There's no finance attached. - It's on finance, but it's not.
0:09:45 > 0:09:47Well, I know it's not on finance.
0:09:47 > 0:09:49- Well, why did they say it was? - It's not, is it?
0:09:49 > 0:09:52Well, yeah. It's his car, I'm telling you.
0:09:52 > 0:09:56If the car had been on finance, the sheriffs couldn't take it.
0:09:56 > 0:09:59Tracy has a hunch that the reason they were told it was
0:09:59 > 0:10:02must be that the car belongs to the debtor himself.
0:10:04 > 0:10:07We've just telephoned the office and it's showing free from finance,
0:10:07 > 0:10:09so you've lied to me there.
0:10:09 > 0:10:13I need the DVLA papers or it's going to be removed.
0:10:13 > 0:10:16For a moment, it looks like the sheriffs are going to be able
0:10:16 > 0:10:22to take the car, sell it and pay Susan some of her money back.
0:10:22 > 0:10:23Have you found it?
0:10:23 > 0:10:27The V5 document doesn't prove ownership, but with other paperwork
0:10:27 > 0:10:30in the woman's name, Tracy has changed her mind.
0:10:30 > 0:10:32- Thank you.- Right.
0:10:33 > 0:10:36I shall go and give her this back and take the clamp off.
0:10:38 > 0:10:42So the sheriffs are now convinced it is her car,
0:10:42 > 0:10:46and that means they are left with nothing of value to take control of.
0:10:46 > 0:10:49With no leverage, it's back to a payment arrangement.
0:10:49 > 0:10:53Dave is inside the house and continues to push for the best deal
0:10:53 > 0:10:54possible for Susan.
0:10:54 > 0:10:57It's up to the client if they're going to accept any arrangement,
0:10:57 > 0:11:02so it may work for you if you can get some form of a lump sum.
0:11:02 > 0:11:05So, what can you pay today, Mr Lovenbury? Can you pay anything?
0:11:05 > 0:11:08500? 1,000?
0:11:08 > 0:11:12Eventually, Mr Lovenbury comes up with £150,
0:11:12 > 0:11:15and his partner transfers another 200.
0:11:15 > 0:11:19They agree he'll continue to pay 150 a month.
0:11:19 > 0:11:21That's as much as we can push it.
0:11:21 > 0:11:24There's no assets to have any leverage with.
0:11:24 > 0:11:27It's better than nothing, and Dave plans to review the arrangement
0:11:27 > 0:11:31after six months, with a view to increasing the payments.
0:11:31 > 0:11:33Susan's happy they've done as much as they can.
0:11:35 > 0:11:37They'll collect the money, and if he doesn't pay,
0:11:37 > 0:11:40they'll go back round and see him.
0:11:40 > 0:11:43- I think the sheriffs are really great, good guys. - SHE LAUGHS
0:11:52 > 0:11:55Using the County Courts to try and recover money you're owed
0:11:55 > 0:12:00isn't difficult. 1.5 million money claims are paid every year in
0:12:00 > 0:12:03England and Wales, involving anything from faulty goods
0:12:03 > 0:12:06or poor workmanship to unpaid invoices.
0:12:06 > 0:12:10Claims can be filed online, or by post for a small fee.
0:12:10 > 0:12:14Both parties in the case will be asked to submit evidence,
0:12:14 > 0:12:17and you may have to attend a court hearing.
0:12:17 > 0:12:18If you're successful,
0:12:18 > 0:12:22a County Court Judgment, or CCJ, will be issued against the debtor.
0:12:22 > 0:12:26If they still don't pay, that's when you call the sheriffs.
0:12:28 > 0:12:31High Court enforcement agents Tracy Lee and Adam Crossley
0:12:31 > 0:12:35are in West Yorkshire in pursuit of an unpaid bill.
0:12:35 > 0:12:40We're off to a supermarket - Dong Dong Oriental Supermarket.
0:12:40 > 0:12:42It looks like it's from a supplier.
0:12:42 > 0:12:44The supermarket was taken to court
0:12:44 > 0:12:47when it failed to pay for a delivery of goods.
0:12:47 > 0:12:49The claim wasn't contested
0:12:49 > 0:12:52and a judgment was made in favour of the supplier.
0:12:52 > 0:12:54When they still didn't get paid,
0:12:54 > 0:12:57it was transferred to the High Court for enforcement.
0:12:57 > 0:13:01Today, it's Tracy and Adam's job to get what's owed.
0:13:01 > 0:13:04We're looking to recover just over £2,000.
0:13:09 > 0:13:11Well, we're here.
0:13:11 > 0:13:15Adam and Tracy head inside and there's an employee at the checkout.
0:13:15 > 0:13:18Hello, could I speak to the proprietor, please?
0:13:18 > 0:13:19Is the owner here?
0:13:19 > 0:13:22Fortunately, the boss is here,
0:13:22 > 0:13:25and moments later he emerges from the back of the shop.
0:13:25 > 0:13:28- Hello. - High Court enforcement agent.
0:13:28 > 0:13:31I'm here with an unpaid debt.
0:13:31 > 0:13:34He's shown the paperwork and seems to know about the amount.
0:13:37 > 0:13:40It's for 2,129.
0:13:40 > 0:13:42What do you mean, no?
0:13:45 > 0:13:48- Right.- Right.
0:13:51 > 0:13:55The cause of the dispute is no concern of Tracy's.
0:13:55 > 0:13:57She wastes no time explaining what it means
0:13:57 > 0:14:00when sheriffs arrive at the door with a writ.
0:14:01 > 0:14:04This has been through court, and there has been an order issued
0:14:04 > 0:14:08for us to recover this money today, otherwise we will be removing goods.
0:14:08 > 0:14:11So, are you in a position to pay this in full
0:14:11 > 0:14:14before I start listing goods with a view to removing?
0:14:16 > 0:14:18Right, if you've got a dispute,
0:14:18 > 0:14:21you're going to have to deal with it down the correct channels.
0:14:21 > 0:14:23I am not here today to dispute this with you, I'm here to enforce it.
0:14:26 > 0:14:28You can call who you want, but this needs to be paid.
0:14:28 > 0:14:30I'm going to give you 20 minutes.
0:14:30 > 0:14:32If this isn't paid, I'll start listing.
0:14:32 > 0:14:35And if Tracy does start listing items to be removed,
0:14:35 > 0:14:37the amount they owe will go up.
0:14:38 > 0:14:41At this point, the boss asks us to leave the shop,
0:14:41 > 0:14:43so we continue to film from the roadside.
0:14:44 > 0:14:49It sounds as if Tracy's message may be starting to get through.
0:14:49 > 0:14:52As it stands, there is a live writ which I'm here today
0:14:52 > 0:14:54to enforce and collect on.
0:14:54 > 0:14:56The boss tells Tracy he will pay the debt.
0:14:58 > 0:15:00Yeah, you can pay it by card.
0:15:00 > 0:15:03Adam comes outside to update us.
0:15:03 > 0:15:06I think he's contacting his wife. He's disputing it.
0:15:06 > 0:15:08We're just waiting for a credit card or a debit card to appear
0:15:08 > 0:15:13to get it paid in full, so we'll keep you updated on that.
0:15:13 > 0:15:16Adam goes back to join Tracy, but instead of the money,
0:15:16 > 0:15:19it's the boss's wife that appears.
0:15:19 > 0:15:22She wants to see the original County Court paperwork,
0:15:22 > 0:15:25but that's not something the sheriffs were involved in.
0:15:25 > 0:15:29They've got a High Court writ and they'll execute it to the letter.
0:15:29 > 0:15:33Adam reminds them that not paying up isn't in their interests.
0:15:33 > 0:15:38If it's not paid, you'll end up with another further £494 plus VAT.
0:15:38 > 0:15:40Are you refusing to pay it?
0:15:40 > 0:15:42They are, and that's not all...
0:15:43 > 0:15:47- He's going to call the police. - Right, OK, well...- All right.
0:15:47 > 0:15:50The shop's refusal to pay means the sheriffs' attention
0:15:50 > 0:15:51turns to their assets.
0:15:51 > 0:15:54It's going to take a lot of instant noodles,
0:15:54 > 0:15:59but Tracy reluctantly starts listing goods for removal.
0:15:59 > 0:16:01- These rice ovens...- Rice cookers.
0:16:01 > 0:16:04Yeah, may have value.
0:16:04 > 0:16:06And that comes with a cost.
0:16:06 > 0:16:09The enforcement has now moved to stage two,
0:16:09 > 0:16:12which means the extra £600 Adam warned about
0:16:12 > 0:16:14has been added to the debt.
0:16:14 > 0:16:17This has now been taken to stage two. You've incurred a further cost.
0:16:17 > 0:16:20You've refused to pay it and we've started to list goods.
0:16:20 > 0:16:21Faced with escalating costs
0:16:21 > 0:16:24and the very real prospect of losing their stock,
0:16:24 > 0:16:29the shopkeepers now agree to pay, but not the extra fees.
0:16:29 > 0:16:31Tracy's not impressed.
0:16:31 > 0:16:35The shop didn't offer anything until she was forced to escalate,
0:16:35 > 0:16:36and she's not going to back down now.
0:16:36 > 0:16:38I'm running out of patience now.
0:16:38 > 0:16:39We're going round and round and round.
0:16:39 > 0:16:42This is the stage we've got to. We're not backpedalling now.
0:16:42 > 0:16:44The figure you need to pay is that.
0:16:44 > 0:16:47We can stop there and you can pay the 2-7, or we can continue
0:16:47 > 0:16:49and it'll go up again, because I will start lifting.
0:16:49 > 0:16:51It's not Mickey Mouse this, you know.
0:16:54 > 0:16:59And with that, Dong Dong Oriental Supermarket's arguments are over.
0:16:59 > 0:17:03They pay the debt and their extra costs on a card.
0:17:03 > 0:17:06He was going to pay it at one point. His wife's come along,
0:17:06 > 0:17:08spoken to him, the next thing, they're not paying it,
0:17:08 > 0:17:11they're calling the police, questioning our authority,
0:17:11 > 0:17:13whether we should be there and we're not who we are,
0:17:13 > 0:17:16and it's gone to stage two, and then he's tried to backpedal.
0:17:16 > 0:17:18It's been a tough afternoon,
0:17:18 > 0:17:21but the sheriffs have done what they came to do.
0:17:21 > 0:17:23The shop's supplier will now get the money they're owed.
0:17:25 > 0:17:28Dong Dong Oriental Supermarket told us...
0:17:34 > 0:17:35They said...
0:17:40 > 0:17:42..and that...
0:17:58 > 0:18:01One of the biggest challenges consumers face when they take on big
0:18:01 > 0:18:05companies is navigating endless recorded phone messages,
0:18:05 > 0:18:08and finding the right person to talk to.
0:18:08 > 0:18:10It can be a frustrating process.
0:18:10 > 0:18:13When the sheriffs turn up to collect a debt in person,
0:18:13 > 0:18:16they've got powers that consumers don't have,
0:18:16 > 0:18:20so they can get results where we can't.
0:18:20 > 0:18:21It's midday in the capital.
0:18:21 > 0:18:25High Court enforcement agents Andy Joryeff and Adie Long
0:18:25 > 0:18:27are on their way to the head office
0:18:27 > 0:18:31of one of the country's largest insurance companies.
0:18:31 > 0:18:35We're there after AXA insurance company in central London.
0:18:35 > 0:18:39We're there to collect a debt of just over £1,300.
0:18:39 > 0:18:40Obviously a large company.
0:18:40 > 0:18:43We don't know what we're going to be confronted with,
0:18:43 > 0:18:44but it being in the centre of London,
0:18:44 > 0:18:48I should imagine it's one of these big, huge modern places.
0:18:48 > 0:18:51Sometimes the sheriffs do have to go round the houses
0:18:51 > 0:18:52like the rest of us.
0:18:52 > 0:18:54A few problems that we'll face
0:18:54 > 0:18:57whilst enforcing against big companies
0:18:57 > 0:19:01is trying to locate that one person that's authorised to make payments
0:19:01 > 0:19:04on behalf of the company.
0:19:04 > 0:19:07Another problem that we'll find, as well, is security.
0:19:07 > 0:19:09They will try and stop us.
0:19:09 > 0:19:15It's their job, but we have right of entry to commercial premises.
0:19:15 > 0:19:18We'll go anywhere in the building that we please
0:19:18 > 0:19:20whilst we search for assets.
0:19:20 > 0:19:23Wherever they go, if a debtor tries to obstruct them,
0:19:23 > 0:19:26the sheriffs have a trump card.
0:19:26 > 0:19:29We can call the police. They will be breaking the law
0:19:29 > 0:19:33by trying to prevent us from carrying out our duty.
0:19:33 > 0:19:36We'll search the building for assets no matter what today.
0:19:41 > 0:19:45Andy and Adie's writ is for an unpaid motor insurance claim owed
0:19:45 > 0:19:48to this man - 35-year-old Ben Anderson.
0:19:51 > 0:19:56Ben had been taking two-year-old son Jack to visit his grandparents.
0:19:56 > 0:19:59It's always an exciting thing for him,
0:19:59 > 0:20:03and we were looking forward to a nice weekend with the family
0:20:03 > 0:20:08who always spoil him absolute rotten, like grandparents do.
0:20:10 > 0:20:14They were stopped in traffic when a car travelling at 40mph slammed
0:20:14 > 0:20:17into the back of them, shunting them into the car in front.
0:20:18 > 0:20:22When the car hit, it was just a massive crash.
0:20:22 > 0:20:26The whole impact squashed the car, and the backseat got pushed up
0:20:26 > 0:20:28against the back of my seat.
0:20:28 > 0:20:31The car sustained heavy damage.
0:20:31 > 0:20:34Jack was in a child seat in the back, and the impact left it
0:20:34 > 0:20:37squashed up against the seat in front of him.
0:20:37 > 0:20:39I was obviously in shock,
0:20:39 > 0:20:42but my first priority was to make sure
0:20:42 > 0:20:45that Jack was OK.
0:20:45 > 0:20:48He was crying, shaking and screaming.
0:20:48 > 0:20:50Nothing else in that moment mattered.
0:20:50 > 0:20:54When you see your child in such distress,
0:20:54 > 0:20:57everything else kind of goes out the window.
0:20:57 > 0:21:01Jack was terrified, but had avoided being seriously hurt.
0:21:02 > 0:21:08Luckily, he slept with his legs tucked up because, if he hadn't,
0:21:08 > 0:21:10that would've been crushed against the back of my seat.
0:21:10 > 0:21:15For him to come away without any injuries,
0:21:15 > 0:21:17it was a miracle.
0:21:17 > 0:21:20It wasn't until later that Ben realised
0:21:20 > 0:21:22HE had been hurt in the crush.
0:21:22 > 0:21:25I sustained whiplash.
0:21:25 > 0:21:30I had extreme pain in my left shoulder.
0:21:30 > 0:21:34It would just hurt to do basic things like picking my son up,
0:21:34 > 0:21:37so that impacted me a lot
0:21:37 > 0:21:42for a long period afterwards the accident, as well.
0:21:42 > 0:21:45The driver who hit him admitted responsibility.
0:21:45 > 0:21:49After a medical examination, their insurance company, AXA,
0:21:49 > 0:21:53agreed to pay compensation for Ben's injuries and the written-off
0:21:53 > 0:21:56vehicle, as well as the child seat and a pushchair
0:21:56 > 0:21:59that were ruined in the crash.
0:21:59 > 0:22:02But despite repeatedly chasing them, the money never arrived.
0:22:04 > 0:22:07This just rumbled on for months and months.
0:22:07 > 0:22:10I'd be ringing my solicitor,
0:22:10 > 0:22:13sort of, every week, like, "Have you heard anything?
0:22:13 > 0:22:16"Have we received any payment?" And every time, they were saying,
0:22:16 > 0:22:18"No, we haven't. We've been chasing them.
0:22:18 > 0:22:20"They're not getting back to us."
0:22:20 > 0:22:25Every time, AXA would say they'd been sending out the cheque
0:22:25 > 0:22:30and it had been going to the wrong address.
0:22:30 > 0:22:33The cheque was being sent back, and then it was going to the bottom of
0:22:33 > 0:22:36the queue of all their claims to make.
0:22:36 > 0:22:39and then they were sending it out to the wrong address again.
0:22:39 > 0:22:44Ben replaced the child seat and pushchair out of his own pocket,
0:22:44 > 0:22:48but he still urgently needed a car for work.
0:22:48 > 0:22:50He couldn't wait for AXA to get round to paying up
0:22:50 > 0:22:54and had to borrow the money.
0:22:54 > 0:22:58My dad's not a rich man either.
0:22:58 > 0:23:02He's had to take that money out of his savings.
0:23:02 > 0:23:08I really need to get this resolved so I can pay him back.
0:23:08 > 0:23:10AXA eventually paid part of the claim,
0:23:10 > 0:23:13but with the rest still outstanding,
0:23:13 > 0:23:16Ben took them to court. When they didn't offer a defence,
0:23:16 > 0:23:18the judge ordered that they finally pay up,
0:23:18 > 0:23:21but still they haven't done so.
0:23:21 > 0:23:24Ben's now had the judgment upgraded to the High Court
0:23:24 > 0:23:27and got a writ for the money.
0:23:27 > 0:23:32For them to agree to pay me this money and then for it to go on
0:23:32 > 0:23:35month after month without getting anywhere...
0:23:35 > 0:23:38I just need this weight lifted off my shoulder.
0:23:38 > 0:23:42I'm really hoping that the sheriffs
0:23:42 > 0:23:44can get this money for me.
0:23:50 > 0:23:54Back in London, that's exactly what Andy and Adie are planning to do.
0:23:54 > 0:23:57They have the power to enter a debtor's premises in the execution
0:23:57 > 0:24:02of a writ, even if those premises are gleaming glass towers
0:24:02 > 0:24:03belonging to multinationals.
0:24:06 > 0:24:07The company's a very big company.
0:24:07 > 0:24:10We know that they're good for the money.
0:24:10 > 0:24:15They will have the assets available to us for removal if necessary.
0:24:15 > 0:24:18But before they do that, they need to find the right place.
0:24:18 > 0:24:21Even for enforcement agents carrying High Court writs,
0:24:21 > 0:24:23the big city can be a confusing place.
0:24:26 > 0:24:29- Where is it? Is it down there? - It's up there on the left.
0:24:30 > 0:24:33Wherever it is, it's a long way from home.
0:24:33 > 0:24:35Being from a little Cornish town,
0:24:35 > 0:24:39it's something else when you actually get down into London
0:24:39 > 0:24:41and you look at it from the ground up.
0:24:42 > 0:24:44Just the size of it.
0:24:44 > 0:24:47Adie's usual patch is the Welsh valleys.
0:24:48 > 0:24:50I don't think I could live in the city.
0:24:50 > 0:24:54The thing is, you've got all this traffic. I mean...
0:24:54 > 0:24:57Crazy. Absolutely crazy.
0:24:57 > 0:24:58The gridlock.
0:24:58 > 0:24:59Give me strength today
0:24:59 > 0:25:02- to get through... - LAUGHTER
0:25:02 > 0:25:08..driving through London. I know how frustrating it can get!
0:25:08 > 0:25:11Keep your hat on, man. You'll go grey before your time.
0:25:11 > 0:25:12Oh, you already are.
0:25:12 > 0:25:15- We had to bring the barnet into it! - LAUGHTER
0:25:19 > 0:25:21They eventually manage to navigate
0:25:21 > 0:25:23the city's labyrinthine one-way systems,
0:25:23 > 0:25:26and find the address on the writ.
0:25:26 > 0:25:28AXA. There we are.
0:25:28 > 0:25:32They head into demand the payment to Ben's insurance claim.
0:25:32 > 0:25:36Entering the lobby, Andy spots a man at the electronic barriers
0:25:36 > 0:25:37who looks like security.
0:25:37 > 0:25:41All right, sir? My name's Mr Joryeff, I'm an enforcement agent,
0:25:41 > 0:25:43here to execute a High Court writ.
0:25:43 > 0:25:46- Hang on, sir. I will call the control room.- OK.
0:25:46 > 0:25:50Excuse me, sir. Excuse me, sir. Excuse me, sir.
0:25:50 > 0:25:52- Excuse me! Can you stay there please, sir?- Hello, sir.
0:25:52 > 0:25:57- Can you stay there, please? - I'll stay here. Like I said...
0:25:57 > 0:26:00- ..High Court enforcement. - Let me call the control room, sir.
0:26:00 > 0:26:03Yeah, not a problem. Give them a call.
0:26:03 > 0:26:06That's OK, I'm the same.
0:26:08 > 0:26:12Hello, receiving? Excuse me...
0:26:12 > 0:26:15We've just gained entry into the building.
0:26:15 > 0:26:20The security guard on the ground floor opened up the gates in order
0:26:20 > 0:26:23to come out to speak with ourselves.
0:26:23 > 0:26:25As he came out, the gates were still open,
0:26:25 > 0:26:26so I've walked on through.
0:26:28 > 0:26:32Sheriffs have the court-given power to bypass front desks.
0:26:32 > 0:26:35There's nothing the security man can do to remove them now.
0:26:36 > 0:26:38He gets on his walkie-talkie and, moments later,
0:26:38 > 0:26:40a woman appears to speak to them.
0:26:42 > 0:26:46We're here to enforce a High Court writ of control.
0:26:46 > 0:26:49- Sorry, who are you here to see?- AXA insurance.
0:26:49 > 0:26:51OK. And has somebody been called?
0:26:52 > 0:26:55We're just getting that sorted out now, I believe.
0:26:55 > 0:26:58Right. And who in AXA insurance are you here to see?
0:26:58 > 0:27:01My name's Mr Joryeff, OK?
0:27:01 > 0:27:04There's my identification, OK?
0:27:04 > 0:27:07I'm here today in order to execute
0:27:07 > 0:27:11a High Court writ of control against AXA Insurance UK PLC
0:27:11 > 0:27:12for an outstanding debt.
0:27:12 > 0:27:16So I need to go and talk to our legal team, which I'll go and do.
0:27:16 > 0:27:19- OK.- If you wait here, I'll go and do that now.
0:27:19 > 0:27:23The sheriffs are used to companies of this size taking a while
0:27:23 > 0:27:27to identify claimants and finding the right person to deal with them,
0:27:27 > 0:27:29so they're happy to wait for now.
0:27:29 > 0:27:32There is to be no filming.
0:27:32 > 0:27:34Our cameraman isn't welcome to wait with them, however,
0:27:34 > 0:27:36and we retreat to the road.
0:27:37 > 0:27:41Inside, security don't really want the sheriffs hovering by the lift,
0:27:41 > 0:27:45but can't persuade them to take a seat out of view.
0:27:45 > 0:27:48We will just wait inside at the barriers, OK?
0:27:48 > 0:27:49So they wait.
0:27:51 > 0:27:57I'm not going to make us wait around all day.
0:27:57 > 0:28:00The sheriffs are entitled to carry out a diligent search
0:28:00 > 0:28:04at a debtor's premises and start listing their assets.
0:28:04 > 0:28:07But before Andy decides to press the point and go upstairs,
0:28:07 > 0:28:11someone comes down in the lift to talk to him.
0:28:11 > 0:28:13My name's Mr Joryeff from the Sheriffs Office.
0:28:13 > 0:28:14OK, do you want to come up?
0:28:14 > 0:28:18They're taken upstairs, and with Andy going through the paperwork
0:28:18 > 0:28:23with an AXA lawyer, Adie comes outside to update us.
0:28:23 > 0:28:25At the moment, it's being looked into,
0:28:25 > 0:28:27and it looks as if we will get payment.
0:28:27 > 0:28:30Obviously, it's such a large company, they've got to look
0:28:30 > 0:28:33into the solicitors and the reasoning behind
0:28:33 > 0:28:35the debt hasn't been paid.
0:28:35 > 0:28:39As soon as that comes back, I'm sure we'll be paid and settled.
0:28:39 > 0:28:42Adie reckons Andy's decision to bypass security
0:28:42 > 0:28:45helped speed up the process.
0:28:45 > 0:28:49Most places, they don't understand the actual power that we have got
0:28:49 > 0:28:51in going into buildings.
0:28:51 > 0:28:53We have got the power and we can go in and remove.
0:28:55 > 0:28:57With Andy in control upstairs,
0:28:57 > 0:29:00Adie decides to leave him to it and stay with the van.
0:29:01 > 0:29:05Parking is extremely difficult and expensive in this part of London,
0:29:05 > 0:29:07so with a parking warden patrolling,
0:29:07 > 0:29:12Adie decides his best bet is to keep moving.
0:29:12 > 0:29:15I'll just have to drive around the block.
0:29:15 > 0:29:18He heads off, expecting Andy to be following him downstairs
0:29:18 > 0:29:20with payment in a minute or two.
0:29:20 > 0:29:22But, nearly an hour later,
0:29:22 > 0:29:25he's still circling and Andy is still upstairs,
0:29:25 > 0:29:28trying to get Ben Anderson the money he's owed.
0:29:30 > 0:29:31Going round...
0:29:34 > 0:29:36Eventually, Andy reappears.
0:29:36 > 0:29:38Hello, sir.
0:29:38 > 0:29:41He's had to do it without Adie, but he's got the payment in full.
0:29:41 > 0:29:43Fantastic result.
0:29:43 > 0:29:46The accounts department have put through the payment.
0:29:46 > 0:29:50I've checked with our accounts now. Full payment has been received.
0:29:50 > 0:29:52All £1,357.
0:29:52 > 0:29:56Good timing, fantastic. We'll get in the van.
0:29:56 > 0:29:59All right, Adie? How any laps have you done?
0:29:59 > 0:30:02- I lost count after five. - LAUGHTER
0:30:02 > 0:30:03Righty-o, let's go.
0:30:03 > 0:30:07Andy and Adie head out of London as fast as possible.
0:30:07 > 0:30:0814 days later,
0:30:08 > 0:30:11the sheriffs were able to transfer to Ben
0:30:11 > 0:30:14the insurance pay-out he was entitled to.
0:30:14 > 0:30:18I would like to say a massive thank you to the sheriffs.
0:30:18 > 0:30:22At last, some good news after this whole ordeal.
0:30:22 > 0:30:26As one small person against a big company,
0:30:26 > 0:30:29and it....and it's just been
0:30:29 > 0:30:32amazing that they've gone out there
0:30:32 > 0:30:35on my behalf and got what I was owed.
0:30:39 > 0:30:43High Court enforcement agents Tommy Coyle and John Farley
0:30:43 > 0:30:47are in Surrey, looking for one of the country's biggest holiday firms.
0:30:47 > 0:30:51Off to Gatwick today, to an industrial site, going to see
0:30:51 > 0:30:55Thomson Airways in relation to an outstanding claim.
0:30:55 > 0:30:58The outstanding balance is £2,600.
0:30:58 > 0:30:59Relatively small for a large company.
0:31:03 > 0:31:06Today, they are heading to the head office of TUI,
0:31:06 > 0:31:08the parent group of Thomson Airways.
0:31:09 > 0:31:12The debt relates to unpaid compensation owed to passengers
0:31:12 > 0:31:15who were delayed on a flight.
0:31:15 > 0:31:18The claimant took the matter to court, and when Thomson Airways
0:31:18 > 0:31:22didn't contest the case, a judgment was ruled in the claimant's favour.
0:31:22 > 0:31:25Any type of delay over three hours, I believe it is, you can
0:31:25 > 0:31:28make a claim for compensation and then obviously transfer it up
0:31:28 > 0:31:31to ourselves to enforce it.
0:31:31 > 0:31:34The rules state that passengers must be offered free meals after a delay
0:31:34 > 0:31:39of two hours, cash compensation after three, and free accommodation
0:31:39 > 0:31:40if they're kept overnight.
0:31:41 > 0:31:46It's been this way since 2009, but not everyone gets what they're owed,
0:31:46 > 0:31:49and collecting debts like this is regular work for the sheriffs.
0:31:49 > 0:31:53Me and John have both done lots of different airlines.
0:31:53 > 0:31:55They just don't seem to be paying them, whether it gets lost
0:31:55 > 0:31:58with the paperwork, half the time they don't know about it
0:31:58 > 0:32:01until we turn up, they say.
0:32:01 > 0:32:02The sheriffs may be familiar faces
0:32:02 > 0:32:05at the head offices of some airlines,
0:32:05 > 0:32:09but today John's hoping he won't get recognised.
0:32:09 > 0:32:12I've got a holiday with Thomson. I'm going on a cruise with them.
0:32:12 > 0:32:15That'll be lovely. Just the job.
0:32:15 > 0:32:19- Hopefully they don't realise it's me and cancel my cruise. - LAUGHTER
0:32:21 > 0:32:23As they approach the address, it doesn't look good.
0:32:23 > 0:32:27- It's here, isn't it? Is that all locked up?- Yeah.
0:32:27 > 0:32:30- Oh, you're kidding! - They've gone away.
0:32:30 > 0:32:31Where do you think they've gone?
0:32:31 > 0:32:33The building looks completely abandoned,
0:32:33 > 0:32:36but Tommy thinks he's seen someone in the lobby.
0:32:36 > 0:32:38Maybe there's security.
0:32:38 > 0:32:40- You all right?- Hi, there, I'm looking for Thomson.
0:32:40 > 0:32:42Is this TUI Travel House?
0:32:42 > 0:32:45It was, but it isn't any more.
0:32:45 > 0:32:48TUI and Thomson have flown the nest.
0:32:48 > 0:32:50They've gone to Luton now?
0:32:50 > 0:32:52The security guard says that, although the head office
0:32:52 > 0:32:56is no longer here, the company has another address nearby
0:32:56 > 0:32:59and that's where he's been redirecting visitors.
0:32:59 > 0:33:02Jetset House? That's around here, yeah?
0:33:02 > 0:33:05- Yeah.- Thank you. - Right, thanks for your time.
0:33:05 > 0:33:09Any mail for Thomson Airways is also being forwarded to Jetset House,
0:33:09 > 0:33:12so Tommy thinks his and John's presence there
0:33:12 > 0:33:13shouldn't come as a surprise.
0:33:13 > 0:33:16We have to send a notice of enforcement out,
0:33:16 > 0:33:19giving them seven days. If it's been redirected,
0:33:19 > 0:33:21they would have got that notice of enforcement
0:33:21 > 0:33:23and we can look to enforce this writ.
0:33:23 > 0:33:26The sheriffs leave for the new address.
0:33:26 > 0:33:28They know it's not the head office,
0:33:28 > 0:33:31but they're confident that if the payments department isn't there,
0:33:31 > 0:33:33whoever is will be able to reach the right person.
0:33:35 > 0:33:37There we go. TUI Group.
0:33:38 > 0:33:40They park and head in to ask for the money.
0:33:42 > 0:33:44Hello, how are you doing? Looking for Thomson Airways,
0:33:44 > 0:33:47in relation to a High Court writ that has been issued.
0:33:47 > 0:33:50- So, maybe legal department, something like that?- Yes...
0:33:50 > 0:33:52Reception makes a call upstairs.
0:33:52 > 0:33:54This is more of a satellite office,
0:33:54 > 0:33:57but should still be able to get our results.
0:33:57 > 0:34:00..and moments later, a man turns up to speak to them.
0:34:00 > 0:34:03Hello. Here looking for Thomson Airways,
0:34:03 > 0:34:07to collect an outstanding sum of money of £2,638.
0:34:07 > 0:34:12Almost immediately, he starts to question John's paperwork.
0:34:12 > 0:34:16Thomson Airways is not a company name.
0:34:16 > 0:34:18Thomson Airways Limited is the company name.
0:34:18 > 0:34:20And are they based here as well? Are they part of the TUI group?
0:34:20 > 0:34:24Thomson Airways Limited is a subsidiary of TUI AG.
0:34:24 > 0:34:27The original paperwork had a mistake on it,
0:34:27 > 0:34:30and now the writ reads "Thomson Airways"
0:34:30 > 0:34:33instead of "Thomson Airways Limited." Even so, the sheriffs are
0:34:33 > 0:34:38still expecting the company to know about the case and to pay.
0:34:38 > 0:34:42It's probably going to be relating to a delay or something like that.
0:34:42 > 0:34:44- Yeah.- So, I mean...- Is there anyone that can get on the phone
0:34:44 > 0:34:47and deal with this? Yeah, no problem. No problem.
0:34:48 > 0:34:51They're going to be aware of this gentleman.
0:34:51 > 0:34:53And, obviously,
0:34:53 > 0:34:56we'll be suggesting it needs to be paid today.
0:34:56 > 0:34:58When people pursue a debt through the courts,
0:34:58 > 0:35:02one of the most common mistakes is to get the name of the debtor wrong.
0:35:02 > 0:35:04In the case of companies,
0:35:04 > 0:35:07the claim must be brought against the registered name,
0:35:07 > 0:35:09as listed by Companies House.
0:35:11 > 0:35:14In this case, Tommy and John's client may have booked a holiday
0:35:14 > 0:35:17with the business trading as Thomson Airways,
0:35:17 > 0:35:21but should have taken Thomson Airways Limited to court.
0:35:21 > 0:35:24We have a nonentity on the writ.
0:35:24 > 0:35:26Moral of the story -
0:35:26 > 0:35:29be sure who you're taking to court. Reference the name exactly.
0:35:29 > 0:35:31Get it right.
0:35:31 > 0:35:35Technically, TUI could refuse to pay because of the mistake on the writ,
0:35:35 > 0:35:38but the sheriffs want them to do the right thing for their passengers.
0:35:39 > 0:35:42John calls his office to get some more details,
0:35:42 > 0:35:45including flight numbers and passenger names
0:35:45 > 0:35:48and TUI find the case on their system.
0:35:48 > 0:35:51Give them all the details and...
0:35:51 > 0:35:54Yeah. He's got onto the legal department of TUI Group.
0:35:54 > 0:35:57They know about this case, which they've admitted now.
0:35:57 > 0:36:00They're getting the right gentleman on the phone to us.
0:36:00 > 0:36:02We've gathered some more information for him -
0:36:02 > 0:36:03reference of flight number etc,
0:36:03 > 0:36:05which makes the process a lot quicker,
0:36:05 > 0:36:08so they can obviously find out exactly what case,
0:36:08 > 0:36:11because there's probably a few of these ongoing.
0:36:11 > 0:36:12So, at this stage,
0:36:12 > 0:36:15we're just waiting for this gentleman to call us back.
0:36:15 > 0:36:17Hopefully, they just want to get it paid.
0:36:17 > 0:36:20Eventually, TUI agree the claimant is owed the money
0:36:20 > 0:36:24and make the payment by bank transfer.
0:36:24 > 0:36:27After a little bit of arguing and disputing what department owes it
0:36:27 > 0:36:30and who should be dealing with it, got it resolved and paid.
0:36:30 > 0:36:34They know about the case. That's why they've got it paid today,
0:36:34 > 0:36:36so it was a good result for the claimant -
0:36:36 > 0:36:38the claimants, in this case -
0:36:38 > 0:36:41and a good result for ourselves.
0:36:41 > 0:36:43It took them more than two hours,
0:36:43 > 0:36:46but the sheriffs finally got the money that was owed.
0:36:48 > 0:36:50TUI Group told us they...
0:36:53 > 0:36:55They said they...
0:37:12 > 0:37:15If you've won a County Court judgment and haven't been paid,
0:37:15 > 0:37:20for £66, you can get the case transferred up to the High Court,
0:37:20 > 0:37:24which will issue a writ for enforcement by the sheriffs.
0:37:24 > 0:37:27Hello? I'm an enforcement agent enforcing a High Court writ.
0:37:27 > 0:37:29I'm here just to execute the court order.
0:37:29 > 0:37:32They've got more powers than County Court bailiffs.
0:37:32 > 0:37:33We're going to force entry into the shop
0:37:33 > 0:37:35in about the next 10-15 minutes.
0:37:35 > 0:37:39I have the right under the writ to investigate.
0:37:39 > 0:37:43If you obstruct myself or my colleague, it is a criminal offence.
0:37:43 > 0:37:46And there's no limit to the size of the debts they can pursue.
0:37:47 > 0:37:50£14 million. It's the largest job I've ever done.
0:37:50 > 0:37:53You can pay it directly into our account from Spain.
0:37:53 > 0:37:54If they're successful,
0:37:54 > 0:37:58they will recover your money and costs from the debtor...
0:37:58 > 0:37:59Thanks. Thank you.
0:37:59 > 0:38:02..as well as their own fees that are set by the government.
0:38:02 > 0:38:06It was that amount there until half past five.
0:38:06 > 0:38:08I don't stand here for three hours for nothing.
0:38:08 > 0:38:10If the sheriffs can't get your money,
0:38:10 > 0:38:14they'll ask you to pay a fee of £75, plus VAT.
0:38:18 > 0:38:21The sheriffs don't always need to see the debtor in person
0:38:21 > 0:38:25or to enter their premises in order to collect a payment.
0:38:25 > 0:38:29Sometimes, their presence and a frank telephone conversation
0:38:29 > 0:38:32is all it takes and today is one of those days.
0:38:32 > 0:38:36High Court enforcement agents Mike Perkins and Billy Evans
0:38:36 > 0:38:38are heading out to West London.
0:38:38 > 0:38:40Today we're in sunny Hounslow.
0:38:40 > 0:38:43We're off to see a Pembridge Solicitors Limited.
0:38:44 > 0:38:46We're after just shy of £3,000.
0:38:50 > 0:38:52The money is owed to a laundry firm.
0:38:52 > 0:38:55Mike's expecting the solicitors to be aware of what a High Court writ
0:38:55 > 0:38:58means and doesn't think they'll put up much of a fight.
0:39:00 > 0:39:02Billy's the more diplomatic side of the team,
0:39:02 > 0:39:06so I'm going to let Billy play the good cop for a while,
0:39:06 > 0:39:07see if we can go that way.
0:39:07 > 0:39:09If not, then I'll just have to up the ante a little bit.
0:39:11 > 0:39:14They arrive at a large multi-occupancy office building
0:39:14 > 0:39:15and head inside.
0:39:15 > 0:39:19They're looking for the director of Pembridge Solicitors, Mr Pem.
0:39:19 > 0:39:23Excuse me, we're looking for Pembridge Solicitors. Thank you.
0:39:23 > 0:39:25His office is on the first floor.
0:39:25 > 0:39:27But when they get there...
0:39:27 > 0:39:29..there's no-one in.
0:39:29 > 0:39:31Door's locked.
0:39:33 > 0:39:38Billy's got a mobile number for Mr Pem on file, so he gives him a call.
0:39:38 > 0:39:41Hello, is that Mr Pem? Sir, I'm a High Court enforcement agent.
0:39:41 > 0:39:43Are you about, to come and have a chat with us?
0:39:43 > 0:39:45We're here today to enforce a High Court writ.
0:39:45 > 0:39:50The amount is £2,990.25.
0:39:50 > 0:39:55Mr Pem seems to know all about it and promptly agrees to pay.
0:39:56 > 0:39:59Perfect. Thank you very much. Bye-bye.
0:39:59 > 0:40:01He's going to do it now.
0:40:01 > 0:40:03I wish they were all this easy.
0:40:03 > 0:40:06From a phone call, just like that.
0:40:06 > 0:40:08It looks like this is going to be an easy job,
0:40:08 > 0:40:11and just a matter of waiting for the payment to go through.
0:40:12 > 0:40:14But when Mr Pem calls back,
0:40:14 > 0:40:19he hasn't paid, and he's angry that the sheriffs are outside his office.
0:40:19 > 0:40:22Right, the payment, unfortunately, hasn't been made.
0:40:22 > 0:40:23So that's why we're here.
0:40:23 > 0:40:26It's too late to argue about it.
0:40:26 > 0:40:29With the sheriffs at his doorstep, Mr Pem needs to pay up.
0:40:29 > 0:40:32But Billy's struggling to get the message across.
0:40:32 > 0:40:34If you'd made the payment, we wouldn't have attended.
0:40:34 > 0:40:36We attend in person to collect that payment in full.
0:40:38 > 0:40:40You're going round in circles, Billy.
0:40:40 > 0:40:43Again, obviously the payment wasn't made during the notice
0:40:43 > 0:40:47of enforcement period, which is why we attended.
0:40:47 > 0:40:50The diplomatic approach isn't getting him very far.
0:40:50 > 0:40:52Just needs to make the payment, or we're going to gain entry.
0:40:52 > 0:40:54Right. I'm...
0:40:57 > 0:41:00Mike can't contain himself any longer.
0:41:00 > 0:41:02- Want me to speak? - Give me one second,
0:41:02 > 0:41:05I'm just going to put you across to my colleague for a second.
0:41:05 > 0:41:07Hello, this is Mr Perkins speaking. Is that Mr Pem?
0:41:09 > 0:41:12OK, I'm going to... Sir, sir.
0:41:12 > 0:41:14I'm going to put it straight down on the line, OK?
0:41:14 > 0:41:17I'm not going to wrap it up in cotton wool, OK?
0:41:17 > 0:41:22The payment needs to be made in the next 30 minutes via bank transfer.
0:41:22 > 0:41:26If the payment is not made within the next 30 minutes, OK,
0:41:26 > 0:41:29I'm going to be calling a locksmith, OK,
0:41:29 > 0:41:32and we're going to be gaining entry, OK,
0:41:32 > 0:41:34where you'll incur even more charges.
0:41:34 > 0:41:37You need to make the payment on stage one
0:41:37 > 0:41:39to stop any other further costs going on.
0:41:41 > 0:41:44Mike knows from experience that issuing an ultimatum
0:41:44 > 0:41:46is an effective tool.
0:41:46 > 0:41:51I'm going to be putting on a timer. 30 minutes to make payment in full.
0:41:51 > 0:41:56OK? No, no, you've just said exactly the same to my colleague.
0:41:56 > 0:42:01OK? You have got 30 minutes to make payment in full.
0:42:01 > 0:42:03Thank you very much for your time. We'll speak to you in 30 minutes.
0:42:03 > 0:42:05Goodbye.
0:42:05 > 0:42:08There we go. That's the Mike way.
0:42:08 > 0:42:11One of the reasons Mike and Billy work so well as a team
0:42:11 > 0:42:14is that they have different but complementary approaches.
0:42:14 > 0:42:17When one doesn't work, the other can take over.
0:42:18 > 0:42:19Just going round in circles,
0:42:19 > 0:42:22so that's why I gave the phone to Mike - good cop, bad cop.
0:42:22 > 0:42:25And Mike obviously upped the ante a bit more.
0:42:25 > 0:42:28I've just told him he's got 30 minutes to make payment in full
0:42:28 > 0:42:31and if we don't, we'll just get a locksmith out to gain entry,
0:42:31 > 0:42:33or I'll go and speak to the ladies downstairs
0:42:33 > 0:42:35and see if we can get a key off of them.
0:42:35 > 0:42:39But before Mike goes key hunting, Mr Pem rings back
0:42:39 > 0:42:41with the news they were waiting for.
0:42:41 > 0:42:43Apparently, he's done it.
0:42:43 > 0:42:4628 minutes and 35 seconds.
0:42:46 > 0:42:48Payment in full!
0:42:48 > 0:42:52A quick call to the office confirms the payment has gone through.
0:42:52 > 0:42:54That's the one, thank you very much.
0:42:54 > 0:42:56- Payment in full, Mike.- Bo!
0:42:57 > 0:42:58Thanks to Billy and Mike,
0:42:58 > 0:43:01the laundry company will now get the money it's owed.