Debt Recovery Update: Enforcement of debts via High Court Enforcement Officers

Back in April 2020, we wrote about the impact lockdown was having on debt recovery in this article Debt recovery during the coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic. As part of that guidance, we advised that High Court Enforcement Officers (“HCEOs”) had suspended attendances at both commercial and residential properties.

On 25 April 2020, the Taking Control of Goods and Certification of Enforcement Agents (Amendment) (Coronavirus) Regulations 2020 (the “Regulations”) came into force. The effect of the Regulations was to formally prohibit HCEO attendances for a defined period.

As the national landscape has changed with the relative easing of various measures, so too has the impact of the Regulations. Attendances at commercial premises re-commenced in mid-May 2020 and, providing no significant change in circumstances, attendances at residential properties can re-commence again from 24 August 2020.

With the easing of measures and with the prohibition found in the Regulations soon coming to an end, we anticipate a renewed flow of activity and new instructions as creditors start to take action again. The advice, therefore, remains that creditors should look to be ahead of the curve and assess their debt recovery requirements now to avoid the rush.

We provide business owners with commercially focused practical advice on debt recovery. For advice on all aspects of debt recovery please call us on 01483 464229 or alternatively email Ben Millward or Dan Baker.


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