How Does High Court Enforcement Work? | A Bitesize History of High Court Enforcement

A High Court Enforcement Officer, or HCEO for short, is a court-appointed official who is responsible for enforcing judgments and orders of the High Court. HCEOs were created by statute in 2004 and are successors to the Sheriffs who were created as long ago as 992AD in England by the Anglo-Saxon system of government.

What can high court enforcement officers do?

A High Court enforcement officer (HCEO) is an officer of the High Court of England and Wales responsible for enforcing judgments of the High Court, often by taking legal control of goods or recovering land and/or property. Prior to 2004, HCEOs were known as Sheriff’s Officers and were responsible for enforcing High Court Writs on behalf of the High Sheriff for each bailiwick in England and Wales. Today High Court Enforcement Officers are personally responsible for the enforcement of Writs issued in their name. They take the place of the High Sheriff in terms of this responsibility.

What are the powers of a High Court Enforcement Officer?

High Court Enforcement Officers (HCEOs) have greater powers than other court officers. They can execute any of the following:

• A High Court Judgment in England and Wales include the most commonly applied for High Court Writ, as well as Writs of Possession, Possession and Control, Restitution, Delivery and of Assistance

• A County Court Judgment (CCJ) for a value of £600 and above, which has been transferred up to the High Court for enforcement.

• An Employment Tribunal or ACAS Award

• A High Court Possession Order or County Court Possession order transferred to the High Court for Enforcement

High Court Enforcement

When William The Conqueror invaded England in 1066AD, he used the Sheriffs to manage his new kingdom through their power and network. The Sheriffs Office is, therefore, the oldest secular office next to the Crown in the United Kingdom. Back in 1066, the Sheriffs were responsible for collecting the taxes, raising the army, and summoning jurors, as well as dispensing justice and enforcing the court’s orders.

Through the centuries these powers have been taken on board by other agencies, and by the 1992AD, the Sheriffs were responsible for enforcing court judgments and orders in England and Wales. In 1998, the then Lord Chancellor decided to reform the system of court enforcement and the Sheriff system was updated so it became accountable to the Government and no longer directly to the Crown.

The Courts Act 2003 made way for the new title of High Court Enforcement Officer to be used and in 2004 specific Regulations relating to the appointment of HCEOs were implemented. Today HCEOs cover the 105 postcodes of England and Wales to enforce court judgments and orders of both the High Court and County Courts. Foreign judgments can be transferred to the High Court for enforcement including those from Scotland, Eire, the entire EU, and Commonwealth countries.

HCEOs are personally responsible for the enforcement of any judgment or order sent to them and are named in the form of Writ which is issued. This important document sets out the judgment or order and bears the seal of the High Court. The Writ gives the HCEO direct authority to enforce the judgment or order which generally involve recovering money or property for the claimant in civil court proceedings. Statute and accompanying Regulations along with National Standards ensure that the HCEO performs his or her duties in accordance with the law and with a fair and balanced view.

Don’t let your court judgments and orders go unenforced. Contact Shergroup today by visiting our website www.shergroup.com and discover how our High Court Enforcement Group can assist you. Let us handle your enforcement needs efficiently and effectively, ensuring the resolution you deserve.