Claire Sandbrook has been a central figure in the UK’s debt recovery industry, and her roles in the TV shows ‘Can’t Pay? Take It Away!‘ and ‘Call The Bailiffs, Time To Pay Up‘ have significantly shaped public perception of high court enforcement. Drawing from her extensive experience, Claire has evolved her approach to debt enforcement, incorporating lessons learned from ‘Can’t Pay? Take It Away!’ into her work on ‘Call The Bailiffs.’ This blog explores how her journey has influenced the evolution of enforcement practices, especially during the challenging times of the Covid pandemic.
From ‘Can’t Pay? Take It Away!’ to ‘Call The Bailiffs’
‘Can’t Pay? Take It Away!‘ was a groundbreaking show that brought the often-misunderstood process of debt recovery to the public eye. Claire Sandbrook’s involvement as a consultant was crucial in ensuring that the portrayal of High Court enforcement was accurate and educational. By showcasing real-life scenarios, the show helped to demystify the role of debt recovery agents and illustrate the legal framework within which they operate.
Building on the success of this format, ‘Call The Bailiffs, Time To Pay Up’ provided an opportunity to delve even deeper into the complexities of High Court enforcement with a cast that was both diverse and therefore different in its service delivery. Claire Sandbrook’s experience with ‘Can’t Pay? Take It Away!’ informed her approach to this new show, bringing a more nuanced understanding of the challenges and responsibilities that enforcement agents face. The evolution of her role reflects the broader changes in the industry, including a greater emphasis on diversity, professionalism, empathy, and adherence to strict legal procedures.
Lessons from ‘Can’t Pay? Take It Away!’
One of the key takeaways from Claire’s work on ‘Can’t Pay? We Will Take It Away!‘ was the importance of transparency and education in debt recovery. The show played a pivotal role in:
- Highlighting Legal Compliance | By following the procedures outlined in Schedule 12 of the Tribunals Courts and Enforcement Act 2007 and the Taking Control of Goods Regulations 2013 and 2014, the show demonstrated the legal steps that must be taken when enforcing a debt. This helped to clarify misconceptions about the enforcement process and illustrated the careful balance between creditor rights and debtor protection.
- Emphasizing Empathy and Negotiation | Claire’s approach emphasized that enforcement is not simply about “pay or we take it away.” Instead, it involves working with debtors to find solutions, such as negotiating payment plans and understanding individual circumstances. This perspective was essential in shaping the public’s understanding of the human side of enforcement.
- Influencing Public Perception | The show successfully brought High Court enforcement into the mainstream, fostering a more informed discussion about the role of debt recovery agents in the UK. It also served as an educational tool for policymakers, judges, and the public, illustrating the vital function that enforcement officers serve in upholding the law.
‘Call The Bailiffs’ – Adapting to New Challenges
When it came to ‘Call The Bailiffs, Time To Pay Up,’ Claire Sandbrook’s experience with ‘Can’t Pay? Take It Away!’ informed her approach to the new show’s development. This time, the filming took place during the Covid pandemic, which introduced new challenges and required strict adherence to health and safety protocols. The enforcement of High Court writs during this period had to comply with the UK Government’s Covid Regulations, ensuring that public health measures were thoroughly reviewed and implemented. Claire was approached to be a consultant on the show in July 2020, in the middle of the second UK lockdown. She was contacted by Andrew Eastel of Middlechild Productions, after he had drawn a blank on getting another High Court Enforcement Officer to take up his offer to do the show. For reasons that Claire understands it takes a level of experience to be prepared to film and broadcast situational enforcement. And yet by filming and sharing the impact of the law in progress, we believe it has saved many thousands of people from getting into debt, as well as informing many people about how to recover their money if they need to use the courts or the Money Claim Online system.
Working with Andrew Eastel at Middlechild Productions, Claire was able to shape her influence in how ‘Call The Bailiffs’ adapted to these unprecedented circumstances |
- Health and Safety Protocols | The show was filmed in accordance with stringent health and safety guidelines to protect both the enforcement agents and the public. This included social distancing measures, the use of personal protective equipment (PPE), and minimizing contact wherever possible. By adhering to these regulations, the show highlighted the importance of conducting enforcement actions responsibly, even in challenging times.
- Evolving Enforcement Practices | The pandemic necessitated a more cautious and sensitive approach to enforcement. Claire’s experience in balancing the law with compassion became even more crucial during this time, as agents had to navigate the added complexities of carrying out their duties while ensuring public safety. ‘Call The Bailiffs’ showcased how enforcement practices evolved to accommodate these new realities, reflecting Claire’s ongoing commitment to professionalism and empathy.
- Maintaining Legal Compliance | Despite the challenges posed by the pandemic, ‘Call The Bailiffs’ continued to adhere to the legal framework governing High Court enforcement. This reinforced the message that, even in difficult circumstances, the rule of law must be upheld, and enforcement actions must be carried out in accordance with the regulations set forth in the Taking Control of Goods Regulations 2013 and 2014. Claire has since written to the then Lord Chancellor, Robert Buckland, to thank him for his support of High Court Enforcement Officers and Agents during the months that the Covid Regulations were in force.
The Evolution of Claire’s Approach
Claire Sandbrook’s work on ‘Call The Bailiffs’ builds on the foundation laid by ‘Can’t Pay? Take It Away!‘ Her experience has informed a more adaptive and resilient approach to enforcement, one that takes into account the changing landscape of debt recovery and the need for flexibility in the face of unforeseen challenges, such as a global pandemic. The cast were picked to reflect a need for diversity in the line-up which was a requirement of the channel and which Claire fully supported – and has supported over her long career. It took a TV show to showcase the make-up of the men and women who carry out this work.
Key elements of Claire’s evolved approach include |
- Adaptability | The Covid pandemic required enforcement agents to adapt quickly to new regulations and health protocols. Claire’s leadership ensured that these adaptations were made in a way that maintained the integrity of the enforcement process while prioritizing public health.
- Enhanced Communication | The show highlighted the importance of clear communication between agents and debtors, especially during a time when many people faced financial uncertainty. By focusing on negotiation and understanding, Claire’s approach emphasized finding solutions that were fair and considerate of the debtor’s situation.
- Ongoing Education | Both ‘Can’t Pay? Take It Away!‘ and ‘Call The Bailiffs‘ served as educational platforms, but the latter show took it a step further by demonstrating how enforcement practices can evolve in response to external factors. This ongoing education is crucial for informing the public and policymakers about the realities of debt recovery and the role of enforcement agents.
Conclusion
The evolution of debt enforcement, as seen through Claire Sandbrook’s journey from ‘Can’t Pay? Take It Away!’ to ‘Call The Bailiffs, Time To Pay Up,’ reflects a broader shift towards more informed, empathetic, and adaptable practices in the industry. Her experience with the first show has significantly informed her approach to the latter, especially in navigating the challenges posed by the Covid pandemic. By adhering to strict health and safety protocols and emphasizing the importance of legal compliance and empathy, Claire has once again set a standard for high court enforcement. Her work continues to shape the narrative around debt recovery agents in the UK, demonstrating that enforcement can be carried out with integrity, professionalism, and a deep understanding of the human impact. We look forward to planning Season 3 with the support of Middlechild Productions and their highly professional crew.
This blog discusses how Claire Sandbrook’s experience with ‘Can’t Pay? Take It Away!‘ has informed her approach to ‘Call The Bailiffs,’ especially in adapting enforcement practices to the challenges of the Covid pandemic while maintaining compliance with health and legal regulations.
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