Bailiffs, sometimes known as enforcement officers, are responsible for enforcing court orders and taking money or goods from people who owe debts.

In England and Wales, county court bailiffs are civil servants who deliver legal documents such as summonses and enforce county court judgements. Certificated bailiffs do not work for the courts but they collect debts such as rent and council tax arrears, business rates and parking fines. Private bailiffs recover debt for various clients such as banks, utility companies and loan companies.

Duties might include:

• writing to debtors to ask for payment
• talking to debtors and arranging for them to repay in instalments
• serving court papers 
• offering money management advice
• repossessing goods and property
• where necessary, evicting people and changing locks
• arranging for goods to be sold at auction so that debts can be paid off
• keeping accurate records and being responsible for money recovered.

Hours and Environment

Most bailiffs work 37 hours a week Monday to Saturday. Evening and early morning work is common. Part-time work is possible. Many bailiffs combine this work with other jobs.

Bailiffs are based in offices but spend most of their time travelling and visiting debtors.

Skills and Interests

To be a bailiff you should be:

• able to deal with people from all backgrounds
• confident and assertive
• able to learn and understand the relevant laws
• tactful and skilled in negotiating
• able to deal calmly with people who may be angry, distressed or aggressive
• have good judgement
• able to assess the value of goods and calculate repayments with debtors.

Entry

You do not usually need any academic qualifications to become a bailiff. For some court service jobs you may be asked for four GCSEs (A-C)/S grades (1-3) or equivalent qualifications, but this is not always essential.

To obtain a Bailiff’s General Certificate, you must:

• prove to a county court judge that you are a ‘fit and proper person’ with sufficient knowledge of bailiff law
  not have a record of debt or a criminal record - you may be asked for proof
• pay a security bond of £10,000 - this would be used to pay compensation if a judge ever ruled that you had acted unlawfully
• provide two references.

One way to gain the necessary legal knowledge is to study for the Enforcement Services Association (ESA) exam.

You do not always need the Bailiff's General Certificate to work as a bailiff for a private firm, but many firms will only employ bailiffs who hold a certificate. You must be a certificated bailiff to be able to collect rent arrears, unpaid council tax and parking fines.

Employers may ask for a current clean driving licence. Some employers may prefer you to be aged over 25, for insurance reasons.

Training

You will be trained on the job by your employer. Your training may include short courses provided by a trade association.

If you do not already have it, some employers will offer training leading the Bailiff's General Certificate. This may include the Enforcement Services Association (ESA) exam.

After initial training you will work unsupervised, either alone or with another bailiff.

You must reapply for the Bailiff's General Certificate every two years.

Opportunities

In England and Wales, bailiffs are employed by firms of bailiffs or directly by county courts. Self-employment is possible.

Promotion in bailiff firms is possible to senior bailiff, assistant manager and manager. County court bailiffs are civil servants, they can be promoted to bailiff manager.

Annual Income

Figures are intended as a guideline only.

Starting salary is around £12,000 to £14,000 a year.
An experienced bailiff can earn £15,000 to £25,000 a year.

Many firms pay a basic salary plus some form of commission or incentive payment.

Further information

Clive House
Petty France
London
SW1H 9HD
Tel: 020 7189 2000 Park House
10 Park Street
Bristol
BS1 5HX