Today (13th January 2012) the Justice Minister, Jonathan Djanogly, unveiled the updated National Standards for Enforcement Agents which defines acceptable behaviour for bailiffs.
The Standards set a guidance to ensure that people are safe and protected from rogue collection agents, whilst at the same time ensuring that genuine debt collectors can still collect debts and continue trading.
Additions to National Standards for Enforcement Agents address intimidation and threatening behaviour, and to prevent bailiffs misrepresenting their powers.
Justice Minister, Jonathan Djanogly, said:
'Bailiffs are an important part of the justice system so the few unscrupulous bailiffs must be stopped from putting people in harm’s way or taking advantage of the vulnerable. We want to bring an end to the rogue behaviour that can make people’s lives a misery.
'Whilst I know the majority of bailiffs are responsible, too many are not. We often hear stories, and see evidence, of people being mistreated by heavy-handed bailiffs. We are working with the bailiff industry, and other groups, to make sure that cannot happen anymore, but also that people can still collect their debts fairly.
'What we have announced today is the first step towards tackling this issue, which will be followed shortly by proposals for a new regulatory regime.'
Read the new National Standards for Enforcement Agents here (opens in PDF)
For further information read our National Standards for Enforcement Agents page.
