The £75 Compliance Stage fee and £235 Enforcement Stage fee

Bailiffs levy a £75 Compliance Stage fee for each enforcement power that can be enacted simultaneously. This fee is applicable upon the bailiff's instruction.

Only a singular £235 Enforcement Stage fee is allowed regardless of the number of concurrent enforcement powers employed. These fees are dictated by Table 1 and Table 2 of the Schedule within the Taking Control of Goods (Fees) Regulations 2014.

In cases of fee misapplication by the bailiff, you can seek recourse through a detailed assessment hearing.

The Law:

Regulation 5 of the Taking Control of Goods (Fees) Regulations 2014

Stages of enforcement for which fees may be recovered – enforcement other than under High Court writs

(1) The relevant stages of enforcement under an enforcement power which is not conferred by a High Court writ are as follows—

(a)the compliance stage, which comprises all activities relating to enforcement from the receipt by the enforcement agent of instructions to use that procedure in relation to a sum to be recovered up to but not including the commencement of the enforcement stage;

(b)the enforcement stage, which comprises all activities relating to enforcement from the first attendance at the premises in relation to the instructions up to but not including the commencement of the sale or disposal stage;

(c)the sale or disposal stage, which comprises all activities relating to enforcement from the first attendance at the property for the purpose of transporting goods to the place of sale, or from commencing preparation for sale if the sale is to be held on the premises, until the completion of the sale or disposal (including application of the proceeds and provision of the information required by regulation 14).

(2) Where the goods against which enforcement is sought are securities, the sale or disposal stage commences with the provision of a notice of disposal in accordance with paragraph 49(2) of Schedule 12.

Regulation 6 of the Taking Control of Goods (Fees) Regulations 2014

Stages of enforcement for which fees may be recovered – enforcement of High Court writs

(1) The relevant stages of enforcement under an enforcement power conferred by a High Court writ are as follows—

(b)where the enforcement agent and the debtor enter into a controlled goods agreement, the first enforcement stage, which comprises all activities relating to enforcement from the first attendance at the premises in relation to the instructions until the agreement is completed or breached;

(c)the second enforcement stage, which comprises—

(i)where the enforcement agent and the debtor do not enter into a controlled goods agreement, all activities relating to enforcement from the first attendance at the premises in relation to the instructions up to but not including the commencement of the sale or disposal stage;

(ii)where the enforcement agent and the debtor enter into a controlled goods agreement but the debtor breaches that agreement, all activities relating to enforcement from the time at which the debtor breaches the agreement up to but not including the commencement of the sale or disposal stage;

(d)the sale or disposal stage, which comprises all activities relating to enforcement from the first attendance at the property for the purpose of transporting goods to the place of sale, or from commencing preparation for sale if the sale is to be held on the premises, until the completion of the sale or disposal (including application of the proceeds and provision of the information required by regulation14).