The Campaign for Enforcement Reform (TCER) launched its website on May 1. Organisers say this provides a public platform for the campaign group’s lobbying for reform of enforcement (bailiff) law. In April 2017 the group issued an independent review of the reforms to bailiffs’ powers introduced under the Tribunals, Courts and Enforcement Act 2007. TCER wishes to see these reforms continued and expanded.
The modernisations and improvements to the law in April 2014 were all welcome, the group says, but the process is incomplete. They say there is still pressing need for:
•Improved qualifications for enforcement agents (bailiffs);
•Clarification of aspects of the new law; and,
•Enhanced regulation of the sector, which in TCER’s opinion can only be provided by an entirely independent and impartial regulator.
Various statutory bodies have been suggested for this role, such as the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) and the Insolvency Service, and there has also been discussion of an ombudsman. TCER favours a single body that appoints, supervises and disciplines all forms of enforcement agent.
TCER does not deny the successes of the new law, particularly in dealing with concerns over bailiff fees, but the reforms remain partial and unfinished. For a truly high quality and professional enforcement system, more work needs to be done and TCER intends to be at the forefront of the campaign to achieve that, actively promoting ideas for reform and responding to government consultations.
See www.tcer.co.uk or email [email protected].