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Bailiff powers cut under new UK laws Bailiff powers in England and Wales cut under new laws
(about 11 hours later)
Bailiffs are to be banned from entering homes at night and from Bailiffs are to be banned from entering homes at night and from
using physical force against debtors under new laws coming into effect using physical force against debtors under new laws coming into effect
this weekend.this weekend.
Further changes will also prevent enforcement agents from entering Further changes will also prevent enforcement agents from entering
properties where only children are at home and from taking vital properties where only children are at home and from taking vital
household essentials such as cookers, microwaves, fridges or washing household essentials such as cookers, microwaves, fridges or washing
machines.machines.
Bailiffs, who collect roughly four million debts each year, will Bailiffs, who collect roughly four million debts each year, will
also have to be trained and certified to practise under a shake-up of also have to be trained and certified to practise under a shake-up of
laws designed to bring an end to aggressive behaviour.laws designed to bring an end to aggressive behaviour.
Chris Grayling, the justice secretary, said: "People will still have to face up to their debts but they will noChris Grayling, the justice secretary, said: "People will still have to face up to their debts but they will no
longer need to fear their home being raided at night, the threat of longer need to fear their home being raided at night, the threat of
violence or having their vital household equipment seized.violence or having their vital household equipment seized.
"We are stamping out bad practice and making sure bailiffs play by the rules. Those who don't will be banned.""We are stamping out bad practice and making sure bailiffs play by the rules. Those who don't will be banned."
Bailiffs will also have to give seven days' notice before taking possessions unless they have specific permission from a court.Bailiffs will also have to give seven days' notice before taking possessions unless they have specific permission from a court.
The reforms come into effect on 6 April and are part of a wider The reforms come into effect on 6 April and are part of a wider
package under changes to the Tribunals, Courts and Enforcement Act package under changes to the Tribunals, Courts and Enforcement Act
2007.2007.
Jo Salter, researcher at the think-tank Demos, said its research had shown "aggressive" behaviour by bailiffs played a big part in the Jo Salter, researcher at the think-tank Demos, said its research had shown "aggressive" behaviour by bailiffs played a big part in the
emotional harm caused to families by debt.emotional harm caused to families by debt.
"Council tax arrears is an example of one type of debt that many "Council tax arrears is an example of one type of debt that many
said resulted in bailiffs getting involved. The actions of bailiffs said resulted in bailiffs getting involved. The actions of bailiffs
could often overwhelm people's rational ability to deal with the debt could often overwhelm people's rational ability to deal with the debt
itself. As a result our research showed that arrears can often be just itself. As a result our research showed that arrears can often be just
as harmful to people as payday loans."as harmful to people as payday loans."
The Citizens Advice chief executive, Gillian Guy, said: "We help with 1,000 bailiff problems a week. The Citizens Advice chief executive, Gillian Guy, said: "We help with 1,000 bailiff problems a week.
People have reported bailiffs giving debt letters to their children and People have reported bailiffs giving debt letters to their children and
threatening violence. These new rules reflect just how out of control threatening violence. These new rules reflect just how out of control
the industry is and are a welcome step towards protecting people in the industry is and are a welcome step towards protecting people in
debt.debt.
"What is missing from these changes is accountability for bailiff "What is missing from these changes is accountability for bailiff
firms. We'd like to see a licensing system that means firms are struck firms. We'd like to see a licensing system that means firms are struck
off if bailiffs break the rules."off if bailiffs break the rules."
• This article was amended on 4 April 2014. An earlier version of the headline referred to the new laws as applying to the UK rather than England and Wales.