County Court Bailiff

A civil servant employed by HMCTS who executes warrants of control issued by the County Court. County Court bailiffs enforce judgements below £5,000 by warrant of control, and regulated consumer credit judgements of any amount. For debts under £600, enforcement must remain in the County Court. For debts of £600 or more, the creditor may choose to transfer the judgement to the High Court for enforcement by writ. Their fees are set under Table 1 of the Taking Control of Goods (Fees) Regulations 2014.

In practice

County Court bailiffs are salaried employees and do not charge VAT on their fees, unlike High Court Enforcement Officers. They are often subject to longer wait times due to staffing constraints within HMCTS. For judgements between £600 and £5,000, the creditor may choose between a County Court warrant or transferring the judgement to the High Court for enforcement by an HCEO.