High Court Enforcement Officer

An officer authorised by the Lord Chancellor to execute writs issued by the High Court, including writs of control, writs of possession, and writs of delivery. HCEOs are private individuals or companies, not civil servants, and charge fees under Table 2 of the Taking Control of Goods (Fees) Regulations 2014.

In practice

HCEOs handle enforcement of High Court judgements and County Court judgements transferred up to the High Court under section 42 of the County Courts Act 1984. They employ certificated enforcement agents to attend premises and take control of goods. Fees include a compliance stage (£79 fixed), enforcement stage 1 (£200 plus 7.5% over £1,200), enforcement stage 2 (£520), and sale stage (£550 plus 7.5% over £1,200), plus VAT at 20%.